NAGANO JAPAN

Considered one of Japan’s three sacred mountains - along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku - Mount Tate or ‘Tateyama’ has been a pilgrimage destination for ascetics since at least the 17th century. Tateyama’s tranquil summit represents paradise while the volcanic landscape of noxious vents and hot springs in the plateau below has long been regarded as the realisation of a hellish domain on earth. Today, Tateyama retains its spiritual importance for many Japanese, adding to experience for all visitors to the Alpine Route.

Crossing Japan’s highest mountain range, the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route can be approached from two directions. From Nagano, Matsumoto or Tokyo, visitors access the route via Ogizawa Station while those coming from Toyama or Kanazawa, do so via Tateyama Station. Visitors have the choice of crossing over the mountains to the other station/side or once at the summit, returning back down to the same point origin. Accommodation at Murodo also allows visitors to stay overnight at the summit and experience the stunning star-scape at night and sunrise above the clouds in the morning. Without doubt, traversing the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is one of Central Japan’s best experiences.