ALPINE ROUTE
Traverse a world above the clouds
using six unique modes of transport
ALPINE ROUTE
Traverse a world above the clouds
using six unique modes of transport
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a popular scenic route that traverses the Tateyama Mountain Range, sitting at altitudes of over 3000 meters. You can start the journey from Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture or Ogizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture. Pass through the route using six different modes of transportation, including cable cars and aerial tramways. As you traverse the landscape, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of Japan’s Northern Alps.
A unique range of eco friendly vehicles
Six modes of transportation
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route stretches 37.2 km with an elevation change of 1975 meters. Journey across the route using six unusual modes of transportation— the Tateyama Cable Car, the Tateyama Highland Bus, the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, the Tateyama Ropeway, and the Kurobe Cable Car. From the windows, you’ll be able to view the lush nature of the surrounding terrains.
View the tallest waterfall in Japan
Shomyo Falls
With a drop of 350 meters, this massive waterfall is located in the upstream section of Shomyo River and is the tallest in Japan. The waterfall can be seen from the Tateyama Highland Bus which connects Bijodaira Station and Murodo Station. The bus stops at the viewpoint for the waterfall for about one minute so that passengers can get a good look. For a closer view of Shomyo Falls, take the Shomyo Falls Sightseeing Bus from Tateyama Station. The observation deck is 30 minutes on foot from the Shomyo-daki Bus Stop.
- Phone Number
- 076-462-1001 (Tateyama Tourism Association)
Listen to the birds as you take a forest walk
Bijodaira
Bijodaira, with its towering trees and ancient beech forests, is a great place to immerse yourself in nature. The area is set up with three trekking courses. Novices are recommended to take the short loop, which takes about one hour and offers views of ancient cedar trees. The area is home to a variety of wild birds and in spring, the air is filled with bird calls.
Hike across a wetland dotted with alpine plants.
Midagahara
Sitting at 1930 meters against a backdrop of the Dainichi Mountain Range, Midagahara is an expansive high-altitude wetland. It’s set up with a number of walking routes and beginners are recommended to take the 40-minute short loop. As you walk along the boardwalk, you’ll come across dainty alpine plants and small ponds called gakita.
A base point located in the Alpine Route’s highest section.
Murodo Terminal Area
Standing at an altitude of 2450 meters, Murodo Terminal is Japan’s highest station. It has restaurants, hotels, shops, and even a post office. The terminal serves as a base point for tourists to the mountain. Points of interest nearby include Tamadono Spring Water, where you can have some fresh mountain water, and the Tateyama Murodo Hut, which was originally built as a shelter for pilgrims visiting Oyama Shrine.
Hike with views of a pristine pond and the Tateyama Mountains
Mikurigaike Pond & Jigokudani Hell Valley
The promenades set up around Mikurigaike Pond are the highlights of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Courses include the stone-paved pleasure trail from Murodo-daira Terminal that takes in Mikurigaike Pond (approximately one hour), and the return course to the Murodo-san Viewing Point, offering views over the whole of the Murodo-daira Plateau (approximately 1.5 hours).
Amazing scenery from a steep precipice
Daikanbo
The Daikanbo Station sits at an altitude of 2316 meters against the eastern slope of the Tateyama Mountains. The observation deck faces the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountains, with views of Tanbodaira and Lake Kurobe down below. It’s the most spectacular sight in the Alpine Route. The ropeway connecting Daikanbo Station with Kurobedaira station also offers beautiful views and is best visited in the autumn season when the leaves start to change color.
Gaze up at the mountains from a nestling valley
Kurobedaira
Kurobedaira stands at 1828 meters and is the connecting point between Daikanbo and Lake Kurobe. It’s enclosed by the Tateyama Mountains on the Toyama side and the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountains on the Nagano side. In Autumn, Tanbodaira in the Tateyama Mountain Range becomes specked with vividly colored fall foliage while the coniferous trees of the Ushiro Tateyama Mountains still remain green. It makes for a striking contrast.
An event marking the approach of spring.
Snow Wall Walk
When snow from the highland bus route is removed, it creates enormous snow walls on either side of the road, stretching a length of 500 meters. The walls can reach heights of up to a whopping 20 meters. After the Kurobe Alpine Route Opens up, you can take walks along one side of the road from mid-April to mid-June.
Take in panoramic views of the Murodo area from the summit of Mt. Oyama
Hike up a mountain
You can try climbing mountains from Murodo Terminal, the highest part of the Kurobe Alpine Route. Even novices can try the 4-hour course that will take you to the summit of Mt. Oyama via the Ichinokoshi Hut. Note that the slopes from the hut to the summit are steep and rocky, so be sure to check the weather ahead of time and dress appropriately for the climb.
A dish packed with crunch and flavor
Fried white prawn rice bowl set
White prawns measure about 6 cm and are characterized by their delicate sweet flavor. Toyama Bay is the only place in the world where white prawn are caught in huge quantities. The fried white prawn rice bowl is a popular dish at Murodo Terminal’s Restaurant Tateyama. The crunchy prawns with sweet sauce make for a delectable combination.
Big chiffon with a diameter of 13cm
Kurobe Dam chiffon cake
This big chiffon cake is modeled after Kurobe Dam. It is best paired with coffee that is brewed using spring water drawn from Tateyama. These items are available at Tea Lounge Rido inside Hotel Tateyama.
Start!
Murodo Terminal
Sitting at an altitude of 2450 meters, Murodo Terminal is the highest station in Japan. It has restaurants, hotels, shops, and even a post office, making it an ideal base for sightseeing around the mountains.
Tateyama Tamadono Spring Water
Spring water gushing from a fractured zone was discovered when the Tateyama Tunnel was under construction. The water retains a temperature between two to five degrees celsius all year round.
Lunch at Mt. Murodo Viewpoint
Buy some rice balls and snacks at Murodo Terminal and take a break at the viewpoint. You can take in panoramic views of the Murodo Area and Tateyama Caldera.
Trek around Mikurigaike Pond (40 minutes on foot)
From the Mikurigaike Pond viewpoint, you’ll be able to see the pond against the stunning backdrop of the Tateyama Mountains. The reflection of the mountains on the cobalt blue pond surface is truly breathtaking!
Goal!
