Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Open April 15 to Nov 30 in the North Alps
This spectacular route over the Northern Japan Alps sees visitors use a variety of transportation that includes cablecars, trolley buses and a ropeway to traverse the high mountains. It connects Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture with Omachi in Nagano Prefecture and can be travelled in either direction.
Usually open in mid-April in time for the Golden Week holidays, scenes of the opening day are shown annually on national television, with a snow corridor with walls reaching up to 20 meters high. A section near the high point of Murodō is open to pedestrians, usually from mid April to late June.
The route is also known for its stunning autumn colours and is a highlight for visitors interested in hiking, giving easy access from Murōdo at 2500m to the Tateyama peaks. For the ultimate hiking adventure, consider the 5-7 day hike south from here to Kamikōchi.