Roof of Japan

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is known as the “Roof of Japan”. The route passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. It is traversed using a variety of vehicles with an elevation change of 2400 meters from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture.

We started our journey in the opposite direction, from Shimano Omachi Station to Toyama. We took a very early bus from Matsumoto to Shimano Omachi Station. From there, we experienced different modes of transportation along the route while appreciating the beauty of nature along the way.

Our first stop is Kurobe Dam after 15 minutes ride on tunnel bus. It was a pitch dark journey. But when we emerged at the Dam, we were amazed by the gorgeous dam with roaring discharged water. It is the highest dam in Japan.

Water released from the dam

Kurobe Dam

Our journey continued with a Kurobe cable car and Tateyama ropeway to Daikanbo at 2316m, where we could soak in the surrounding beauty of green mountains at the observation deck. It was a feeling at the top of the world, though it is not the highest point.

Tateyama Ropeway

Daikanbo viewing deck

Next, it was the highest peak and the most beautiful view in the route, Murodo at 2450m. It offers fantastic views of the Tateyama Mountain Range, where many nature trails are found. Soaking in the alpine views makes us feel like living in a cloud.

Mikurigaike Pond

Surrounding partially melted glaciers

Marvelous Murodo

Our journey ended at the other end of Tateyama by a highland bus followed by a Tateyama cable car. From there, we took a train to Toyama for next destination.

It had been a full day trip, one way journey along the Roof of Japan, with a variety of transportation modes. However, the views were worth a visit.