REPORT

One of the greatest attractions of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is the chance to experience two seasons in a single day. Today, Tateyama Station, which sits at an elevation of 475 meters above sea level, felt like summer, while Murodo Station, 2,450 meters above sea level, still looked and felt like early spring, with abundant snow remaining. After arriving at Murodo, I hurried over to Mikurigaike Pond, where I was able to photograph the melting ice (pictured)—one of the sights I had been hoping to see—as well as several rock ptarmigans. (※ As always, the chances of spotting ptarmigans here remain remarkably high.)
[Mikurigaike Pond]

From Murodo, there are only two ways to continue down toward the Toyama side: the Tateyama Highland Bus and the Tateyama Cable Car. On the 10:40 a.m. Highland Bus, I chose a seat on the right-hand side to enjoy the best views. After passing through the famous Snow Corridor, where the snow walls still towered as high as eight meters, the route offered beautiful views of Shomyo Falls and the towering Tateyama cedars. (※ I had hoped to explore Midagahara, but decided to save it for another time because so much snow still remained.) At the Tateyama Cable Car (pictured), the conductor gave passengers a cheerful wave as the car departed.
[Tateyama Station]

The Tateyama Bus Center (pictured, foreground), where I picked up my car post-transfer, is conveniently located just outside Tateyama Station (pictured, background). After handing over my claim receipt at the counter, I was reunited with my vehicle and confirmed that everything was in perfect condition before setting off for Shomyo Falls. Although a shuttle bus (¥500 for adults, ¥250 for children) also serves the falls, I chose to drive this time, giving me greater flexibility to explore at my own pace.
[Tateyama Station]

Finally, I arrived at the main destination of my journey—Shomyo Falls (pictured), the tallest waterfall in Japan! After passing through the Katsuradai Gate on Prefectural Route 6 (open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), it was about a five-minute drive to the falls, or roughly twelve minutes from Tateyama Station to the free Shomyodaira Parking Area, which accommodates 247 vehicles. From there, it’s an easy walk along a paved footpath to the viewing area. (To be continued in Car Transfer Service, Pt. 3!)
[Shomyo Falls Viewing Area]

　
[Kurobe Dam]
*Location … Omachi, Nagano Prefecture & Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture
*Operating Period … April 15, 2026 – November 30, 2026
*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, 2026 – November 30, 2026
*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
　
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reported by Snownavi