2-Day Tateyama Kurobe Autumn Colors Tour from Nagoya: Secret Kamikochi and Alpine Route丨Kappa Bridge, Kurobe Dam and Myojin Pond

08:00 – Nagoya
Begin today's beautiful journey.
Meeting time: 07:50, Departure: 08:00
Meeting point: Nagoya Station, Taiko-dori Exit, Station Front Plaza
Address: 6 Tsubakicho, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015, Japan
* Please arrive at the meeting point on time on the day of your tour. As this is a shared shuttle service, the vehicle will depart promptly — late arrivals will not be waited for.

12:00 - Nagano
▼ Kamikochi Hiking Tour (about 4 hours)
Lunch and entrance fees are not included.
Guests may choose between two hiking routes; the guide will accompany one group at random.
Route 1: Taisho Pond Bus Stop > Taisho Pond > Tashiro Pond > Kappa Bridge > Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Recommended for first-time visitors, this beginner-friendly trail is about 3.5 km and takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete without backtracking. The trail is flat and easy, offering stunning, continuous mountain views along the way—perfect for a relaxing yet scenic hike.
Route 2: Kamikochi Bus Terminal > Kappa Bridge > Dakesawa Marsh > Myojin Bridge > Hotaka Shrine Okumiya & Myojin Pond > Kamikochi Bus Terminal
For experienced hikers with enough time, this roughly 5.6 km round trip takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Along the Azusa River, enjoy breathtaking mountain and riverside views. Unlike the busy Kappa Bridge, Myojin Bridge offers a more tranquil, serene experience.
【Kamikochi – Japan's "Jiuzhaigou"】
Kamikochi is a scenic highland resort located in the western part of Nagano Prefecture, upstream along the Azusa River in the Hida Mountains. At an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, it belongs to Matsumoto City and is part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park. Kamikochi is a designated National Cultural Asset (Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument). It also serves as a base for climbing the Hotaka and Yari mountains. The name derives from the Japanese reading of “神垣内” (kamikouchi), linked to the worship of Hotaka Shrine’s deity Hotakaminomikoto at Hotaka Shrine Okumiya and Myojin Pond.
【Taisho Pond】
Formed by volcanic activity from Mt. Yake, this crater lake features picturesque dead trees emerging from the water, which change with the seasons and light.
【Tashiro Pond】
A shallow wetland renowned for its stunning scenery across the seasons: fresh green leaves in May, golden foliage in October, and thin ice in late autumn.
【Kappa Bridge】
A symbolic suspension bridge made of larch wood, 3.1 meters wide and 36.6 meters long. It offers panoramic views of the Hotaka Mountain Range and the Dakesawa Valley. Located just a 5-minute walk from the bus center, it attracts many visitors especially during the Golden Week, summer holidays, and autumn foliage season.
【Myojin Pond】
A 60-minute walk upstream along the Azusa River from Kappa Bridge. This sacred area, associated with Hotaka Shrine Okumiya, is surrounded by abundant wild plants and birds—a perfect place to soak in peaceful natural beauty. The view of Myojin Mountain from Myojin Bridge is spectacular and popular with photographers.
【Hotaka Mountain Range】
Visible from various points in Kamikochi, this mountain range is an iconic part of the area. Mount Okuhotaka is Japan’s third highest peak and is recognized among Japan's "100 Famous Mountains," "New 100 Famous Mountains," and "100 Flower Mountains."
【Mt. Yake】
An active volcano standing at 2,455 meters, Mt. Yake's smoke drifting against the blue sky creates a beautiful scene.
【Hotaka Shrine Okumiya】
The large torii gate stands proudly at the shrine entrance. The shrine office sells limited-edition amulets exclusive to Okumiya. Nearby is the historic Kamonji Hut, established in 1880, where visitors can relax by a traditional irori hearth and enjoy freshly grilled river fish—a memorable and cozy experience.

15:30–16:00
Depart for Hakuba Sun Valley Hotel (白馬サンバレーホテル).

18:00–18:30
Check in and enjoy the local flavors of Hakuba!

 

06:30 – Breakfast
Enjoy a buffet breakfast or receive a packed meal.

07:00 – Departure
The entry time to Ogizawa for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route will be allocated on the day; please be advised that the schedule may change.

07:30 – Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Today's package includes transportation from Ogizawa to Tateyama Station. After being dropped off at the base of Ogizawa, you can explore Tateyama Kurobe on your own.
Alternatively, you may choose to travel across part of the Alpine Route using six different public transportation modes, taking about 6 hours (transport tickets are not included; please select as an upgrade option).

The six transportation modes covering the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route:
Ogizawa → Kurobe Dam (Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus, 6.1 km, 16 minutes)
Kurobe Dam → Kurobe Lake (Walk, 0.6 km, 15 minutes)
Kurobe Lake → Kurobedaira (Kurobe Cable Car, 0.8 km, 5 minutes)
Kurobedaira → Daikanbo (Tateyama Ropeway, 1.7 km, 7 minutes)
Daikanbo → Murodo (Tateyama Tunnel Bus, 3.7 km, 10 minutes)
Murodo → Tengudaira → Midagahara → Bijodaira (Highland Bus, 23 km, 50 minutes)
Tateyama Station (Chubu Sangaku National Park) → Bijodaira (Tateyama Cable Car, 1.3 km, 7 minutes)
The itinerary ends at Tateyama Station, where you will regroup and depart back to Nagoya.
* Note: The group tour cannot wait for late arrivals, so punctuality is essential. (End time is subject to the guide's arrangement on the day.)
【Alpine Route】
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a spectacular sightseeing route crossing Japan’s “roof”—the Northern Japanese Alps of Tateyama. Using various modes of transportation, it traverses a height difference of 2,400 meters between Toyama Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. The entrance on the Hokuriku side is Tateyama Station in Toyama, while the Shinshu side entrance is Ogizawa Station in Nagano. There are two entry points along this mountain route. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route stretches 90 kilometers through the Northern Alps, reaching alpine terrain at 2,500 meters altitude. The ever-changing natural scenery will surely captivate you.
【Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Range】
Known as the "Japanese Alps,"the Tateyama Kurobe Mountains have long been considered sacred, ranking alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Hakusan as Japan's three great holy mountains. This area attracts not only tourists but also mountaineers. The constantly shifting landscapes of this region are breathtaking.
【Tateyama Murodo】
Located at Murodo, this is one of Japan's oldest mountain huts. It was actively used as a mountain lodge until the 1980s. After being designated as a cultural property, a new lodge was built nearby, and the original hut is now preserved as an important national cultural asset. Excavations during restoration uncovered religious relics dating back to the 12th century and foundations from around the 15th century, confirming the site’s long history as a place for religious practice since the Kamakura period. The current building was reconstructed in 1726 by the Kaga Domain, featuring pillars nearly 30 cm thick, seemingly sourced from the original forest of Bijodaira. How these materials were transported remains a mystery. The hut has stood for over 280 years since reconstruction.

15:30–16:00
Return journey (specific meeting time arranged by the tour leader on the day).

19:30–20:00
Disband at Nagoya Station, Taiko-dori Exit, Station Front Plaza.
  

* Meals cannot be customized. If you require vegetarian options, please indicate this in the remarks section when booking.
* If the Tateyama ascent time cannot be reserved at the scheduled time, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.
* In case of force majeure such as bad weather preventing access to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, transportation fees for Tateyama Kurobe will be refunded, and the itinerary will be changed to a walking tour of Takayama and Shirakawa-go.