This tour route goes through the Northern Alps, lined with mountains over 3,000m above sea level, stretching 37.2km, and the difference in altitudes from the foot to the top is up to 1.975m. Tateyama Station in Toyama and Ogisawa Station in Nagano are connected by six transportations such as a cable car and ropeway. Scenic places dot the area where you can take a leisurely walk or a full trekking to enjoy the grand nature in your own ways.
If you prefer a day trip, take a ride from Tateyama Station on the cable car and the bus to Murodo at 2,450m above sea level. At the transit point, Bijo Daira Plateau, a virgin forest of beech spans wide, where a giant Tateyama cedar “the giant of the forest” over 1,000 years old is seen. Midagahara Valley between Bijo Daira and Murodo is a rare wetland registered in Ramsar Convention. This unique landscape with nearly 3,000 small pools has a mythology that a demon fallen into Hell planted rice there to save himself from hunger.
Murodo, the base of the Alpine Route, has many breathtaking spots such as Mikuriga-ike, which is called the most beautiful caldera lake in the Northern Alps, and Yuki no Otani with the snowy walls as tall as 20m seen from spring through early summer. It is easy and refreshing to trek here.
If you plan to go across the Route, ride a trolly bus from Murodo, go through a tunnel and head for Daikanbo mountain peak. This offers the best view in all the Alpine Route at 2,316m above sea level, looking down over Lake Kurobe and Ushirotateyamarenpo. Moving farther on a ropeway and cable car, you will reach the gigantic Kurobe Dam holding almost 200 million tons of water. A path goes around the lake and you can walk across Japan’s tallest dam wall dropping about 186m. Releasing over 10 tons/sec of water for tourists is powerful to see and popular. There is an observation deck that gives you the entire view of the dam.
Highlights
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General passenger vehicles cannot pass through the Alpine Route.
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The Route is open usually between mid-April and late-November when the remaining snow, alpine plants and fall colors are enjoyable.
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On the mountains, the temperatures are 12-13℃ lower than at the foot. Wear appropriate clothes.
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About a dozen inns are available around Murodo, Midagahara and Lake Kurobe for a comfortable stay.
