Travel To Do List: Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

Travel To Do: Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route

When the mercury climbs to record highs, our attention turns to snowy destinations on our Travel To Do list. Not many get more snow than Japan’s Alpine Route!

The Travel To Do List

To Do Lists. Everybody has one – or many – to keep tabs on everything from daily chores to life plans. Different than a Bucket List. There’s a verb in there, implying these are things you must do. Bucket Lists are where travel dreams gather dust, waiting for someday. To Do Lists demand action. It’s not just a list of dream destinations, it’s a list of places you’re going, things you’re doing. This is our Travel To Do List, our version of travel planning to turn dreams into realities.

Travel To Do: Japan’s Alpine Route

Attentive readers may know that TravelLatte World Headquarters is in North Texas, where summertime temperatures can soar right past 100-degrees like Tony Stewart at Texas Motor Speedway. (That is to say, quickly. Tony turned in the record qualifying speed of 200.11 mph!) It would come as no surprise, then, that we sometimes dream of cooler climes.

We sometimes dream of traveling to Japan, too. Those dreams come together in the Northern Japan Alps. This range, the Hida Mountains in the Nagano Prefecture of central Japan, features five peaks at or above 3,000 meters, and was home to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. The area is on our Travel To Do list for a variety of reasons, none more impressive than the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

Not Your Average Mountain Road Trip

What makes Japan’s alpine route unique is that it’s not just a mountain drive. The 37-kilometer route was completed in 1971, and is entirely restricted to various forms of public transportation. But don’t think you’ll be crammed in a smelly city bus the whole way. Ooooh no. To travel the entire Tateyama Kurobe route, you’ll be using seven different forms of transportation. Yes, seven. The map above shows the different transfer points; at each one you transfer from one form of locomotion to another. That’s an adventure in itself, but the star of the show is the scenery, and it starts before you do!

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

The restored 16th Century Toyama Castle is a popular attracion in Toyama City, a launch pad for activities in north-central Japan. (Photo: Chanon Tamtad)

Train

Kilometer Zero is at Toyama City, the capital of the Toyama Prefecture. The city is known for its beautifully reconstructed castle, dating from the 16th Century. The city is also a historical center of medicine, and makes a great hub for exploring north central Japan. From here, a train will take you to Tateyama Station in about an hour. It’s the first of eight stops, right at the foot of the mighty Tateyama Mountain Range.

The mountains form part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park. Rising above you will be Mount Tateyama, one of the highest peaks in Japan’s Hida Mountains. Get a good look, because later you will be right underneath it. Literally.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

The Tateyama Cablecar is just one of several modes of transport on Japan’s Alpine Route. (Photo: Flickr user Kentaro Ohno)

Funicular and Bus

From Tateyama Station, a cable funicular – the Tateyama Cablecar – will carry you to Bijodaira, a vertical climb of 502 meters. At Bijodaira, you will transfer to the Highland Bus for what could be the most amazing hour you’ll ever spend in a bus.

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In the spring, you will be traveling the Tateyama Snow Corridor. This is the star attraction of the entire route! In April and May, the road cuts through high snow walls, sometimes 20 meters tall. (That’s about 65 feet to us Americans!) If you’re particularly fond of crisp air, a section of it is often open to pedestrians, with snow on the ground as late as June. This snow corridor is what first drew our attention to Japan’s alpine route, but we soon discovered there was much more ahead.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

Framed by towering white walls, the Tateyama Snow Corridor is the top attraction on Japan’s Alpine Route. (Photo: Japan Guide)

Murodo Station

The bus takes you to Murodo. At 2,450 meters, it is the highest station on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It’s popular with hikers and mountain climbers during the summer and fall. A network of hiking trails leads to campgrounds and mountain lodges. There is also a hotel near the bus terminal, said to be the highest hotel in Japan.

Among the mountains and valleys, snow melt in the summer results in lush greens and rushing waterfalls. In the fall, this is a good section for momijigari. It’s what Americans call leaf peeping, and literally means hunting red leaves. Peak season is late September to early October.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

Japan’s Alpine Route features natural beauty throughout the year. (Photo: Japan Guide)

In stark contrast to the snowy pass, a trail of boardwalks lets you observe volcanic activity in the area. They call this area Jigokudani (which means “Hell Valley”) because of the sulfur smell, which sometimes forces trail closures. But don’t get too excited; this is not to be confused with the famous Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.

Tunnel Trolley Bus

After exploring (or staying) at Murodo station, it’s back to the mountain. Or, actually, under it. The next section is aboard the Tateyama Trolley, electric buses that travel under Mount Tateyama to Daikanbo. An observation deck at Daikanbo station has sweeping views of the Tateyama Mountains. This stop is primarily a transfer point to the next mode of transportation, which may rival the Snow Corridor.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

The Tateyama Ropeway is Japan’s longest single-span aerial tram. (Photo: Japan Guide)

Tateyama Ropeway

Don’t let the name scare you; it’s not made of rope. It’s actually a 1.7-kilometer-long aerial tram that has the distinction of being Japan’s longest one-span ropeway. There are no supporting towers between the upper and lower stations. (That’s the part that might scare you!) Views across the mountains to Lake Kurobe change with the seasons: Vast snow fields in the winter. Lush valleys, ponds, streams and falls in the summer. And, during the autumn, this is said to be another great section for leaf peeping.

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Kurobe Cablecar

The ropeway ends at Kurobedaira, and you’re roughly at the halfway point. By now, you could probably use a bite to eat. Conveniently, Kurobedaira has a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and more killer views before you board the Kurobe Cablecar. This is another funicular, which will take you through a tunnel down to Kurobe Dam.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

Japan’s Alpine Route crosses Korube Dam and Lake, the highest in Japan. (Photo: Japan Guide)

Your Own Two Feet

That’s the form of transport that will carry you across Kurobe Dam. It’s the only portion of Japan’s alpine route that doesn’t have a motor! At 186 meters, it’s Japan’s tallest dam, completed in 1963. Most visitors come during the summer when water is released. There are also short cruises on Lake Kurobe (about 30 minutes). The walk across the dam is short (10 to 15 minutes), but there is a long, steep flight of stairs on the eastern side that take you to an observation deck, and the trolley bus station to continue the journey.

Kanden Trolley Bus

You’re on the downhill side of the day now. Literally. You’re also in a tunnel, aboard a trolley. After such amazing sights – the snow corridor, autumn leaves, Lake Kurobe – it seems a bit anti-climactic. If nothing else, you have time to reflect on your journey and decide whether you’re going to continue eastward, or turn around and do it all in reverse!

Ogizawa-Omachi Bus

The last ride on Japan’s alpine route is regular bus service from the Ogizawa station, where you left the underground trolley, to Shinano Station in Omachi. You have traversed Japan’s alpine route. (Alternately, if you’re coming from Tokyo, this will be your starting point – just read from the bottom, up!)

From start to finish, the journey takes at least five hours of travel time. Add in time to hike, have lunch, snap photos, and warm up after walking the Snow Corridor. Each section (except the walk across the dam) has its own fare. They add up to 11,000 Yen, which is about $100 or €85. Alpen Route sells package passes that include train Japan Rail travel on either side of the Takeyama Kurobe Alpine Route for 17,500 yen adults/8,750 yen children (6 to 11). Check ahead as routes and trails are sometimes closed.

Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route, via @TravelLatte.net

Summer snow melt feeds streams and falls throughout the Tateyama Mountain Range. (Photo: Flickr user Kabacchi)

Omachi itself is a hot tourist destination: There are some 16 hotels and inns featuring natural hot springs. (See what we did there?) Ah, but that’s another Travel To Do for another day.

What’s on Your Travel To Do List?

We’d love to hear about what’s on your Travel To Do List! If you’ve been to Japan’s alpine route, we’d love to hear about that, too! Let us know about your travel dreams and experiences in the comments! And if you liked this trip idea, why not Pin it for later and share it with your friends?

Let’s Do This!

Find hotels in Toyama, the bustling city on the northern end of Japan’s Alpine Route. It’s a great hub to explore the Alps and the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Find hotels in Nagano Prefecture, one of the most popular areas in the Japanese Alps, and host of the 1998 Winter Olympics!


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Also on our Travel To Do List in Japan:

55 comments on “Travel To Do: Tateyama Kurobe, Japan’s Alpine Route

  1. First on our “to-do” list happens to be Japan. My mom goes back every year to visit with her brother, sisters and friends. I went a couple times as a child but not as an adult. Our children are at the right age where they will remember their experiences and aim to visit this summer.

  2. The Japan’s Alpine Route looks absolutely stunning, and the Tateyama Snow Corridor is just wow! Japan is very high on my travel bucket list – thanks for the inspiration!

    • We thought the same thing! It was the photo of the Snow Corridor that first caught our attention. The more we looked into it, the better it got! Japan is high on our Bucket List too. We’re hoping to visit Tateyama in 2020 for the Tokyo Olympics. Should be epic! Thanks for reading, Anna!

    • We agree! The mix of different attractions is what makes it seem so fun to us. The natural beauty and hiking along the way are sort of a bonus. Thanks for your comment, Shikha!

    • It’s just crazy beautiful, isn’t it? Would love to be able to see it in all seasons – each once must have such pretty effects on the mountains. Thanks for your comment, Marcella!

  3. Pingback: Faraway Files #46 | oregon girl around the world

  4. Love the idea of your “To-Do” list versus a bucket list! This might now be on it! I have never actually read anything about Japan’s alpine route (besides snow monkeys) and so this was a stunning eye-opener! Love the fall colors of those red maple trees. Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin

    • Thanks, Erin – A To Do list has that sense of urgency, and we think it’s urgent that we go to places like the Alpine Route! It was a real eye-opener for us, too. We knew about fall color, and mountains, and snowy areas in Japan, but somehow we never developed a mental image of all of that. So this really changed how we think about Japan – and made us realize there is so much more we need to see than the cities. Glad you enjoyed the post; thank you for commenting!

  5. Isn’t this beautiful? I hadn’t heard of this Alpine Route before and you’ve got me longing to do it. Not only does it look gorgeous but I really like the idea of taking so many different forms of transport along the way. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles

    • Hi Clare – it really does seem like an adventure with all of those changes along the way! Coupled with that stellar scenery, what a fun way to spend a day! Thanks so much for your comment – we hope you get to experience the Alpine Route, too!

  6. Everything just looks so inviting! I cannot wait to get to Japan someday! Your posts really inspire me to go sooner than later. Thanks for coming out to Fly Away Friday! See you this week!

    • We’re with you, Janine! Glad you found it inspiring – we often feel that way when reading about Japan’s sights and culture. So much to see and do! Thanks for your comment.

  7. I’ve never been to Tateyama but I’d love to! I love when people write about places in my country that I’ve never been, it’s so inspirational and makes me want to go there ASAP! Love all your pictures, stunning! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday, hope to see you again this week! xo

    • Hi Kana – We want to go there ASAP too! There is so much in Japan that we are looking forward to seeing. It will have to be a loooong trip, or maybe several! Thanks for your comment – “see” you soon!

    • For a small(ish) country, Japan has a lot to see! We usually think of the cities, so this Alpine Route really shows the diversity in the country. And it’s beautiful! Thanks for reading, guys!

  8. Wow, amazing! Not sure how I missed this amazing place on my many trips to Japan. I would love to see the fall foliage and the snow corridor. Also ride the Tateyama Cablecar. I pinned this for later use on my next trip to Japan ? Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel

    • Oddly enough, we’ve heard pretty often that people weren’t aware of the Snow Corridor, or the whole Alpine Route! But then, I’m sure there’s is plenty out there that we’ve never heard of. I’m just glad we heard about it, and have been able to spread the news! Looks fantastic, doesn’t it? Can’t wait to see it ourselves! Thanks for reading, Stephanie!

    • Glad the info is useful, Kelly! It really looks fantastic, and we think it’s quite a deal, too. It seems like a great day that we would talk about for the rest of our lives – so the “ROI” is way high! 🙂 Thanks for reading, guys!

  9. Japan is on our bucketlist! Can’t wait to go! The view from the Tateyama Ropeway is so pretty! Jigokudani- hell valley! Really don’t like sulphur smells. But does that mean there are hot springs?

    • We have read that there are some hot springs you can hike to from Murodo Station, but the area around Omachi on the southern end of the route is pretty famous for them. Exploring the Alpine Route and then relaxing at an Onsen Ryokan in Omachi would make for a great weekend in Japan! By the way, the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and hot springs are near the Alpine Route, in Nagano Prefecture. (Apparently, there are several areas called Jigokudani.) Thanks for reading, guys!

  10. I have a postcard of the Tateyama Snow Corridor sent by a Japanese friend. But I didn’t know that one has to take several types of transport to experience the alpine route but like what you said, that is an experience itself. I would love to go there and to see the lavender fields in Hokkaido 🙂

    • Hi Kat – Hokkaido is another To Do for our Japan list! At the rate we’re going, we’ll have to strike it rich and move there to get to everything. (Worse things could happen!) Thanks for your comment!

  11. This is so cool! I love the idea of the route being broken up into different stages like that – definitely no getting bored with all those changes! Or the scenery – it looks absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing and I didn’t even know about this part of Japan! Will add to my list!

    • We gave you a reason to return! The cynic in us is sure the different stages are meant to draw visitors, but that’s okay – it really does seem like more of an adventure. The chance to get in some mountain hiking is appealing, too. Definitely a day for the Japan bucket list! Thanks for the comment, Lexx – hope you get there soon!

    • We would love to explore Japan from top to bottom! Such an intriguing country with so much history and natural beauty, amazing culture and great food. Definitely worthy of repeat visits! Thanks for your comment, Barry!

  12. Oh wow! I had no idea that Japan had their own Alpine route! Never seen a post about it! Those streets lined with tall piles of snow reminds me of driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park! #TheWeeklyPostcard

    • We had seen pictures of the snow corridor, but had no idea it was part of a larger, longer route until we tried to find out where that was. We were surprised to find the stunning Alpine route! Despite having hosted a couple of Winter Olympics, we never associated Japan with anything Alpine. Now we’re dying to go! Thanks for reading, Lolo!

  13. Tateyama Kurobe is undoubtedly a very scenic route. This fall it will be my first time in Asia (I’m going to China), but after reading your post and seeing your gorgeous pictures i began feeling sorry that I picked China first. Japan looks like a photographer’s dream come true. That snow corridor at the bus terminal looks fantastic. #TheWeeklyPostcard

    • Hi Anda – Those walls of white are just amazing! I think the views from some of the mountain lookouts would definitely be a delight for photographers, and plus the journey itself. China though…that will be exciting, too! Can’t wait to see your photos from that trip!

  14. That is a really cool adventure! I’m just starting of building up my Japan bucket list, and this will definitely make it. Do you happen to know if there is any good hiking around the way?

    • Hi Henry – This is the second To Do on our Japan list for an upcoming trip. We also want to go find the Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto, and I’m sure we’ll be adding more. There is quite a bit of good hiking along the Alpine Route! In fact, if you stop at Murodo Station, you can stay in the area – there is a hotel, campground, and several lodges (or huts) for hikers. One thing we’re considering is a hike to the top of Mt. Tateyama. It’s one of Japan’s three Sacred Mountains, and we’d love to visit the temple there. We understand there are many hikes from Murodo Station, to ponds, hot springs, caves, and other sites. Thanks for reading!

    • You know, it sounds confusing but it really is just one after another. Almost like changing trains or buses in the city, you get off of one and climb aboard the next one. I do wonder if they opted to break it up just for the novelty, though I imagine it might be a challenge to find one type of transport that could handle all of the demands. I suppose it wouldn’t get as much attention if it was just a bus ride across, though. Thanks for commenting, Jill!

    • Hi Michelle – Aren’t those colors great? We had been planning a summer trip to Japan but, having seen that, we may have to either change our dates or really stretch out our visit! And then there’s the Snow Corridor earlier in the year. I can see we’re going to have to make more than one trip… 😉 Thanks for reading!

    • That’s funny, but you’re right. After the funicular and cable car and trolley, walking seems so passe. 😉 Plus, did you see all of the stairs in the picture? So there’s your StairMaster workout for the day! A great adventure, though! Thanks for commenting, guys!

  15. Wow… that snow corridor is now on my travel list together with everything you suggest especially walking the dam. I’ve pinned your advice for when I go to do this Alpine Tour.

    • Isn’t that something? The snow corridor really is what caught our attention, but the whole trip is now a Must Do, along with exploring Toyama. Now that it’s on your list, we hope you get to check it off, too! Thanks for your comment, Annette – maybe we’ll see you in Japan!

    • Somehow, we don’t think of mountains when we think of Japan. They hosted the Winter Olympics at Nagano, though, which is part of the same range. To your point, we’ve seen pictures from lodges in the area that even have that half-timbered look you see in Austria and Germany! Not sure if that was intentional, but we can imagine how fun it is to find a Bavarian-looking lodge in Japan! Thanks for your comment, Ruth!

    • Doesn’t it seem fantastic? And it can all be done as a day trip. We are really looking forward to this one. It’s a while away still…patience is hard! 😉 Thanks for reading, Shona!

    • It does seem like quite the adventure! The gorgeous scenery is a great bonus. As it stands, our plans for Japan will be in the summer – I’m afraid we might miss both the Snow Corridor and the fall foliage. 🙁 Which means we must might have to plan TWO trips to Japan. Gosh darn… 😉 Thanks for reading, Anisa!

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