About the Snow Wall of Tateyama-Kurobe
For those having not seen snow in spring and summer, visiting this place is a recommendation. The mountains of Tateyama has the largest amount of snowfall in the entire world and are inaccessible for the longest time. Only from April people can make their way to the top of Tateyama.
When the spring sun heats up the earth, snow trucks run up the mountains and carve their way through the meters of snow to clear the road of snow. Once the road is clear, up to 20 meters snow can be seen on either side. This snow corridor is open to the public from mid-April to the end of June. People can walk through the corridor but make sure to tread carefully; tour buses will also make their way through, creating a clear example showing how tall the wall really is.
The snow wall is not the only attraction. On the way to Murodo, the top of the mountain, you ride on trolley buses, cablecars, one of the world’s longest ropeways, and see sights like Kurobe Dam. The site is known as the tallest hydro-powerplant in Japan as well as its first and is an impressive, massive building.
There are hikes starting from Murodo for those wanting to get their fill of the mountainous area. The Tateyama Nature Conservation Center is dedicated to nature of Tateyama but most pointedly to the Raicho, a ptarmigan rare to see and the token animal of Tateyama.
Mikuriga Lake is a crater lake a short walk from Murodo and a photo hot-spot as you can see Mt. Tateyama mirrored on the lake. Close to the lake is the Mikurigaike hot spring, the highest altitude hot spring in Japan.
Our recommendation is to go from either Ogizawa Station or Toyama Station and follow it all the way to other end of the route. The whole route stops at Kurobe Dam, the panaroma at Daikanbo, the nature around Bijodaira, sights worth seeing.
Tours to and from Snow Wall Of Tateyama-Kurobe
General Information about the Snow Wall
Opening Hours:
Dec. to March・9:00 – 16:00
Apr. to Nov.・8:00 – 17:00
Price to see the Snow Wall:
Free
Transportation fee up to the Snow Wall
Per adult (13+)・Between ¥6,000 and ¥10,000 depending on your end station
Per Child (6-12)・Between ¥3,000 and ¥5,000 depending on your end station
Address:
Chubu-Sangaku National Park, Kokuyurin, 11 Bunasakasoto, Ashikurajiaza, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
Travel Tips
How to get to the Snow Wall
Option 1 Tokyo → Nagano → Ogizawa → Murodo:
1. From Tokyo Station to Nagano (1.5 hours):
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa and get off at Nagano.
2. From Nagano to Ogizawa (1.5 hours)
Transfer at Nagano Station to the express bus bound for Ogizawa and get off at Ogizawa. Private service also available.
3. From Ogizawa to Murodo (2.5 hours):
At Ogizawa, purchase a Alpine Routeticket and get on the trolley bus to Kurobe Dam, the cablecar to Kurobedaira, the ropeway to Daikanbo, and the trolleybus to Murodo.
Option 2 Tokyo → Toyama → Tateyama → Murodo:
1. From Tokyo Station to Toyama Station (2.15 hours):
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa and get off at Toyama Station.
2. From Toyama to Tateyama Station (1 hour):
Take the train of the Tateyama Line from Toyama to Tateyama Station. Upon arrival at Tateyama Station, transfer to the cablecar heading for Bijodaira.
3. From Bijodaira to Murodo (1 hour):
From Bijodaira there is an express bus bound for Murodo.
