Passing through the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route as a day trip is a waste. Spending one night above the clouds at over 2,000m elevation offers special experiences impossible with day trip tourism.
Why We Recommend Mountain Overnight Stays
The greatest appeal of mountain overnight stays is the quiet time after tourists have departed. Sunrise emerging from seas of clouds, star-filled skies, early morning encounters with ptarmigan—these are privileges exclusive to overnight guests.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route has 13 accommodation facilities, each with different characteristics. The Murodo area has comprehensive facilities, Raicho-zawa area is popular with mountaineers, Midagahara-Tengu-daira area offers quiet highland resorts, and the Mount Tsurugi direction functions as serious mountaineering bases.
Murodo Area (Elevation 2,450m)
Hotel Tateyama
As Japan's highest elevation resort hotel, it provides the most comfortable stays. Directly connected to Murodo Terminal for security during bad weather. Capacity 260 guests, from 26,400 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - November 29.
All private rooms with choice of Japanese, Western, or Japanese-Western rooms. Restaurants include Japanese "Tateyama" and Western "Alpen," plus tea lounge and bar. Special programs include starwatching (20:00-) and Mikurigaike area walking tours (16:30-). Large bath using Tateyama spring water, full Wi-Fi, shop, coin laundry and other comprehensive facilities.
Mikurigaike Onsen
Japan's highest elevation natural hot spring at 2,410m. Capacity 120 guests, from 12,030 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - November 24.
Simple acidic spring (pH 2.4) source water drawn from Jigokudani, provided as 100% source spring flow. Effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain. Excellent location about 15-minute walk from Murodo Terminal on Mikurigaike lakeside. Private rooms and shared rooms available, with Japanese meals using Toyama seafood and mountain delicacies highly regarded.
Day-trip bathing also possible (9:00-16:00, adults 800 yen), with Café Mikuri's blueberry soft cream also popular.
Tateyama Murodo Sanso
Historic mountain lodge adjacent to Important Cultural Property "Tateyama Murodo." Capacity 150 guests, from 13,200 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - November 23.
About 15-minute walk from Murodo Terminal, directly connected to Tateyama climbing trails. Offers private rooms (7-tatami/10-tatami Japanese rooms) and shared rooms, proudly featuring panoramic baths viewing Mount Tateyama's main peaks. Breakfast changeable to packed lunch (1,100 yen), convenient for early morning climbing. Also the only accommodation where you can feel the history of Tateyama worship.
Raicho-zawa Area (Around 2,300m elevation)
Raicho-zawa Hutte
Facility also called the holy ground for mountaineers. Capacity 120 (maximum 250), from 11,500 yen per night with 2 meals, 8,000 yen room only. Operating period: April 15 - October 12.
5-minute walk from Raicho-zawa Campground, positioned at intersection of various climbing routes. Source spring flow outdoor baths offer panoramic views of Tateyama Three Mountains, with indoor baths available 24 hours. Used by many mountaineers as important relay point for Tateyama Three Mountains traverse and Mount Tsurugi direction.
Raicho Onsen Raichoso
Hot spring facility boasting Tateyama's largest bathing pools. Capacity 260 guests, from 12,000 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - November 24.
About 30-minute walk from Murodo, located midway to Raicho-zawa. Features panoramic indoor baths, outdoor baths, and waterfall baths with views of Tateyama Three Mountains. Well-equipped for a mountain lodge with Wi-Fi, also directly operates Onanji Rest House (July 11 - October 5).
Midagahara-Tengu-daira Area (1,930m-2,300m elevation)
Midagahara Hotel
Cloud-level highland resort hotel. Elevation 1,930m, capacity 175 guests, from 20,900 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - November 4.
Located right at Midagahara bus stop in the center of Ramsar Convention registered wetlands. Japanese-style rooms offer views of both Tateyama mountain range and Toyama plain sides. Popular for kaiseki cuisine using Toyama ingredients and Japanese-Western buffet breakfast. Surrounding boardwalks are maintained with walking programs implemented.
Tengu-daira Sanso
Small accommodation facility enjoying 360-degree spectacular views. Elevation 2,300m, capacity 40 guests (all 16 rooms), from 17,600 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - end of October.
Quiet location 2-minute walk from Tengu-daira bus stop with all private rooms. Operates free shuttle bus to Murodo 7:00-7:30 AM. Known as starry sky photography location, also implements activities like starwatching tours.
Kokumin-shukusha Tenbo Tateyamaso
Japan's highest elevation people's lodge. Elevation 1,930m, capacity 89 guests, from 14,000 yen per night with 2 meals. Operating period: April 15 - November 3.
Located in front of Midagahara bus stop, convenient as walking base. Reasonable pricing characteristic of public accommodations, with homemade bread highly regarded. Free guide tours by Toyama Prefecture nature interpreters also attractive.
Mount Tsurugi Direction (Around 2,500m elevation)
Tsurugi-gozen Hut
Important base for Mount Tsurugi climbing. Elevation 2,760m, capacity about 50 guests, from 12,500 yen per night with 2 meals (+1,500 yen April-June). Operating period: April 26 - October 19.
Located at intersection of Betsuyama Pass on Tateyama traverse route and Mount Tsurugi climbing trail, excellent location viewing Mount Tsurugi up close. About 4 hours one way to Mount Tsurugi, about 3 hours climb from Murodo. Water charged (100 yen/1L) but mobile phones usable for all carriers.
Tsurugi-zawa Hut
Comfortable mountain lodge directly below Mount Tsurugi. Elevation 2,470m, capacity 70 guests by reservation. Wonderful Mount Tsurugi views, unusually equipped with showers and flush toilets for mountain lodges. Utilizes abundant water sources to provide spacious environment. Highly reliable facility used by many mountain guides.
Raicho-zawa Campground
As the most economical accommodation choice, Raicho-zawa Campground exists. Elevation 2,277m, fees: adults 700 yen/night, children 450 yen/night. Equipped with water source, toilets, cooking facilities, with managers permanently stationed from April 22.
Spectacular location with 360-degree views of Tateyama mountain range, with day-trip bathing possible at surrounding mountain lodges. No advance reservations required but tent sites first-come-first-served. Strong wind countermeasures and complete garbage removal necessary.
Recommended Facilities by Purpose
Beginners/Families
- Hotel Tateyama: Ultimate comfort and security
- Mikurigaike Onsen: Hot springs with moderate mountain lodge experience
- Midagahara Hotel: Quiet, calm environment
Mountaineers
- Raicho-zawa Hutte: Base for Tateyama Three Mountains traverse
- Tsurugi-gozen Hut: Mount Tsurugi climbing base
- Tateyama Murodo Sanso: Optimal for early morning climbing
Hot Spring Priority
- Mikurigaike Onsen: Japan's highest elevation source spring
- Raicho Onsen Raichoso: Comprehensive large baths
- Raicho-zawa Hutte: 24-hour bathing available
Cost Performance Priority
- Kokumin-shukusha Tenbo Tateyamaso: Public lodge with reliable pricing
- Raicho-zawa Campground: Most economical
- Tateyama Murodo Sanso: Excellent cost performance with good location
Seasonal Characteristics and Crowding
April-May: Snow Wall Season
Period to monopolize snow walls, but still cold with limited operating facilities. Medium crowding level.
June-July: Alpine Plant Season
Best flower season, relatively uncrowded but may be affected by rainy season.
August: Summer Mountain Season
Stable weather with all facilities operating, but most crowded period. Early reservations essential.
September-October: Autumn Foliage Season
Spectacular autumn foliage enjoyable but weekends extremely crowded. Weekdays recommended.
November: Quiet Season
Few people and quiet, but severe cold with reduced operating facilities.
Overnight Stay Precautions
Equipment
Even in summer, morning/evening temperatures drop below 10°C, so cold weather clothing, rain gear, headlamps essential. For mountain lodge shared room countermeasures: earplugs, cash (many facilities don't accept cards), trail food also necessary.
Altitude Sickness Countermeasures
Don't overdo it on arrival day, drink plenty of water, moderate alcohol consumption. If symptoms appear, don't force it—descend.
Mountain Lodge Manners
Observe lights-out time (usually 21:00), depart quietly in early morning. Always take garbage with you, practice sharing spirit during crowding.
Reservation Tips
Popular facilities start reservations 3 months ahead. Cancellation waiting also effective, weekdays are target opportunities. Check last-minute cancellations too.
Summary
Mountain overnight stays on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offer value beyond mere accommodation. Sunsets sinking into seas of clouds, divine sunrise, star-filled skies, ptarmigan encounters—these experiences are privileges exclusive to overnight guests.
First-timers should start with well-equipped Hotel Tateyama or Mikurigaike Onsen, then as you become accustomed, stay at different facilities in different seasons to discover new Tateyama attractions. Special nights spent in cloud-level paradise surely become unforgettable memories.
Facility fees and operating periods may change, so always confirm with each facility when making reservations. Also check latest weather information for safe and enjoyable mountain stays.