Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

Walk on the 'Roof of Japan'

Key features

National Park
Snow Walls
Spectacular Landscape Views
Hiking
Outdoor Experience
Star Gazing
Kurobe Dam
Accommodation
Restaurants
Information Center
Tours

Public Transport

Nagano Station	100 mins by bus
Toyama Station	60 mins by train

Popular Attractions

Unazuki Onsen	2.5 hours by train
Kurobe Gorge	2.5 hours by train
Matsumoto Castle	110 min drive

Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

Walk on the 'Roof of Japan'

Key features

National Park
Snow Walls
Spectacular Landscape Views
Hiking
Outdoor Experience
Star Gazing
Kurobe Dam
Accommodation
Restaurants
Information Center
Tours

The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route can rightly lay claim to being one of Japan’s most iconic, spectacular and spiritual landscapes. Inaccessible during winter, the Alpine Route emerges (and is carved) from the snow each spring, allowing visitors to access the region from mid-April to late-November using a series of mountain transports to reach Murodo Station. At 2450 meters, Murodo is the highest station in Japan and from there, visitors can walk to the fabled 'Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe' in spring, before some of Japan’s best hiking opportunities avail themselves in summer and autumn.

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.

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Recommended Highlights from Snow Monkey Resorts

Experience One of Japan’s Most Dramatic Landscapes

Crossing Japan’s highest mountain range from Nagano to Toyama, the Alpine Route opens-up one of Japan’s most spectacular alpine domains.

The Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe

Rising up to 20 meters in height, the fabled Snow Walls seem to defy reality and must be seen to be believed.

Hiking One of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains

Nestled deep within the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Mt Tate offers visitors some of Japan’s best hiking and mountaineering.

Walk Under the Walls on a Guided Tour

Take the hassle out of planning and let us transport you high above, to the stunning Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.

News / Info

How to get to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

One of Japan’s most thrilling and memorable experiences, arranging a visit to the Alpine Route should be high on your list of must-see destinations.

Transports of the Alpine Route

Summiting the Alpine Route requires use of a series of mountain transports making the journey up and down a big part of the experience.

The Seasons & Preparing for Your Visit

Open from mid-April to late-November, the seasons of the Alpine Route each present their own reasons to visit.

Destinations & Attractions Nearby the Alpine Route

One of Japan’s best experiences, the region surrounding the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route offers a fantastic range of attractions including these 15 Things to Do.

Nearby Recommendations

Shomyo Falls

Japan's Tallest Waterfall

Shomyo Falls can be accessed by bus from Tateyama Station and easily included in your trip to the Alpine Route.

Kurobe Gorge Railway

Open-air Sightseeing Train

Regarded as one of Japan's most stunning gorges, Kurobe is best experienced ridings its famous railway.

Views of the Tateyema Mountains

Witness Japan's Highest Mountain Range

As part of the North Japan Alps, the Tateyama Mountain Range can be seen from various points in and around Toyama City.

Toyama

Gateway to the Mountains & North Coast

When descending the Toyama-side of the Alpine Route, take the time to explore everything the region has to offer.

Toyama Bay Seafood

Enjoy Some of Japan's Freshest Seafood

With many catchments only 20-minutes from the coastal markets, the waters of Toyama Bay are some of the most abundant in Japan.

Shirakawa-go & Gokayama

Explore the World Heritage Villages

The villages of Shirakwa-go and Gokayama offer a glimpse of a more balanced and beautiful lifestyle.

Takayama

Step back in time in one of Japan's best preserved Edo Period townships

Takayama is renowned for the preservation and charm of its historical town center and its spring and autumn 'matsuri', two of Japan’s most beautiful festivals.

Kanazawa

Enjoy One of Japan's Most Historic CitiesNagano's Famous Monkeys

Kanazawa has the perfect combination of historic sites, modern museums and great food!