1-Day Model Course: Discover Breathtaking Views and Unique Rides on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

The departure point for the day-trip model course, Tateyama Station, is nestled in the heart of deep, mountainous nature. From here, travelers board the Tateyama Cable Car, which takes them up to Bijodaira. It takes seven minutes to travel 1.3 km and ascend 500 meters in elevation directly from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira Station.

At Bijodaira, you are greeted by primeval beech forests with trees aged 200 to 300 years and massive Tateyama cedars over 1,000 years old. From spring to early summer, it is also known as a birdwatching spot, offering encounters with fresh beech foliage and various wild birds.

From Bijodaira, you transfer to the Tateyama Kogen Bus and in about 50 minutes, you arrive at Murodo, the highest terminal on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, located at an altitude of 2,450 meters.
Murodo serves as a base for both Tateyama mountain climbing and exploring the Murodo Plateau. On the second floor of the station, you'll find the largest restaurant on the route, shops and a tea lounge.
Even in spring, the temperature at Murodo is only around 1 to 6°C (approximately 34 to 43°F). The journey along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is still ahead, so be sure to enjoy a warm meal at Murodo to properly heat up and prepare for the rest of the trip.

Yuki-no-Otani, one of the most famous sights along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, offers a unique view that can only be seen from April to June. Due to the area's heavy snowfall, particularly near Murodo, the Otani area experiences massive snowdrifts, with walls of snow that can accumulate to over 20 meters in height.
The towering walls of Yuki-no-Otani are created using bulldozers to carefully excavate the snow while confirming the path's location with GPS, along with special snowplows designed for the Alpine Route, which have nearly twice the snow-blowing power of regular snowplows.

From Murodo, you transfer to a bus that travels through the Tateyama Tunnel, which runs directly beneath the main peak of Tateyama (mountain range), Mount Oyama. The bus heads toward Daikanbo. One of the highlights of this journey is watching two buses pass each other in opposite directions within the narrow central section of the tunnel.

Passing through the tunnel, you emerge to Daikanbo, where a magnificent panorama unfolds before your eyes. Situated at an altitude of 2,316 meters, it offers a stunning view of Kurobe Lake and the Ushirotateyama-renpo (mountain range). The Daikanbo Unjo Terrace is equipped with terrace seating, allowing you to take a break and relax amidst the grandeur of nature.

Next, from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira. This section is connected by Japan's longest one-span ropeway, which is unique for having no support pillars between Daikanbo and Kurobedaira, all in the interest of preserving the breathtaking landscape and environmental conservation.
Known as a "moving observation deck," this ropeway offers stunning views of the steep slopes of Daikanbo to the west and the majestic Ushirotateyama-renpo stretching across the horizon to the east. Enjoy a 7-minute aerial stroll with a 360-degree panoramic view!

Upon arriving at Kurobedaira, transfer to the Kurobe Cable Car. Heading towards Kurobe Lake at an altitude difference of 1,455 meters, the cable car descends through a tunnel. Since the cable car is not powered by its own engine, the operation is managed from Kurobedaira. There is no driver on board; instead, a conductor is present to ensure safety during the ride.

From Kurobe Lake, pass through the underground passage and walk towards the Kurobe Dam Rest House. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of Kurobe Lake and Kurobe River below. After a 15-minute walk, taking in the scenery, you will arrive at the Kurobe Dam Rest House.

From the side of the Kurobe Dam Rest House, walk up the stairs inside the tunnel leading to Kurobe Dam Station, and you will encounter another set of stairs that leads to the dam's observation platform. After climbing about 220 steps, you'll reach the observation deck, where you can get a panoramic view of the massive arch dam, the Kurobe Dam, often referred to as the "king of dams."
Among the more than 2,600 dams in Japan, the Kurobe Dam stands as the tallest, with a dam height of about 186 meters. It also holds the record for the largest dam volume in Japan and ranks 4th in total water storage capacity. Not only is the scale impressive, but the dam’s stunning harmony with the surrounding Kurobe Gorge adds to its landscape, captivating visitors.

Take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus to the final destination, Ogizawa. The electric bus runs through a tunnel that was originally excavated for transporting materials during the construction of the Kurobe Dam. The bus is made by removing the engine from a diesel bus and installing a motor and batteries. After about 16 minutes on the electric bus, you will arrive at Ogizawa, the final station of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route coming from the Toyama side.
This is a full-day model course that allows you to thoroughly enjoy the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in about 8 hours. You can experience different stunning views and modes of transportation in each area, and by completing the entire journey, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and a refreshing sense of freedom.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is most lively during the summer. In this season, alpine plants begin to bloom across the mountains over 3,000 meters, making it the perfect time for hiking and trekking while enjoying the refreshing breeze over streams and valleys. Every year, many visitors come to explore the area.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route features a vertical elevation difference of 1,975 meters from summit to base, offering views of snow-covered peaks and a unique “three-stage autumn foliage” scene—red and yellow leaves in the mid-mountain areas, and green trees at the base. Each year, along with Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan (a volcanic group), the Murododaira (plateau) area on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the first places in Japan to show autumn colors, starting around September. By visiting at different times, you can enjoy a variety of vibrant fall colors.

In winter, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers stunning views overlooking snow-covered mountains. However, due to the heavy snowfall in the region, access is restricted during the peak winter months, making the period for enjoying the scenery on the route brief—only a limited time in early November. The rare early winter landscape is definitely worth seeing. Why not plan a visit during this brief window?