The Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe
@Navapon_Plodprong
Snow and Turquoise Waters at Murodo and Mikurigaike Pond
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The Kurobe Cable Car between the Dam and Kurobedaira
@PixHound
View from the Kurobe Dam, Toyama
@Patarapol Prasit
Lake Mikuriga under the gaze of Mount Tateyama
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Through the Kurobe Alpine Route
- 2 days
- Tokyo, Kyoto
Getting out of Tokyo, breathing in the pure mountain air, soaring high above the clouds and admiring the breathtaking scenery when you only have 2 days? That's what this Alpine tour is all about.
You'll be travelling by high-speed train, electric bus, trolley, funicular and cable car, and switch seamlessly from one mode of transport to another, enjoying a new panorama at each stop. You'll be walking at an altitude of almost 2,500 meters at the foot of one of Japan's three sacred mountains.
Depending on your tastes and on the season, you will be able to enjoy the spectacle of volcanic resurgences, a primary forest with trees thousands of years old, immense waterfalls reputed to be the highest in the country, an impressive wall of snow, cross a huge dam on foot and, in the evening, relax in a thermal water bath.
You'll also have the choice of sleeping at altitude or descending to the comfort of a small spa town, depending on the season of your trip.
Spring version: from 20 April to 15 June // Summer version: from 16 June to 15 October
Getting out of Tokyo, breathing in the pure mountain air, soaring high above the clouds and admiring the breathtaking scenery when you only have 2 days? That's what this Alpine tour is all about.
You'll be travelling by high-speed train, electric bus, trolley, funicular and cable car, and switch seamlessly from one mode of transport to another, enjoying a new panorama at each stop. You'll be walking at an altitude of almost 2,500 meters at the foot of one of Japan's three sacred mountains.
Depending on your tastes and on the season, you will be able to enjoy the spectacle of volcanic resurgences, a primary forest with trees thousands of years old, immense waterfalls reputed to be the highest in the country, an impressive wall of snow, cross a huge dam on foot and, in the evening, relax in a thermal water bath.
You will also have the choice of sleeping at altitude or descending to the comfort of a small water town depending on the season of your trip.
Spring version: from 20 April to 15 June // Summer version: from 16 June to 15 October
2 days / 1 nights itinerary throughout the Kurobe Alpine Route
- Departure city: Tokyo
- Tateyama
- Toyama
- Return city: Tokyo (other options available)
Please find detailed itinerary information below.
Why choose this excursion?
- Discover the Kurobe Alpine Road and its impressive panoramas.
- Take the many means of transport between each summit.
- Stay in a high mountain lodge or spa resort.
- Enjoy bathing in one of Japan's famous ‘onsen’.
- Many other recommendations for the area available in the provided digital travel guidebook.
Your excursion in detail
Itinerary
Day 1 : Conquering the summits
If your trip takes place in spring, you'll need to leave Tokyo early in the morning. You'll board the famous Shinkansen to Nagano, the host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics.
From there, you'll embark on a journey across the Japanese Alps, traversing the mountain range from east to west using a variety of transportation modes. You'll have minimal wait times between each stage, allowing ample time to appreciate the stunning scenery.
Around 1pm in spring, or later in the afternoon during the summer months, you'll reach a plateau at an altitude of 2,450 meters, where short hikes offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area. In summer, we recommend spending the night there to experience the magic of a starlit sky.
The next day, you'll descend the western slope. For spring travelers, a two-hour break will allow you to marvel at the impressive snow walls before continuing your journey downhill to a luxurious spa for the night.
Day 2 : The western slope
In summer, you'll descend from the high plateau via a combination of bus, cable car, and train. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to stop and admire the stunning natural wonders that this mountain range is known for.
For those who experienced the winter wonderland the day before, the second day offers an in-depth exploration of an underrated provincial capital, providing a glimpse into authentic Japanese culture away from the crowds.
Regardless of your choice, you can conclude your tour in this city or return to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, or Kanazawa via high-speed train.
Accommodation
- 1 night in a high mountain lodging or spa resort (depending on the season)
The base rate includes a twin room.
Transportation
This excursion covers all your travel with bullet train & bus tickets and a regional pass.
- Bullet train tickets for Tokyo > to Nagano
- Bus tickets for Nagano > to Ogizawa
- Alpine Area Pass for Ogizawa > to Toyama
- Bullet train tickets for Toyama > to Tokyo
Visit & meals
- All breakfasts and dinners are included
Other services
- Complete digital travel diary sent 10 days before your departure
- Bilingual English and Japanese telephone support is available 7 days a week, from 9 AM to 6 PM. The number will be provided in your travel diary.
Not included in the price of your excursion
- Optional insurance
- Personal expenses, including lunches (you will find recommended restaurants selected by us in your travel pack)
- Entrance fees to museums, gardens or temples
- Internet access (pocket wifi or SIM card)
- Anything not included in the "Included in your excursion" section
What kind of insurance coverage is available for your Japan trip ?
When you book with Japan Experience, you have the option of purchasing two types of coverage:
- Japan Experience Flex : This insurance covers expenses related to trip cancellations for specific reasons (disease, accident, passing...)
- Japan Experience Protect : This insurance provides overall coverage for various aspect of the trip. For instance: cancellation, flight delay or missing flight, lost luggage, travel incident and repatriation, assistance, etc...
