Tateyama Snow Wall Day Trip

For a truly spectacular experience, few destinations rival the legendary Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route….

Reaching the starting point at Ogizawa Station is straightforward, travelers can drive and utilize the local parking for 1,000 yen, or opt for the convenient public bus from Shinano-Omachi Station for 2,000 yen. To maximize the day and avoid the peak midday crowds, catching the very first bus at 7:30 AM is highly recommended. Round-trip tickets from Ogizawa to the summit at Murodo cost 12,300 yen for adults and 6,150 yen for children, serving as a ticket to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Japan.

The adventure starts with a fifteen minute electric bus ride to the iconic Kurobe Dam. Standing at 186 meters, it is the tallest dam in Japan and a masterpiece of engineering. The project was so massive that it took seven years and a total of 51 Billon Yen to complete. This huge effort is honored at a monument near the site, remembering those who worked in the difficult mountain conditions.

There are several spots to see the dam against the jagged mountains. For the best views, you can climb the 220 steps to the Dam Lookout Deck for a panoramic look at the emerald-green Lake Kurobe. Walking across the top of the dam is the best way to take in the views before heading to the next part of the trip!

The ascent continues via the Kurobe Cable Car, a unique diagonal train that climbs steep grades entirely underground. It is the only cable car in Japan built completely inside a tunnel to protect it from the massive snow avalanches that frequent the area.

Followed by the cable car is the Tateyama Ropeway. This stretch is known as a “moving observatory” because it is Japan’s longest ropeway built without any support pillars between the two stations. This design ensures that nothing blocks your view as the dam appears to shrink into the valley and the gondola soars over the rugged mountain range.

One final bus ride through the Daikanbo tunnel leads to Murodo Station, the highest point on the route at 2,450 meters. After the journey, you can refuel with local specialties like “Oyaki” (savory steamed buns filled with mountain vegetables), coffee, and even Hoshizora (Starry Sky) Beer, which is brewed specifically for this high-altitude destination.

The main draw, however, is the Tateyama Snow Walls. This incredible corridor is created by Siberian winds that dump massive amounts of snow onto the mountains. Crews then carve out the road using satellite tracking and heavy duty plows. Walking between these impressive walls of snow, which can tower up to 20 meters high, is an otherworldly experience. After viewing the walls, the return trip offers more chances to enjoy the alpine scenery from the various methods of transportation you took while scaling up the range. The Alpine Route is a truly unique destination that is well worth the travel and cost!