[Toyama Prefecture] Enjoy the great outdoors at Mt. Tateyama, one of Japan's three most famous mountains! Easy access to hiking and sightseeing via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

• Table of Contents
• Mount Tateyama is one of the three most famous mountains in Japan alongside Mount Fuji.
• A day trip on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, passing through Toyama and Nagano
• A fun journey across six different modes of transport
• Let's go ride the last trolley bus in Japan!
• How to use and access the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Mount Tateyama is one of the three most famous mountains in Japan alongside Mount Fuji.

The majestic peaks of Chubu Sangaku National Park, located in the northern part of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains), are called the " Tateyama Mountain Range, " and the three central mountains of the range - Mt. Oyama (3,003m), Mt. Onanjiyama (3,015m), and Mt. Fujinooritate (2,999m) - are collectively called Mt. Tateyama . Although the term "Tateyama" refers to only the main peak, Mt. Oyama, there is no single peak called Mt. Tateyama; the Tateyama Mountain Range is made up of these three mountains, peaks such as Mt. Tsurugidake, and the vast highland plateaus such as Murododaira and Midagahara.

The Tateyama mountain range produces many of the most spectacular views of Toyama Prefecture , including the magnificent view of 3,000m-class mountains lined up across Toyama Bay , and the snow-capped mountains on a clear winter day are awe-inspiringly beautiful.

Although it is beautiful to see from afar, the greatest attraction of Mt. Tateyama is the dynamic landscape created by nature . You will want to experience this beauty up close from the top of the mountain.

Climbing Mt. Tateyama, aiming for the summit of Mt. Oyama, is an easy hike with few difficult spots , so it is popular among beginners and families. At the summit is the main shrine of Mt. Oyama Shrine, and during the opening hours, you can receive a prayer from the resident priest at the summit.

A day trip on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, passing through Toyama and Nagano

Private cars are prohibited from entering Mt. Tateyama in order to preserve the natural environment . Therefore, although there are ways to get there, such as using a bus tour run by a travel agency or using the "Summer Mountain Bus" that operates during the climbing season, the most common way is to use the "Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route."

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the world's leading mountain tourist routes, passing through Chubu Sangaku National Park, a mountainous area with an altitude of over 3,000 meters. You can travel a total of 37.2 km between Tateyama Station in Tateyama Town on the Toyama side and Ogizawa Station in Omachi City on the Nagano side by changing vehicles such as cable cars, ropeways, and trolley buses, with a maximum elevation difference of 1,975 m.

One of the attractions of sightseeing in Tateyama is its easy access, with Murodo, the starting point for climbing Mt. Tateyama at an altitude of 2,450m, only about an hour away from Tateyama Station . Just looking at the scenery from the window of a train is enjoyable, and around Murodo Terminal and the marshland of Midagahara Highland, you can enjoy hiking and strolling, which are less strenuous than mountain climbing (you will need to wear clothes and bring items appropriate for the weather and season).

The first snowfall on Mt. Tateyama usually occurs around early October, and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is open from early April to the end of November . Mt. Tateyama is inhospitable to people for more than half of the year due to its severe cold and snow, and the large amount of snow that falls during the winter is 7 to 8 meters high at Murododaira even in April.

On the downwind slopes and valleys where large amounts of snow are carried by the wind, the snow can pile up to more than 20m deep. "Snow Valley," about a 10-minute walk from Murodo Terminal, is a popular spot where you can walk between high walls of snow even in summer.

Many people visit the area to see the alpine plants and beautiful autumn leaves . If you're lucky, you might even encounter a wild ptarmigan, a species of Japanese wildlife that has been designated a special natural monument.

A fun journey across six different modes of transport

There are six types of transportation to travel within the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, including trolley buses, highland buses, ropeways, and cable cars . The entrance on the Toyama side is "Tateyama Station." It is about a 50-minute drive from Toyama Station, and about an hour on the Tateyama Line from Toyama Chiho Railway's "Dentetsu Toyama Station."

The cable car platform at "Tateyama Station" is on the second floor of a lodge-style building, and it is easy to transfer from the Toyama Chiho Railway on the first floor. If you come by car, there is a large parking lot nearby. There are shops, restaurants, and mountaineering equipment rental shops inside the station, and there are accommodation facilities nearby, so you can stay the night before your climb.

The ticket office for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is located outside the building on the first floor. If you reserve your ticket online in advance, you can easily pick up your ticket from the automated ticket machine on the second floor where the cable car station is located . There are also discounts for early reservations and discounted round-trip tickets in conjunction with JR trains.

There are two types of tickets: round trip and one-way, departing from Tateyama Station or Ogizawa Station, and you reserve by specifying the departure time and destination . There are no restrictions on stops along the way to the destination or the boarding time for the return trip, so you can board in the order in which you line up at the platform at each station.

The ticket is valid for 5 days from the date of use for both one-way and round-trip tickets , so you can stay at a mountain lodge or hotel on the Alpine route and continue your stay the next day or later (as long as it is within the validity period). It's also nice to look at the starry sky from the top of the mountain and see the sea of clouds and the sunrise in the early morning.

Additionally, when booking online you can purchase additional tickets that allow you to use the express bus that runs between Ogizawa Station and Nagano Station, or the local bus that runs between Ogizawa Station and Shinano-Omachi Station, so you can plan a trip that goes straight from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route .

Six rides on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Normally, transferring is a hassle, but when it's such a unique vehicle, it's fun to ride it. In particular, you'll want to ride the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus while you can, as it will be retiring in 2024 !

https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/modes.html

1. Tateyama Cable Car

The Tateyama Cable Car connects Tateyama Station and Bijodaira Station. It takes seven minutes to climb 500 meters in altitude, and from the train window you can see the dynamic scenery changing from the lowland forests to the mountain forests.

2. Tateyama Highland Bus

The bus travels from Bijodaira to Murodo, covering an elevation difference of about 1,500m, in about 50 minutes. All passengers must remain seated, and a video explaining the sights along the way is played on board. You can get off at Midagahara and Tengu-daira, so tell the staff before boarding, and press the stop button when you are approaching your stop. However, if you want to reboard, you will need to make a reservation with the staff at the station where you got off, or at your accommodation.

3. Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus

It is the only trolleybus remaining in Japan , connecting Murodo Station and Daikanbo Station in the Tateyama Tunnel, and travels at the highest altitude in Japan . Although it is called a "bus," it is a type of train that runs on electricity supplied from the electric power line . It helps protect the natural environment by preventing exhaust gases from accumulating in the tunnel. The point where buses for the inbound and outbound lanes pass each other in the center of the tunnel is just below the summit of Mt. Oyama, the main peak at 3,003 meters.

4. Tateyama Ropeway

The Tateyama Ropeway, which connects Daikanbo and Kurobedaira, does not have a single support pillar between the two for the sake of scenic beauty and environmental conservation . From the large windows, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the steep slopes of Daikanbo to the west and the magnificent Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range to the east.

5. Kurobe Cable Car

It connects Kurobedaira and Lake Kurobe, and runs up a steep slope with an elevation difference of about 400m and a maximum gradient of 31 degrees . It is the only cable car in Japan that is entirely underground, in order to protect the environment and prevent snow damage.

6.Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus

If you are traveling from Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture to Ogizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture via the Alpine Route, you can take this electric bus from Kurobe Dam Station. The bus will run inside the tunnel that was excavated to transport materials during the construction of Kurobe Dam.

Let's go ride the last trolley bus in Japan!

The Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, which has carried many passengers since it began operation in 1996, will cease operation on November 30, 2024 , so now is your last chance to ride it . There will be many commemorative events, commemorative goods, and souvenirs available. From spring 2025, electric buses are scheduled to be introduced to replace the trolley buses.

Commemorative events and projects leading up to the final run

https://www.alpen-route.com/trolleybus

◆Limited menu

August 24th (Saturday) - September 16th (Monday/holiday), October 14th (Saturday) - November 30th (Saturday)

Limited menus inspired by Japan's last trout bus will be available at restaurants and other establishments.

・Tuna iron bowl: Restaurant Tateyama (Murodō Hotel Tateyama)

・Melty cheese black curry: Tea Lounge Rindou (Murodo Hotel Tateyama)

・Tender trolley bus soft serve: Ajikaku (Murodo Station)

・Black creamy soft serve: Taste Corner (Kurobedaira Station)

・Thick soba noodles with grated yam and grated kelp: Kurobe Soba (Kurobedaira Station)

◆Limited souvenirs on sale until Saturday, November 30th

*Sales will end once stock runs out. *Business hours vary by store.

Commemorative tickets and stamps on sale until Saturday, November 30th

*Sales will end once stock runs out. *Business hours vary by store.

Display of the Tateyama Tunnel's history timeline and messages (Daikanbo Station) - November 30th (Sat)

◆Exhibition of the highest railway station photo spot in Japan (Murodo Station) August 24th (Sat) - November 30th (Sat)

A new spot has been created where you can take commemorative photos in front of a trolley bus panel!

◆Idea Illustration Contest (Bijodaira Station) August 24th (Sat) - November 30th (Sat)

The winning entries will be displayed at Daikanbo Station from October 14th to November 30th, and there will also be prizes such as a pair of train tickets!

https://www.alpen-route.com/_wp/event/102743

◆ "Railway Day" Commemorative Event October 14th (Monday, National Holiday)

A special guest from Toyama Prefecture will also be participating.

◆4th Memorial Backyard Tour October 14th (Monday, National Holiday)

*Applications are already closed until the third session in September.

◆Last Run Ceremony November 30th (Saturday)

This will be the last day for the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus.

How to use and access the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

As mentioned above, to get to Tateyama Station, the Toyama Prefecture entrance of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which is the gateway to climbing and sightseeing in Tateyama, you need to travel to Toyama City by JR (Shinkansen) or airplane, then rent a car, take a taxi, or transfer to a local train or bus . For more information, please see the official English website of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Online ticket reservations for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route also offer great value round-trip tickets in conjunction with JR trains, as well as early booking discounts . You can turn around and return to Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture, or pass through it and head to Ogizawa in Nagano Prefecture . Find a mode of transportation that suits your itinerary, budget, and travel style, and enjoy yourself.

Japanese website : https://www.alpen-route.com

English website : https://www.alpen-route.com/en

Tateyama Station MAP https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/maps.html

Online ticket reservation : https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/fare.html

Tateyama Alpine Route Timetablehttps ://www.alpen-route.com/en/timetable

Access to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Routehttps ://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/access.html