The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (立山黒部アルペンルート) is a scenic route that traverses the Japanese Northern Alps, connecting Toyama and Nagano Prefectures. Known as the Roof of Japan, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opens on April 15 and closes on November 30 each year. This spectacular route is renowned for its magnificent 20-meter snow wall at the highest point of the alpine route, which can only be experienced in a limited number of spots worldwide.
The Best Time to Visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
The best time to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route depends on your reasons for visiting.
Many tourists are drawn to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in early spring for the magnificent snow wall. Hikers and adventurers would want to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in the summer, as it is the best time of year for camping and hiking.
When Can You Experience the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Snow Wall
In 2025, you can walk in the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route snow corridor from April 15 to June 25.
Autumn at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Our favorite season to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is autumn. In the fall, you avoid the massive crowd in early spring. In addition, starting from JR Toyama Station (富山駅) to the top of the alp of 3,015 meters above the ground, you will experience an amazing four-season view in just one autumn day!
Tip: Check out the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route’s Fall Foliage Viewing Timetable at the end of this article!
If you are worrying about whether you can hike to the top of the mountain, don’t worry! The entire Alpine Route offers various transportation options, including cable cars, buses, trolley buses, and ropeways, which will bring you to the summit of Murodō. Between each transport mode, there are different beautiful treks for those who fancy walking in nature (´ω｀*).
How to Explore Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Guide
- Exploring Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route With a Tour
- How to Get to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- About Making a Reservation for Various Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Transport Modes
- Should I Start the Alpine Route from Toyama or Nagano?
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route’s Busy Season
- What to Do With My Luggage?
- What Time Should My Day Start?
- The Attractions on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Weather Information
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Tickets and Alpine Route Pass
Tips:
☆彡 Get some food from convenience stores before you start your trip! Unfortunately, there aren’t many food options available along the route.
☆彡 Menya Iroha CiC (麺家いろは CiC店) at B1 of CiC shopping mall at the station’s south exit has two choices of vegan ramen noodles soup.
☆彡 Find Affordable Hotels Along/Near Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to maximize the experience!
*** The recommendations below are for those who plan to spend only one day on the whole route. For a stay over multiple days, check out the transport timetable and official crowdedness forecast to plan HERE) ***
Our Recommended Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Tours
If you prefer to join a tour to explore the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, consider the options below.
- Departing from Nagano:
- Departing from Tokyo:
- Departing from Osaka:
How to Get to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
As you may have gathered from the transport mode map below, you can enter the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from either Toyama or Nagano. Thus, take a train or a bus to either Toyama Station or Nagano/Ogizawa Station to explore the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route From Tokyo
- You can either take a bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano Station or Toyama Station to get to the Alpine Route.
- A One-way Express bus from Shinjuku to Toyama can also get you to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
- Refer to Alpico’s Website for more information.
Nagoya to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
If you want to get from Nagoya to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, take an express bus from Nagoya Bus Terminal to Toyama Station.
Osaka to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- You can take a bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Toyama Station.
- Taking an express bus from Osaka to Toyama is another option.
Takayama to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
If you want to get from Takayama to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, take an express bus from Takayama Bus Terminal to Toyama Station.
About Making a Reservation for Various Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Transport Modes
Whether you decide to purchase an advanced ticket or a ticket on the day, ensure you make a reservation for the Tateyama Cable Car or the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus.
- If you start your journey from Toyama Prefecture, you can reserve a seat for the Tateyama Cable Car. A reservation isn’t required and can’t be made for the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Please queue for the next service when you are ready to proceed to Ogizawa Station.
- If you start your journey from Nagano Prefecture, you can reserve a seat for the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. A reservation isn’t required and can’t be made for Tateyama Cable Car. Please queue for the next service when you are ready to proceed to Tateyama Station.
If you plan to purchase a ticket on the day, you can do so at Dentetsu Tateyama Station, Dentetsu Toyama Station, and Ogizawa Station.
For more details, including photos and maps of the ticket office, please refer to the official website HERE.
Using the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
You can’t use the Alpine Takayama Matsumoto Area Pass to reserve the Tateyama Cable Car or Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Please visit the ticket office to reserve your seat on the day.
Tip: While you can’t use the pass to make a reservation, the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass can save you money if you plan to explore Japan’s Chūbu region! Refer to HERE for more details!
Collecting Your Reserved Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Ticket
After making a reservation, tickets can be collected from a ticket machine or the ticket counter at Ogizawa Station, Tateyama Station, or Dentetsu Toyama Station.
- You can pick up tickets from the ticket machine starting at 12 pm the day before use. We recommend not leaving ticket collection until the last minute, as there may be a queue and the machines have designated operating hours.
- Please refer to HERE for the ticket machine operation hours at each station.
Should I Start the Alpine Route from Toyama or Nagano?
Once you have decided to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the next question is whether to start exploring the Alpine Route from either the Toyama or Nagano side.
Based on our personal experience, we recommend starting from Toyama so you can get to the summit ASAP. If you plan to do that, start your day early. Because many tourists start their day in Toyama, the queues for the cable car and highland bus can get long easily. So, take the first train leaving Dentetsu Toyama Station if you can. This way, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery with the smallest crowd around.
- The queue for the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus is usually the longest from 11am to the early afternoon at Murodō.
Important: Please note the route to the summit from Toyama might not be accessible due to weather conditions (snowfall) in April. Please keep this in mind when planning your visit.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route’s Busy Season
As Japanese hikers love this place as well, avoid weekends as well as Japanese public holidays. As a general guide, the route is busy during
☛ Mid-April to Mid-May
☛ Mid-August
☛ Late September to early October
If you plan to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during the peak season, we highly recommend making a reservation. Tickets usually sell out quickly, and there are fewer same-day tickets available at the stations.
- Advanced tickets for the period between mid-April and May are usually on sale 2 months beforehand.
- For the other part of the year, the ticket usually can be purchased a month beforehand.
Refer to the Official Website for the exact date and time that tickets go on sale.
What to Do With My Luggage?
Baggage forwarding services between the two sides of the route are available at each end of the alpine route. The service will cost you 2,500 yen per luggage. Please refer to the official website HERE for more information.
Important: Before the pandemic, they were able to forward your luggage to Nagano Station. But this is not the case in 2025. If your final destination is Nagano Station and you require the baggage forwarding service, you will need to pick it up from Shinano Ōmachi Station. Take this into consideration when you book your accommodation and bus ticket from Ogizawa.
Tip: If you do want to stay anywhere on the route that isn’t around the stations where the Alpine Route Baggage Forwarding Service is available, you can always ask your hotel to arrange for private luggage shipping to your next accommodation (‘ω’)ノ. The other option is the coin lockers at each station (excluding Tengudaira) on the route. It costs money, but you want to be as light as possible when trekking!
What Time Should My Day Start?
Assuming you are staying in one of the cheaper accommodation options in Toyama City the night before, your day should start really early (we left our hotel in Toyama at around 5 am). You want to catch the first train from Toyama, which departs at 5:15 am.
The Attractions on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Stop 1: Dentetsu Toyama Station (電鉄富山)
Your 65-minute train ride to Tateyama Station starts here!
If you have already purchased a ticket online, head to the ticket machine to scan your QR code for the paper-based ticket.
If you haven’t made a reservation, you can purchase your Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ticket at Dentetsu Toyama Station to secure your spot for the Tateyama Cable Car, which departs from Tateyama Station.
If you are catching the first train, you might need to wait a bit before they allow you onto the platform after you pass the ticket gate. However, this is what your train should look like (although always confirm the indicator screen around the platform).
Check out the view during this train ride. Already scenic!
Important: If you purchased a Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Option Ticket or Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, there is no need to buy another ticket to travel from Dentetsu Toyama to Tateyama Station. This journey is included in your set ticket.
Stop 2: Tateyama Station (立山駅)
After getting off the train at Tateyama Station, proceed straight up one level and queue for the cable car if your reserved cable car departs next.
If you need to change your boarding time or have other ticket-related issues, there are two Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket Sales Counters you can utilize. The first one is located to the right of the ticket gate on B1, and the other is situated at the back of the shop on the first level.
You can refer to the station map HERE.
Here starts your 7-minute cable car ride to Bijodaira (美女平)!
Please follow others and queue to board the cable car.
Tip: When boarding the cable car, don’t sit on the seats; instead, go straight to the front to enjoy the panoramic view on the way to Bijodaira!
Stop 3: Bijodaira Station (美女平)
If you have time, you have the option of trekking around the forestry area at Bijodaira Station to experience the fresh air and various wildlife!
☆ One is the express to the top of the mountain, Murodō (50-minute ride), or
☆ Stopping over at Midagaraha and/or Tengudaira (30-minute ride).
Tip: Sit on the left-hand side of the bus to see the Shōmyō Fall (称名滝) during this bus ride! (If you are starting from Nagano, then RHS)
Tip: Sit on the left-hand side of the bus to see the Shomyo Fall (称名滝) during this bus ride! (if you are starting from Nagano, then RHS)
Stop 3.01：On the Way to Midagahara
On the way to Murodō, your bus driver will most probably stop or drive really slowly and start talking.
The bus driver is trying to direct your attention to the left – Shōmyō Fall (称名滝). It is most beautiful during the autumn foliage season, when the leaves start to turn red.
Stop 4: Midagahara Stop (弥陀ヶ原)
At Bijodaira Stop, if you have time, enjoy the trekking courses (3 courses, with the longest one taking approximately 2 hours for a return trip).
If you choose to stay at the Midagahara Hotel, the hotel offers its customers complimentary activities, including nighttime stargazing and staff-led highland trekking.
Check out the trekking map at the end of the webpage. Although the webpage is in Japanese, you will have some idea of what you can do around the Midagahara Hotel.
Stop 5: Murodō Station (室堂) – The Top of the Mountain!
The first thing you will want to do when you arrive at Murodō is to take a picture with the landmark. There are professional photographers around to help tourists take photos with it.
And don’t worry. They don’t charge you unless you want the photo from their camera!
Get your water bottle ready! The famous Teteyama Tamadono Spring Water is among the most natural spring waters we have ever tasted! It is coming directly from the snowmelt in the area. There are also scoops for you to use if you require them (‘ω’)ノ.
After you fill up your bottle, start trekking/hiking (or, if you are in the area between April and June, enjoy the snow)!
Stop 5.01: Backcountry Skiing, Snow Walking, and Sledding at Murodō
The snow/ski season here in Mt. Tateyama typically runs from April to May. Skiing on 3,000 3,000-meter-tall mountain will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (‘ω’)ノ. Hotel Tateyama offers free rentals of snowshoes, stock, long boots, and sleds. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring your own gear.
You can enjoy various snow activities HERE, at Murodō, including the FAMOUS SNOW CORRIDOR WALK (the link is to the Japanese official website, as the English official website lacks activity information)!
Stop 5.02: Hiking at Murodō
☛ Hiking: to the top of the mountain to enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding mountain scenery. There is even a chance to see Mt Fuji on a sunny day!
Allow yourself approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes (climbing 2 hours + 1 hour and 40 minutes going back to Murodō).
While in Japanese, refer to HERE for the weather conditions for hiking/trekking.
Stop 5.03：Trekking at Murodō
☛ Trekking: The area offers a variety of trekking courses. Consider the amount of time you have and choose the course that best suits you.
No matter which course you choose, make sure you walk to the Mikurigaike Pond! The view there includes a reflection of the mountain in the pond and is absolutely breathtaking.
Check out the photo on the Official Japanese Website (unfortunately, the English version doesn’t have as many photos).
Stop 5.04: Camping at Raichōsawa Camping Ground (雷鳥沢キャンプ場)
For those who love camping, consider bringing your own tent and camping at Raichōsawa Camping Ground.
Whilst you have to bring your own food, so you don’t starve during the time you spend at the campground, it will definitely be an unforgettable experience!
From late May to early July, the longer you stay in the Murodō area, the larger the chance you have to spot one of these nearly extinct birds of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route – Raichō!
Tip: During the peak camping season in August, consider bringing a portable toilet with you. This is particularly the case in November when the toilet at the campground becomes unavailable.
Stop 5.05: To the Murodō Trolley Bus Stop
After you get your fill of the awesome Murodō area, head to Murodō Station and take the Tateyama Trolley Bus to Daikanbō.
Stop 6: Daikanbō (大観峰)
Enjoy the observation terrace, which offers a stunning view of the fantastic mountain and Kurobeko Lake, before heading off to queue for the ropeway to Kurobedaira.
←←←←←The Terrace ＆Daikanbō
View from the Terrace↓↓↓↓↓
Stop 7: Kurobedaira (黒部平)
After a 7-minute panoramic view, you will reach Kurobedaira.
The photo on the right shows the ropeway from which you will be getting off.
If you are hungry, visit the Restaurant Kurobedaira here at Kurobedaira Station (located on the 2nd floor) to fill up your stomach while enjoying the magnificent mountain view over Kurobedaira. (Note that for vegetarians, you probably won’t be able to find a true meat-free dish. The dishes selling at the restaurant probably all contain fish/meat stock.
Please refer to their allergen info under each dish on the MENU). You can also use the phrases in our Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Vegetarians and Vegans article to order.
If you are not in a rush, walk around the station for a different view of the mountain range. We especially recommend the Panorama Terrace. Check out the photos on the official Japanese website!
You can also pay a visit to their botanical garden to see the high-altitude plants!
Tip: If your water bottle is empty, refill it with sweet spring water at the Kurobedaira Landmark!
Stop 8: Kurobe Dam and Kurobeko Lake (黒部湖・黒部ダム)
Kurobe Dam is renowned as the dam with the highest altitude in Japan, making it a must-see destination.
Take the Lake Pleasure Boat to tour around Kurobeko Lake! You will travel between the mountains surrounding the dam, offering a different view of the great Kurobe Dam.
To get to the boat boarding deck, please check the indicator at the station for directions.
If you find yourself walking on top of the dam, you are walking in the wrong direction!
- Time required for Kurobe Dam’s Lake Pleasure Boat: 30 minutes
- Distance traveled: 11.5 km
- You can take the Kurobe Dam Lake Pleasure Boat from June to November 10.
To us, the 1,100 yen for the ferry ticket is totally worth it! A highlight is a bridge that can be seen during the boat ride (the 2nd photo in the IG post).
There are several trekking courses of different lengths at Kurobe Dam Station. Check out the area map at the station and choose a course for light trekking!
After your leisure walk around Kurobeko Lake, on your way to Kurobe Dam Station, the view from the top of the Kurobe Dam is absolutely breathtaking (the 1st photo in the IG post)!
There are various lookout decks around the Kurobe Dam. If you are unafraid of heights, we highly recommend that you climb up, as the photos that can be taken from the decks are magnificent! Check out a detailed illustration of various decks HERE.
Also, if you want to see 10 tons of water per second pouring out of the dam, be sure to plan your trip to Kurobe Dam between the end of June and October 15.
If the weather is good, you will be able to see a RAINBOW alongside the water coming out of the dam (*’▽’).
Step Back to Civilizations
From Kurobe Dam Station, take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus to Ogizawa. After crossing through Mt. Akawaza-Dake, you will arrive at Ogizawa Station. From here, you can choose to take a bus or train to JR Shinano Ōmachi or JR Nagano Station.
Important: If you have purchased the route’s option tickets or tourist pass and later decided you want to tour around Shinano Ōmachi Station before heading to Nagano, you will have to pay extra for the travel between Shinano Ōmachi and Nagano Station.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Weather and Autumn Foliage Season Information
The Best Time to Visit Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for Fall Foliage
Because the 37km-long Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route has a difference in elevation of 1,975 meters, the autumn foliage season of the route is long. The fall foliage season at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route starts as early as mid-September and ends in early November.
You can refer to the following table to determine when the fall foliage season typically peaks at each section of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
| Station/Stop | Shomyo Falls | Bijodaira | Midagahara | Tengudaira | Murodō | Daikanbō | Kurobedaira | Kurobe Dam | Ogizawa |
| Average Viewing Time | End of Oct to Early Nov | End of Oct to Early Nov | End of Sep to Early Oct | Mid-Sep to End of Sep | Mid-Sep to End of Sep | End of Sep to Early Oct | Mid-Oct to end of Oct | Mid-Oct to end of Oct | Mid-Oct to end of Oct |
Closer to September, the fall foliage status at each section of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is available Alpine Route Official Website.
Past Weather/Temperature Average at Murodō
| Mid-Apr | Late Apr | Early May | Mid May | Late May | Early Jun | Mid-Jun | Late Jun | Early Jul | Mid-Jul | Late Jul | |
| Temp | 1℃ | 4℃ | 5℃ | 8℃ | 9℃ | 9℃ | 10℃ | 11℃ | 12℃ | 15℃ | 16℃ |
| Possibility of Sunny – Cloudy Day | 68% | 81% | 72% | 81% | 84% | 78% | 79% | 63% | 64% | 72% | 72% |
| Early Aug | Mid-Aug | Late Aug | Early Sep | Mid-Sep | Late Sep | Early Oct | Mid-Oct | Late Oct | Early Nov | Mid-Nov | Late Nov | |
| Temp | 18℃ | 15℃ | 14℃ | 13℃ | 12℃ | 11℃ | 9℃ | 6℃ | 4℃ | 2℃ | 0℃ | -4℃ |
| Possibility of Sunny – Cloudy Day | 88% | 74% | 62% | 68% | 62% | 66% | 70% | 65% | 73% | 72% | 62% | 69% |
- Refer to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Official Website for the current weather and temperature at Murodō and Kurobe Dam.
- If you can’t translate the website to English, refer to HERE for the overall weather condition and temperature across the Alpine Route. A 14-day weather forecast of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is also included.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Ticket Price
The cost to travel through the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route depends on which ticket you purchase. You have four options.
- Pay the normal fare from station to station. This option is more expensive, but you can reserve tickets online!
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Ticket Price from Nagano to Toyama costs 16,600 yen for adults and 8,340 yen for children (6 to 11 years old).
- Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass: Unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains on the valid train lines and all transportation modes of the Alpine Route.
- One-way Express bus from Shinjuku to Toyama to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- The one-way 7-Day ticket costs 18,700 yen for adults and 9,400 yen for children.
- Refer to Alpico’s Website for more information.
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket: The ticket includes the train fare from Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya and all transportation modes on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
- The information is only on Alpine Route’s Japanese website. You can either translate the website using your browser’s translation function or check with the staff at a JR Station that belongs to JR Tokai or JR West.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket
The 8-Day ticket includes the return train fare from a JR station in the Chūbu region (Nagano, Gifu, and Shizuoka) and the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, Shiga, and Kobe). In addition to the local, rapid, and express services, the ticket includes unlimited rides on a part of the Tōkaido Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen.
But note the ticket doesn’t allow you to get off the train between certain stations.
The information is only on Alpine Route’s Japanese website. You can either translate the website using your browser’s translation function or check with the staff at a JR Station that belongs to JR Tokai or JR West. The parts of the train lines where you can’t get off the train are marked by dotted lines.
JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass:
In addition to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, if you plan to also visit Toyama, Matsumoto, Kiso Fukushima, Nagoya, Gero, Takayama, and Furukawa, the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass is recommended.
The 5 consecutive days pass allows you unlimited travel on the non-reserved trains on JR limited express, rapid, and local trains between:
- Nagoya and Toyama via Tōkaido/Takayama Lines
- Shinano-Ōmachi to Nagoya via the Ōito/Shinonoi/Chūo Main Lines
Important: Remember to take the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass to the ticket counter at Tateyama Station or Ogizawa Station for a “Boarding Pass” to take the trams and buses along the alpine route.
Validity and Prices for the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
☛ The ticket is valid for 5 consecutive days.
☛ 24,000 yen for adults and 12,000 yen for children between 6 and 11 years old.
Below is a list of popular destinations that you can travel to with the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass. Click on each of them to discover all the great attractions that you can visit in each area!
Please refer to the official website for more information, such as the route map HERE.
Where to Purchase the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
You can purchase your JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass overseas through klook and within Japan.
A Side Trip to the Stunning Kurobe Gorge
Kurobe Gorge (Kurobe Kyokōku) is one of Japan’s top 100 hidden scenic spots and is located in the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps. It is the No.1 V-shaped Gorge in Japan! With its almost vertical cliffs and pristine forests, along with the hot springs in the area, it is one of the most popular destinations for Japanese seeking relaxation amidst nature.
If the famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is also on your itinerary, why not enjoy the two most beautiful hidden places in Japan in one go, since they are so close to each other!
Explore the Fascinating Attractions in Matsumoto City
Wonder what else in the area is worth your time? Check out our list of selected attractions in Matsumoto that you won’t want to miss out on. There are a couple of places where you can source delicious natural water in the city center, an art museum filled with Kusama Yayoi’s eye-opening contemporary artworks, places perfect for cherry blossom and fall foliage hunting, and a lot more!
For more information, please refer to our article on Matsumoto!
Hi Lily, we will be staying at unazuki onsen on 29 July and Toyama night of 30 July and starting on the Tateyama kurobe alpine route on 31 July. Staying one night at Raichoso lodge and then Shinano omachi on 1 Aug. Travelling on to Echigo Yuzawa thereafter
I can’t decide between visiting Shomyo Falls or Amaharashi coast on 30 July. What would you advise.
Also need advice on which ticket option to get for the alpine route. Thank you.
Hi Janice,
I think the answer would depend on what time you plan to leave Unazaki Onsen and whether you prefer the mountainous view or want to head to the beach. I’d probably choose Amahashi Coast over Shomyo Falls to make the itinerary more diverse.
Since you plan to head to Echigo Yuzawa afterwards instead of exploring Nagano/Gifu, I’d probably just get the one-way ticket for the alpine route.
Hope the above helps.
Lily
Thank you, Lily. We’ll probably leave unazuki onsen around 9am.
I’m really torn between the 2 😂. Will we have time to do both? Or does it make sense to do shomyo falls on the day that we start the alpine route. Will it take up too much time?
Hi Janice,
I’d check the timetable for the time that you can get to Toyama, Toyama to Shomyo Falls and back, and Toyama to Amahashi Coast to see if it’ll be too rushed. Definitely not recommending to do it on the day to do the alpine route. We started at 5am and only got to Nagano around 4ish.
Thank you, Lily, that’ll be wonderful!
Another question I have is what passes should we buy for this leg of our journey. Also will we need to make reservations for the Alpine Route? Can we buy transportation passes/tickets after arriving in Toyama?
Hi Janice,
As advised in my first reply, I don’t think the passes available currently would suit you. You can get the ticket after arriving Toyama. But I would probably try to reserve the cable car online.
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi Lily!
My family and I are planning a visit to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route on a weekday in the second week of June 2025. We will use the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass and stay in Toyama as the base.
While doing the rsearch, I come to your page and find it to be extremely informative. As this is my first visit to the area, I have a few questions that I hope you can share your insights.
1. Is June still considered a peak season for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?
2. Is it possible to do the round trip of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in one day (start and end in Toyama)? We will focus on the Snow Wall at Murodo and Kurobe Dam, and turn back at the Kurobe Dam.
3. What time must we leave Kurobe Dam to make it back to Tateyama / Toyama in time?
4. Will the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass cover the round trip transportation?
Thank you very much for any additional pointers that we can take note of.
Kind Regards
SF
Hello SF
1. June isn’t considered the peak season as the size snow wall would have decreased considerably.
2. It’s possible but you won’t have lots of time to explore the route.
3. Refer to the timetable:
https://www.alpen-route.com/_wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2025timetable_ogizawa-tateyama-0415_1103.pdf
4. Yes but you won’t be able to reserve online. It’s fine though as June isn’t as busy.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Lily,
I have no questions except the additional cost for express bus when travelling from Nagano.
I want to thank you for all your patience in answering all the questions above.
I’ve gotten all the answers i needed going from Nagano.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks Alvin for the kind compliment! It keeps us motivated!
Apologies for the late reply. We were traveling in Japan.
Which express bus are you referring to? From my understanding, you can choose to purchase the bus ticket to travel between Ogizawa and Nagano. Refer to the fare table here:
https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/fare.html
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi Lily
I plan to travel from Toyama side for the Tateyama alpine route on 24 May. Just wondering if buying Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass or ticket via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine website would be a wiser choice? or do I go for the Takteyama Kurobe Alpine route option ticket?
As I understand that no reservation for the cable car is allowed for Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, would I have to queue for a longer time to board, as yet to find any info on the cable ride boarding system? Also, I plan to send my luggage to Shinano-Omachi, so just worried if I didn’t reserve any seat for the cable ride, I might not be in time to collect the luggage.
My travel route is Nagoya – Takayama – Toyama – Matsumoto – Nagoya.
Hello Eileen,
Just note that the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Option Ticket isn’t on sale anymore. Replacing the ticket is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket issued by JR West and JR Tokai. This ticket might be a better option for you as it covers Nagoya to Takayama to Toyama to Matsumoto and back to Nagoya.
https://visitjapan-vegetarian.com/tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-toyama-nagano-japan/#Tateyama-Alpine-Route's-tickets-and-passes
Regarding the luggage to Shinano-Omachi Station, the pick up time is between 3 pm and 5:45 pm according to the official website. So, make sure you catch the service leaving Kurobe Dam at 4:35 pm. If you missed the service, talk to the staff at the station so they can let the staff at the Shinano Omachi’s luggage reception staff know. I won’t be able to guarantee that they will wait for you. You might need to come back the next morning to pick it up.
Same-day tickets will be available on the day. But if you are worried about the queue, I’d suggest to take the first service on the day.
Hope the above helps.
Hi Lily,
I am planning to do a day-trip to the alpine on 6 May 2024 from Tokyo. I am planning to start from the Nagano side. I have a question, must I purchase tickets or could I afford to purchase same-day tickets on the spot? I see that if i purchase the pass online, I can only collect it from 12pm onwards a day before my start day. With this, I am extremely confused.
Do you have any advice on the ticketing? Thanks!
Hi Agnes,
Early May is usually the peak season due to the snow corridor, so I’d reserve the ticket if possible.
Where did you see the 12pm onwards rule for ticket pick up? From the official website, it says “Please pick up your ticket at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.”
https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/ticket_advance.html
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi LL,
We are planning our trip on this area on Mid-May and we will purchase the “Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route” thru JR Pass. Is it possible if we will start at Toyama to Kurobedaira and we will go back from Kurobedaira to Toyama…Then next day from Shinano Omachi to Kurobe Dam then go back to Shinano Omachi…
Kind Regards,
Roldan
Hello Roldan,
Do you mean the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass? It’s possible but I’m not sure if that’s the best way to do it. Are you planning to take the train/bus from Toyama to Shinano Omachi after you return to Toyama on the 1st day? Note a one-way trip takes at least 2.5 – 3 hours. Any reasons that you’re considering doing this?
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi Lily
Have seen the various past correspondences and you have been wonderful in patiently answering everyone’s request. I too have a few clarifications that I need your help on :
1. I plan to take the Alpine travel in May 2024. Do you know when will the web ticket be available for advance booking?
2. Does the ticket include both the Toyama Chiho railway from Dentesu to Tateyama station as well as the express bus from Ogizawa to Nagano station?
3. I read online that only the Tateyama cable car needs reservation. From one of your earlier reply, it seems now the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus would need reservation as well? Where do i go to make reservation for both these modes of transport?
Thank you in advance for your kind Advice.
Hi Vincent,
Thanks for the kind words. Hope the below helps.
1. Usually, the web ticket is available for purchase from mid-March.
2. Believe the web ticket on the official website includes the journey from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa.
3. For reservation, you can only reserve Tateyama Cable Car if you start from the Toyama side and Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus if you start from the Nagano side.
Kind regards,
Lily
Thank you, Lily. 🙂
No worries Nancy 🙂
Just got a confirmation from Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to confirm you can use the pass to travel on the Alpine Route as long as the pass is valid.
Remember to reserve a seat when you get to the station for the Cable Car or the Electric Bus depending on the direction of travel.
Hi Lily,
Thank you for your prompt reply. 🥰
No, I will make some stop over along the Route and I won’t be staying along the Route.
Can we use the Pass for reversal routes?
Hi Nancy,
Yes I think so, as long as it is within the valid period.
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi,
Thank you for your detailed information of the Alpine Route.
I plan to stay near Shinano Omachi Station, if I start the route from this station to Toyama.
Then do a reversal back to Shinano Omachi Station and May stop over at some sightseeing points on the return.
Is it feasible? Do I need to make reservation at Toyama for the cable car?
What tickets/pass shall I get?
I plan to spend two days for this route so that I can have time to explore.
I will be travelling in early November.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for the compliment.
Do you mean you will travel from Shinano Omachi Station to Toyama Station via the Alpine Route without doing any sightseeing, and only explore the route when you travel from Toyama Station back to Shinano Omachi Station?
I won’t recommend doing so because traveling on the Alpine Route isn’t cheap and it is a long journey.
It is better if you stay in one of the hotels along the Alpine Route if you want to spend 2 days along the route.
Regarding the pass you can get, you can consider the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass if you plan to also visit other destinations nearby, such as Matsumoto and Takayama.
Note you can’t use the pass to make a reservation online. But since early November is after the peak season, a reservation isn’t necessary.
Kind regards,
Lily
Greetings! I want to express my sincere appreciation for this insightful article. I do have a few questions.
I’ve acquired the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass and plan to embark on my journey in mid-October via the Toyama route. Firstly, could you kindly advise me on how to secure a reservation for the Tateyama Cable Car? Additionally, I’m curious about the crowd levels during the October period. In case I’m unable to secure reservations, do you recommend an alternative route? Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Hi Yuxian,
Thanks for your comment and compliment. We really appreciate it.
Regarding the crowd level, it is best to avoid the 7th to the 9th of October. You can refer to the official website and translate it using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar for more information on the crowd prediction.
https://www.alpen-route.com/information/calendar/
Regarding whether you can use Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass to reserve Tateyama Cable Car, we are waiting for a reply from the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route company and will get back to you as soon as possible. At the moment, it does seem like you can’t use the pass to make a reservation online.
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi Yuxian,
It is confirmed by Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route company that you can’t use Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass to reserve Tateyama Cable Car. Please head to the ticket office at Tateyama Cable Car Station to exchange the ticket and board the next cable car.
Unfortunately, there is no alternative route to get to Murodo. I would suggest you taking the earliest train to Tateyama Station. This way, you have more time to explore this stunning part of Japan and there will surely be a seat for you.
Kind regards,
Lily
Hi! Very helpful article thank you so much. Have a couple of questions. Coming from Toyota on a Sunday to do Alpine Railway.
Plan is to be at the cable car by 1 PM. Enjoy the railway and stop along the way and then overnight in Shinano Omachi
My questions- if we don’t leave the cable car until 1 PM I know that does not leave much time as I think last bus is 4:30pm from Ogizawa. However, we would spend more time in the next day on the way coming back on Alpine from Shinano to Toyama. Do you think that would allow enough time? And if we buy the round-trip railway ticket, we can still get off the railway on the way back, correct?
Next question- want to be sure the local bus that goes to Shinano Omachi is the same as the station? I want to make sure I book a hotel in the right location 😉
Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the compliment. I’m glad you find the article useful.
Assuming the cable car you talk about is the Tateyama Cable Car, it’s doable if there isn’t massive queue for the bus up the mountain once you get off the cable car and at Kurobe Dam.
You can refer to the timetable on the official website. The last bus departs from Ogizawa is at 5:55pm.
https://www.alpen-route.com/timetable/viewer/86787/
Yes, the local bus stops at Shinano Omachi Station.
Kind Regards,
lily
Hi there! The extra details in your post are really helpful! I actually plan to go to Murodo from Dentetsu Toyama, but the times for the cable car from Tateyama to Murodo are disappearing fast… Is a reservation *required* to go from Tateyama to Murodo via cable car? Or are only the reservations limited and you will be able to buy in person with no issues?
Do you know if any other parts from Dentetsu to Murodo require a reservation? Also, if I do get a reservation and pre-pay, do I just pick up my tickets from the info counter at Dentetsu-Toyama station or something like that?
Sorry for asking so many questions, I’ve just been desperate to hear the answers and I haven’t been able to find them anywhere!
Hi Bay,
No reservation was required to go from Tateyama to Murodo when we visited the route. However, I have just checked the official website again, and it seems like a reservation is required now if you want to board the cable car by 11.20. The Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus that you need to board to travel from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa needs a reservation too.
You can pick up your ticket at Dentetsu Toyama or Tateyama’s ticket machine by showing the QR code you would have got after a reservation is made.
You can refer to the official website for more details.
https://tateyama-kurobe-webservice.jp/AlpenTour/html/VW001W0010.html
Kind Regards,
Lily
Hi Bay,
We have got a clarification from Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
If you start your trip from Toyama Prefecture, you only need to reserve Tateyama Cable Car. A reservation isn’t required and can’t be made for Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. You just need to queue at the bus station when you are ready to head to Ogizawa.
On the other hand, if you start from Ogizawa, it is the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus that you need to reserve.
The ticket is now also on sale at Dentetsu Toyama station. If you happen to miss the reserved cable car, you need to amend the boarding time at Tateyama Station.
Hope the above helps.
Kind Regards,
Lily
Hi Lily,
I have a JR Pass and wanted to know if I can buy the Tateyama Kurobe Option ticket online? I could not find the site selling this. Or is it to be bought only on arrival in Japan at one of the JR train stations? We need this for a mid-May trip.
Regards,
Sudhir
Hi Sudhir,
It doesn’t seem like the ticket is on sale at the moment, as there is no information on the website.
I have, however, sent an inquiry to confirm and will let you know if the ticket is actually on sale.
Kind Regards,
Lily
Hi, can I check if the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket is on sale for 2023?
Hi Ben,
Currently still no announcement on the official website. You can, however, keep a close eye on the official page here.
https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport_new/fares.html
Kind Regards,
Lily
Hi Lily,
I have the Hokuriku Arch Pass, can I buy the Tateyama Kurobe Option ticket when I arrive in Japan, Haneda on 12 April 2023 and use the option Ticket on 15 April 2023, if available?
Thank you
Cheow
Hi Cheow,
I don’t think the ticket is available in 2023. The official website has yet to update the link to the ticket.
Kind Regards,
Lily