Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: A Snow Country Stories Japan Travel Guide

Outland Japan

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Episode 26 of the podcast transports us along one of the snow country’s most popular destinations – the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Located in Chubu Sangaku National Park, the Alpine Route is a popular sightseeing route that transports visitors across Japan’s highest mountain range – the Kita Alps or North Alps. It takes a series of mountain transports to do so that operate between different stations, eventually ascending to Murodo Station at 2450 metres / 8038 feet above sea level, from where you are within reach of the summit of Mount Tate or Tateyama – at 3003 metres / 9852 feet.

The Alpine Route is closed to the public through winter due to heavy snow in the mountains, reopening on April 15th every year and operating until the end of November. It is extremely popular with both Japanese and international visitors, who upon opening, head up the Alpine Route to witness its most famous sight – the 'Snow Walls of Tateyama'. As the weather warms in late-spring and into summer, walking trails beneath the snow will begin to emerge providing easier access to leisurely walks around the alpine plateau and more advanced overnight and multi-day hikes to the surrounding peaks including deep into the national park. For more information, visit the episode page on the Snow Country Stories Japan website.
Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

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1. Prelude (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:04:25)

3. History of the Alpine Route (00:07:04)

4. How it Works & What to Expect (00:14:16)

5. When to Visit the Alpine Route (00:21:16)

6. Using the Transports & How to Get There (00:24:35)

7. Where to Stay (00:28:26)

8. My Guiding Services (00:30:37)

9. Episode Close (00:31:45)