As soon as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opened this year, I immediately planned a holiday trip there. I finally got to visit this long-dreamed-of destination!
This year, the snow walls in Yuki no Otani were about 11 meters high, which was a little lower than I had expected. But standing there in person between those massive snow walls was still incredibly impressive. The weather was clear that day, and the contrast between the blue sky and the bright white snow walls was gorgeous. Every angle looked beautiful, like a dreamy scene from a postcard.
Taking the different modes of transportation along the route and enjoying the magnificent views of the Tateyama mountain range made the whole trip full of surprises and emotion. Tateyama Kurobe is truly a stunning place you should visit at least once in your life. Highly recommended!
Tateyama Kurobe Snow Valley Festival | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Okayama Station
JR Okayama Station is a major terminal in the Chugoku and Shikoku area, served by the Sanyo Shinkansen and several JR lines. The Sanyo Line, Hakubi Line, Tsuyama Line, Ako Line, and Uno Minato Line all run through the station, making it a convenient transportation hub for destinations in and beyond Okayama Prefecture, including Kurashiki, Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle, Uno Port, and Naoshima.
Okayama Station is a major transportation hub that is very convenient for traveling around the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. The Sanyo Shinkansen and various JR lines meet here, making it easy to travel to both the San'in and Shikoku regions. There is also plenty to explore around the station, with lots of restaurants, souvenirs, and shops at Sansute Okayama and Okayama Ichibangai. From here, you can take the streetcar to Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden. For a nearby excursion, you can also take a JR train to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. If this is your first time in Okayama, it's very convenient to use the station as your starting point!
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Okayama Castle
This castle was created by Warlord Hideie Ukita in 1597. The main castle was built on top of a hill named Okayama, and the Tensyu (castle tower), was built in front of the Asahikawa River. The adjacent castle town was created with merchants and craftsmen.
Okayama Castle is one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles. Its distinctive black exterior has earned it the nickname “Crow Castle.” I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary when visiting Okayama. Take the streetcar to Shiroshita Station, then walk a short distance to the castle. I recommend buying the Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden combination ticket, which costs just JPY 800. There is an elevator inside the castle tower, so you can take it to the upper floors first and then make your way down. The second floor has a drink shop, a samurai sword experience, and other facilities. The first floor has the ticket counter and a souvenir shop, and you can also collect a commemorative stamp nearby. Overall, it's very easy to explore.
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Ouchijuku Misawaya
A soba restaurant in Ouchijuku, a nationally designated Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where around 40 thatched-roof houses line the old highway. Set inside a restored traditional home, the calm, classic Japanese interior features a pendulum clock and an irori hearth with charcoal fire in winter. Don’t miss the rows of soba cups displayed on the wall. A must-try at Misawaya is the signature “Takato Soba,” said to have been loved by the Aizu domain lord.
Misawaya in Ouchijuku—when visiting this post town that preserves its Edo-period streetscape, of course you have to try the very distinctive “Takato Soba”! It was my first time seeing soba eaten with a green onion instead of chopsticks, and it was really unique. The cold soba had a lot of grated daikon, and the spiciness became quite noticeable toward the end; the other bowl of soba in hot broth was nice and warming. Personally, I thought the portions were a little large, but the vegetable tempura was delicious, and there was also a very unusual fried red bean bun that wasn’t greasy or too sweet. Overall, it was a very distinctive experience, and I recommend giving it a try when you visit Ouchijuku!
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