Nagoya 2-Day Bus Tour: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kamikochi

Leave Nagoya for the Northern Alps and Kamikochi

Your 2-day, 1-night journey through the scenery of the Northern Alps begins in Nagoya. On the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, you will hop between different vehicles, and in Kamikochi you will stroll along the river, enjoying two very different faces of the mountains.

A tour leader who speaks Chinese, English and Japanese accompanies you along the Alpine Route, where there are many transfers. You will stay at a hotel in the Hakuba area. The operator arranges the accommodation, so you cannot choose the hotel.

Below, we introduce the highlights of the Alpine Route, which starts from the Ogizawa side, and of Kamikochi.

First, an Electric Bus from Ogizawa to Kurobe Dam

On the Alpine Route, you first board the Kanden Tunnel Electric Trolley Bus at Ogizawa and head for Kurobe Dam. Beyond the tunnel through the mountain, a huge dam and the surrounding peaks are waiting for you.

When you arrive, take a moment to look out over the dam wall and the gorge. The man-made structure and the vastness of the mountains come together to create a sense of scale that photos can hardly capture.

During the sightseeing discharge season, the white spray fanning out into the valley is another highlight, and with the right conditions you may even see a rainbow. The discharge is held for a limited period only, so enjoy it according to what is operating on the day of your tour.

Next, the Tateyama Ropeway into a Mountain Panorama

After visiting Kurobe Dam, walk to Kurobeko Station and take the Kurobe Cable Car to Kurobedaira. From there, the Tateyama Ropeway carries you through the air to Daikanbo in about 7 minutes.

From the gondola, look out at the mountain slopes and the widening valley. The scenery you gazed up at from the ground looks different as you rise higher. Depending on the season, lingering snow, fresh greenery or autumn colours paint the mountains.

At Daikanbo, you can take in the mountain ranges and Lake Kurobe far below from the viewing areas. Then you board the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus to Murodo. With every change of vehicle, your anticipation for the next view grows.

At Last, Murodo: A Highland Painted by the Seasons

When you step off the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, you have arrived at Murodo. Here you can look up at the surrounding peaks and enjoy the open highland scenery.

In spring and early summer, when the Yuki-no-Otani Walk (Snow Corridor Walk) is held, you can get up close to towering walls of snow. The height of the walls and the area open to visitors vary with the year's snowfall and the conditions on the day.

As the snow melts, you will see the white of lingering snow layered with the green of the grass. Whether you gaze across the wide mountain range or notice the seasonal changes at your feet, enjoy the many faces of the highland in the areas open on the day.

Another Highlight: Walking Along the Azusa River in Kamikochi

The other destination on this trip is Kamikochi. Here you can stroll along the river while taking in views of the Hotaka mountain range and the Azusa River.

First, take in the river and mountains together, then turn your eyes to the trees and the colour of the water. Unlike the mountain scenery you see from a vehicle, here you walk on your own two feet and feel the landscape change around you.

In autumn, the larch trees turn golden and line the riverbank. Take photos or simply watch the water flow, and enjoy Kamikochi's nature within the time you have on the day.

FAQ

■ Are the Alpine Route transport tickets included in the tour fee? In the plan currently listed, they are charged separately. Please check the latest fare, prepare cash, and pay the tour leader on the day. Do not buy the transport tickets individually; follow the staff's instructions.

■ Can I see the Snow Corridor and the Kurobe Dam discharge at any time? Both are seasonal. The Yuki-no-Otani Walk runs mainly from spring to early summer, and the sightseeing discharge mainly from summer to autumn, so the periods differ. Please check what is being held or operating on your travel date.

■ Can I choose my hotel? The operator arranges a hotel in the Hakuba area, so you cannot specify one. For room types and meal conditions, please check the details of the plan you book.

Before You Book

• Check the meeting place and time in Nagoya, and the itinerary for each day.
• Check the separately paid Alpine Route transport fee and how to pay it in cash.
• Check the accommodation conditions in the Hakuba area and the meals included in the fee.
• Check when you can see the scenery you most want to see, such as the Snow Corridor or the dam discharge.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes, plus a jacket and rain gear for the temperature changes in the mountains.
• Check the scheduled return time, the cancellation policy, and the procedure if you wish to leave the group partway.
• Check the booking page for the latest information on prices, dates and itinerary.

Prices, itineraries and plan details are subject to change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

Take an electric bus to Kurobe Dam, then transfer by cable car and ropeway up into the mountains. Enjoy the highland scenery at Murodo, then walk along the Azusa River in Kamikochi. This 2-day, 1-night bus tour from Nagoya combines the fun of the journey with time spent in nature.

It is ideal for anyone who wants to meet the many faces of the Northern Alps while a tour leader guides them through a route with many transfers. Check the season of the scenery you want to see, along with the transport fees and accommodation conditions, and choose the plan that suits your travel dates.

Check availability and plan details for the Nagoya Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route & Kamikochi 2-Day Bus Tour.