REPORT

The sightseeing water discharge at Kurobe Dam began on 6/26 (Thurs.). From the Alpine Route’s Nagano-side entrance at Ogizawa Station, visitors can take a 16-minute ride on the electric bus to Kurobe Dam Station, then climb the 220 underground steps up to the dam observation deck (pictured). From there, the majestic peaks of the Tateyama Mountain Range come into view, with Oyama (3,003m), Onanji-yama (3,015m), and Fuji-no-oritate (2,990m) directly in front of you, and the deep blue expanse of Lake Kurobe stretching off to your left.
[Kurobe Dam・Dam Observation Deck]

From the dam observation deck (pictured, top right), I descended the thrilling outdoor staircase (pictured) to reach the new observation point plaza (pictured, bottom left). Along the staircase, you can see a massive concrete bucket and pulley that were used during the dam’s construction. As the thin clouds that had covered the sun earlier in the morning began to clear, the temperature rose quickly, making it feel quite hot.
[Kurobe Dam・Outside Stairs]

The highlight of my visit was watching the sightseeing water discharge from the new observation area (pictured). The powerful torrent of water released from Japan’s tallest dam (186 meters) was truly impressive, and the occasional mist in the air along with the rainbows visible below only added to the excitement. Afterwards, I visited the replica tunnel set used in the filming of the movie Kurobe no Taiyo, then climbed up to the top of the dam to enjoy the discharge from higher up and directly above.
[Kurobe Dam・New Observation Area]

I ran into the mascot character Kuronyon (it must have been hot inside that costume!) in front of the Kurobe Dam Rest House. There I spoke with a family visiting from Kanagawa (pictured), who told me with a smile, “This was our first time on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. That long outdoor staircase on the way to the new observation plaza really did us in.” By the way, if you haven’t noticed, the hanging straps on the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus are shaped like Kuronyon!
[Kurobe Dam]

　
[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