Enjoy the alpine route that connects the world below and the world above the clouds, and head to Murododaira
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route connects Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture and Ogisawa Station in Nagano Prefecture. Meanwhile, the majestic Tateyama and Ushiro Tateyama mountain ranges tower over Kurobe Dam. The spot we will introduce this time is Murododaira, which is the highest point on the alpine route. Approach Murodo Terminal from the Toyama Prefecture side, with a station building located at an altitude of 2,450 meters, the gateway to a world above the clouds.
First, take the cable car from Tateyama Station and climb the steep slope to Bijodaira. From here, transfer to the Kogen Bus and head for Murodo, taking about 50 minutes along Bijodaira-Tenku Road, which was pioneered by our predecessors. Along the way, you can see Shomyo Falls, which has the highest drop in Japan at 350 meters, a gigantic Tateyama cedar comparable to Yakushima's Jomon cedar, and Midagahara, a vast lava plateau dotted with ponds. The winding road slowly rises in altitude.
The sky road offers a variety of scenery that you can enjoy the closer you get to the world above the clouds, but the main attraction is the numerous unique mountain formations and gorgeous peaks dotted around. Yakushi-dake (altitude 2,926m, Japan's 2,702 Famous Mountains) is said to be the most beautiful in the Northern Alps, and in the distance is the sacred mountain Hakusan (altitude 2,501m, Japan's 2,999 Famous Mountains), followed by Dainichi-dake (altitude 5m), which stands tall, and Mt. Eihogi-dake (altitude 10). Famous peaks of the Northern Alps, such as Japan's XNUMX Famous Mountains, appear one after another. Finally, we passed through a large valley covered in snow that reaches over XNUMX meters in height around May, and headed to Murodo Terminal. Traveling by highland bus goes by in a flash.
When you step out of Murodo Terminal, you are finally in a world of wonder. Murododaira continues to rise and offers views of the Tateyama Mountain Range, which is home to beautiful snowy valleys and glaciers that are rare in Japan. From here, you can take a circular promenade made of cobblestones with little ups and downs. If you go clockwise, you will reach Mikuriga Pond, which boasts the deepest water in the Japanese Alps at 15 meters. From early spring to early summer, the ice-covered water surface shines a cobalt blue, giving it a mystical look.
Mikurigaike is a volcanic lake with a circumference of 630m. The white building at the back of the pond is Mikurigaike Onsen, the highest natural hot spring in Japan (2,410m above sea level). 100% pure white cloudy water sourced from Jigokudani. The far right of the photo is Bessan (2,880m above sea level), one of the three peaks of the Tateyama Sanzan (Tateyama, Jodoyama, and Bessan). The rocky peak on the left is Mt. Tsurugidake.
(c) IWAO KATAOKA/SEBUN PHOTO /amanaimages
As you walk further along the pond, you suddenly start to smell sulfur. At times, it is like Hell Valley, spewing out white smoke. Its terrifying appearance can be seen from the Enmadai (observation deck). Meanwhile, the area around the promenade is dotted with nests of grouse, which have long been considered messengers of the gods. During the breeding season, parent birds may appear near the promenade to protect their young, telling them to go away. I would like to quietly look at it from a distance while thinking about the parental love of the grouse.
Murododaira's promenade takes you to another world above the clouds, and you can leisurely walk around it in about 2 to 3 hours. Make sure to stop by Midorigaike and Rindoike, which are dotted around the area, and Raichosawa, which is located further back, to fully enjoy the clear air and magnificent scenery. Please be sure to wear appropriate clothing and equipment when climbing. Don't forget to submit your mountain entry notification.
Jigokudani seen from Enmadai with Mt. Dainichi in the background. There is a strong sulfur smell and there are cases where toxic volcanic gas is emitted, so be sure to check the warning information at Murodo Terminal and other locations. You can see the whole of Jigokudani from the area near Raichoso, which is located further back from Enmadai.
⒞Koichi Yamamoto (DO Mt. BOOK)
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Access
It takes about 7 minutes by Tateyama Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira, and about 50 minutes by Tateyama Kogen Bus from Bijodaira to Murodo. Private cars are prohibited between Tateyama Station and Ogizawa Station. If you have your own car, use the free parking lot around Tateyama Station. If you want to enjoy the entire Alpine Route from the Toyama Prefecture side to the Nagano Prefecture side, there is a private car transfer service (https://kanko.town.tateyama.toyama.jp/access/fwd_mycar.html), so you may want to use this service. good.
Contact Us
Tateyama Town Tourism Association
2440 Maesawa, Tateyama-cho, Nakashinkawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
076 462 1001
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Tateyama Kurobe Kanko
1-1-36 Sakuramachi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
076 441 3331
Tateyama - Murodo 2,470 yen
Tateyama Station (Tateyama Cable Car) Bijodaira (Tateyama Kogen Bus) Murodo Round trip fare: 4,940 yen for adults
Hotel Tateyama (attached to Murodo Terminal)
Murodo, Ashikaji Temple, Tateyama-machi, Nakashinkawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
076 463 3345
Mikurigaike Onsen
Murododaira, Tateyama-cho, Nakashinkawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
076 463 1441
Tateyama Murodo Sanso
Murodo, Tateyama-cho, Nakashinkawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
076 463 1228
Raicho Onsen Raichoso
National Forest, Ashikaji Bunazaka 11, Tateyama-machi, Nakashinkawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture
076 463 1664
Enjoy walking instead of climbing
List of 5 scenic spots
To the wilderness “Daisetsuzan Mt. Asahidake”, the northern land where even gods roam
Daisetsuzan (2,291 m above sea level: Mt. Asahidake, one of Japan's 1.7 Famous Mountains) is the general term for a group of volcanoes whose main peak is Mt. Asahidake (pictured), Hokkaido's highest peak. Perhaps because of its rustic and divine scenery, it is reverently referred to in the Ainu language as ``Kamuymintara'' (the play garden of the gods). There is a XNUMXkm circular walking path from Sugatami Ropeway Station to Sugatami Pond (photo).
DATA Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway (Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido / 0166-68-9111) Sanroku Station - Sugatami Station Round trip 3,200 yen for adults (6/1-10/20)
(c) Ken Ken/a.collectionRF /amanaimages
Hakone Komagatake, where you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of one of Japan's most scenic spots
Hakone Komagatake (3,776m above sea level) offers a panoramic view of Hakone, famous as a hot springs destination, as well as Lake Ashinoko, the caldera lake of Hakone Volcano, and Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan (1,356m above sea level, one of Japan's 7 Famous Mountains). It takes about XNUMX minutes to reach the top of the mountain by ropeway. The view from the open summit of the mountain is outstanding, and Owakudani, which continues to emit volcanic smoke, is close by.
DATA Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (Hakoneen 139 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture/0460-83-1151) Hakone-en Station - Komagatake-summit Station Round trip 1,600 yen for adults
(c) FUSAO ONO/SEBUN PHOTO /amanaimages
Kirigamine/Kurumayama Plateau, a vast green paradise that shines under the blue sky
In the summer, Kirigamine (1,925 m above sea level: Kurumayama, one of Japan's 3,000 Famous Mountains) is a paradise in the sky, filled with beautiful flowers such as daylilies that dye the green carpet yellow, willow orchids, and staghorns. First, take the lift to the top of Mt. Kurumayama. Look out over the 3m-class mountains of the Northern and Southern Alps, and enjoy a leisurely stroll from the mountaintop to Kirigamine (4-XNUMX hours round trip).
DATA 展望リスト（車山高原スカイパークリゾート 長野県茅野市北山3413／0266-68-2626） 車山高原山麓駅～車山山頂駅 往復 大人1,700円（7/23～8/16は、1,900円）
(c) SHINICHI SASAKI/SEBUN PHOTO /amanaimages
Kamikochi is one of the best mountain resorts in Japan that you can enjoy for 1 night and 2 days.
The splendid snow-covered Hotaka Mountain Range (collective name for Mt. Oku, Kita, Nishi, and Mt. Maehotaka. Hotakarenpou / 3,190 m above sea level: Mt. Okuhotaka (Japan's 2,456 Famous Mountains)), the clear-flowing Azusa River, and Mt. Yakedake. Taisho Pond and mysterious Myojin Pond were formed by the eruption of Yakedake (Japan's XNUMX Famous Mountains, XNUMX m above sea level). Kamikochi is a premium mountain resort with endless mesmerizing scenery.
DATA Private car restrictions apply all year round. From Sawando Parking Lot or Hirayu Akandana Parking Lot, take a shuttle bus or taxi to Kamikochi Bus Terminal. There are also direct buses from Matsumoto Station, Takayama Station, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc. Centered around Kappa Bridge (pictured), there are many lodging facilities such as hot spring inns, mountain villas, lodges, and hotels. For details on access and accommodation facilities, please refer to the Kamikochi Tourism and Hotel Association website (www.kamikochi.or.jp/).
(c) TAKAHIRO MIYAMOTO/SEBUN PHOTO /amanaimages
From Shinhotaka Onsen to Nishihotakaguchi, which takes you to the panoramic world of the Northern Alps.
Japan's only double-decker ropeway takes you from Shinhotaka Onsen to Nishihotakaguchi at an altitude of 2,156m. If you stand on the rooftop observation deck, you will be captivated by the magnificent panorama of the Northern Alps, including Mt. Hotaka (3,180m and 3,190m above sea level: Mt. Okuhotaka, Japan's XNUMX Famous Mountains), which is the dream of alpinists. At the ropeway transfer point, there is also a walking path and natural hot spring open-air bath, Kamitakara-no-yu.
DATA Shinhotaka Ropeway (Shinhotaka Onsen, Okuhida Onsengo, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture / 0578-89-2252) Shinhotaka Onsen Station - Nishihotakaguchi Station round trip 3,000 yen for adults
(c) KATSUMASA IWASAWA/SEBUN PHOTO /amanaimages
*Due to the effects of flooding caused by heavy rain and to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the information on public transportation and facilities posted on this site may have changed. Please check the latest information from the official website etc.
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