A Walk Along the Snow Walls of Kurobe Tateyama

A Walk Along the Snow Walls of Kurobe Tateyama

Introduction

In Toyama Prefecture, located in the Hokuriku region of central Japan, stands Tateyama, known as the "Roof of Japan." It receives an average snowfall of about 6 meters each winter. The access roads to Tateyama in the Kurobe area and the Hakusan foothills are typically closed from November to March and only reopen at the end of April.

The section between Murodo and Tenguppara is where the snow is deepest in Tateyama, often reaching over 20 meters. Before the mountain roads reopen each year, snowplows clear a path through the snow, creating a breathtaking and majestic spectacle of towering snow walls. These walls, about 20 feet high on both sides, are formed from piled snow, with a divided passage in the middle: the left side for pedestrians to stroll and enjoy the view, and the right side for buses transporting tourists between Bijodaira and Murodo.

Buses arriving from Tenguppara make a brief stop here, allowing visitors to take a short walk and experience this truly unique and awe-inspiring sight.

Okinawa Island, Japan