Friendship Travel Agency ~ Stroll through the Great Snow Valley and witness the magnificent snow walls of Tateyama-Kurobe :: Hokuriku

Located in Japan's Hokuriku region, Tateyama-Kurobe is one of the most anticipated destinations in early summer. Each year during this season, thousands of tourists flock to Toyama Prefecture because even though snowscapes and winter activities are popular throughout much of Japan...

Tateyama-Kurobe’s high-altitude mountain range rises up to 3,000 meters and is closed during winter due to heavy snow accumulation. The official opening ceremony is held around April 17th each year, marking the beginning of a six-month tourism season. Though these mountains are towering, visitors can easily explore them via a total of six different modes of transportation — not only making the trip effortless, but also offering diverse views and perspectives of Tateyama-Kurobe’s ever-changing beauty. Among them, the so-called “Snow Valley” or snow wall is the most popular attraction. However, it became a renowned sight more by chance. Each winter, heavy snowfall of several meters blankets the area around Tateyama-Kurobe. In spring, local authorities use massive snowplows to clear a path through the snowdrifts, leaving towering walls of snow on either side — resembling whipped cream on a cake yet truly awe-inspiring. These snow walls are a rare sight anywhere in the world. To allow visitors to get up close, authorities have opened a section between the Ropeway Station (室堂) and Tengudaira where people can actually walk through the snow walls. Every year, they also hold an event called “Strolling Through the Snow Valley.” To fully enjoy the thick snow, be sure to visit during the time when the snow is at its deepest and hasn’t yet started to melt.


Friendship Travel Agency :: Five-day Tour of Spring Cherry Blossoms in Oku-Hida, Hidden Gem of Kamikochi, and Tateyama-Kurobe (China Airlines)
 

Day 1
【Itinerary】Taipei Taoyuan – Chubu Centrair International Airport (approx. 1 hr) → Nagoya or Gifu
【Accommodation】Tokyu or Nagoya WESTIN or Hilton or equivalent
【Dinner】Buffet or shabu-shabu or Japanese cuisine

Day 2
【Itinerary】Nagoya (approx. 2 hrs) → Norikura Highland → Mugigokoro-no-Sato (shibazakura, tulips, Hakusan scenery) (approx. 1 hr) → Shirakawa-go Gassho Village *UNESCO World Heritage Site (approx. 40 min) → Kuwazu Tulip Park (Note) (approx. 1 hr) → Kanazawa → Kenroku-en Garden *One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens → Kananmachi
【Accommodation】JAL City or ANA Crowne Plaza or Tokyu or equivalent
【Lunch】Hida-style farm food
【Dinner】Buffet or traditional Japanese kaiseki meal

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Gassho Houses
Japan’s legendary secluded mountain village — Shirakawa-go. Nestled among mountains, with rice fields and rivers flowing through a tranquil rural scene, over a hundred thatched-roof gassho-style wooden houses dot the landscape, exuding unique charm. In late 1996, UNESCO registered the Ogimachi Gassho Village in Shirakawa-go along with the nearby Hakusan area as a World Heritage Site. Shirakawa-go is located in Gifu Prefecture, near the borders of Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures, with a population of only about 1,900 people...Click to view all attraction information

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Kenroku-en Garden
Kenroku-en was originally part of Kanazawa Castle and is a classic strolling pond garden from the Edo period. Visually, whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vivid red foliage in autumn, or snowy landscapes in winter, you can enjoy the unique aesthetics of a traditional Japanese garden any season of the year. Among these, the rare sight of a pure white snow-covered landscape is especially worthwhile to see in Taiwan. Starting November 1st each year, preparations for winter begin at Kenroku-en, and the most labor-intensive task is the “yukizuri” (snow hanging) process. When snow falls in winter, the tree branches are supported by a system of ropes, preventing them from breaking under the weight. This is one of the most important tasks at Kenroku-en...Click to view all attraction information

Day 3

【Itinerary】Kanazawa (approx. 2 hrs) → Tateyama Mountain Range → Snow Wall Walk (April 17 – May 31) → Kurobe Dam (Tateyama-Kurobe) (approx. 16 min) → Zarzu (approx. 1 hr) → Azumino (approx. 1 hr) → Hidden Gem Kamikochi or Oku-Hida Onsen Village
【Accommodation】Shirakaba-so or Yakuo or equivalent
【Lunch】Hida highland cuisine
【Dinner】In-hotel kaiseki course

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Tateyama-Kurobe
The Tateyama-Kurobe sightseeing route, which is also the main entrance to the Alps Alpine Route, has two starting points: Tateyama Station at the foot of Mount Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture, and Shinano-Omachi Station in Nagano Prefecture. The Alps Alpine Route from Tateyama Station to Zarzu spans from Toyama to Nagano, cutting through the heart of Chubu-Sangaku National Park, and stretches a total of 90 kilometers. Tateyama-Kurobe is full of tourist appeal thanks to its glacial landforms, alpine ecosystems, and high-altitude climate. The Alps Alpine Route, originally built for dam construction, now allows ordinary visitors — not just experienced mountaineers — to access the once-inaccessible peaks of Tateyama and the Kurobe Gorge via convenient transportation. Whether it’s stargazing at the Murodo Plateau or witnessing the sea of clouds at sunrise over Yakedake, the mysterious and majestic beauty of the Northern Japanese Alps changes with every season....Click to view all attraction information

★★★ Recommended Attraction = Snow Valley
In late March, before the snow melts at the end of the season, you can head up the mountains to witness the majestic snowy peaks of Hokuriku. The most classic route is the “Alpine Route” on Mount Tateyama, specifically the section from Shōmūdo to Tengudaira, known as the “Snow Valley,” where snow walls can reach up to 20 meters high. Visitors can take the Tateyama Highland Bus through this area. If you find the roughly 1–2 minute bus ride not thrilling enough, it’s recommended to walk through the Snow Valley instead. A lane is opened from Shōmūdo to Tengudaira for visitors to experience the sensation of walking through frozen walls of snow. Each spring, depending on snow conditions, the official “Tateyama Opening” date is announced. The “Snow Valley” is at its most spectacular between mid-April and late May. Be aware that temperatures range between 0°C and 10°C, so bring sufficient warm clothing such as snow suits and non-slip shoes...Click to view all attraction information