[Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan'

This tour takes you high into Japan’s tallest mountain range and into the shadow of one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, Mount Tate. Using the mountain transports of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, you will ascend to the ‘Roof of Japan’ – the point accessible by transport in Japan at just under 2500 metres above sea level – where your guide will accompany you on a leisurely walk through the dramatic and beautiful alpine landscape as you discover the sacred landscape of Mount Tate.

Are you looking to visit the Alpine Route in Spring or Early Summer, before this tour starts operating? Check out our Spring Snow Walls tour page here.

Highlights

• Ascend to the ‘Roof of Japan’ via the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and explore the beautiful and dramatic alpine landscape of Mount Tate

• Wander the leisurely trails on a guided walk beneath the summit of Mount Tate – one of Japan’s three sacred mountains – past the snow-melt ponds and lush alpine meadows

• Take in the changing seasons including the beautiful alpine flowers of summer (July to August) and some of Japan’s most stunning alpine colours (September to October)

• Enjoy a unique variety of mountain transports to reach the summit of 2450 meters and the grand scale of the Kurobe Dam – a source of national pride

Want to join this tour from Tokyo? It’s easy to do! Scroll to the bottom for our FAQs including train services that can you use to join the tour!

Description

The tour begins in Nagano City with meetup points at Hotel Kokusai 21 followed by Nagano Station. From there it’s onto the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Arriving at Ogizawa Station around 09:45 your guide will give you time to prepare for your ascent before boarding the Kanden Tunnel trolley bus – the first of a variety of mountain transports you will utilize to reach the summit.

First stop is Kurobe Dam. Constructed between 1956 and 1963, this immense structure require the labour of up to 10 million people and is Japan’s highest dam. A source of national pride and emblematic of humankind’s attempts to conquer nature, your guide will give you time to enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, before starting the next leg of your journey toward the top.

The Tateyama Ropeway is a highlight of your adventure upwards. Spanning 1700 meters, you will be transported upward to the final stop of Daikanbo, before taking the final trolley bus to the final station, Murodo. At 2450 meters, this is Japan`s highest station and your gateway to the beautiful alpine plateau below the mountain summit. Your guide will guide you on a leisurely walk following a trail of around 1 hours duration – suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness. As you walk your guide will introduce to the importance of the surrounding landscape and its place within Japan’s tradition of mountain worship. Of course, should you prefer to spend the time exploring by yourself you are also free to and then meetup with your guide at the appointed time.

Visitors making the journey in September and October are likely to be treated to some of Japan’s most striking autumn colours, as the grasses and shrubs of the alpine meadows burn visit red, orange and brown while the forests below can be enjoyed from the ropeway on both your ascent and descent from Murodo Station.

Between 15:00 and 15:30 your guide will collect you and begin the journey back down, descending back to Ogizawa where the tour bus will be waiting. Boarding the bus and returning to Nagano City between 18:00 to 19:00.

MEETUP POINTS

This tour operates to and from two points in Nagano City – Hotel Kokusai 21 and Nagano Station. This is a group tour therefore please ensure you are at your selected meetup point prior to the meetup time to avoid any chance of missing the tour bus. The tour will need to depart on-time:

1  /  HOTEL KOKUSAI 21 @ 07:50

The meetup point is at the entrance of Hotel Kokusai 21. Please note that this is group tour and there are other pick-up points therefore the tour will need to depart on-time. Please be at the entrance prior to the meetup time and look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. The tour will need to depart on-time.

2  /  NAGANO STATION @ 08:15

The meetup point is inside the station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. Please ensure you are there prior to the meetup time as the tour will need to depart by 08:20.

NOTES

Included

• Transport from / to Nagano and Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route via Ogizawa Station

• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route return ticket

• English-speaking guide

Excluded

• Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ tickets to & from Nagano

• Lunch & other snacks or drinks

• Accommodation

Other Information

• At its highest point, this tour transports guests to over 2500 metres above sea level and spends a considerable amount of time outside. The temperature is likely to be notably cooler than in the valley and cities below. Average day-time temperatures are as follows: Average day-time temperatures are as follows: July 11 to 16°C / August 12 to 18°C / September 9 to 15°C / October 3 to 10°C / November -5 to 2°C. Please dress appropriately for those temperatures and note that weather conditions can change quickly. Ensure you bring a waterproof jacket, hat and wear good quality shoes or boots.

• The sun can be strong at the summit therefore please ensure you have a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Please also carry water or something to drink (noting there are chances to buy bottled drinks along the way).

• This tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for mobility-impaired travellers. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.

• This tour does not include lunch. Snacks can be purchased at different mountain stations with different restaurants to choose from at the summit.

• In case of extreme weather conditions, routes to the snow corridor might close. In such a case, the tour will be cancelled with full refund.-

• The itinerary is based on the traffic conditions being optimal. We will adjust the schedule according to traffic conditions and pace of the group on the day of the tour.

• Infants (aged 0-5) are free of charge. As a result, we cannot guarantee that a seat on the tour transport will be available for infants and they may be required to sit in the lap of an adult.

• Given the popularity of the Alpine Route and the need to wait for transports on busy days, we cannot guarantee the end time of the tour however it should be no later than 19:00. We ask that all guests cooperate with the instructions of the guide, including meetup times for transports, to avoid any chance of delay.

• The tour application deadline is 2 days before the tour date at 17:00.