The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers a spectacular journey through the heart of Japan's Northern Alps. Originally built to harness the power of the mountains for electricity, this incredible feat of engineering now serves as a scenic passageway connecting Toyama and Nagano prefectures. It is one of the world's most impressive mountain routes.
With Snow Monkey Resorts, you can get to and explore this breathtaking alpine environment as it transforms through the seasons. From the iconic and imposing snow walls of spring, the vibrant alpine flora of summer, the stunning sea of reds and yellows that come with the autumn leaves, or the pristine, deep snow of a winter wonderland, this route is a sight to behold all year round. Our group tours, private tours, and charter services can bring you to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from multiple cities, making it easier to connect your visit with locations across Central Japan in comfort.
What is the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route? Where is it?
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a magnificent journey through Japan's Northern Alps, a mountain range on the central coast of the Sea of Japan. The route is accessible from both the Tokyo side (via Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama Station, then local transport) and from the Kyoto/Osaka side (via the JR Thunderbird to Tsuruga Station, then Hokuriku Shinkansen and local transport). It can be reached in under four hours from either direction, making it a spectacular stop on the popular Hokuriku Arch itinerary.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a legendary passage through a series of stunning landscapes, frequently hailed as one of the world's most scenic mountain traverses. It is an extraordinary engineering feat, built in tiers that utilize various forms of transport—including cable cars, a ropeway, and buses—to move passengers through different elevations and environments.
Traveling the route, it's easy to understand why it is so highly regarded: everywhere you look is another breathtaking view. In spring, visitors are greeted by the magnificent snow walls, which can reach heights of up to 20 meters. In the summer, the alpine flowers burst into life, carpeting the mountainside in vibrant colors, while the autumn sees the mountainsides erupt in a sea of reds, yellows, and oranges. Winter is when the route undergoes its most dramatic transformation, with the entire landscape blanketed in a thick layer of snow, creating an ethereal and serene atmosphere.
Getting to the Alpine Route with Snow Monkey Resorts
As one of Japan's most spectacular mountain journeys, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route can be challenging to navigate on your own, but with Snow Monkey Resorts, you can travel in comfort and style. We offer multiple tours and private travel options to get you to the route's starting points. Listed here are travel options from three main starting locations—Kanazawa, Takayama, and Toyama—allowing you to choose the departure city that best fits your itinerary.
From Kanazawa
Naturally, Kanazawa is a perfect base for exploring both the city's rich history and the spectacular nature of the surrounding region, including the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. As a major transport hub on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Kanazawa offers easy access to the route's western gateway at Toyama Station. Spending a day or two in Kanazawa allows you to immerse yourself in its cultural treasures, like the historic Higashi Chaya and Nagamachi samurai districts, and the vibrant Omicho Market. From here, you can also easily explore other popular nearby destinations, such as the Shirakawa-go World Heritage Site, making Kanazawa a seamless and convenient part of your journey through Central Japan.
Group Tours
KANAZAWA MAIN SIGHTS TOUR / all year round
This tour has you walk in the same streets as those from times past. Walk the streets of the samurai of the Kaga clan and see a warrior's house from the Edo period. Relax and enjoy matcha in a tea house overlooking a beautiful garden next to the impressive castle walls. Stroll through the Kenroku-en garden like the daimyos of the Edo period and admire the artistry of the landscaping of not just the land but of the trees as well. Finally, walk through Higashi Chayamachi, the old geisha district, where you can shop, snack and take a tour of an opulent former tea house that was used by actual geisha in the past.
KANAZAWA FAMOUS SIGHTS TOUR / all year round
This tour invites you to start your journey in Higashi Chayamachi, the historic geisha district, where you can shop, savor local treats, and tour a former tea house once frequented by geisha. Wander through Kenroku-en Garden, once enjoyed by Edo period daimyos, and marvel at the intricate landscaping of both the land and the trees. You'll even get a chance to go inside one of the old villas of the time! Finally, follow in the footsteps of Kaga clan samurai as you pass through the castle and see the shrine that houses the spirit of the first lord of Kanazawa. This tour through history is one not to miss!
Private Tours
Our private tours around Kanazawa are perfect for travelers who want a more personalized experience with the flexibility to move at their own pace. With a dedicated guide, you can enjoy the city without the constraints of a group itinerary, making it ideal for couples, families or small groups.
Our Private Tour of Kanazawa offers an experience completely curated to you in a fun choose-your-own adventure style day. However, if you have specific sites you'd like to see, we're happy to work with you to make your trip around Kanazawa perfectly suited. If you're the type to go on the fly, that's fine too - just leave it to us! Our "typical" private tour includes the following:
Highlights:
- A gold-leaf decorating experience, Kanazawa's most traditional and opulent craft!
- Lunch at a make-your-own sushi restaurant where you can mix-and-match ingredients traditional and modern alike to suit your taste!
- In the afternoon, a choose-your-own adventure route, with options including the main sights of Kanazawa (including Kenrokuen), the history and feuds of samurai and ninja, or venturing into some of Kanazawa's world-leading museums!
Charter Services
Our chartered vehicles are the most flexible way to visit Kanazawa and the Alpine Route giving you full control over your schedule and itinerary. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a small group, or simply want a private and personalized experience, our charters make the journey easy and comfortable.
Click the banner below or contact us directly if you need greater flexibility.
Private: KANAZAWA → MURODO (4HRS) → KANAZAWA
- Duration:
- 8-9 Hours
- Spots:
- Kanazawa, Alpine Route
From Takayama
Group Tours
MT. NORIKURA - PANORAMIC PEAKS TOUR FROM TAKAYAMA / May to October
Discover the serene beauty of Mt. Norikura with our Seasonal 1-Day Tour from Takayama. This guided adventure takes you through vibrant Alpine Flower Fields, where seasonal blooms create a stunning contrast against the rugged mountain peaks, and includes hikes to Mt. Mao and Mt. Fujimi for breathtaking panoramic views of the Japanese Alps. With private transport ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey, enjoy leisurely walks through nature, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of this high-altitude haven. Perfect for nature lovers and adventurers, this tour offers an unforgettable escape into the heart of Japan’s alpine majesty. Book your spot today and create lasting memories in the Japanese Alps!
Charter Services
Our chartered vehicles are the most flexible way to visit the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, giving you full control over your schedule and itinerary. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a small group, or simply want a private and personalized experience, our charters make the journey easy and comfortable.
Click the banner below or contact us directly if you need greater flexibility.
From Toyama
Group Tours
TATEYAMA ALPINE ROUTE (KANAZAWA/TOYAMA) / May-June
Recommended
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa or Toyama: Tateyama Alpine Route Snow Wall and Mysterious Valley
The breathtaking Japanese Alps stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Japan, offering stunning scenery throughout. In Toyama Prefecture’s Northern Alps lies the renowned Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, which spans majestic gorges, serene lakes, and expansive highlands. In winter, this area becomes a snowy wonderland, featuring towering snow walls up to 20 meters (60 feet) high. On this tour, you’ll ride one of our buses to Murodo, the highest point, where you can walk along the snow wall and take in the winter beauty. Along the way, we’ll stop at Ashikuraji, the historic starting point for climbs to Mt. Tateyama, to explore its spiritual significance and connection to views of heaven and hell.
SPRING QUARTET OF FLOWERS / April
Set between the sea and the Northern Alps, Toyama’s Spring Quartet of Flowers showcases Japan’s four distinct seasons in a captivating journey. This tour highlights the seasonal blooms: vibrant spring tulips, summer water lilies, autumn cosmos, and winter camellias. Along the way, you’ll encounter cherry blossoms, unique water features, and a serene temple nestled in a small valley. Toyama’s blend of natural beauty and cultural charm offers a harmonious glimpse into the passage of the seasons. Each flower and location tells its own story, making this tour an unforgettable experience.
Charter Services
Our chartered vehicles are the most flexible way to visit the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, giving you full control over your schedule and itinerary. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a small group, or simply want a private and personalized experience, our charters make the journey easy and comfortable.
Click the banner below or contact us directly if you need greater flexibility.
Private: TOYAMA → MURODO/SNOW WALLS(3HRS) → TOYAMA
- Duration:
- 7-8 Hours
- Spots:
- Alpine Route, Toyama
From Nagano
Group Tours
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour From Nagano / April to June
Best Selling
[Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
- Spots:
- NaganoAlpine Route
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
The Northern Japanese Alps feature scenery that seems like it is straight out of a nature documentary. From Spring to Autumn, the area has something different but equally spectacular for each season. In spring the snow wall, which can reach 20 meters(about 65 feet) is a marvel, and the top of the mountain is a snow covered wonderland. From June most of the snow melts and leaves the beautiful Alpine scenery. Fall dyes the mountains in brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. On the Snow Wall Tour, you will start at Nagano Station(or Hotel Kokusai 21) and get on one of our buses to the beginning of the Alpine Route, Ogizawa. It is from this station that you will ascend the mountain by a variety of methods. There is a trolley bus, cable car and ropeway. All of them provide excellent views, especially the Tateyama Ropeway, which is 1700 meters long. The final destination of the tour is Murodo. At this peak we will walk along the snow walls and then explore the snow fields where you can catch good views or even have a snowball fight.
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Green Season Tour / June - October
[Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan'
- Spots:
- NaganoAlpine Route
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
While the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is best known for its spring snow walls, the area is still attractive even after the snow has melted away. From June through the October, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Northern Alps, and hike around without snow slowing you down. Additionally, come autumn, a range of bright fall colors will be on full display - even though there are no trees at the summit, the bushes and grasses of the peak will turn fiery shades of red and orange, much to the delight of visitors. The other benefit of coming after the snow walls have melted is that the crowds will be greatly lessened, and you are more free to move at your own pace and enjoy nature in solitude.
Pick Up Locations: Nagano Station, Hotel Kokusai 21
Charter Services
Our chartered vehicles are the most flexible way to visit the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, giving you full control over your schedule and itinerary. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a small group, or simply want a private and personalized experience, our charters make the journey easy and comfortable.
Click the banner below or contact us directly if you need greater flexibility.
Things to Do on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route & in Toyama
One of the most spectacular and enjoyable journeys in Japan, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is well-suited to a multi-day visit, combining the mountain traverse with the many attractions of the nearby city of Toyama. From its dramatic alpine landscapes and exhilarating forms of transport to its excellent galleries, museums, shopping, and dining in Toyama, visitors tend to fall in love with the region and wish they’d allowed more time in their schedule to explore all it has to offer. For tips and suggestions on what to do in the city and along the route, see our "Things To Do Around the Alpine Route" and "Things to do in Toyama" page.
If you're into museums, check out our guide on "Best Museums in Toyama." If you collect, or would like to begin collecting, goshuin (the unique red stamps at shrines and temples) - "Best Goshuin Near Toyama" has everything you need to fill some pages in your book. "The Best Shrine and Temples in Toyama" page is a good companion to that. For seasonal activities, check out "Best Ski Resorts in Toyama" for winter and "Best Onsen Hot Springs in Toyama." Looking for those great spots for autumn leaves? "Best Spots for Autumn Leaves in Toyama" is for you!
Finally, if you are looking for something to eat, "Famous Foods in Toyama" will get you in the mood to eat all the great local cuisine! When it is time to leave, inspiration for that perfect gift can be found at "Best Souvenirs to get from Toyama" as well as "Best Souvenirs to get on the Alpine Route."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Alpine Route really that nice?
Yes, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is genuinely one of the most spectacular and rewarding experiences in Japan, and is often hailed as the "Roof of Japan." It's not just a single viewpoint but an entire journey through a series of breathtaking landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons. In spring, the main draw is the immense snow corridor, where towering walls of snow can reach up to 20 meters high. As the snow melts, summer reveals lush alpine fields filled with vibrant flowers and provides access to excellent hiking trails. Autumn brings a stunning display of "three-tiered" foliage, with different colors appearing at various elevations, and the route's finale is the impressive Kurobe Dam, Japan's tallest dam, which discharges a massive torrent of water in the warmer months.
How long should I expect to spend on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route?
For a full traverse of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, you should expect to spend 6 to 8 hours traveling from one end to the other. This includes the time spent on the various forms of transport, like the ropeway and cable car, as well as short stops for sightseeing at major points like Murodo and the Kurobe Dam. It is important to start your journey early in the day, especially during peak seasons like the spring snow walls or autumn foliage, as crowds and queues can add an extra 1-2 hours to your travel time.
