Tateyama Kurobe Travel Guide: One-Day Itinerary and Recommended Routes (JR and Self-Driving)

Latest modified date: 2025-03-13 | Categories: Japan Travel

In the previous two articles, we introduced the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, including transportation, boarding methods, station facilities, main attractions, and visiting times, as well as how to purchase the Tateyama Kurobe Ticket and JR Pass. This article will cover the Tateyama Kurobe Travel Guide to recommend some routes for exploring the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route based on different itineraries, including the time required for each route, as well as self-driving and JR Pass travel arrangements. In addition to the itinerary in Tateyama Kurobe, we will also include plans for visiting other attractions in the Chubu and Hokuriku regions.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a mountain sightseeing route that connects several attractions on the Tateyama Kurobe mountain range through six different mountain transportation methods. The main attractions include Murodo, Daikanbo, Kurobe Dam, and Kurobe Lake. These four places are must-visit spots when exploring Tateyama Kurobe. Bijodaira, Midagahara, and Tengudaira are mainly hiking areas, so if your purpose is general sightseeing rather than hiking, you can skip these places. Additionally, the six mountain transportation methods on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route each have their own unique features, and riding these vehicles is an important part of the experience, especially the Tateyama Ropeway.

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Recommended Tateyama Kurobe Itineraries

The starting point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture, and the endpoint is Ogizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture. It takes about 8 hours to explore the entire route, so most tourists arrange a one-day trip to Tateyama Kurobe.

There are two ways to explore Tateyama Kurobe: one-way and round-trip. A one-way itinerary involves starting from one side, traveling in one direction along the entire route, and descending from the other side. For example, starting from Tateyama Station, heading east through Bijodaira, Murodo, Daikanbo, Kurobedaira, Kurobe Dam, and finally arriving at Ogizawa Station. Alternatively, you can start from Ogizawa Station, heading west through Kurobe Dam, Kurobedaira, Daikanbo, Murodo, Bijodaira, and finally arriving at Tateyama Station.

A round-trip itinerary involves starting from one side, exploring the attractions, and then returning to the starting point. For example, starting from Tateyama Station, heading east through Bijodaira, Murodo, Daikanbo, Kurobedaira, Kurobe Dam, and then returning to Tateyama Station. Alternatively, starting from Ogizawa Station, heading west through Kurobe Dam, Kurobedaira, Daikanbo, Murodo, and then returning to Ogizawa Station.

Most tourists visit Tateyama Kurobe on a one-day trip, but if you have more time, you can choose to stay overnight on Tateyama and split the trip into two days. You can start from one side on the first day, stay overnight on Tateyama, and descend from the other side on the second day. If you stay overnight, you don’t need to start too early on the first day, and you can explore the attractions before the crowds arrive on the second day.

Depending on the chosen itinerary (one-way, round-trip, or overnight stay), as well as the starting and ending points, there are eight possible combinations for exploring Tateyama Kurobe:

One-Way Itinerary
- From Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station
- From Ogizawa Station to Tateyama Station
Round-Trip Itinerary
- From Tateyama Station to Tateyama Station
- From Ogizawa Station to Ogizawa Station
Overnight Stay on Tateyama
- From Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station
- From Ogizawa Station to Tateyama Station
- From Tateyama Station to Tateyama Station
- From Ogizawa Station to Ogizawa Station

Regardless of the chosen itinerary, it’s important to pay attention to the timetables of the various transportation methods, especially the last train or bus. Below are the timetables for the various transportation methods on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route:

(1) One-Way Itinerary

A one-way itinerary is the most efficient way to explore Tateyama Kurobe, as it doesn’t require backtracking to the starting point, saving time and allowing for a more relaxed schedule. Most tour groups and independent travelers choose this option.

A one-way itinerary from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station takes about 8 hours, depending on the time spent at each attraction. This includes travel time, waiting time, lunch, and time spent at Murodo, Daikanbo, Kurobedaira, and Kurobe Dam.

You can start from Tateyama Station and end at Ogizawa Station, or vice versa. The choice of starting point depends on your travel plans before and after visiting Tateyama Kurobe, as well as hotel availability.

1. From Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station

The main advantage of starting from Tateyama Station is the convenience of accommodation the night before. Tateyama Station is close to Toyama City, with a one-hour train ride via the Toyama Chitetsu Railway. Toyama City offers more hotel options and is more convenient for dining and lodging.

Below is a sample one-way itinerary from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station, taking approximately 8 hours:

08:40	Take the Tateyama Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira
08:47	Arrive at Bijodaira, queue for the Tateyama Highland Bus
09:00	Take the Tateyama Highland Bus from Bijodaira to Murodo
09:50	Arrive at Murodo
10:00	Explore Murodo, focus on the Snow Wall from April to June, and visit Mikurigaike Pond and Jigokudani in other months
12:30	Have lunch at the Murodo Tateyama Restaurant
13:45	Take the Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus from Murodo to Daikanbo
13:55	Arrive at Daikanbo
14:00	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at the Daikanbo Observatory
14:40	Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira
14:47	Arrive at Kurobedaira
14:50	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at the Kurobedaira Observatory
15:20	Take the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko
15:25	Arrive at Kurobeko
15:30	Visit the Kurobe Dam
16:35	Take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa Station
16:51	Arrive at Ogizawa Station

The above is the itinerary from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station. If you need to take trains and buses from Toyama City to Tateyama Station, and from Ogizawa Station to Omachi Onsen, Shinano Omachi, Matsumoto, or Nagano City, you also need to consider the schedules of the Toyama Chitetsu Railway and Alpico Bus. According to the above itinerary, if you need to take the train from Toyama City to Tateyama Station, you should take the Toyama Chitetsu train departing at 7:12 in the morning, and you will have about 20 minutes to take photos after arriving at Tateyama Station. The Alpico Route Bus from Ogizawa Station to Omachi Onsen and Shinano Omachi departs at 17:05 or 17:55, but note that the 17:55 bus is the last one, and after November 4th, the last bus departs at 17:05.

Additionally, if you need to take the Alpico Express Bus to Nagano City, since the last bus departs at 17:00, you only have 9 minutes to get to the bus station after arriving at Ogizawa Station from the Kurobe Dam. If you don’t want to rush, you can shorten your visit to the Kurobe Dam and take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus departing at 16:05, or you can shorten your stay at Murodo by half an hour and take the earlier bus from Murodo to Kurobe Dam.

From April 15th to November 3rd, there are 5-6 earlier departures for the Tateyama Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira before 8:40. If you want more time to explore, you can leave earlier and take an earlier departure. After 16:35, there are also 2 more departures for the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa Station. If you are not in a hurry after descending, you can take a later departure. However, after November 3rd, the earliest departure for the Tateyama Cable Car is at 8:40, and the last departure for the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus is at 16:35, so you cannot ascend earlier or descend later.

2. Ascend from Ogizawa Station, Descend from Tateyama Station

If you stay in Nagano Prefecture the night before visiting Tateyama Kurobe, you should ascend from Ogizawa Station on the Nagano side. If you stay at a hot spring inn in Omachi Onsen, it is even more convenient, as the journey between Omachi Onsen and Ogizawa Station is only about 15 minutes, much closer than traveling from Toyama City to Tateyama Station. Additionally, the Alpico Route Bus from Shinano Omachi via Omachi Onsen to Ogizawa Station is more frequent than the Toyama Chitetsu Railway, with buses every 30 minutes during the morning rush hour. Although the bus capacity is much smaller than the train, since there are fewer tourists ascending from Ogizawa Station compared to Tateyama Station, there are usually seats available.

Below is a reference itinerary for a one-way trip from Ogizawa Station to Tateyama Station, with a total duration of approximately 8 hours.

09:00	Take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Ogizawa Station to Kurobe Dam Station
09:16	Arrive at Kurobe Dam
09:25	Visit the Kurobe Dam
10:30	Take the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobeko to Kurobedaira
10:35	Arrive at Kurobedaira
10:40	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at the Kurobedaira Observatory
11:10	Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Kurobedaira to Daikanbo
11:17	Arrive at Daikanbo
11:20	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at the Daikanbo Observatory
11:45	Take the Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus from Daikanbo to Murodo
11:55	Arrive at Murodo
12:00	Have lunch at the Murodo Tateyama Restaurant
13:00	Explore Murodo, focus on the Snow Wall from April to June, and visit Mikurigaike Pond and Jigokudani in other months
15:40	Take the Tateyama Highland Bus from Murodo to Bijodaira
16:30	Arrive at Bijodaira, queue for the Tateyama Cable Car
16:40	Take the Tateyama Cable Car from Bijodaira to Tateyama Station
16:47	Arrive at Tateyama Station

The above is the itinerary from Ogizawa Station to Tateyama Station. If you need to take the bus from Shinano Omachi or Omachi Onsen to Ogizawa Station, you can take the Alpico Route Bus departing from Shinano Omachi at 8:00, which arrives at Ogizawa Station at 8:40, giving you 20 minutes to transfer and take photos.

Additionally, if you need to take the train to Toyama City after arriving at Tateyama Station, according to the above itinerary, you can take the Toyama Chitetsu train departing from Tateyama Station at 17:30, arriving in Toyama City around 6:30 PM.

From April 15 to November 3, there will be 3 to 4 Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus running from Ogizawa Station to Kurobe Dam before 9:00. If you want to have more time to visit, you can leave early and take an earlier bus. There will also be 2 Tateyama Cable Cars running from Bijodaira to Tateyama Station after 16:40. If you are not in a hurry after going down the mountain, you can also take a later bus. However, after November 3, the earliest service of the Kanden Tunnel electric bus is at 9:00, and the last service of the Tateyama Cable Car is at 16:40, so it is not possible to go up the mountain early or go down the mountain late.

Note 1: Vehicle Transportation for Self-Driving Tourists

Although one-way travel is more time-efficient, allowing more time for sightseeing and a more relaxed itinerary, the biggest problem for self-driving tourists is how to handle their vehicles.

If you are self-driving and want to use a one-way itinerary for Tateyama Kurobe, you can use the services of some vehicle transportation companies to drive your vehicle from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station, or vice versa. The official website of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route introduces the following five vehicle transportation companies:

Among these five vehicle transportation companies, except for Alpen Carry Service, which only has a Japanese website, the other four companies have English websites. If you want to use these companies’ vehicle transportation services, you can make a reservation via email or directly on their websites. The cost to transport a standard car from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station (or vice versa) is approximately 30,000 yen. If you pay in advance by credit card or bank transfer, you can get a discount of about 20%.

The vehicle transportation method involves a driver from the transportation company driving the vehicle from one side of Tateyama Kurobe (e.g., Tateyama Station) to the other side (e.g., Ogizawa Station). The image below shows the transportation route displayed on the Omachi Traffic Co., Ltd. website.

Since the vehicle is driven, it will consume fuel, and these costs are not included in the transportation fee and must be borne by the customer. The transportation route generally uses regular roads and does not use highways.

Although you can have the transportation company deliver your vehicle to the other side where you descend, the transportation fee is quite expensive. Therefore, for self-driving tourists, a one-way itinerary may not be the best choice, and a round-trip or staying overnight on Tateyama may be better.

Note 2: Luggage Transportation for Non-Self-Driving Tourists

If you are not self-driving to Tateyama Kurobe, you don’t need to worry about the expensive vehicle transportation fees, but there is still a small issue to handle, which is luggage.

Since most of the transportation on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route does not have space for large luggage, you cannot bring large luggage up the mountain. If you use a one-way itinerary, you need to use the luggage transportation service to send your luggage to the hotel or service station on the other side. For more information on luggage transportation, refer to Section II.(3) “Luggage Issues When Visiting Tateyama Kurobe” in the article Tateyama Kurobe (Part 1): Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Transportation, Station Facilities, and Attractions Introduction.

(2) Round-Trip Itinerary for Tateyama Kurobe

If you are self-driving but do not want to spend the expensive vehicle transportation fee, or if your itinerary is only arranged on one side of Tateyama Kurobe and you do not want to descend on the other side, a round-trip itinerary may be more suitable. However, since a round-trip itinerary requires returning to the original starting point, it takes more time, generally 1-2 hours longer than a one-way itinerary.

1. Ascend and Descend from Tateyama Station

Most of the main tourist spots in the Hokuriku region are located on the west side of Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Gifu Prefecture. Many tourists visiting Tateyama Kurobe also plan to visit other attractions in these three prefectures, such as Kurobe Gorge, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama. Therefore, most tourists using a round-trip itinerary will ascend from Tateyama Station. Tourists ascending from Tateyama Station using a round-trip itinerary generally return after reaching Kurobe Dam. Among the six types of transportation on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, they will not take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus, but will take the other five types of transportation twice.

Below is a reference itinerary for a round-trip from Tateyama Station to Kurobe Dam and back to Tateyama Station, with a total duration of approximately 9.5 hours, about 1.5 hours longer than a one-way itinerary.

08:00	Take the Tateyama Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira.
08:07	Arrive at Bijodaira, queue for the Tateyama Highland Bus.
08:20	Take the Tateyama Highland Bus from Bijodaira to Murodo.
09:10	Arrive at Murodo.
09:15	Explore Murodo. From April to June, focus on the Snow Wall (Yuki-no-Otani). In other months, visit Mikurigaike Pond, Jigokudani, etc.
11:45	Take the Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus from Murodo to Daikanbo.
11:55	Arrive at Daikanbo.
12:00	Have lunch at Daikanbo Restaurant.
12:45	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at Daikanbo Observatory.
13:20	Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira.
13:27	Arrive at Kurobedaira.
13:30	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at Kurobedaira Observatory.
14:00	Take the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko.
14:05	Arrive at Kurobeko.
14:10	Visit the Kurobe Dam.
15:20	Take the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobeko to Kurobedaira.
15:25	Arrive at Kurobedaira.
15:30	Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Kurobedaira to Daikanbo.
15:37	Arrive at Daikanbo.
15:45	Take the Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus from Daikanbo to Murodo.
15:55	Arrive at Murodo.
16:20	Take the Tateyama Highland Bus from Murodo to Bijodaira.
17:10	Arrive at Bijodaira, queue for the Tateyama Cable Car.
17:20	Take the Tateyama Cable Car from Bijodaira to Tateyama Station.
17:27	Arrive at Tateyama Station.

Except for special days, the last bus from Murodo to Bijodaira departs at 16:20. On special days, the last bus departs at 17:00.

Note: Special days in 2025 include April 15 – May 5, July 19 – 20, August 9 – 14, September 13 – 14 and October 11 – 12.

Outside of these special days, to catch the last bus and cable car from Murodo back to Tateyama Station, the return trip should start earlier, departing from Tateyama Station 40 minutes earlier than the one-way trip.

Additionally, the return trip from Tateyama Station is not suitable after November 3, as the first cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira departs at 8:40, and the last bus from Murodo to Bijodaira departs at 15:30. If you plan to travel from Tateyama Station to Kurobe Dam and return, the schedule will be tight.

2. Starting and Ending at Ogizawa Station

Among the six modes of transportation on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the longest ride is the Tateyama Highland Bus between Bijodaira and Murodo, taking about 50 minutes. Since Bijodaira is not a major sightseeing spot on the Tateyama Kurobe route, if you start from Ogizawa Station and take a return trip, you will return from Murodo. This saves time compared to starting from Tateyama Station and returning from Kurobe Dam, and the fare is also cheaper.

Below is a suggested itinerary for a return trip from Ogizawa Station to Murodo and back to Ogizawa Station. The entire trip takes approximately 8.5 hours, about 1 hour less than starting from Tateyama Station.

09:00	Take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Ogizawa Station to Kurobe Dam Station.
09:16	Arrive at Kurobe Dam.
09:25	Visit Kurobe Dam.
10:30	Take the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobeko to Kurobedaira.
10:35	Arrive at Kurobedaira.
10:40	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at Kurobedaira Observatory.
11:10	Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Kurobedaira to Daikanbo.
11:17	Arrive at Daikanbo.
11:20	Enjoy the view of Tateyama and take photos at Daikanbo Observatory.
11:45	Take the Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus from Daikanbo to Murodo.
11:55	Arrive at Murodo.
12:00	Have lunch at Murodo Tateyama Restaurant.
13:00	Explore Murodo. From April to June, focus on the Snow Wall (Yuki-no-Otani). In other months, visit Mikurigaike Pond, Jigokudani, etc.
16:00	Take the Tateyama Tunnel Electric Bus from Murodo to Daikanbo.
16:10	Arrive at Daikanbo.
16:15	Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira.
16:22	Arrive at Kurobedaira.
16:35	Take the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko.
16:40	Arrive at Kurobeko.
15:30	Visit Kurobe Dam.
17:05	Take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa Station.
17:21	Arrive at Ogizawa Station.

If you need to take the Alpico Route Bus to Omachi Onsen or Shinano-Omachi after returning to Ogizawa, you can take the last bus at 17:55. However, after November 4, the last Alpico Route Bus departs at 17:00, so if you are traveling after November 4, you should depart earlier or shorten your stay in Murodo, leaving Murodo by 15:15 at the latest.

(3) Staying Overnight on Tateyama

If you have more time and want to enjoy a more leisurely experience on the Tateyama Kurobe route, or if you want to experience staying overnight at an altitude of over 2,400 meters, you can consider staying at a hotel on Tateyama. Staying overnight on Tateyama allows for more flexible itinerary planning. For example, you can go up the mountain during midday when there are fewer tourists, visit only Murodo or Daikanbo, Kurobedaira, and Kurobe Dam on the first day, and visit the remaining spots on the second day. Staying overnight also allows for more time to participate in activities that cannot be done on a day trip, such as hiking, stargazing, and watching the sunrise.

There are several hotels along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The most convenient one is the Tateyama Hotel (Hotel Tateyama) located inside Murodo Station. Other accommodations in Murodo include Murodo Sanso, Mikurigaike Onsen (Mikurigaike Onsen), and Raichoso. However, these accommodations, while not too far from Murodo Station, can be difficult to reach during the snowy months of April, May, and November. Besides Murodo, there are also hotels between Murodo and Bijodaira, such as the Tateyama Highland Hotel (Tateyama Highland Hotel) and Tengudaira Sanso at Tengudaira, and Midagahara Hotel (Midagahara Hotel) and Tateyama-so at Midagahara. (Note: For detailed information and reviews of Tateyama hotels, please refer to the article “Tateyama Kurobe Accommodation Recommendations: Tateyama Hotel Review + Toyama Hotel Recommendations + Omachi Onsen Ryokan Recommendations”.)

Tateyama Kurobe Itinerary Recommendations

Tateyama Kurobe is located in Toyama Prefecture in the Chubu Hokuriku region of Japan. There are many famous tourist spots nearby, such as the Kurobe Gorge in Toyama Prefecture, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Hida Furukawa, Shinhotaka, and Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture, Kanazawa, Wakura Onsen, and Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, and Matsumoto and Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture. These places are not far from Tateyama Kurobe and can be visited together when traveling to Tateyama Kurobe. Below are some suggested itineraries for visiting Tateyama Kurobe and the Chubu Hokuriku region based on different situations, seasons, and transportation methods.

(1) Chubu Hokuriku and Tateyama Kurobe Self-Driving Itinerary Recommendations

Self-driving is more flexible and convenient than taking trains or buses, allowing you to visit many places that are difficult to reach by public transportation. Even though self-driving to Tateyama Kurobe requires a return trip due to vehicle restrictions, the advantages of self-driving are not diminished. Although you can use vehicle transport services to move your car to the other side of the mountain, the cost is quite high, so I personally prefer a return trip. In fact, both Toyama Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture have many self-driving destinations, so there is no need to descend on the other side. Moreover, a return trip usually only takes about 1 hour longer than a one-way trip.

Self-driving itineraries are flexible and can be adjusted according to the season to visit seasonal attractions such as autumn leaves, cherry blossoms, or other flower-viewing spots. Therefore, the following self-driving itineraries are designed for different seasons.

1. Spring Cherry Blossom Itinerary (Mid-April to Mid-May)

Spring cherry blossom viewing is one of the most attractive activities when traveling to Japan. If you can visit the Snow Wall at Tateyama Kurobe and see cherry blossoms in one trip, that would be ideal. The cherry blossom season in the Chubu Hokuriku region of Japan is generally from early April to late April, with variations depending on the location. For example, in Aichi Prefecture, where Nagoya is located, the cherry blossom season usually runs from late March to early April (similar to Tokyo and Osaka), but Tateyama Kurobe is not yet open during this time. In Toyama and Ishikawa Prefectures, which are closer to the Sea of Japan, the cherry blossom season is usually from early to mid-April. If you visit Tateyama Kurobe in the first few days after it opens, you can still catch the cherry blossoms in these areas. In Gifu and Nagano Prefectures, the cherry blossom season is later, with some high-altitude areas in Gifu (such as Takayama) blooming from mid to late April, and many places in Nagano blooming from mid to late April.

If you want to visit Tateyama Kurobe and see cherry blossoms, it is recommended to choose late April, specifically from April 20 to 30. This period avoids the busiest week after Tateyama Kurobe opens and still allows you to catch the cherry blossoms in Takayama and Nagano. However, be aware that April 29 to May 5 is Golden Week in Japan, so avoid visiting Tateyama Kurobe during these days.

[Reference] For cherry blossom spots and blooming times in various prefectures in Japan, please refer to the following websites:

1.1 [Departing from Nagoya] Tateyama Kurobe + Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa Cherry Blossom Self-Driving Itinerary (Mid-April to Mid-May)

The highlight of visiting Tateyama Kurobe from mid-April to late May is the Snow Wall. During this period, taking the Tateyama Highland Bus from Bijodaira to Murodo allows you to see the snow walls on both sides of the road and pass through the Snow Wall, offering a unique perspective. Therefore, it is recommended to start your journey from Tateyama Station. However, by mid-April, cherry blossoms in Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures are usually past their peak, but you can still see cherry blossoms in some areas of Gifu Prefecture. This itinerary is a 6-day self-drive trip starting and ending in Nagoya, covering Tateyama Kurobe, Gero Onsen, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Shirakawa-go.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Ena Gorge and Tsumago-juku, then check into a hot spring ryokan in Gero Onsen.
[Day 2]	Visit Gero Onsen Gassho Village and the hot spring street, then head to Takayama to explore the old town and Nakabashi Bridge, staying overnight in Takayama.
[Day 3]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market and Shiroyama Park for cherry blossoms, then proceed to Sakurayama Park and Hida Furukawa before driving to Toyama for an overnight stay.
[Day 4]	Drive to Tateyama Station in the morning, explore Tateyama Kurobe, and return to Toyama for the night.
[Day 5]	Drive to Kanazawa to visit Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, and Higashi Chaya District, staying overnight in Kanazawa.
[Day 6]	Drive to Shirakawa-go, then return to Nagoya via Shogawa Cherry Park for cherry blossoms.

1.2 [Nagoya Departure] Tateyama Kurobe + Takayama, Nagano Cherry Blossom Self-Drive Itinerary (Mid-April to Late April)

This 6-day self-drive trip also starts and ends in Nagoya, but begins from Ogizawa in Nagano Prefecture. In addition to Tateyama Kurobe, it includes Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Okuhida, Shin-Hotaka, Matsumoto, Omachi Onsen, Suwa, and Takato Castle Ruins. The focus is on the Snow Wall and cherry blossoms, though by late April, cherry blossoms in Takayama, Matsumoto, and Takato Castle Ruins are past their peak.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go (via Shogawa Cherry Park), then proceed to Takayama for an overnight stay.
[Day 2]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, Nakabashi Bridge, and Shiroyama Park for cherry blossoms, then drive to Okuhida Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 3]	Take the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in the morning, then drive to Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto Castle, staying overnight in Matsumoto.
[Day 4]	Drive to Ogizawa in the morning, explore Tateyama Kurobe, then return to Ogizawa and drive to Omachi Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 5]	Visit Omachi Park and Yume Farm for cherry blossoms, then proceed to Daio Wasabi Farm before driving to Suwa for an overnight stay.
[Day 6]	Visit Suwa Taisha Shrine, then drive to Takato Castle Ruins Park for cherry blossoms, and finally visit Tsumago-juku before returning to Nagoya.

1.3 [Nagoya Departure] Tateyama Kurobe + Nagano Cherry Blossom Self-Drive Itinerary (Late April to Early May)

This 6-day self-drive trip also starts and ends in Nagoya, focusing on Tateyama Kurobe and cherry blossom spots in Nagano Prefecture. Since cherry blossoms in northeastern Nagano (Nagano City, Komoro City) bloom later, there is still a chance to see full blooms in late April.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Ena Gorge, then visit Takato Castle Ruins Park for cherry blossoms before proceeding to Matsumoto for an overnight stay.
[Day 2]	Visit Matsumoto Castle, then proceed to Daio Wasabi Farm and Omachi Park for cherry blossoms before driving to Omachi Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 3]	Drive to Ogizawa in the morning, explore Tateyama Kurobe, then return to Ogizawa and drive to Nagano City for an overnight stay.
[Day 4]	Visit Nagano Shiroyama Park and Suzaka Garyu Park for cherry blossoms, then drive to Kusatsu Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 5]	Drive to Karuizawa for sightseeing, then visit Komoro Castle Ruins for cherry blossoms before driving to Suwa for an overnight stay.
[Day 6]	Visit Suwa Taisha Shrine, then drive to Tsumago-juku and Toki Premium Outlets before returning to Nagoya.

1.4 [Tokyo Departure] Tateyama Kurobe + Nagano Cherry Blossom Self-Drive Itinerary (Late April to Late May)

This 6-day self-drive trip starts and ends in Tokyo, with car rental in Tokyo. In addition to Tateyama Kurobe, it focuses on cherry blossom spots and hot spring towns in Nagano Prefecture. Since cherry blossoms in northeastern Nagano bloom later, there is still a chance to see them even in late April when Tokyo’s cherry blossoms have already fallen.

[Day 1]	Drive from Tokyo to Karuizawa for an overnight stay.
[Day 2]	Drive to Komoro Castle Ruins for cherry blossoms, then proceed to Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto Castle, staying overnight in Matsumoto.
[Day 3]	Visit Yume Farm for cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers, then proceed to Daio Wasabi Farm and Omachi Park for cherry blossoms before driving to Omachi Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 4]	Drive to Ogizawa in the morning, explore Tateyama Kurobe, then return to Ogizawa and drive to Nagano City for an overnight stay.
[Day 5]	Visit Nagano Shiroyama Park and Suzaka Garyu Park for cherry blossoms, then drive to Kusatsu Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 6]	Drive to Ashikaga Flower Park for wisteria flowers before returning to Tokyo.

2. Autumn Foliage Itineraries (Mid-September to Late November)

Another peak travel season in Japan is autumn, when the leaves change color. In the Chubu and Hokuriku regions, foliage typically peaks from mid-October to late November, with timing varying by region. High-altitude areas like Tateyama see foliage earlier, from mid-September to mid-October, while lower areas see foliage from mid-October onwards. When planning a trip to Tateyama Kurobe for foliage, you must decide whether to view it from the mountains or the lower areas.

Viewing foliage from the mountains offers a panoramic view of the colorful landscape, while viewing from lower areas allows for close-up views and photos. The foliage in the mountains is primarily golden, while lower areas feature vibrant red leaves.

Note that the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is usually open until late November, but snow may cause road closures between Bijodaira and Murodo in November. However, transportation from Ogizawa to Murodo is usually unaffected, so it is recommended to start from Ogizawa in Nagano Prefecture if visiting in November.

[Reference] For information on foliage spots and peak times in Japan, refer to the following websites:

2.1 [Nagoya Departure] Tateyama Kurobe, Kamikochi Foliage Self-Drive Itinerary (Mid-September to Late October)

This 6-day self-drive trip starts and ends in Nagoya, focusing on foliage in Tateyama Kurobe and nearby high-altitude areas like Shin-Hotaka and Kamikochi. It includes an overnight stay on Tateyama.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go, then proceed to Toyama for an overnight stay.
[Day 2]	Drive to Tateyama Station, park the car, and take only necessary items for an overnight stay. After checking in at Murodo, visit Daikanbo, Kurobe Dam, and Kurobe Lake before returning to Murodo.
[Day 3]	Explore Murodo in the morning, then return to Tateyama Station and drive to Takayama.
[Day 4]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market and Takayama Old Town, then drive to Hirayu Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 5]	Take a bus to Kamikochi for sightseeing, then return to Hirayu and drive to Okuhida Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 6]	Take the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in the morning, then drive back to Nagoya.

2.2 [Nagoya Departure] Tateyama Kurobe + Matsumoto, Kurobe Gorge, Gero Onsen Foliage Self-Drive Itinerary (Early November to Late November)

This 6-day self-drive trip also starts and ends in Nagoya, focusing on Tateyama Kurobe and major foliage spots like Matsumoto Castle, Kurobe Gorge, Gero Onsen, and Ena Gorge.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Takato Castle Ruins Park for foliage, then proceed to Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto Castle, staying overnight in Matsumoto.
[Day 2]	Drive to Ogizawa in the morning, explore Tateyama Kurobe, then return to Ogizawa and drive to Omachi Onsen or Hakuba Happo Onsen for an overnight stay.
[Day 3]	Drive to Unazuki Onsen, take a train to explore Kurobe Gorge, and stay overnight in Unazuki Onsen.
[Day 4]	Drive to Shirakawa-go, then proceed to Takayama for an overnight stay and explore the old town.
[Day 5]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then drive to Gero Onsen to explore the Gassho Village and hot spring street, staying overnight in Gero Onsen.
[Day 6]	Drive to Tsumago-juku and Ena Gorge before returning to Nagoya.

3. Other Season Itineraries (Mid-May to Mid-September)

If visiting Tateyama Kurobe between the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, you can refer to the above 6-day self-drive itineraries. Alternatively, consider the following itineraries without cherry blossoms or foliage.

3.1 [Nagoya Departure] Tateyama Kurobe + Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa Self-Drive Itinerary (Mid-May to Mid-September)

This 6-day self-drive trip starts and ends in Nagoya, covering Tateyama Kurobe, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Kanazawa, and Kaga Onsen before returning to Nagoya via Shiga.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Takayama, visit Takayama Old Town and Nakabashi, and stay overnight at a hotel in Takayama.
[Day 2]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then drive to Shirakawa-go. After visiting, drive to Toyama City and check in at a hotel.
[Day 3]	Drive to Tateyama Station in the morning, visit Tateyama Kurobe, then return to Toyama City and stay at the same hotel.
[Day 4]	Drive to Kanazawa, visit Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, and Higashi Chaya District, and stay overnight at a hotel in Kanazawa.
[Day 5]	Visit Omicho Market and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in the morning, then head to Kaga Onsen and stay at a hot spring inn.
[Day 6]	Drive to Tojinbo and Nagahama, visit the sights, then drive back to Nagoya.

3.2 [Departing from Nagoya] Tateyama Kurobe + Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kamikochi, Matsumoto Self-Driving Itinerary (Mid-May to Mid-September)

This itinerary also starts and ends in Nagoya, covering Tateyama Kurobe, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Kamikochi, and Matsumoto over 6 days.

[Day 1]	Drive from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go, visit Shirakawa-go, then drive to Takayama and check in at a hotel.
[Day 2]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and Nakabashi, then drive to Hirayu Onsen and check in at a hot spring inn.
[Day 3]	Take a bus to Kamikochi, visit Kamikochi, then return to Hirayu and drive to Matsumoto to check in at a hotel.
[Day 4]	Drive to Ogizawa in the morning, visit Tateyama Kurobe, then return to Ogizawa and drive to Omachi Onsen to check in at a hot spring inn.
[Day 5]	Drive to Daio Wasabi Farm, then visit Matsumoto Castle. After visiting, drive to Suwa and stay at a hot spring inn.
[Day 6]	Visit Suwa Taisha Shrine, then drive to Tsumago-juku. After visiting, drive to Toki Premium Outlets for shopping, then return to Nagoya.

(2) Recommended Train Itineraries for Chubu Hokuriku and Tateyama Kurobe

In the article “Tateyama Kurobe (Part 2): Purchasing Tateyama Kurobe Tickets, Passes, JR PASS, and Reservation Tips“, it was introduced that JR Tokai and JR West Japan jointly offer a JR Pass called the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass“. This pass allows unlimited rides on various transportation modes along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, as well as unlimited JR train rides between Nagoya and Toyama, and Nagoya and Shinano-Omachi. If you are departing from Nagoya to visit Tateyama Kurobe and then returning to Nagoya, purchasing the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” can save you a lot on transportation costs, and you can also stop by Takayama, Gero Onsen, and Matsumoto.

The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is valid for 5 days, so the following itineraries are designed for 5 days, starting and ending in Nagoya. Additionally, some itineraries include places not covered by the pass, such as Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kurobe Gorge, Shin-Hotaka, and Kamikochi.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Tateyama Kurobe, the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” is also suitable. You can first take JR or Kintetsu from Osaka to Nagoya, then use the pass to travel from Nagoya to Tateyama Kurobe. After visiting, return to Nagoya and take JR or Kintetsu back to Osaka.

1. Tateyama Kurobe + Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Matsumoto 5-Day Train Itinerary

This is a standard itinerary using the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” to visit Tateyama Kurobe, along with four other famous tourist spots in Chubu Hokuriku. This itinerary is suitable for any season, especially during the cherry blossom season from mid-April to early May, but it is not recommended for November due to potential snow closures on the high road between Murodo and Bijodaira.

[Day 1]	Take the JR from Nagoya to Takayama at 10:48 AM, arrive in Takayama by noon, check in at the hotel, have lunch, then visit Takayama Old Town, Nakabashi, Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall, and Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
[Day 2]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then check out from the hotel. Take the Nohi Bus to Shirakawa-go at 10:50 AM, visit Shirakawa-go and have lunch, then take the Nohi Bus to Kanazawa at 4:25 PM. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover Nohi Bus, so the fare for these two trips, 4,320 yen, must be paid separately.)
[Day 3]	Visit Omicho Market, Kenrokuen, and Kanazawa Castle. Take the JR to Toyama at 4:43 PM. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover the JR between Kanazawa and Toyama, so the fare for this trip, 1,220 yen, must be paid separately. If taking the Shinkansen, the fare is 2,810 yen.)
[Day 4]	Check out before 6:00 AM, then go to Toyama Dentetsu Toyama Station to exchange the Tateyama Kurobe boarding ticket and send luggage to Omachi Onsen. Take the Toyama Dentetsu to Tateyama Station at 7:05 AM to start the Tateyama Kurobe tour, and arrive at Omachi Onsen by 5:30 PM to check in.
[Day 5]	Check out before 9:30 AM, take the Alpico Route Bus to Shinano-Omachi at 9:45 AM, then take the JR to Matsumoto at 10:33 AM. Visit Matsumoto Castle and have lunch, then take the JR back to Nagoya at 3:53 PM.

This itinerary can also be reversed, starting with Matsumoto, then going up from Ogizawa, and visiting Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama. The detailed itinerary is as follows:

[Day 1]	Take the JR from Nagoya to Matsumoto at 10:00 AM, have lunch in Matsumoto, then visit Matsumoto Castle. Take the JR to Shinano-Omachi at 4:00 PM, then transfer to the Alpico Route Bus to Omachi Onsen at 5:10 PM, arriving at the hot spring inn by 5:30 PM.
[Day 2]	Check out before 8:00 AM, send luggage to the hotel in Toyama, then take the Alpico Route Bus to Ogizawa Station at 8:13 AM. Visit Tateyama Kurobe, and arrive at the hotel in Toyama by 7:00 PM to check in.
[Day 3]	Take the JR from Toyama to Kanazawa at 9:42 AM, drop off luggage at the hotel, then visit Omicho Market, Kenrokuen, and Kanazawa Castle. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover the JR between Kanazawa and Toyama, so the fare for this trip, 1,220 yen, must be paid separately. If taking the Shinkansen, the fare is 2,810 yen.)
[Day 4]	Take the Nohi Bus from Kanazawa Station to Shirakawa-go at 9:40 AM, visit Shirakawa-go and have lunch, then take the Nohi Bus to Takayama at 4:15 PM, arriving at the hotel in Takayama by 5:30 PM. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover Nohi Bus, so the fare for these two trips, 4,170 yen, must be paid separately.)
[Day 5]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and Nakabashi, have lunch, then take the JR back to Nagoya at 3:38 PM.

2. Tateyama Kurobe + Gero Onsen, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Matsumoto 5-Day Train Itinerary

This itinerary is similar to the previous one but skips Kanazawa and includes Gero Onsen instead.

[Day 1]	Take the JR from Nagoya to Gero Onsen at 10:48 AM, arrive in Gero Onsen by noon, drop off luggage at the hot spring inn, have lunch, then visit Gero Onsen Gassho Village and the hot spring street. Return to the hot spring inn to check in by evening.
[Day 2]	Take the JR to Takayama at 10:15 AM, arrive in Takayama, drop off luggage at the hotel, then visit Takayama Old Town, Nakabashi, Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall, and Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. Return to the hotel to check in by evening.
[Day 3]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then check out from the hotel. Take the Nohi Bus to Shirakawa-go at 10:50 AM, visit Shirakawa-go and have lunch, then take the Nohi Bus to Toyama at 4:50 PM. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover Nohi Bus, so the fare for these two trips, 4,170 yen, must be paid separately.)
[Day 4]	Check out before 6:00 AM, then go to Toyama Dentetsu Toyama Station to exchange the Tateyama Kurobe boarding ticket and send luggage to Omachi Onsen. Take the Toyama Dentetsu to Tateyama Station at 7:05 AM to start the Tateyama Kurobe tour, and arrive at Omachi Onsen by 5:30 PM to check in.
[Day 5]	Check out before 9:30 AM, take the Alpico Route Bus to Shinano-Omachi at 9:45 AM, then take the JR to Matsumoto at 10:33 AM. Visit Matsumoto Castle and have lunch, then take the JR back to Nagoya at 3:53 PM.

This itinerary can also be reversed, starting with Matsumoto, then going up from Ogizawa, and visiting Shirakawa-go, Takayama, and Gero Onsen. The detailed itinerary is as follows:

[Day 1]	Take the JR from Nagoya to Matsumoto at 10:00 AM, have lunch in Matsumoto, then visit Matsumoto Castle. Take the JR to Shinano-Omachi at 4:00 PM, then transfer to the Alpico Route Bus to Omachi Onsen at 5:10 PM, arriving at the hot spring inn by 5:30 PM.
[Day 2]	Check out before 8:00 AM, send luggage to the hotel in Toyama, then take the Alpico Route Bus to Ogizawa Station at 8:13 AM. Visit Tateyama Kurobe, and arrive at the hotel in Toyama by 7:00 PM to check in.
[Day 3]	Take the Nohi Bus from Toyama Station to Shirakawa-go at 10:35 AM, visit Shirakawa-go and have lunch, then take the Nohi Bus to Takayama at 4:15 PM, arriving at the hotel in Takayama by 5:30 PM. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover Nohi Bus, so the fare for these two trips, 4,170 yen, must be paid separately.)
[Day 4]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and Nakabashi, have lunch, then take the JR to Gero Onsen at 4:36 PM, arriving at the hot spring inn by 5:30 PM.
[Day 5]	Visit Gero Onsen Street and Gero Onsen Gassho Village, have lunch, then take the JR back to Nagoya at 4:24 PM.

3. Tateyama Kurobe + Gero Onsen, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Matsumoto 5-Day Train Itinerary (Stay at Tateyama)

This itinerary is similar to the previous one but stays at Tateyama instead of Omachi Onsen, descending via Matsumoto before returning to Nagoya. The first three days are identical to the previous itinerary, but the fourth and fifth days differ. Since you stay at Tateyama, you don’t need to ascend too early on the fourth day.

[Day 1]	Depart from Nagoya at 10:48 AM by JR to Gero Onsen, arrive at Gero Onsen by noon, check in at the hot spring inn, have lunch, then visit Gero Onsen Gassho Village and the hot spring street, return to the inn in the evening for check-in.
[Day 2]	Take JR at 10:15 AM to Takayama, check in at the hotel upon arrival, then visit Takayama Old Town, Nakabashi Bridge, Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, and Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, return to the hotel in the evening for check-in.
[Day 3]	Visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then check out from the hotel, take the Nohi Bus at 10:50 AM to Shirakawa-go, explore Shirakawa-go and have lunch, then take the Nohi Bus at 16:50 to Toyama. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover the Nohi Bus, so the fare of 4,170 yen for these two trips must be paid separately.)
[Day 4]	Use the Yamato Transport service in the morning to send luggage back to the Nagoya hotel, bring only essentials for the night, check out, then go to Toyama Chitetsu Toyama Station to exchange for the Tateyama Kurobe boarding ticket, take the Toyama Chitetsu to Tateyama Station to start the mountain journey, check in at Murodo Hotel, and plan activities such as hiking according to your schedule.
[Day 5]	Check out in the morning, travel from Murodo to Ogizawa, visit Daikanbo, Kurobe Dam, and Kurobe Lake along the way, then proceed to Shinano-Omachi and Matsumoto, take JR at 15:53 to return to Nagoya.

4. Tateyama Kurobe + Kamikochi, Takayama, Matsumoto 5-Day Train Tour Itinerary

In addition to Tateyama Kurobe, another popular attraction in the Chubu Hokuriku region known for its pristine natural scenery is Kamikochi. Kamikochi is generally open from mid-April to mid-November, similar to the opening period of Tateyama Kurobe. The following itinerary allows you to experience both in one trip.

[Day 1]	Depart from Nagoya at 10:48 AM by JR to Takayama, have lunch upon arrival, take the Nohi Bus at 14:50 to Hirayu Onsen, and check in at the hot spring inn. (Note: The “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass” does not cover the Nohi Bus, so the round-trip fare of 3,140 yen between Takayama and Hirayu Onsen must be paid separately.)
[Day 2]	Take the bus to Kamikochi, explore Kamikochi, then return to Hirayu Onsen and stay at the same hot spring inn.
[Day 3]	Take the Nohi Bus at 10:00 AM to Takayama, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and Nakabashi Bridge, then take JR at 15:12 to Toyama City.
[Day 4]	Check out before 6:00 AM, go to Toyama Chitetsu Toyama Station to exchange for the Tateyama Kurobe boarding ticket and send luggage to Omachi Onsen Inn, take the Toyama Chitetsu at 7:05 to Tateyama Station to start exploring Tateyama Kurobe, arrive at Omachi Onsen Inn at 17:30 for check-in.
[Day 5]	Check out before 9:30 AM, take the Alpico Route Bus at 9:45 to Shinano-Omachi, take JR at 10:33 to Matsumoto, visit Matsumoto Castle and have lunch, then take JR at 15:53 to return to Nagoya.