Tateyama Alpine Route – A visit to the Japanese alps is one enjoyable experience you don’t often find in Japan. And when we learned we could get there from Nagoya, we couldn’t let it pass.
An easier way to go to Tateyama Alpine Route without traveling very long is to stay at Toyama. And that’s what we did! So, here’s a review of the Toyama Manten Hotel we stayed at.
If you’re here for the first time, I’d like to invite you to follow me on my socials – Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok so you’re updated on our recent food, hotel, and travel reviews!
What is the Tateyama Alpine Route famous for?
When you search for Alpine route Tateyama, you’ll find lots of photos online with the white snow walls along the road. And that was part of the reason why we want to visit it. However, since it was almost autumn during our visit, no snow walls in the area during our visit.
However, not dismayed, we decided to still proceed with our original plan.
We added Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to our Nagoya itinerary (more about it in the future!), and we enjoyed the different views while transferring from one transportation to another.
I must admit, however, that I had a difficult time understanding the route itself. We were afraid we might get lost and be unable to finish the whole path, but we continued anyway. And, now, I proudly share with you our journey there!
Tateyama Alpine Route getting there
There are so many ways to get to Tateyama Alpen Route. You can get there even from Tokyo! So, if you’re not traveling to Nagoya, and want to go to Tokyo instead, you can still visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Japan.
Tokyo to Tateyama Alpine Route
Tokyo is about 2 hours and 54 minutes from the Alpen Route.
You will transfer only once after you travel to Toyama station, so that’s not bad. However, to avoid the crowd (as most people go there after lunch, better to go there as early as possible if you’re from Tokyo).
Tokyo to Tateyama Alpine Route ticket costs 13,444.49 JPY (5,074 PHP or 86.41 USD).
Alternatively, you can ride the Shinkansen for a shorter travel time – only about 83 minutes. Hokuriku shinkansen is worth 8,500 JPY (3,168.8 PHP or 54.29 USD).
Nagoya to Tateyama Alpine Route
You need to travel 4 hours and 33 minutes from Nagoya to Tateyama Alpen Route. Only one transfer is needed here as well, but the longest time is from Nagoya to Toyama, which is about 3 hours and 49 minutes.
The total amount you have to pay here is 8,284.02 JPY (3,125 PHP or 53.22 USD).
Toyama to Tateyama Alpine Route
The easiest and the cheapest travel to Tateyama Alpen Route is from Toyama. Because you eliminate the need to transfer, and ride only a single train to get there. You’re going to travel only for 30 minutes to get to Tateyama Alpen Route from Toyama.
And the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ticket price only costs 1,420 JPY (535.67 PHP or 9.12 USD).
The route
To get to Tateyama Alpine Route, we need to ride the train at Dentetsu Toyama Station. It was around a 5-10-minute walk from our hotel, Toyama Manten Hotel. It was 8 AM when we arrived outside of the station.
Train
Following the instructions, we reached the train platform that would bring us to Tateyama station. The train ride is 2 and a half hours, so better to relieve yourself first before hopping on. There’s no toilet inside the local train, so better to be by Dentetsu station earlier, so you can hop on the train ASAP.
I sat on the left, and caught a very nice view of a spectacular bridge. Shinminato Bridge offers a stunning view of the Toyama Bay and the Tateyama mountain in the background.
Cable car
We arrived at Tateyama station at 9:30 AM. Immediately, we went to the counter to get the physical copies of our tickets, took a quick trip to the toilet, and lined up for our next ride: cable car.
The cable car will bring you to Bijodaira.
The ticket is what we’ll be using for all the rides until we go back.
Highland Bus
In just about 10 minutes, you’ll reach the next ride, which is now a bus. In this next ride, you can easily doze off because you’re seated comfortably, and it would take about an hour to reach the next destination: Murodo.
But if you’re traveling in winter, don’t you ever fall asleep, because this is the place where you’ll see the snow wall. You’ll see a snow wall that could be as tall as 20 meters. And since it was around autumn when we went there, we didn’t see a single piece of snow.
Tunnel bus
From Murodo, you’re going to ride a 10-minute tunnel bus that will lead you to Daikanbo. You can spend a few minutes at the viewing deck to admire the different mountains.
Tateyama Ropeway
Did you know that the Tateyama Ropeway is the longest one-span ropeway in Japan? It travels 1.7 km for 7 minutes from the upper to the lower stations. The ropeway brings you to Kurobedaira, which shows you 4 different sceneries depending on the season!
Once you reach Tateyama, you can get off and enjoy the place. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, I’m sure you’ll catch a wonderful view there!
Kurobe Cable car
One of the most notable quality of the Kurobe cable car is that it runs inside a tunnel, which rarely happens with any other cable cars. In just less than 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Kurobe Dam, Japan’s tallest dam.
This is where we witnessed the spectacular rainbow as sun hits the water being discharged in the dam. But, don’t get confused about Kurobe Dam and Kurobe Gorge Railway, because they are different and we enjoyed it as well!
After walking the cool tunnel, we had a quick lunch, since it was already 12 PM that time. It was nice that the restaurant had a nice window view, and a quiet food court.
Another thing to take note of at Kurobedaira is the breathtaking view when you go up the staircase. There’s a souvenir shop and I got a cute magnet there! We also tried the black soft serve there to complement the nice chilly weather.
Tunnel bus
This tunnel bus will bring you to Ogizawa, but we decided not to push through. Instead, we went back the same route to go back to Toyama. Maybe next time we could go back again to experience Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, but for now, this is the best we could do.
Bus
Finally, the last ride is the bus that brings you to Omachi. However, during our visit, this last destination wasn’t available. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the whole trip we had, because of the nice experience of transferring different transportations in a day!
Tateyama Alpine Route review Philippines conclusion
I was intimidated about the Tateyama Alpine Route map, after seeing so many transport transfers in one day. It was scary that we might get lost, but apparently, it’s not that hard, since the path is very clear, and staffs are very nice to help lost visitors.
If you’re here for the first time, I’d like to invite you to follow me on my socials – Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok so you’re updated on our recent food, hotel, and travel reviews!
Disclosure: You may find affiliate links in this post and I may get a small commission without extra cost to you. In return, I’ll give you valuable life hacks and relatable real-life experiences for FREE!
Other Toyama tourist spots
We made the right decision of staying at Toyama for a few nights, just so we could save time and money traveling. So, of course, while we’re there, we also checked out some of the good things near Toyama.
Where did we stay in Toyama?
We chose Toyama Manten Hotel simply because of that one thing not common in other hotels – onsen. Learn more about our stay here.
Toyama Glass Art Museum
Not that far away from Toyama station, about a 20-minute walk, is Toyama Glass Art Museum. Inside, you’ll find lots of colorful glass pieces, all works of art. And be careful not to touch them or break them, because it’ll surely cost you a fortune!
Shirakawa Go
Not really in Toyama, but Shirakawa Go is a great side trip if you’re in Toyama.
From Toyama, you can ride a bus that takes only 90 minutes to get to Shirakawa Go. The World UNESCO Heritage place is a great place to capture a nice view of the old houses, no matter what season of the year!
Check my Shirakawa Go review here.
Kurobe Gorge
Another place I like to recommend is the Kurobe Gorge, where we rode a relaxing railway. As a plus, you get to enjoy the nice scenery along the way. Know the things to look forward to when riding the Kurobe Gorge Railway.
Tours that include Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
If you want that Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route experience without worrying about how to go there, I’ve got good news for you! You can book tours easily without researching night after night.
Shirakawa Go and Takayama
Tired of making your itinerary? Then this 2-day tour is what you need! It covers Shirakawa Go, Takayama, and Tateyama Alpine Route. You can relax for 2 days and not worry about anything, just how to get to the meeting place on time!
Read more about my Shirakawa Go review here.
Tateyama snow wall and Kamikochi Alps
Another 2-day tour you might want to consider is this. Because it even includes a hotel booking, plus a visit to Kamikochi Japanese Alps and the famous snow walls of Tateyama.
Learn more here.
Tateyama snow wall and shrimp cracker making
Want a different experience? In this tour, you’re going to make shrimp crackers and enjoy a special pressed sushi after a visit to the Tateyama snow wall.
