FAQ

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Tateyama Station (Toyama Prefecture, west side) and Ogizawa (Nagano Prefecture, east side).

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It varies depending on the season. Please see the timetable.

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Only the Tateyama Cable Car departing Tateyama Station, and the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus departing Ogizawa, require a designated boarding time. You can reserve a departure time when purchasing web tickets, but for other advance tickets and same-day tickets, boarding times must be reserved at the station’s ticket window. Reservations are not required at other stations, so please check the timetable and head to the boarding gate accordingly.

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You can get off at Midagahara and Tengudaira. However, because all passengers are required to be seated, reservations are required to re-board the bus.
If you get off at Midagahara, please make your re-boarding reservation at Midagahara Station.
If you get off at Tengudaira, please make your reservation at Tengudaira Mountain Lodge.

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You can enjoy sightseeing and walking around at each station during your transfers. Please check the timetable and ensure that you do not miss your transfer.

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There are parking lots at Tateyama Station (Toyama side) and at Ogizawa (Nagano side). Cars are not permitted on the Alpine Route (between Tateyama Station & Ogizawa), so if you are passing through, please use the car forwarding service.

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1. Purchase your web ticket in advance through the official website. (You must collect your ticket from the ticket machine before boarding.)
2. Purchase tickets in advance through a travel agency. Tickets must be exchanged, and departure times reserved, on the day of travel.
3. Purchase same-day tickets at Alpine Route stations. (Tickets cannot be purchased the day before travel.)

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Yes. Even when web tickets are sold out, same day tickets will remain available, but your desired departure time may be fully booked and additional waits may be required.

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At Tateyama Station it opens 20 min before the first departure time, and at Ogizawa Station it is 40 min in advance.
The Alpine Route ticket window at Dentetsu Toyama Station usually opens at 7:30 but may open as early as 5:00 on certain days. If you are departing Dentetsu Toyama Station early in the morning, please purchase only your train ticket at first, and then purchase tickets for the additional routes on your journey upon arrival at Tateyama Station.

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Ticket purchases and exchanges cannot be made the day before travel. Please come to the ticket window on the day that you will use the tickets.

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Cards can be used at Dentetsu Toyama, Tateyama, Bijodaira, Midagahara, Murodo, Daikanbo, Kurobedaira, Kurobeko, Kurobe Dam, and Ogizawa stations.

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Both one-way and round-trip tickets are available and cover all sections to your destination. However, depending on the station, tickets for some sections may not be available.

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Your ticket is valid for 5 days from the first day of use, for both one-way & round-trip travel.

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The journey from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa usually takes 6-8 hours, including transfers and sightseeing time. It is expected to be particularly busy during the snow wall season and on Japanese holidays, so please allow yourself plenty of time.
See suggested model course for details."

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Water sprays continuously throughout the day from June 26 to October 15. The water release may be canceled due to weather conditions.

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The use of drones is not permitted.

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Go up the stairs at Murodo Station and turn left from the rooftop. You will reach the photo spot in about 15 min.

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After getting off the bus at Murodo Station, the highest point of the snow wall is a 15 min walk from the designated entrance. Snow wall touring can be enjoyed from mid-April till late June.

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The elevation changes by 2,000 m across the Alpine Route, so the best viewing time varies from spot to spot. Mid-September till early November is considered the best viewing time.

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There are a variety of hiking trails in Murodo, as well as some in Midagahara and Bijodaira.

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At the highest point on the Alpine Route (Murodo 2,450 m), temperatures are about 15℃ (60℉) lower than at sea level. Please refer to the followings for temperatures (at Murodo elevation 2,450 m) and clothing recommendations

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Average monthly temperatures within the Alpine Route – Murodo

Month	Highest temperature	Lowest temperature
4	6°C (43°F)	-3°C (27°F)
5	10°C (50°F)	3°C (37°F)
6	14°C (57°F)	7°C (45°F)
7	16°C (61°F)	11°C (52°F)
8	18°C (64°F)	12°C (54°F)
9	15°C (59°F)	9°C (48°F)
10	10°C (50°F)	3°C (37°F)
11	2°C (36°F)	-5°C (23°F)

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Toyama City, around Tateyama Station, Matsumoto City, Omachi City, Omachi Onsenkyo(Omachi Hot Springs) and Nagano City are good places to stay before or after visiting.
On the Alpine Route itself, accommodation is available at Hotel Tateyama, Midagahara Hotel, Mikurigaike Onsen (hot springs), Murodo Mountain Lodge, and Tengudaira Mountain Lodge.

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A baggage forwarding service is available that allows you to collect your luggage on the same day. See details here.

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There is a car forwarding service between Tateyama Station & Ogizawa. See details here.

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Coin lockers are available at Tateyama, Bijodaira, Midagahara, Murodo, Kurobe Dam, and Ogizawa stations.

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Water is available at Tateyama, Murodo, Kurobedaira, and Kurobe Dam stations. Please ask staff for more information at each location.

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Elevators are only in operation at Ogizawa Station and Tateyama Nature Conservation Center (Murodo). Please speak to a member of staff if you require assistance.

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Wheelchairs are placed at each station for backup and emergency use. However, it is not possible to use one chair continuously across the Alpine Route.

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We do not provide baby carriage rentals. Furthermore, we recommend using compact carriages as there are many stairs and transfers.

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Smoking is permitted only within the designated smoking area at each station.

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Mobile phones get reception at most stations.
Wi-fi is available, free of charge, at Tateyama, Bijodaira, Murodo, Daikanbo, Kurobedaira, and Kurobeko stations. E-mail authentication is required, so it’s convenient to register in advance.

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There are no ATMs along the length of the Alpine Route.