Tateyama Snow Corridor
Walk through towering snow walls up to 20m high on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, a surreal spring spectacle.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Highest snow walls
Tateyama Snow Corridor
Best Time
Highest snow walls
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Walk through towering snow walls up to 20m high on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, a surreal spring spectacle.
"It is a once in a lifetime experience. Do come if God permits!"
🎯 Arrive Early to Beat Crowds
The snow walls get very crowded by 11 AM. Consider staying overnight or arriving before opening for a more serene experience.
🎫 Book Alpine Route Tickets
Purchase your tickets for the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route in advance online, as they sell out quickly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Snow Corridor
Murodo
Walk between towering snow walls, up to 20 meters high, carved into a road. A truly surreal winter wonderland experience.
Murodo Plain
Murodo
Beyond the corridor, explore the vast, snow-covered Murodo Plain for breathtaking alpine scenery.
Bus Ride Through Snow
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
Witness the impressive sight of buses navigating the narrow path carved through the immense snow walls.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Book Your Alpine Route Pass
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Arrive Early to Beat Crowds
The snow walls get very crowded by 11 AM. Consider staying overnight or arriving before opening for a more serene experience.
🎫 Book Alpine Route Tickets
Purchase your tickets for the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route in advance online, as they sell out quickly.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be walking on snow and potentially uneven terrain. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is recommended.
🧥 Dress in Layers
Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Bring warm clothing, even in spring, as it can still be cold and windy.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Arrive Early to Beat Crowds
The snow walls get very crowded by 11 AM. Consider staying overnight or arriving before opening for a more serene experience.
🎫 Book Alpine Route Tickets
Purchase your tickets for the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route in advance online, as they sell out quickly.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be walking on snow and potentially uneven terrain. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is recommended.
🧥 Dress in Layers
Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Bring warm clothing, even in spring, as it can still be cold and windy.
📸 Capture the Scale
The sheer height of the snow walls is astounding. Include people or buses in your shots to emphasize the scale.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently describe the Tateyama Snow Corridor as a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' and 'splendid sight,' marveling at the immense snow walls. Many recommend visiting early to avoid overwhelming crowds and suggest booking Alpine Route tickets in advance. While the snow height can vary, the sheer scale and unique environment are universally praised.
"When we visited in Mid-May 2025, the snow was not as high as few years ago but still in very impressive amount of 16 meters!
If possible, do arrive as early as possible because it will be very crewed by 11:00AM.
We stayed one night at 彌陀之原, so it was not as many people at the time when we arrived. There are two parts of snow wall you can explore, the narrower one is for the people to walk, the larger and higher one is for buses to use! The 16 meters one is the largest of the two!
It is a once in a lifetime experience. Do come if God permits!"
Steven Cheng
"Such a splendid sight! The max height of the snow walls changes from year to year depending on snowfall. They open on April 15th, I recommend going as early as possible before the snow melts too much. Recommend to buy the Alpen route tickets in advance on their website. They go on sale about a month before opening and sell out super quickly! Don’t worry if you didn’t get a web ticket, you can also buy on the day at the different see m stations along the way (Toyama, Tateyama, etc.) they keep a lot of tickets closed for online sale so it’s almost always possible to get a ticket on the day too. The queue to the ticket booths can be long in the mornings though.
There were a lot and i mean A LOT of people during the operational hours. Don’t be fooled by my pictures, I managed to go before the opening hours through a shuttle from the lodge I was staying at. If you want to experience the full Serene and blissful wonder of the snow walls, I recommend staying overnight too. Although if you don’t mind the people, it would make for a good one day trip."
Helena Ying Cecilie Wang
"Tourist must come. This place is very gorgeous and it has a lot of snows and it is easy to do skiing in this park and you take a bus from fu Shan to here it takes around 1 hour to get to this location"
Mischief Marcus
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Snow Corridor is part of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. You can access it from either the Toyama side (Tateyama Station) or the Nagano side (Ogizawa Station). The route involves multiple modes of transport, including buses and cable cars. From Toyama Station, take the Toyama Chiho Railway to Tateyama Station, then begin the Alpine Route.
Yes, you can reach the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route from Tokyo. Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama Station, which is the gateway to the route on the Toyama side. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
The Alpine Route is designed to be traveled sequentially, using various forms of transport. Most visitors travel from Tateyama to Ogizawa (or vice versa). Consider purchasing a full Alpine Route ticket for convenience.
Private cars are not allowed on most of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. You will need to park your car at designated parking lots (e.g., at Tateyama Station or Ogizawa Station) and use the public transport provided along the route.
The entire Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route typically takes a full day to traverse, around 6-8 hours, depending on transfers and any stops you make. If you plan to explore Murodo extensively, consider an overnight stay.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The Tateyama Snow Corridor typically opens in mid-April and closes in mid-June. The exact dates can vary slightly each year depending on snowfall.
Entry to the Snow Corridor itself is usually included with your Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route ticket. The cost of the Alpine Route pass varies depending on your starting and ending points, but expect it to be a significant portion of your travel budget.
You can purchase tickets online in advance through the official Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route website, or on the day of your visit at various stations along the route, such as Toyama, Tateyama, or Ogizawa. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for peak times.
Yes, you can buy one-way tickets or round-trip tickets. If you plan to return to your starting point, a round-trip ticket might be more economical. Consider purchasing a pass that covers all the transport segments.
The Japan Rail Pass generally does not cover the transport within the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, as it uses private railway and bus companies. However, it can be used to get to the gateway stations like Toyama.
📸 📸 Photography
The Snow Corridor itself is the main attraction. Try to capture the immense scale of the walls by including people or the buses. The Murodo Plain offers panoramic views of snow-capped mountains.
Early morning, before the crowds arrive, offers the best light and a more serene atmosphere for photography. Midday can be harsh with direct sunlight reflecting off the snow.
Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare. Expose for the snow to avoid underexposure; you might need to overexpose slightly or use exposure compensation. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vastness.
Drone usage is generally restricted in national parks and sensitive natural areas like the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route to protect wildlife and other visitors. Always check local regulations before flying.
While famous for its snow walls in spring (April-June), the Alpine Route also offers stunning autumn foliage in October and November. The Snow Corridor is specific to the spring season.
🎫 ❄️ Onsite Experience
It's an incredible experience walking through a path carved into massive snow walls, some reaching up to 20 meters high. You can walk a 500-meter section of the corridor.
Weather at Murodo can be very unpredictable and change rapidly. Expect it to be cold, windy, and potentially snowy, even during the spring opening months. Layers are essential.
Yes, Murodo has facilities including restrooms, restaurants, and souvenir shops. There are also hotels if you plan to stay overnight.
While there's a lot of snow, the Snow Corridor itself is a pedestrian walkway and road for buses. Skiing and snowboarding are not permitted within the immediate corridor area, though there might be opportunities elsewhere on the Alpine Route depending on conditions.
The snow walls can reach up to 20 meters (about 66 feet) high, though this varies year by year depending on the amount of snowfall. In some years, they might be slightly lower.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Practical tips for families: Dress children in warm, waterproof layers, as mountain weather can be cold and unpredictable. Bring snacks and drinks, as options can be limited and expensive along the route. Consider purchasing tickets in advance to save time queuing. The sheer scale of the snow walls is a fantastic photo opportunity for memorable family snapshots.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Photography tips: Visit early in the morning for softer light and fewer crowds. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the vastness of the landscape and the towering snow walls. Don't forget a polarizing filter to manage glare from the snow. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, which can add dramatic flair to your photos.
🚶♀️ Adventure Seekers
Adventure tips: Combine your visit to the Snow Corridor with exploring the Murodo Plain. If conditions permit, consider short hikes on the snow. Staying overnight at a mountain lodge can enhance the adventure, allowing for early access to the corridor and a chance to experience the alpine environment after dark.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
+1When planning your trip, it's crucial to understand the sequence of transport. From the Toyama side, you'll typically start with a bus from Tateyama Station, followed by a cable car, a ropeway, the Kurobe Cable Car, and finally the Tateyama Highland Bus to reach Murodo, the location of the Snow Corridor. The journey is designed for breathtaking views at every stage.
Booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons like Golden Week or the opening of the Snow Corridor. You can purchase a full Alpine Route ticket, which covers all the segments, or individual tickets. Consider staying overnight at Murodo or along the route to fully immerse yourself in the alpine environment and avoid the busiest times.
Experiencing the Tateyama Snow Corridor
+1While the Snow Corridor is the main draw, the surrounding Murodo Plain offers further exploration. Depending on conditions, you might be able to walk on the snow-covered landscape, taking in panoramic views of the majestic Northern Alps. The sheer scale of the snow accumulation here is a testament to the region's heavy snowfall.
Timing your visit is key to maximizing your experience. Visiting early in the season (mid-April) guarantees the highest snow walls, but also the largest crowds. Mid-May often provides a good balance, with impressive walls and slightly fewer visitors. If you prefer a more tranquil experience, consider visiting on a weekday or staying overnight to access the corridor before the main rush.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit