tripuuu.log
Event Guide · Chubu & Hokuriku

Yuki no Otani Snow Wall Walk (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)

April–JuneToyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

A signature spring event that begins with the full opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Near Murodo, at about 2,450 m above sea level, you can walk between the towering walls of snow, the ‘Yuki no Otani,’ on both sides of the cleared road. The height of the walls varies from year to year and can exceed 20 m (up to 12 m in 2026).

When
Usually mid-April (the day the Alpine Route fully opens) to late June
Venue
Yuki no Otani walking zone at Murodo (about 2,450 m above sea level) on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture)
Official website
https://www.alpen-route.com/enjoy_navi/snow_otani/
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

Walking between pure white snow walls more than ten meters high is possible only at this time in spring. The entrance is about 5 min on foot from Murodo Terminal, and the highest point of the snow walls about 15 min. From mid-May onward you can also enjoy the view of Mikurigaike Pond, with its snow and blue water.

Times

Times

Yuki no Otani Walk9:30–15:00

In 2026, April 15 (Wed) to June 25 (Thu). Official Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route information

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Yuki no Otani is a road used by buses, so you can only walk it during walk hours (9:30–15:00). Walking outside those hours is dangerous
  • ✓Web tickets, which can be bought in advance, are recommended. During Golden Week you may wait more than an hour at the ticket window of the starting station, and at Tateyama Station 1–2 hours or more to board even after buying a ticket
  • ✓Sunglasses are a must because of the strong glare off the snow. UV rays are strong, and you’ll get more sunburned than you expect
  • ✓Wear waterproof trekking shoes with treaded soles or rubber boots. Shoes with smooth leather soles are not suitable
  • ✓Murodo is at about 2,450 m. The temperature is completely different from the cities of Toyama and Nagano, so bring winter gear
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Murodo Terminal (Tateyama Highland Bus)About 5 min on foot to the Yuki no Otani entranceAbout 15 min on foot from the entrance to the highest point of the snow walls
From major stations
  • Dentetsu-Toyama Station: Toyama Chiho Railway Tateyama Line local train to Tateyama Station (About 65 min)
  • Tateyama Station: Tateyama Cable Car to Bijodaira (7 min), then Tateyama Highland Bus to Murodo (50 min) (About 1 hr (excluding transfer time))
  • Nagano Station: Express bus to Ogizawa Station, then the Alpine Route to Murodo (About 1 hr 45 min to Ogizawa Station)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
Alpine Route ticket counters accept credit cards, but not e-money or QR code payments
Getting back
  • In busy periods there are waits for the return cable car and bus too, so leave Murodo with plenty of time
  • With web tickets, you need to collect your ticket before your boarding time
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Golden Week and weekends
Quieter times
Weekdays after Golden Week
Time needed
Allow a total of 4–5 hours for the round trip from Tateyama Station to Murodo (including about 2 hours of sightseeing at Murodo)
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Toyama’s May normals are a high of 22.7°C and a low of 12.9°C (April: high 17.6°C, low 7.4°C; June: high 25.7°C, low 17.7°C). However, Murodo, at about 2,450 m, is much colder, and the official website says spring temperatures are around -5 to -10°C
What to wear
Winter gear such as gloves, a hat and a neck warmer, plus a front-opening jacket that is easy to take on and off. You warm up while walking, so adjust with layers
Rain, snow & typhoons
Mountain weather changes quickly. Check same-day official information on transport operations and whether the walk is held in bad weather
Where to check for cancellations
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route official website (https://www.alpen-route.com/)
☁ Chubu & Hokuriku weather in April →☁ Chubu & Hokuriku weather in May →☁ Chubu & Hokuriku weather in June →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Pets are not allowed (to protect nature in Chubu-Sangaku National Park)
  • !Refrain from using drones around the managed facilities
  • !Do not walk Yuki no Otani outside walk hours
  • !Do not climb or carve the snow walls
  • !Take your trash home
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Every station from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station has wheelchair-accessible toilets. Tateyama and Ogizawa stations have toilets available 24 hours
Lockers & luggage
Coin lockers are available at Tateyama, Bijodaira, Midagahara, Murodo, Kurobe Dam and Ogizawa stations
Paying at food stalls
Ticket counters accept credit cards but not e-money or QR code payments. Most restaurants accept credit cards, e-money and QR code payments
ATMs
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Every station from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station has wheelchair-accessible toilets. If you need assistance, check the guidance on the official website in advance
Food

Food

Local favorites
Shiro-ebi (white shrimp)Masu-zushi (trout sushi)Restaurants at Murodo
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so it helps to bring your own food in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Staying at a mountain hotel around Murodo, near Tateyama Station, or in Toyama City lets you get going early. Early booking is recommended for Golden Week

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Yuki no Otani Snow Wall Walk (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)PR

PRSee more places to stay near Yuki no Otani Snow Wall Walk (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route) on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Experience

Kurobe Gorge Railway (Torokko Train)

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

A torokko (open-air) train running from Unazuki Onsen deep into the Kurobe Gorge. Full-line service between Unazuki and Keyakidaira resumed on October 1, 2026, and you can ride all the way to the Keyakidaira terminus during the operating season until November 30. From the windowless open cars, you can enjoy the beauty of the gorge and the views from the railway bridges.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Chubu & Hokuriku

January–February

Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Shirakawa-go

Usually a few days in January–February (fully reservation-only)

2027 (41st): 4 days, Jan 11 (Mon, holiday), Jan 17 (Sun), Jan 24 (Sun) & Jan 31 (Sun)

April

Inuyama Matsuri

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya

Usually the first Saturday and Sunday of April (Saturday is the Shigaku-sai, Sunday the Honraku-sai)

June

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kanazawa

Usually 3 days in early June (the Hyakumangoku Procession is on Saturday; June 5–7 in 2026, procession on June 6)

August

Matsumoto Bonbon

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Matsumoto / Kamikochi

Usually the first Saturday of August

September

Owara Kaze no Bon

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Every year September 1–3

Photo coming soonOctober

Nagoya Festival

Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya

Usually a Saturday and Sunday in mid-October

2026 (72nd): Oct 17 (Sat) – Oct 18 (Sun), 2 days (no Nagoya Festival processions)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

PRKlookTateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Day Tour from NaganoA guided tour from Nagano Station, riding a series of vehicles from Ogizawa via Kurobe Dam and Murodo to Tateyama StationView