Modes of Transportation
Crossing the Japanese Alps by various modes of transportation gives you a unique experience. Enjoy the elevation change of 2,000m and diverse landscapes.
Please note that transport may be suspended or delayed due to the weather or vehicle breakdown. In particular, highland bus services may be suspended in November in case of heavy snowfall.
During peak periods, the boarding time may be changed sometimes. Please adhere to the timing in such cases.
Tateyama Cable Car (Tateyama Station – Bijodaira)
This elevates you 500 m in a single trip. The average gradient here is 24 degrees, and a site with unique rock formations named “Zaimoku-ishi” (timber rocks) is also visible from the cable car.
| Time required | 7 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 1.3 km |
| Difference in elevation between stations | 502 m |
Tateyama Highland Bus (Bijodaira – Midagahara – Murodo)
You will be captivated by the views as you travel through the range with a 1500 m of change in altitude. The large trees in the forests, the highlands, and the mountain ranges, are all here and are the famous features of the route.
| Time required | 50 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 23 km |
| Difference in elevation between stations | 1473 m |
Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus (Murodo – Daikanbo)
The highest altitude Electric bus in Japan (2450 m). This bus runs inside a tunnel, piercing through the heart of Mt. Tateyama(3015 m high). The bus is powered by electricity, so the bus is “green” and does not produce exhaust fumes.
| Time required | 10 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 3.7 km |
| Difference in elevation between stations | 134 m |
Tateyama Ropeway (Daikanbo – Kurobedaira)
This is the only ropeway in Japan without pylons along its span. It is like a “moving observatory” giving a full panoramic view of the surrounding nature.
| Time required | 7 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 1.7 km |
| Difference in elevation between stations | 488 m |
Kurobe Cable Car (Kurobedaira – Kurobeko)
This is the only underground cable car in Japan, allowing it to be unaffected by snowfall.
| Time required | 5 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 0.8 km |
| Difference in elevation between stations | 373 m |
Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus (Kurobe Dam – Ogizawa)
The Electric bus crosses the border between Toyama and Nagano Prefectures, which one of the most inaccessible places before the construction of the Kurobe Dam.
| Time required | 16 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 6.1 km |
| Difference in elevation between stations | 37 m |
Toyama Chihou Railway (Dentetsu Toyama – Tateyama Sta）
A train to Tateyama from Dentetsu Toyama. The train gives views of the rural landscape of Japan, and a magnificent view of the Tateyama mountains is also visible from the train.
| Time required | 65 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 34 km |
Local Bus (Ogizawa – Shinano Omachi)
This public bus runs between Shinano Omachi and Ogizawa. This bus also provides access to Omachi Onsen (hot springs).
| Time required | 40 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 18 km |
Express Bus（Ogizawa-Nagano)
Express buses run between Nagano and Ogizawa. Nagano Station is connected to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, making it easy to access from Tokyo.
| Time required | 100 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 61 km |
Shomyo Bus (Tateyama Sta – Shomyo Falls)
The bus to Shomyo Falls is available from Tateyama Station, and the observation deck is approximately 20 mins walk from the bus stop. From the observation deck, you can get a close look at the powerful waterfall (350 meters high).
| Time required | 20 mins |
|---|---|
| Distance traveled | 7.1 km |
