Kurobe–Tateyama: Where Majestic Landscapes Meet Lasting Memories - 30th April - 1st May 2005
The Kurobe Tateyama area is a magnificent mountainous region representing the Northern Japan Alps, renowned for the spectacular scenery of the Tateyama mountain range that spans Toyama and Nagano Prefectures.
Kurobe Dam, one of the largest arch dams in Japan, impresses visitors with its grand scale, nestled within a deep valley, and the powerful spray of water released during discharge.
Murodo, situated at an elevation of approximately 2,450 meters, serves as a central base for exploring Tateyama and offers a highland landscape where visitors can enjoy nature throughout the four seasons.
Nearby stands Hotel Tateyama, known as the highest-altitude hotel in Japan, where guests can experience the tranquility above the clouds and a sky filled with countless stars.
In spring, one of the highlights is the “Snow Corridor” (Yuki-no-Otani), where buses pass between towering walls of snow rising several meters high, providing a truly unique and memorable experience.
From Murodo and Kurobe Dam, the Tateyama mountain range unfolds in a series of rugged and beautiful peaks, including Mt. Tsurugi and Mt. Oyama, forming one of the most remarkable alpine landscapes in Japan. The scenery changes with each season, continuing to captivate visitors year after year.
My wife and I visited this area in the spring of 2005, and more than twenty years have already passed since then. We hope to visit again someday, this time with our family. Back then, we used film photography. Recently, I digitized those long-stored photographs, and seeing images of my younger self and my wife through them fills me with a deep sense of nostalgia.
Nikon F2 AS
Nikon F3 HP
Nikon F5
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D
Kodak Gold 100
Kurobe Dam
It is an arch-type dam built on the Kurobe River in Toyama Prefecture, and it is renowned as the tallest dam in Japan, standing at 186 meters. Completed in 1963, it was constructed as a vital facility to support the electricity supply to the Kansai region. Surrounded by the magnificent natural landscape of the Northern Alps, it is famous for its spectacular water discharge and the stunning scenery of Lake Kurobe. As one of the highlights of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, it continues to captivate visitors from around the world.
The Kurobe Cable Car
It is a mountain railway that connects Kurobe Lake Station and Kurobedaira Station, covering a distance of approximately 800 meters and ascending a height difference of 370 meters in about five minutes. It travels along a steep incline of up to 31 degrees, and one of its distinctive features is that the entire route runs through a tunnel. Designed with careful consideration for both environmental preservation and safety, the cable car serves as an essential means of transportation supporting the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
The Ushiro-Tateyama Range and the vast Kurobe Gorge
They present a breathtaking scene, with majestic peaks - such as Mount Dainichi, Mount Kashimayari, and Mount Goryu - rising proudly against a backdrop of orange clouds glowing in the morning light. In the foreground, a steep drop leads into the deep valley carved by the Kurobe River, one of Japan’s most remarkable gorges. From the snow-laden slopes in front, the terrain plunges dramatically into the abyss, beyond which the great mountain range surges upward once more. This striking contrast of depth and elevation creates a sense of overwhelming scale and rugged beauty that is uniquely characteristic of the Northern Alps.
The Ridgeline of Mount Jōdo
A gentle yet powerful expanse of beautiful white ridgeline stretches endlessly into the distance.
The snow-covered slopes, rising unobstructed into the vast blue sky, create a breathtaking view that has become synonymous with the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in spring. Such scenes - free from the presence of day-trip visitors - can only be captured by those fortunate enough to stay at Hotel Tateyama. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity.
Mount Oyama, the Main Peak of Tateyama
Viewed from the Murodo Plain, this is the most iconic group of peaks in Tateyama. The prominent mountain directly before you forms part of the Tateyama Three Mountains, which include Mount Oyama (3,003 m), the principal peak, and Mount Onanji (3,015 m), the highest summit. The rugged, craggy rock faces set against the pristine white snow create a beautiful contrast, giving the mountain a serene and dignified presence—truly worthy of being called a “dwelling place of the gods.”
Snow Corridor (Yuki no Otani)
The Snow Corridor is a massive wall of snow that appears near Murodo along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and it is a famous seasonal attraction visible in spring (from around April to June). Formed by snow clearing, the towering snow walls can reach heights of nearly 20 meters, allowing visitors to walk through this impressive corridor. The striking contrast between the bright blue sky and the pure white snow creates a breathtaking view, attracting visitors from around the world as one of the most renowned scenic sights.
Hotel Tateyama
It is the highest-altitude hotel in Japan, located in Murodo at an elevation of approximately 2,450 meters, at the heart of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Surrounded by magnificent natural scenery, it enjoys an excellent location and is widely popular as a base for both mountaineering and sightseeing. One of its greatest attractions is the opportunity to experience stunning views - such as the morning glow and star-filled skies - that are available exclusively to overnight guests. It is a truly special retreat where visitors can fully enjoy peaceful and serene stay in the mountains.
Murodo Plain
It is a highland plateau located at an elevation of approximately 2,450 meters, at the heart of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Tateyama Mountain Range, it offers beautiful natural scenery that changes with the seasons. Visitors can enjoy the famous Snow Corridor in Spring, alpine flowers bloom in abundance in summer, and the area is adorned with vibrant foliage in autumn. With its many attractions, Murodo Plain serves as a popular base for both tourists and mountaineers.
