Ogizawa Station
Ogizawa Station is one of two starting points for ascending the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route – the other being Tateyama Station on the Toyama-side of the mountain range. On this page you will find the following information:
— Bus Services to Ogizawa Station
— Transferring to the Alpine Route
— Join a Group Tour to the Alpine Route
— 25 Things to Do Around the Alpine Route & Where to Stay
— How to Get to the Alpine Route
— Private Tours and Charters to Ogizawa and the Alpine Route
It is important to note, that unlike Tateyama Station, there is no train line running to and from Ogizawa Station. If you are coming by public transport, you will need to take a bus from Shinano-Omachi Station – the nearest station – or Nagano Station – the nearest major/shinkansen station. There are also bus services from some other major stations outside of the region.
From Ogizawa Station, visitors can take a series of mountain transports to reach Murodo Station and the summit of the Alpine Route. The initial transport from Ogizawa is an electric/tunnel bus to Kurobe Dam, from where you transfer to a cable car, ropeway and final electric/tunnel bus to reach Murodo. Ticket options are available to go as far as each station along the route, including descending on the Toyama-side to Tateyama Station or returning to Ogizawa Station. Spread over three floors, the station is quite large and includes ticket windows, basic eateries and shops selling souvenirs and snacks.
BUSES SERVICES TO OGIZAWA STATION
For many visitors, accessing Ogizawa Station will be most easily undertaken from Nagano Station. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Nagano is readily accessible from other major cities. At Nagano Station, buses to Ogizawa Station depart from Bus Stop No.25 outside the East Exit. The journey takes approximately 105 minutes with following schedule operating daily from Nagano Station:
The return schedule from Ogizawa Station:
A local bus service also runs to Ogizawa to and from Shinano Omachi station – approximately 40 minutes. However, we recommend taking the bus from Nagano or joining a tour – see below for details.
TRANSFERRING TO THE ALPINE ROUTE
It really is simple. Upon arrival at Ogizawa Station you will see the ticket windows on the outside of the building. Make sure to buy the correct ticket i.e. that includes your chosen end point of either Ogizawa or Tateyama. Once you have purchased your ticket, head inside the station where you will be directed to line-up.
EXPERIENCE THE TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE
Heralded as one of Japan’s best experiences, traversing the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route takes approximately 6 hours without allowing for time to stop and enjoy all of its stunning sights. In reality, undertaking a visit to the Alpine Route is therefore a full-day activity. Visitors can start from Nagano via Ogizawa Station or Toyama via Tateyama Station, and choose to finish on the other side or return to their point of origin. A series of mountain transports including trolley buses, cable cars, a ropeway, and coaches transport visitors to and from Murodo Station – which at 2540 meters is the highest station in Japan. Open from mid-April to mid-November, the Alpine Route is most famous for its immense snow walls which, at their peak, ascend 20 meters above the road below. The walls are at their best from the opening day in April until late-June, after which outstanding hiking is available through summer and autumn, climaxing with stunning autumn colours in October until the route closes again in November.
JOIN A GROUP TOUR TO THE ALPINE ROUTE
1 Day Tour
| [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route | |
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| Period | April to June |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
Without doubt, the easiest and most enjoyable ways to reach the Alpine Route is on a guided tour. Our 1-Day Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour operates in spring from mid-April to mid-June. Starting and ending at Nagano Station – including the option of pick-up and drop-off in Hakuba – a tour is a great option for visitors wanting direct transport and tickets included in an all-inclusive package.
1 Day Tour
| [Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ | |
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| Period | July to October |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
Through summer and autumn, from July to November, our 1-Day Tateyama-Kurobe: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ Tour follows the same itinerary including pick-up and drop-off in both Nagano and Hakuba. With most of the snow now gone, your guide will lead you a leisurely walk around Murodo Station or should you prefer, set you free to explore for yourself. Now free of the snow, this is a lush and fertile alpine landscape and one of Japan’s most rewarding outdoor experiences.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa & Toyama: Snow Wall and Mysterious Valley | |
| Period | April to June |
| Time | 08:00 – 19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station / Toyama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
For guests who are in Kanazawa or Toyama and wish to ascend the Alpine Route from the other side, we also offer the above tour with pick up from those locations. Even if you have ascended the route from the Nagano side before, the ascent from Toyama offers different scenery and methods of transport up the mountain, making it enjoyable even for repeat visitors.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND THE ALPINE ROUTE & WHERE TO STAY
One of the most rewarding experiences in Japan, the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route utilises a series of transports to ascend Japan’s highest mountain range. Crossing from Nagano to Tateyama, the route connects multiple destinations and opens-up an otherwise remote and dramatic landscape. Our ’25 Things To Do Around The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route & Where To Stay’ page explains just how it works, what’s on offer and where to stay.
HOW TO GET TO THE ALPINE ROUTE
Most visitors heading to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route do so via Nagano City on the eastern-side of the mountain range of Toyama City on the western-side. Both Nagano Station and Toyama Station are stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa making them easy to get to from the capital and beyond. Our ‘How To Get To The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route’ page has everything you need to make the journey as smooth as possible.
PRIVATE CHARTERS TO OGIZAWA AND THE ALPINE ROUTE
Based in Nagano, we are the region’s No.1 tour and charter operator. Operating all year round, we can provide charters to any destination in Central Japan, with customized itineraries to suit your travel needs and interests including pick-up or drop-off at Ogizawa. We have the expertise and experience to help you get the most out of your time in the region, including transport to and from any regional destination. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations, in combination with any activity that suits your interests and schedule.
Got a question about visiting the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route? Head to our ‘Charters’ main page or click on the INQUIRY button below, let us know what you need, and we’ll get back to you with a quote.
