Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge officially opened today with a stunning 13-meter snow wall that’s both beautiful and magnificent.

▲ Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge officially opened today. (Photo provided by reader Jun Mukai, same below)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong, Taipei

Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge have officially opened today. The long-awaited seasonal opening took place today, and during the inauguration ceremony, it was announced that this year’s Snow Wall in the Snow Valley stands at 13 meters high. Although slightly lower than last year’s, it remains no less spectacular and awe-inspiring.

▲ The wondrous sight of the snow valley at Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge.

The temperature at the time of opening was 6 degrees Celsius, with 13 meters of accumulated snow. In addition to participation from Taiwanese carriers such as China Airlines and EVA Air in the opening ceremony, many travelers excitedly entered the Snow Valley to celebrate the highly anticipated opening day. Winding through towering snow walls felt like embarking on a fantastical silver-white adventure. This year, the increasing availability of low-cost flights to nearby cities such as Nagoya and Tokyo has once again drawn more attention to Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge.

▲ Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge present different scenery at various times of the day.

Affected by the warm winter, many were concerned that the snow wall would not be visible this year, but fortunately, it still stands at 13 meters. In addition to the Snow Valley, the nearby Unazuki Onsen area has also added several new hot spring facilities and tourist attractions. The official website of Mount Tateyama and Kurobe Gorge offers content in five languages including Chinese and English. Starting from the 14th, foot baths will be available at Unazuki Onsen Station, while sightseeing trains will begin operating from the 20th. Moreover, a new public hot spring bath called “Sōyū” (General Bath) has opened in the hot spring town and is scheduled to start operations on the 27th. With the Hokuriku Shinkansen now in its second year of operation and various railway companies offering attractive transportation passes, visitors can easily access the area from either Tokyo or Nagoya.

%The number of visitors has surged significantly since the opening.