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Discover Japan’s alpine wonders on this 2-day Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route “Snow Wall” & Shirakawa-go Tour from Tokyo.
On Day 1, visit the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go, enjoying free time to explore its historic Gassho-style houses and scenic viewpoints.
On Day 2, experience the full one-way traverse of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Tateyama to Ogizawa, highlighted by the seasonal Snow Otani Walk at Murodo, where massive snow walls can reach up to 20 meters high.
Travel across the Northern Alps using six unique forms of transportation, take in dramatic mountain landscapes and the impressive Kurobe Dam, and relax with an overnight stay at a conveniently located hotel in Toyama City.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Tour guide will hold the HIS logo blue flag or HIS logo meeting board at the meeting point. Meeting time: 07:00 / Golden Week schedule: On 4/25, 4/26, 4/29, 4/30, and 5/2–5/5, departure will be 20 minutes earlier at 06:40.
Itinerary
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1Robert Indiana Sculpture: "LOVE"
07:00 Departure from Shinjuku LOVE ※ During Golden Week (4/25・26・29・30、5/2・3・4・5) departure time will be 20 minutes earlier at 6:40.
Admission ticket free -
2
Shopping for local specialties
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Shirakawago
Shirakawa-go is a historic mountain village famous for its traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, characterized by steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. Together with nearby Gokayama, the village is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving a rural landscape that reflects Japan’s traditional way of life. Scattered throughout the village are well-preserved private homes, open-air museums, small inns, and local restaurants. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk along narrow paths and riversides, take in panoramic views from observation points, and experience the peaceful atmosphere shaped by nature and history. The village offers a rare opportunity to step back in time and appreciate Japan’s authentic countryside scenery.
2 hours • Admission ticket included -
4Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Experience Travel across the mountains between Toyama and Nagano using six different modes of transportation, enjoying constantly changing landscapes and breathtaking alpine scenery. As the route can be complex for independent travelers, an all-inclusive bus tour offers the most convenient and comfortable way to experience it. Near Murodo at an elevation of 2,450 meters, the Otani area is one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall zones. Each spring, snow removal creates dramatic snow walls reaching up to 20 meters high, forming the spectacular Snow Otani—a seasonal phenomenon available for a limited time only. (Snow Otani Walk Period: April 15 – June 25 (tentative))
7 hours • Admission ticket included
World Heritage Site: Shirakawa-go
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- During Golden Week (Apirl: 25, 26, 29, 30、May: 2, 3, 4, 5) departure time will be 20 minutes earlier, at 6:40am.
- Depending on traffic conditions, the time spent in Shirakawa-go may be shortened.
- To reach the Shirakawa-go Observatory, a shuttle bus (separate fee, payable on-site) is required. Due to potential traffic or shuttle bus schedule changes, access to the observatory may not be possible, so please understand in advance.
- On the second day, you will travel to the entrance of the Alpine Route, Tateyama Station, via the Toyama Chiho Railway (approx. 1 hour) or by bus. (Mode of transport cannot be selected and will be confirmed on the day.)
- If traveling by train, a 15-minute walk from the hotel to Dentetsu Toyama Station is required.
- The Toyama Chiho Railway offers unreserved seating, and seats cannot be guaranteed.
- If traveling by bus, please note that it will not be a tour bus. For both train and bus travel, luggage (excluding valuables) must be stored at the hotel front desk at checkout. Luggage will be loaded onto the tour bus after departure and returned to you at Ogizawa Station after the Alpine Route tour, meaning you will not be able to access to it for half a day.
- On Day 2, departure times will vary according to your Alpine Route reservation and will fall between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM. The exact departure time will be confirmed at check-in on Day 1. Arrival times will likewise depend on the assigned Alpine Route schedule.
- In case of severe weather conditions, movement along the Alpine Route may be suspended for everyone's safety. In such cases, a refund for the unused Alpine Route will be issued, and alternative sightseeing destinations will be provided.
- This tour involves more changes in transport modes (elevators, stairs, cable cars, trolleys, and walking) than other courses in a short time. Please be prepared to strictly adhere to your guide's instructions.
- The Snow Otani Walk is generally available from April 15 to June 25. Even during this period, the entry may be canceled due to bad weather. In such cases, no refunds will be provided, as this visit is normally offered free of charge.
- During the Snow Otani period, temperatures around Murodo can drop below freezing. As you will be walking in the snow at a high elevation, please wear warm clothing and waterproof, comfortable shoes. Snow glare at Murodo can be intense, so we recommend bringing sunglasses or other eye protection.
- Luggage: We can store your luggage on the bus, but you are responsible for managing your valuables. (We only accept small suitcases with total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 110 cm or less.）
- Please ensure you bring comfortable shoes (waterproof ones are suggested, but not essential) and warm clothing for the tour.
- Please arrive at the designated meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
- In the unlikely event that the tour is significantly delayed, and you incur expenses such as a taxi fare or accommodation, we regret that our company cannot accept any claim for compensation. We strongly recommend leaving ample time for connections after the tour.
- Depending on the final number of participants, the tour may use a medium-sized or small bus instead of a large one.
- The tour may be subject to cancellation or itinerary changes if the minimum number of 20 participants is not met. We will inform you at least 13 days prior to the departure date.
- We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests for seating, and hotel rooms (if applicable to the tour). If we cannot meet a request, we will inform you in advance.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the bus and Hotel rooms.
- Please be mindful of the person behind you when you recline your seat. For safety reasons, the guide may advise against using the recliner on certain routes.
- Bringing pets of any kind is not permitted on the tour. (Excluding certified service animals, with prior notice.)
- You may eat onboard, but please avoid food with strong smell or items like ice cream which may damage the bus interior.
- The bus is not equipped with a restroom. The bus will make scheduled stops for bathroom breaks.
- We can store your luggage on the bus, but you are responsible for managing your valuables.
- Bus seats will be assigned by the company. While we understand seating preferences, specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed.
- In accordance with Japan's "Work Style Reform Law," the conductor's working hours are legally restricted. Therefore, meal times during the itinerary will be designated as the tour conductor's rest period.
- Lost and found items will be held for two weeks after the tour ends. When contacting us about them, it will be helpful to tell us your seating position during the tour.
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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