Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Nagano) 立山黒部アルペンルート（長野）

Also referred to as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, this spectacular sightseeing journey connects Nagano and Toyama prefectures through a gorgeous stretch of the Northern Japan Alps. One for the adventurer in you, the trek involves multiple modes of transit, breathtaking views, and plenty to explore along the way.

If you're traveling from the Nagano side, the Alpine Route starts in Omachi, and the closest transport hub to the route is Ogizawa Station.

Take the Oito Line from Matsumoto to Shinano-Omachi Station. From there, a 40-minute bus ride will connect you to Ogizawa. Buses also run between Nagano City to Ogizawa, and the journey takes a little under two hours.

Starting from Omachi in Nagano , many adventurers visit Toyama Prefecture which a large part of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route passes through. Along the way, you'll travel by various modes of transport, including buses, cable cars, a ropeway, and Japan's last remaining trolleybus service.

The journey requires a little trekking over Kurobe Dam , which, at 186 meters, is the highest dam in the nation. You can walk it in 15 minutes, but it's worth taking your time to take in the views. Between late June and mid-October, the dam releases a continuous torrent of water. You can take a cruise on the reservoir from 1 June to 10 November each year.

The 1.7-kilometer Tateyama Ropeway offers incredible views of the reservoir and the surrounding peaks. Murodo , the highest point along the route, is the starting point for a variety of hikes and treks, including those ascending Mt. Tateyama (Mt. Onanji), Toyama Prefecture's highest peak. Murodo also features Japan's highest hotel.

Nearby Jigokudani is worth an excursion. Its name in English translates to the very apt Hell's Valley, famous for its steaming volcanic activity.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route closes in late November when winter rolls through the area. Visit in April to witness firsthand just how heavy the snow gets. This is the time of year when the famed Tateyama Snow Corridor draws visitors who come to see the towering walls of snow on either side of the road that can reach a massive 20 meters high. The corridor is most impressive around the Murodou Plain and is open to pedestrians from mid-April to late June.

During the summer, verdant mountains stretch far along the landscape, and alpine flowers burst into bloom. Autumn along the route is famous for its incredible red and golden hues. Like other Nagano areas, the leaves at higher elevations reach their peak colors during late-September, gradually spreading down to the valleys over the following month.

You can buy tickets at each stop, or a single ticket for the whole route in Ogizawa and Tateyama Station. The tickets are valid for five days and let you stop along the way. Backtracking isn't permitted.

While you're in Omachi, try stopping off at one of the area's many hot springs. The world-class ski resort of Hakuba is nearby and has much to offer during the green season, too. If you haven't spent time in Matsumoto yet with its famous castle, now is your chance.