Tateyama Kurobe Alapine Route (Guide)

If you’re up for unimaginable and distinctive nature actions in Japan, it’s a MUST to go to the beautiful mountain sightseeing route known as Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Arupen Ruto). This 90km route that’s generally known as the “Roof of Japan” goes by way of the luxurious surroundings of Mt. Tateyama within the Northern Japan Alps because it spans from Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture, as much as Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture.

Since its opening in 1971, the trail contains of a number of stops or stations — with Murodo Station as the best at 2,450 meters excessive — and they are often traversed on numerous totally different automobiles reminiscent of buses, cable vehicles, and ropeways.

Lots of people truly undergo Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for days throughout its opening season (mid-April to November) as they benefit from the spectacular vistas of the Tateyama Mountain Range which is part of the Chubu Sanguku National Park in Japan.

In truth, all all year long’s seasons, there are numerous climbing and sightseeing actions that may be finished; nonetheless… after I made a grand tour of the Chubu area earlier this yr, I solely had a day left to discover the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route so I ended up occurring a fast journey.

Basically, I began from Tateyama Station after which as much as Shinano-Omachi Station in simply 5 hours as I made positive to see the route’s following prime 3 highlights!

» READ:
– Japan Itinerary
– Chubu Itinerary

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

» Snow Wall / Corridor (Yuki-no-Otani)

As the best level on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Murodo Station options lots of implausible actions and views. One of the most-known sights that it has could be the Snow Wall or Yuki-no-Otani which opens from mid-April to mid-June after months of heavy snowfall. (Doesn’t it remind you of ‘The Wall’ from Game of Thrones…?)

TRIVIA: Tateyama experiences one of many heaviest snowfalls worldwide! On common, there are about 7 meters (or 23 toes) of snow that accumulates yearly, however within the space close to the wall, there are occasions that as much as 20 meters (65.6 toes) would accumulate due to snowdrifts! To expel this heavy snow, this well-known ‘Snow Wall’ was then born.

Running from Bijodaira to Murodo, you’ll you first witness the 1km passage of the Snow Wall within the bus. Once you get off on the Murodo Bus Terminal, there’s roughly a 500-meter-long part of the street the place you possibly can stroll alongside the partitions of snow and take wondrous photographs!

I visited right here over the past day when the Snow Wall hall stroll was nonetheless open (June 22 on 2017) and the partitions had been about 12-meters excessive. At that top, I used to be already in utter awe of its magnificence; so you may simply think about, in the event you had been to go to earlier in April, you’re going to get to witness it in its full glory! Though, in the event you go to late in June, the group is loads much less.

OPENING TIME: Mid-April to mid or late June (for correct opening and shutting instances of the Snow Wall, examine this web site.)
OTHER THINGS TO DO AT MURODO STATION: During late autumn and spring, except for the Snow Wall, you possibly can take pleasure in sledding round some areas close to the station, in addition to go to Mikurigaike which is a crater lake of the Tateyama volcano. In summer season and early winter, you possibly can benefit from the surrounding community of climbing trails which have various ranges of issue. (In winter, Murodo is just not accessible as a result of heavy snow). For a whole checklist of issues to do in Murodo, see web site.
DIRECTIONS: From Dentetsu Toyama Station, it takes 2.5hours to get to Murodo by way of a prepare, a cable automobile, and a bus (complete of ¥3,500). Alternatively, if coming from the opposite facet’s Shinano-Omachi Station, it takes 2.5hours too however with a complete price of ¥7,000 by way of a number of buses, a cable automobile and a ropeway. To get the very best deal on transportation prices, I extremely recommend that you just simply purchase the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (extra information on this on the latter a part of this text).

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» Tateyama Ropeway

Tateyama Ropeway is a cable automobile that connects the stations of Daikanbo and Kurobedaira for ¥1,300 a technique. It is alleged that this one of the crucial distinctive cable vehicles as a result of it’s the just one in Japan that operates with none assist towers for a span of 1.7 kilometers.

Riding this ropeway will solely take 7 minutes however the grand panoramic sights that you will note round you as you go down will (to not point out the slight thrill!) will make you are feeling as in the event you’ve been handled to an extended present full of majestic views.

OPENING: Closed from December to mid-April. It’s finest to return right here both throughout autumn or when the snow covers the alpine path to take pleasure in the very best views potential.
DIRECTIONS: If you don’t plan to undergo the entire alpine route and choose to only go to this ropeway, that you must go to Shinano-Omachi Station on JR East Oito Line. Next, take the bus from Oigazawa Station to Kurobe Dam Station the place you possibly can stroll to Kurobeko Station and head to Kurobedaira Station. Alternatively, if you wish to discover all the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, get the very best deal on transportation prices by shopping for the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (extra information on this on the latter a part of this text).

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» Kurobe Dam

This place is close to the top of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and it’s fairly a sight to be seen given that it’s the tallest dam in Japan at 186 meters. And in the event you go to from late June to mid-October, you may get to witness the dam discharging a spectacular quantity of water (about 10 tons each second)!

According to historical past, the Kurobe Dam was constructed throughout Kurobe Lake for over 7 years; by the point it was accomplished in 1963, over 171 folks have misplaced their loves as a result of some issues alongside the best way. Today, it helps a hydropower plant that provides electrical energy to the Kansai Region in Japan. Some of the opposite sights across the dam are:

• Dam Observation Deck: situated on the japanese finish of the dam is a steep lengthy flight of stairs (about 220 steps) whereby you possibly can attain a concrete slope that provides the very best view of the dam and its surrounding terrain.
• Monument to Workers: it is a monument by the facet of the dam which is devoted to the 171 employees who misplaced their lives through the building of the dam.
• Kurobe Cruise Ship (Garube): from early June to early November, you possibly can experience this boat for about half-hour as you benefit from the surroundings of the Alps and of the Lake Kurobe. Due to its location, that is the best crusing boat in Japan (at 1,448m above sea stage).

OPENING: Closed from December to mid-April. It’s finest to return right here both throughout autumn or when the snow covers the alpine path to take pleasure in the very best views potential.st views potential.
DIRECTIONS: If you don’t plan to undergo the entire alpine route and choose to only go to this dam, that you must go to Shinano-Omachi Station on JR East Oito Line. Next, take the bus from Oigazawa Station to Kurobe Dam Station. This complete journey will price about ¥3,000 (for a complete of about 1.5hours). Alternatively, if you wish to discover all the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, get the very best deal on transportation prices by shopping for the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass (extra information on this on the latter a part of this text).

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» Other Activities to Do Per Season

Spring (May to June)

During Spring, the entire of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is roofed in snow. Aside from the Snow Wall that I already talked about above, one of many issues you may do right here is to stroll on the snow fields particularly round Murodo.

I’ve been informed that round this time, you would possibly be capable to catch sight of a white Alpine ptarmigan, a sort of chicken that’s known as “messengers of God” — as a result of the Japanese imagine that in the event you see a ptarmigan, it is going to deliver you happiness. (Best time to identify them is from late May to June particularly within the space round Mikurigaike pond).

Summer (July to Mid-September)

If you’re trying to do climbing, walks, climbing, and sightseeing, summer season could be the very best time to go to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route! Aside from witnessing the water discharge on Kurobe Dam, you may additionally witness lovely carpets of alpine flowers within the surrounding landscapes.

Up in Murodo, there can nonetheless be some snow up till July; after that, you possibly can take pleasure in simple trails (reminiscent of going across the Mikurigaike pond) and difficult hikes (reminiscent of climbing the summit of Mount Tateyama) across the space.

Autumn (Late-September to November)

The leaves slowly flip into hotter tones on the finish of September and this lovely change first begins on the larger areas. This will take about 6 weeks till the colour adjustments attain the top of the mountain slopes (round late October to early November).

If you’re fortunate, you possibly can witness greener leaves on the foot of the mountain, autumn leaves in the course of the route, after which white plains of snow on the prime! (Like I discussed earlier than, the Tateyama Ropeway is a good place for watching the season’s foliage.)

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“New Snow”: Most of the time, the primary snow of the yr already falls in Murodo by September, however then it is going to soften right away. It is just round early or mid-November that the snow stays and the place you possibly can take pleasure in a blinding white wonderland! To see this, it’s finest to enter the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from the facet of Shinano-Omachi station as a result of because of the climate, service is commonly suspended from Bijodaira Station to Murodo Station.

Winter (December to Mid-April)

The complete of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is closed throughout wintertime.
To know extra information about the entire alpine route, go to https://www.alpen-route.com/en/

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Tateyama Travel Guide

» How to Get to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

From Toyama metropolis, go to Dentetsu-Toyama Station. Ride the Chitetsu Line and get off at Tateyama Station (which is the beginning of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route).

To get to Toyama metropolis from Tokyo, experience the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen which takes about 2 hours. You’ll get to experience this prepare for FREE when you have a JR cross.

Personally, I might extremely advocate that you just purchase the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass for ¥17,500 OR the Takayama-Hokuriku Pass which supplies you limitless rides on JR specific trains between Nagoya to Toyama, in addition to limitless use on all transportation throughout the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for five days — which then makes it the PERFECT cross for exploring the area that the alpine route is by which is Chubu. (If you need a detailed itinerary for exploring the realm, see right here).

TOP TIP: When reserving with Klook.com, be sure to make use of my coupon code AILEENKLOOK to save lots of 5% off (can be utilized as much as 5 instances!)

If you want additional assist, use the instructions function in Google Maps — I discover this as a really useful device if I need to attain a sure place from a selected location. However, Google Maps doesn’t work offline if you need routes or transportation schedules, so I like to recommend that you just get a pocket WiFi or a SIM Card to remain related on-line.

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» Where to Stay (Toyama Accommodations)

Budget: Toyoko Inn Toyama Ekimae / Mid-Range: Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu / Luxury: River Retreat Garaku

To seek for different resort lodging choices at the very best costs, I recommend cross-checking resort costs between Agoda and Booking.com. But in the event you’re quite involved in renting comfy homes or residences, you must search by way of AirBnB.

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» Safety in Japan

Japan is without doubt one of the most secure international locations on the planet with very low crime charges. I’ve been touring solo to this nation many instances now and I’ve by no means felt unsafe even within the late hours of the evening — nonetheless, that is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ doesn’t imply ‘no crime’, so keep vigilant and be “street smart” by utilizing your frequent sense always.

Nevertheless, the Japanese persons are one of many kindest and most respectful folks I’ve ever met, so solo vacationers don’t have a lot to fret on this wonderful nation.

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» Visa for Japan

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s exempted international locations, you might be then required to avail a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you possibly can learn my information on how you can get a Japan visa in Manila right here.)

Check full visa necessities right here as per your nationality.

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» Helpful Japanese Phrases

Japan could also be one of the crucial developed international locations on the planet, however lots of the locals don’t communicate English. However, this could not discourage you from touring to this nation as a result of aside from the truth that there are lots of translation apps that can show you how to perceive and communicate Japanese, lots of the locals are additionally making the hassle to study and use the English language.

Anyhow, under are some useful Japanese phrases that can show you how to alongside the best way! And even in the event you do encounter a Japanese who can communicate English, it doesn’t damage to say a phrase or two of their language.

Hello: Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah)
Thank you (regular): Arigatō. (Ah-REE-gah-tohh)
Thank you (much less formal): Arigatō gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs)
Thank you (casual): Dōmo (DOHH-moh)
Yes: Hai (Hai)
No: Iie (E-eh)
Goodbye (long run): Sayōnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah)
Goodbye (casual): Ja ne (Jahh neh)

Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN)
I’m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy)
Is there somebody right here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?)
Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!)
Cheers!: Kanpai! (Kan-pie!)

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