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Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
September 15, 2026
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a mountain sightseeing route connecting Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture and Ogizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture, stretching approximately 37.2 km in total length. The 2026 operating season runs from April 15th to November 30th, with the particularly popular "Snow Valley" remaining open until June 25th. These massive snow walls, created by snow removal operations, can reach heights of over 10 meters. This article introduces the Snow Valley, as well as other attractions along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, such as the Kurobe Dam and Daikanbo, and also features luxurious accommodations in the surrounding area.
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Murodo, located at the highest point of Tateyama Kurobe, is at an altitude of approximately 2,450m. Even in April and May, immediately after the opening of the line, temperatures can be around 0°C or even below freezing. Furthermore, mountainous areas are prone to unpredictable weather, and there are large temperature differences between day and night, so it is important to dress appropriately. Even in summer, the average temperature is around 15°C, which feels relatively cool. Before departing, check the latest weather forecast for Tateyama Kurobe and also check the official website for any changes or closures to operating status or sections due to weather conditions.
©Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Located on Murodo Plateau, the "Snow Valley" is a popular tourist spot representative of Tateyama Kurobe. Visitors can enjoy the impressive snowscape up close while walking through a corridor of snow with massive snow walls, some exceeding 10 meters in height, on both sides. It is usually open for a limited time each year, from after the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route until mid-to-late June.
Location: Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
Opening period: Approximately April 15th to June 25th (may be subject to change depending on snowfall, etc.)
Phone: 076-481-1500 (Reception hours: 8:30 AM - 16:30 PM)
Official site:https://www.alpen-route.com
©Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Murodo is the highest-altitude station on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It is home to Murodo Station, where highland buses and Tateyama Tunnel electric buses depart and arrive, and there are restaurants and shops around the station. From the rooftop, you can enjoy the mountain scenery around Murodo, and it is also a convenient base for sightseeing in Tateyama.
Address: Murodo, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
Phone: 076-463-5068
Official site:https://www.alpen-route.com
©Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
The Kurobe Dam, boasting a height of 186 meters, is one of Japan's most representative and massive dams. From the top of the dam, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Kurobe and the majestic surrounding mountains, and the spectacular water release that takes place every year from late June to mid-October is truly breathtaking.
Location: Tateyama Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture
Tourist water release period: Approximately June 26th to October 15th
Official site:https://www.kurobe-dam.com
Access: Approximately 16 minutes by electric bus from Ogizawa Station on the Nagano Prefecture side.
Ogizawa Station Address: 2117 Taira, Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture
Phone: 0261-22-2526
Daikanbo is a high-altitude viewpoint along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It offers panoramic views of Lake Kurobe and the surrounding mountains, and you can also take the Tateyama Ropeway to Kurobe-daira. It's an important stopover point where you can enjoy magnificent mountain scenery, and it's also a popular spot for photography.
Location: Along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Phone: 076-481-1500
Official site:https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/211
Located in a lush natural setting overlooking the Northern Alps, this accommodation offers stunning views of the changing seasons. The facility provides various outdoor activities, including SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), rainbow trout fishing, and private tent saunas, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of experiences in nature. For dinner, guests can savor dishes made with local Shinshu ingredients, such as marinated Alps salmon, high-quality Shinshu beef, authentic pizza, and fresh vegetables.
Located in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, about a two-hour drive from Tokyo, this accommodation prioritizes privacy. Each guest room features a private semi-open-air bath and sauna, a rarity even in Chino City. The private outdoor living area also includes a space for enjoying a bonfire and a barrel sauna. For dinner, guests can enjoy carefully prepared meat dishes such as ribeye steak and rump steak made with "Shinshu Apple Wagyu," beef raised on apples grown in Shinshu.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is scheduled to open on April 15th, 2026, and will be open until November 30th. Of that, the Snow Valley is expected to be open until around June 25th. Actual operating periods and the Snow Valley opening period are subject to change, so please be sure to check the latest information on the official website before traveling.
The Snow Valley can be seen annually from mid-April, after the road opens, until mid-to-late June. The period immediately after opening is particularly good for enjoying the impressive snowscape, as the snow walls are high. However, the height of the snow walls and the overall appearance vary each year depending on the snow conditions.
Tickets for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route are available in both advance and on-the-day purchase options. Since the sections that can be booked in advance, the types of tickets available, and the start dates of sales may change, it is recommended to check the latest sales information and terms of use on the official website before purchasing.
Tateyama Kurobe is a tourist destination where families can enjoy magnificent nature and mountain scenery. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to the elderly, but because of its high altitude, it is important to be aware of sudden changes in temperature and weather. In particular, there is a large temperature difference between the lowlands and the Murodo area in spring, so it is advisable to prepare warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
The entrances to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route are Ogizawa Station on the Nagano Prefecture side and Tateyama Station on the Toyama Prefecture side. You can tour the route by entering from one side and exiting on the other. If you are coming from the Tokyo area, it is easier to enter from Ogizawa Station on the Nagano Prefecture side, while if you are coming from the Kyoto or Osaka area, it is easier to enter from Tateyama Station on the Toyama Prefecture side.
Tateyama Kurobe is a mountain tourist destination where you can enjoy completely different scenery depending on the season. From the snow-covered valley in spring, to the tourist-oriented water release at Kurobe Dam in summer, and the autumn foliage, there are various attractions depending on when you visit. When planning your trip, first check the opening period for the roads and the opening period for the snow-covered valley for that year, and also check the weather and operating conditions.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
