Episode 26 / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: A Snow Country Stories Japan Travel Guide
Episode 26 of the podcast transports us along one of the snow country’s most popular destinations – the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Located in Chubu Sangaku National Park, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a popular sightseeing route that transports visitors across Japan’s highest mountain range – the Kita Alps or North Alps – from Ogizawa Station on the Nagano-side of the range, to Tateyama Station on the Toyama-side. It takes a series of mountain transports to do so that operate between different stations, eventually ascending to Murodo Station at 2450 metres / 8038 feet above sea level, from where you are within reach of the summit of Mount Tate or Tateyama – at 3003 metres / 9852 feet.
Constructed between 1952 and 1971, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route took almost 20 years to complete and today, uses a series of mountain transports to ascend and descend to Ogizawa Station – on the Nagano-side of the range – and Tateyama Station – on the Toyama-side. The Alpine Route is closed to the public through winter due to heavy snow in the mountains, reopening on April 15th every year and operating until the end of November. It is extremely popular with both Japanese and international visitors, who upon opening, head up the Alpine Route to witness its most famous sight – the Snow Walls of Tateyama.
Referred to as ‘Yuki no Otani’ in Japanese, the snow walls are created out each spring as the mountain road leading to the top station of Murodo, is carved through the deep snowfall of winter. At their highest the walls are reported to rise up to 18 metres / 60 feet above the road. Extensive snow fields on both sides of the station are also accessible on foot.
As the weather warms in late-spring and into summer, walking trails beneath the snow will begin to emerge providing easier access to leisurely walks around the alpine plateau and more advanced overnight and multi-day hikes to the surrounding peaks including deeper into the national park. An active volcano, Tateyama has long been considered one of Japan’s three most sacred mountains – along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku – with the volcanic field of ‘Jigokudani’ or ‘Hell’s Valley’ visible from the plateau around the top station.
Most people visit the Alpine Route as a day trip but should you wish to stay around Murodo, you have options to do so. Hotel Tateyama is connected to Murodo Station. It is the largest and most convenient hotel at the top of the route. In addition, mountain lodges including Mikurigaike Onsen, Tateyama Murudo, Raichoso, Raichosawa Hutte and Lodge Tateyama Renpo are also available with the Raichosawa Camp Ground. Check their websites for further details (noting that most are in Japanese).
For full details about the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route – including operating day and times, highlights, ticketing, accommodation and how to get there – please refer to the official website. I hope this episode is of help in planning your visit to one of Japan’s most important and striking alpine landscapes.
All above images were provided by and are the property of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.