Enjoy the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Autumn 2020!

What is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?

Morning Tateyama

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the world's leading mountain tourism routes, penetrates the Northern Alps, which is lined with 3,000m-high peaks. Almost all sections are located in Chubu Mountain National Park, connecting Tateyama Town in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture.
A magnificent wilderness with a total length of 37.2 km and a maximum height difference of 1,975 m, connecting six types of vehicles such as cable cars and ropeways. In the spring you can see snowy valleys, in the summer you will find a variety of alpine plants, and at the end of the season, the fall will have beautiful foliage and seasonal appearance.
From the casual course of the main vehicle to the active course where you can enjoy nature on foot, the way of enjoying each person is different. One of the attractions is that anyone can enjoy it, whether for family members or friends, for the first time or for the second time. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which attracts more than 900,000 tourists throughout the year, is popular with foreign visitors, and in 2018, a record 69,000 people visited in 2018.

Autumn recommended spots

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route which shows different scenery in each season. Autumn is also known as the place where autumn leaves begin as early as in Japan, and you can enjoy a beautiful view of the majestic mountains.
Let's take a look at the spots on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route that we would like to recommend only in autumn.

Mikurigaike Pond

Mikuriga Pond

"Mikurigaike" is a 5-minute walk from Murodo Terminal of Tateyama Kogen Bus. One of the most beautiful volcanic lakes in the Northern Alps, it is a pond with a calm and mysterious atmosphere with beautiful deep blue water.
In autumn, the mountains, which are colored red and yellow, are reflected on the surface of the lake, making it a great shooting spot. If you're lucky, you may see a thunderbird, a national special monument around the pond. Nearby is Mikurigaike Onsen, where you can enjoy the autumn leaves while warming your cold body. At the restaurant, you can enjoy Genge, a phantom fish, and White Shrimp, a jewel in Toyama Bay.
Furthermore, when Mikuri looks down on the pond from the stairs directly below the hot spring, a large heart symbol appears on the lake surface. Romantic scenery created by nature. It will be unforgettable memories if you visit with a couple.

Murododaira

Murodoudaira

Murododaira is the center of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route located at an altitude of 2,450m. In front of you, there are magnificent 3,000m-class mountains, including Tsurugidake and Tateyama Sanzan. The altitude is high, and the autumn leaves are in full bloom from mid-September. At Murododaira Square, where you can overlook the Mikurigaike Pond and Tateyama Sanzan, it is a good idea to enjoy your lunch while watching the autumn leaves.
You can also see Jigokudani from "Emmadai Observation Deck", which is a 25-minute walk from Murodo Terminal. The horrible appearance of the volcanic gas rising is exactly what hell is worth.
On the other side of the observatory is "Tamadono Iwaya". It is a sacred place for the opening of Tateyama, with two large and small rock houses, and the inside is cool and mysterious. If you visit a shrine, you may be able to fill the power. In late October there is a short snowfall, so you can enjoy the unusual experience of seeing autumn leaves and snow together. One of the pleasures is that you can play with sleds and snow.

Bijodaira

"Biheidaira" is dotted with broad-leaved forests such as horse chestnut, mizunara and bonsai, and cedar giant trees of several hundred years old. The surrounding forest has been selected as one of the top 100 forest bathers. There are walking paths in the forest, so even beginners can easily visit. It is a paradise with about 60 species of wild birds, so you can enjoy bird watching.
Beihei, the gateway to the Toyama prefecture, is a little late for the autumn leaves to begin around early October. Autumnal tunnels appear on the promenade, and you can enjoy the beautiful forest that can only be seen in autumn.
In addition, Bijosugi in front of Bimeidaira Station is a marriage power spot. There is a legend that Tateyama Kaizan's father, Ariyori Saeki, and his fiance were connected. A beautiful cedar that is said to fulfill her love if she prays three times saying, "Beautiful Miyama cedar, if my heart is my heart, my prayer is Kishikiya." It is a recommended spot popular for both men and women.

Midagahara

Midagahara

Midagahara is located between 1,600 and 2,000 meters above sea level. There are puddles of Chito on the moor spread over the gentle lava plateau. Tateyama regards this pond as "a rice field made by Gaki to overcome hunger," and calls it "Gaki no rice field."
In 2012, it was registered under the Ramsar Convention, making it the highest registered land in Japan. The Ramsar Convention is a treaty aimed at preserving precious bogs, flora and fauna. It is a spot where you can meet not only alpine plants but also rare insects. Wooden paths are maintained in the marshland, and you can enjoy a stroll while watching the autumn leaves in autumn. The sea of ​​clouds spread over the marshland, and the scenery set with the autumn leaves is truly spectacular.
There are an inner course (40 minutes to 1 hour) that you can enjoy casually and an outer course (1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours) to take a leisurely stroll, and you can choose according to your preference.

Taikanmine

Taikanmine

Taikan Peak is located on a cliff at an altitude of 2,316m. The only place where you can go outside is the cloud terrace on the rooftop. You can overlook the Katsutate Mountain Range and Lake Kurobe, and the autumn leaves of Tambodaira spreading under your eyes are as beautiful as the pictures. There are chairs and tables, so you can relax.
In addition, the ropeway connecting Taikanmine Station and Kurobedaira Station is a one-span system with no pillars on the way. Its length is 1.7 km, the longest in Japan. Nothing obstructs your view, so when you shoot a mountain, you won't see anything in the way.
If you get on it, it is a moving observatory. You can enjoy a large 360-degree panorama from the large windows. It is limited to Tateyama Kurobe in autumn that you can enjoy snow in Takayama, autumn leaves in the middle, green at the foot, and three-stage autumn leaves.

Clothes when going to Tateyama in autumn

Autumn climbing

During the autumn season from September to October, the temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius and you can often feel chilly. It is recommended to wear thick long-sleeved shirts made of wool material and clothes made of fleece material.
In addition, snow begins to fall in mid-October, and temperatures can drop below freezing in November. If you're visiting late in the fall, make sure you're warm and wear waterproof, non-slip shoes.

Access to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

There are two ways to get to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. One way is from the Toyama side, and the other way is from the Nagano side.

From Toyama Prefecture

Nearest station: Toyama Regional Railway Tateyama Station

From Nagano Prefecture

Nearest station: Alpico Kotsu / Ogisawa bus stop

[2020 Edition] For Foreigners Visiting Japan! Advantageous ticket information

JR West and JR East have launched the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket, which is convenient for foreign tourists visiting Japan to go to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. If you go to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, please get a great ticket and go out.

usage period

April 15 (Wed)-November 10 (Tue), 2020

Validity period

5 days

Release location

JR East Area
・ JR EAST Travel Service Center (Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro Station, Ueno Station, Hamamatsucho Station, Haneda Airport Station, Narita Airport Station, Airport Terminal 2 Station)
・ Narita Airport Station, Airport Terminal 2 Station
・ View Plaza Nagano Station
JR West Area
Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Kyoto Station, Kanazawa Station, Toyama Station

Release price

Adult (over 12 years old): 9,800 yen
Child (6-11 years old): 4,900 yen

Release conditions

Foreign nationals with a passport outside Japan and short-term stays with a resident status of 90 days or less.

To the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in the fine autumn weather!

The autumn view of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which can only be seen at this time, is waiting. One of the attractions is that you can experience a rare and unique experience where autumn and winter coexist. Why do not you enjoy a walk with exhilaration in the fine weather of autumn. Purchase great tickets and go to the Kurobe Alpine Route!

nearby information