REPORT

Fresh spring foliage is now starting to bud around Kurobe Dam, located at an elevation of 1,470 meters. With today’s pleasant weather, families could be seen enjoying the view from the dam (pictured), including one family with a two-seater stroller. Starting on 6/26 (Thu.), the famous “Kurobe Dam Sightseeing Water Discharge” will begin for the 2025 season. Several other special tours are also planned, including the “Kanden Tunnel Fault Zone Tour,” the “Panoramic Observation Deck Route Tour,” and the “Kurobe Dame Lakeside Walking Tour.”
[Kurobe Dam]

Meanwhile, the area around Murodo Terminal—the highest station along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, at an elevation of 2,450 meters—is still mostly covered in lingering snow. While walking along the loop trail around the Mikuriga-ike Pond, I was lucky enough to spot a ptarmigan that was transitioning into its summer plumage. During this season, the males (pictured) are easier to find as they make distinctive calls in order to mark their territory.
[Mikuriga-ike]

Today’s main destination, the Mikuriga-ike Pond (pictured), has just begun to thaw. The pools of meltwater on the snow’s surface created beautiful shades of deep blue. Although I walked mostly on snow, the compacted snow was firm enough that my feet didn’t sink in too deep, and I had no issues even without crampons or spikes—but you will want to have waterproof shoes.
[Mikuriga-ike]

I ran into a couple from Tokyo (pictured), dressed in a wedding gown and tuxedo, who shared, “We met in the mountains, and we wanted to take our photos in the snow-covered peaks, so that’s why we came all the way to Tateyama. We were able to capture the most amazing shots surrounded by this stunning scenery!” Speaking of couples, it’s said that once a male and female ptarmigan mate, they stay together for life. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness—just like the ptarmigan.
[Murodo-Daira]

　
[Kurobe Dam]
*Location … Omachi, Nagano Prefecture & Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture
*Operating Period … April 15, 2025 – November 30, 2025
*Fare … Round trip by electric bus (Ogisawa – Kurobe Dam): JPY3,200 for adults, JPY1,600 for elementary school students
*Parking … Ogisawa Station: JPY1,000/day for passenger cars (free parking is also available)

[Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route]
*Location … Omachi, Nagano Prefecture & Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture
*Opening period … April 15, 2025 – November 30, 2025
*Ougisawa Station Parking lot … JPY1,000/12 hours for passenger cars (*Free parking is also available)
*Required time … Approximately 1 hour from Hakuba Village to Ogisawa Station by car.
*Transportation from Ogisawa to Murodo … JPY12,300 round trip for adults, JPY6,150 for children
　
reported by Snownavi