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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Japan 2025: Complete Guide to Prices, Reservations, Access & Accommodation

Complete Guide to Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route: 2025 Ultimate Travel Guide

The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the world's premier mountain tourism routes penetrating the Northern Alps with peaks over 3,000m, attracts many tourists annually. This article provides detailed information for completely conquering the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route based on 2025's latest information, covering everything from pricing systems to reservation methods, access routes, and recommended accommodations.

What is the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

A 37.2km route from Ogisawa Station in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture to Tateyama Station in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,450m. By connecting various transportation modes, anyone can easily enjoy magnificent nature and spectacular scenery.

Major 2025 Changes

Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus Service Begins Starting in 2025, electric bus service began replacing trolley buses. These buses operate at 2,450m elevation, the highest electric bus service in Japan, enabling more environmentally friendly and comfortable travel.

【Most Important】Pricing System and Discount Programs

Basic Fares (2025)

Regular Prices

  • Ogisawa Station ⇔ Tateyama Station (One-way): Adults ¥10,940, Children ¥5,480
  • Round-trip: Adults approximately ¥22,000, Children approximately ¥11,000

Summer Early Bird 10 (June-August Limited) Discount tickets about 10% cheaper than regular fares when reserved 10 days before travel date. For example, one-way fare from Ogisawa to Tateyama Station: Adults ¥9,800 (regular ¥10,940), Children ¥4,900 (regular ¥5,480).

Fare Categories

  • Adults: 12 years and older
  • Children: 6-12 years old
  • Infants: 1-6 years old
  • Babies: Under 1 year old

Disability Discounts

Disability discounts (50% off regular fares) apply per transportation company for those with "Physical Disability Certificate," "Rehabilitation Certificate," or "Mental Health and Welfare Certificate" issued by Japanese local governments.

Reservation Methods | WEB Tickets Strongly Recommended

WEB Ticket Benefits

  1. Peace of Mind with Advance Reservations: Reserve departure station (Tateyama/Ogisawa) boarding in advance. No waiting in ticket lines - easy boarding with automatic pickup machine!
  2. Credit Card Payment: Accepts lump-sum credit card payments (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club)
  3. 5-Day Validity: Tickets valid for 5 days from reserved boarding date (Tateyama or Ogisawa Station boarding time) for both one-way and round-trip

WEB Ticket Purchase Process

  1. STEP 01: Member registration (email address required)
  2. STEP 02: Select date, boarding time, section
  3. STEP 03: Credit card purchase
  4. STEP 04: Purchase confirmation email arrives (with pickup QR code)
  5. STEP 05: Pick up tickets with QR code at entry station pickup machine

Sales Periods

  • General Sales: March 14 (Fri) 3:00 PM - August 30 (Sat) 3:00 PM
  • Summer Early Bird 10: April 4 (Fri) 10:00 AM - August 21 (Thu) 3:00 PM

Access Methods | Complete Guide to 6 Transportation Modes

The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route uses 6 different transportation modes with unique characteristics. Here are details of each.

Access from Toyama Prefecture Side

1. Tateyama Cable Car (Tateyama Station ⇔ Bijodaira)

  • Duration: 7 minutes
  • Intervals: About every 20 minutes
  • Two cars ascend/descend pulley-style on steep 29-degree slopes with 500m elevation difference

2. Tateyama Highland Bus (Bijodaira ⇔ Murodo)

  • Duration: About 50 minutes
  • Intervals: About every 40 minutes
  • Runs through highland with 1,500m elevation difference from Murodo (famous for "Snow Corridor") to Bijodaira. All-seat system ensures comfortable window viewing

3. Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus (Murodo ⇔ Daikanbo) 【New in 2025】

  • Duration: About 10 minutes
  • Starting 2025, electric bus service replaced trolley buses. Operates at Japan's highest electric bus elevation of 2,450m, running 3.7km directly under main peak Oyama

Access from Nagano Prefecture Side

4. Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus (Ogisawa ⇔ Kurobe Dam)

  • Duration: About 16 minutes
  • Kanden Tunnel connecting Ogisawa and Kurobe Dam stations. Inside the tunnel with average 10-degree, maximum 13-degree steep grades, temperatures stay around 10°C even in summer

5. Kurobe Cable Car (Kurobe Dam ⇔ Kurobedaira)

  • Duration: About 5 minutes
  • Fully underground cable car system

6. Tateyama Ropeway (Kurobedaira ⇔ Daikanbo)

  • Duration: About 7 minutes
  • Station rooftop jutting over cliffs offers panoramic views of Kurobe Lake and Ushiro-Tateyama mountain range

Operating Periods and Best Seasons

2025 Operating Period

The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route operates from April 15 (Tue) - November 30 (Sun) in 2025.

Seasonal Recommendations

Spring (April-June): Snow Corridor Season

  • Snow Corridor Period: April 15 (Tue) - June 25 (Wed), 2025
  • Walk through roads surrounded by snow walls up to 20 meters high - only possible during this period!

Summer (July-August): Alpine Plants and Summer Resort

  • Beautiful alpine plant season
  • Midagahara Highland spans 9km east-west and 3km north-south. Wooden walkways through wetlands allow viewing of alpine plants at their peak from July-August

Autumn (September-November): Autumn Foliage Season

  • Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route autumn colors typically begin around mid-September near Murodo-daira

Complete Alpine Route Accommodation Guide

Popular Murodo Area Accommodations

1. Mikurigaike Onsen

  • Rate: From ¥12,030
  • Capacity: 120 guests
  • Operating Period: April 15 - November 24 (accommodation)
  • Features: Japan's highest natural hot spring at 2,410m elevation
  • Access: About 15-minute walk from Murodo Terminal

2. Raicho Onsen Raichoso

  • Rate: From ¥12,000
  • Capacity: 260 guests
  • Operating Period: April 15 - November 24 (accommodation)
  • Features: Located in area with high probability of encountering special natural monument ptarmigan
  • Day-trip Bathing: Reception 11:00-20:00, ¥1,000

3. Hotel Tateyama

  • Rate: From ¥26,400
  • Capacity: 260 guests
  • Operating Period: April 15 - November 29
  • Features: Resort closest to stars at 2,450m elevation

Other Area Accommodations

Midagahara Area

  • Midagahara Hotel: From ¥20,900
  • Kokumin-shukusha Tenbo Tateyama-so: From ¥14,000

Raichozawa Area

  • Raichozawa Hutte: From ¥11,500
  • Lodge Tateyama Renpo: From ¥11,500

Access Points and Transportation

Access from Toyama Prefecture

To Dentetsu Toyama Station

  • 10-minute walk from JR Toyama Station
  • 20-minute bus from Toyama Airport

To Tateyama Station

  • About 1 hour on Toyama Chiho Railway Tateyama Line

Access from Nagano Prefecture

To Ogisawa Station

  • About 40-minute bus from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
  • About 1.5-hour direct bus from Nagano Station

Crowd Avoidance and Comfortable Tourism Tips

Busy Time Periods

Generally crowded times are:

  • Tateyama Station/Ogisawa (toward Murodo): 9-11 AM
  • Murodo: 1-3 PM

Crowd Avoidance Points

  1. Early Morning Departure: Aim for services before 8 AM
  2. Weekday Use: Avoid weekends and holidays
  3. Advance Reservations: Secure reservations with WEB tickets
  4. Overnight Stays: Leisurely tourism with accommodation rather than day trips

Essential Items Checklist

Must-Have Items

  • Warm Clothing: 2,450m elevation is cold even in summer
  • Rain Gear: Mountain weather changes quickly
  • Comfortable Walking Shoes: High heels and sandals inappropriate
  • Sunscreen: High altitude means strong UV rays
  • Cash: Mountain lodges basically accept cash only

Clothing Points

Clothing is very important for high-altitude exploration where temperatures drop below flatlands. Prepare materials that dry quickly and wind-resistant clothing. Due to significant temperature differences between morning/evening coolness and daytime, bring easily removable outer layers.

Model Courses and Duration

Day Trip Course

Ogisawa → Tateyama Station Route (Duration: About 8 hours)

  1. Ogisawa Station (8:00 departure)
  2. Kurobe Dam (9:00-10:00) 1-hour sightseeing
  3. Daikanbo (11:30-12:00) lunch/rest
  4. Murodo (13:00-15:00) 2-hour walking/hot spring
  5. Tateyama Station (17:00 arrival)

1-Night 2-Day Course

Day 1: Ogisawa → Murodo (accommodation) Day 2: Murodo exploration → Tateyama Station

Precautions and Etiquette

Environmental Protection Considerations

Murodo is within a national park. Please don't collect flora/fauna and take garbage with you when possible.

Safety Precautions

Mountain paths are steep and slippery. High heels and sandals not recommended for safety reasons.

Summary | Enjoying Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route 120%

The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is Japan's pride in mountain tourism routes. The 2025 electric bus introduction enables more environmentally friendly and comfortable travel.

Success Points

  1. Advance Reservations Essential: Secure reservations with WEB tickets
  2. Appropriate Clothing: Layered style considering elevation differences
  3. Generous Schedules: Leisurely tourism with overnight stays
  4. Early Action: Avoid crowds for comfortable trips

Extraordinary experiences in the 2,450-meter cloud-top world, riding 6 different transportation modes. The magnificent Tateyama Three Peaks and Mt. Tsurugi, beautiful volcanic Lake Mikurigaike, and healing at Japan's highest hot spring - all await you.

For your next vacation, please enjoy unforgettable mountain resort experiences on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. With thorough advance preparation, fully savor the spectacular scenery and wonderful nature of the Northern Alps.