Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route: Walk On the ‘Roof of Japan’ on a Guided Tour
Based in Nagano, we offer two group tours to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route from April until November with the option of arranging a private tour or charter to one of Japan’s most iconic landscapes. As soon as the Alpine Route opens to the public our tours begin with:
1 Day Tour
| [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route | |
| Period | April to June |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
Operating from April until June each year, our 1-Day Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route transports takes the hassle out of planning your visit to the stunning alpine region. With two pickup points in Nagano City, this tour takes you to the ‘Roof of Japan’ and the fabled Snow Walls of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Situated in the dramatic alpine landscape of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, this is one of Japan’s most iconic and unique sights, accessible only in spring and early summer and via a series of different mountain transports.
Starting from Ogisawa Station, you will ride a series of mountain transports to Murodo Station – which at 2450 meters above sea level is the highest station in Japan – and the fabled Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe. Rising up to 20 meters above, the stunning snow corridor is one of Japan’s most iconic sights dwarfing people and tours buses alike! Your guide will allow you between 1.5-2 hours to stroll the area (depending on the pace of your), including time to explore the museum and surrounding area. You are free to explore by yourself or should you wish your guide to show you around, including walking across the snow plateau surrounding Murodo, they will be happy to do so.
Once done, your guide will have guests board the trolley bus to begin the journey back down to Ogisawa, before boarding the tour bus and returning to Nagano between 118:00 to 19:00. Led by an English-speaking guide, you will be accompanied on every leg of your journey to the ‘Roof of Japan’ and back down again – the perfect way to experience one of Japan’s more remote and stunning landscapes.
1 Day Tour
| [Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ | |
| Period | July to October |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
As the snow melts in late-spring, the walls slowly recede and a stunning alpine landscape opens-up to be explored on-foot. In summer and autumn our 1-Day Tateyama-Kurobe: Walking on the Roof of Japan Tour takes you high into Japan’s tallest mountain range and into the shadow of one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, Mount Tate. Using the mountain transports of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, you will ascend to the ‘Roof of Japan’ – the point accessible by transport in Japan at just under 2500 metres above sea level – where your guide will accompany you on a leisurely walk through the dramatic and beautiful alpine landscape as you discover the sacred landscape of Mount Tate.
The tour follows the same schedule as above transporting to Murodo Station via Ogizawa Station on the Nagano-side of the mountains. Once at Murodo, your guide will guide you on a leisurely walk following a trail of around 1 hours duration – suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness. As you walk your guide will introduce to the importance of the surrounding landscape and its place within Japan’s tradition of mountain worship. Of course, should you prefer to spend the time exploring by yourself you are also free to and then meetup with your guide at the appointed time.
Visitors making the journey in September and October are likely to be treated to some of Japan’s most striking autumn colours, as the grasses and shrubs of the alpine meadows burn visit red, orange and brown while the forests below can be enjoyed from the ropeway on both your ascent and descent from Murodo Station. Between 15:00 and 15:30 your guide will collect you and begin the journey back down, descending back to Ogizawa where the tour bus will be waiting. Boarding the bus and returning to Nagano between 18:00 to 19:00.
BOOK WITH US! PRIVATE TOURS & CHARTERS TO THE TATEYAMA-KUROBE
Based in Nagano and operating all year round, we are Nagano’s No.1 tour and charter operator. We have the local knowledge of where to go, when to go and what to do when you’re there to make sure you get the most out of your adventure in Central Japan! As a registered travel agent we can arrange experiences and tours, transport, accommodation and inclusive packages including privately guided or transport-only charters to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.
For guests wanting to access these destinations in the comfort of their own transport, we can arrange a private tour or charter customised to fit your needs, starting and ending at any destination in the region. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are fitted with a protective screen – separating the driver from passenger and luggage area – and our drivers wear protective masks, allowing you to move between your destinations in comfort. We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!
Why choose us?
Awarded a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano and Central Japan.
Got a question about visiting the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route? Click on the INQUIRY below or contact us and let’s get planning together!
