Epic AUTUMN Day in JAPAN 🍁🚠🏔️ Tateyama Kurobe ALPINE ROUTE Across the Japanese Alps!

Today you’re in for an adventure because we’re travelling the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route across the Japanese Alps! I can't think of a better way to experience autumn in Japan, because the fall foliage was simply magical!
Nicknamed the ‘Roof of Japan’, this journey can be done starting in Toyama or Nagano and it involves a 2,400-metre elevation change across the Japanese Alps using multiple modes of transportation. This includes trains, buses, ropeways, cable cars and even your own two feet.
This was an epic journey where we got to experience different landscapes and seasons all in one day, and we’re going to show you exactly how you too can do this same trip!
🏔️ Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 🏔️
00:45 - Tickets at Dentetsu Toyama Station
02:50 - Baggage Forwarding Service
03:17 - Toyama Chico Railroad
05:22 - Tateyama Cable Car
06:39 - Tateyama Highland Bus
12:00 - Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus
13:02 - Tateyama Ropeway
16:21 - Kurobe Cable Car
17:09 - Kurobe Dam Crossing on Foot
18:59 - Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus
20:19 - Bus to Shinano and Nagano
🚠 Alpine Route Modes of Transportation 🚠
Toyama Chico Railroad - 65 minutes
First up, we rode the Toyama Chico Railroad, which is a 65-minute journey. We departed from Dentetsu-Toyama Station and travelled to ​​Tateyama Station. This first leg of the journey was all about getting out of the city.
Tateyama Cable Car - 7 minutes
Next, we rode the Tateyama Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira. This was a 7-minute ride. The cable car climbs 502 meters and covers a distance of 1.3 kilometres.
Tateyama Highland Bus - 50 minutes
The Tateyama Highland Bus was our next mode of transportation on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. We took the express bus, which was a 50-minute journey from Bijodaira to Mudoro. The Tateyama Highland Bus covers a distance of 23 kilometres and you experience an almost 1500-meter altitude change. We went from green landscapes to fall foliage to a snowy landscape. It was quite the journey and yes, it was a very windy road.
Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus - 10 minutes
Then, we got on the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus which runs from Murodo to Daikanbo. This is a 10-minute bus ride through a narrow tunnel that crosses Mount Tateyama. This green bus is powered by electricity, so it doesn’t produce any exhaust fumes. We travelled 3.7 kilometres with an elevation gain of 134 metres.
Tateyama Ropeway - 7 minutes
The Tateyama Ropeway covers a distance of 1,700 metres without the use of a single pylon along the way (those are the columns you typically see when you’re riding a cable car, chair lift or gondola.) This is the only such cable car in Japan, which makes it pretty unique. The journey takes you from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira, it’s a 7-minute trip and the elevation change is 488 metres.
Kurobe Cable Car - 5 minutes
Then it was time to ride the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko. What’s unique about this mode of transportation is that it’s the only underground cable car in Japan, meaning it is unaffected by the heavy snowfall in this region. This was the shortest journey so far. We travelled 0.8 kilometres, had an elevation change of 373 metres, and the ride only took 5 minutes.
Cross Kurobe Dam on foot - 15 minutes
The Kurobe Dam is an 186-metre arched dam and the tallest dam in all of Japan. It was built between 1956 and 1963. We noticed there was an option to go on a sightseeing boat ride on Kurobe Lake, however, we skipped it because we still had a bit of a journey ahead of us and we wanted to make it to Nagano City before dark.
Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus - 16 minutes
This brings us to our next mode of transportation: riding the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa Station. This was a 16-minute journey where we travelled 6.1 kilometres with an elevation change of 37 metres.
Local Bus to Shinano - 40 minutes
Once we arrived at Shinano, we picked up the luggage we had forwarded. There is a direct bus to Nagano that avoids Shinano, but it's not an option if you need to pick up your luggage first.
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[@stephenwarren9762]

One of the most beautiful scenic trips you have done on this Japanese 🏯 tour

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Stephen! We're glad you enjoyed this episode. It was one of the highlights of our trip and worth the extra bit of effort.

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

What a video. Watched it twice . From trains ,to buses and cable cars. The only thing you didn't do was fly. What a time of the year to see the Japanese Alps. Definitely bucket list for us. You guys covered a lot of ground. And as usual so well . Thank for sharing this wonderful video. Sending you much love❤ Richmond, Va. Harriet, Jim and Yuki

[@samuelandaudrey]

Aww, thank you! We're glad you guys enjoyed this day trip across the Japanese Alps. It was one of the highlights of the trip for us. We've never seen autumn foliage quite like that. I think we need to start planning more autumn trips to scenic places! 🍂🍁🧡🎃

[@johnthiella7986]

This is one of your most interesting and visually pleasing Japan videos!

[@nowgaku]

What a stunning mountain view!!

[@user-gp5mk7ck5e]

The colors of Audrey's jacket, blouse, bag and especially her cap perfectly match the autumnal landscape (which is truly amazing, btw; the explosion of beautiful colors seems like withering leaves' swan song); if she had got lost in the woods, it wouldn't have been easy to find her :)

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, good eye! I do like autumn colours, so my wardrobe tends to veer that way. 🍁🍂

[@katekaft]

What a journey! Thank you for the new video, guys!

[@glorian.4684]

Thank you for this beautiful video you are the best couple!!

[@jefferydeborah]

Looks like a wonderful adventure.

[@mariaelenadiduszyn462]

Such a contrast between the rainbow of colours and the snow

[@samuelandaudrey]

It was quite the treat! Winter wonderland one moment and peak autumn foliage the next. We couldn't have timed it better! 😊

[@bajlandiabajlandia5898]

Wonderful mountain views! I am impressed!😍⛰⛰❤

[@markaidan3020]

Brilliant, thanks

[@ericl5512]

Great video! I never heard of a baggage forwarding service. Looks like something that could be useful in many tourist areas. 👍 👍 👍

[@samuelandaudrey]

It was our first time using this type of service. I'm not sure if it's an 'only in Japan' type of thing, but it was super handy!

[@JodyY808]

It's a very common and convenient service because Japanese people travel very lightly within the country and public transportation usually doesn't accommodate luggage and large bags. Many people use it after landing at an airport because they need to get back to their homes by train and/or bus. It's also great if you do a lot of shopping while traveling and want to have the items shipped back to your hotel or home so you don't have to lug them around on your trip (as you did).

[@paulhowlett8151]

What a "Mind Bending" trip across and through the mountains!!!

[@NobuyukiTose]

We have also a car forwarding service in the area.

[@jaz3919]

I've used it everytime i've been in Japan . So easy and convenient .

[@dbwatx931]

What a fun journey 😊

[@Howelton2020]

WOW BEAUTIFUL!

[@LoveLUZZY]

So gorgeous sceneries! Enjoyed the beauty! So relaxing views! And colors!

[@samuelandaudrey]

We're glad you enjoyed it! This was one of our favourite travel days of the trip. 😊

[@manda6077]

I love your channel so so much! Thank you for always sharing your travels with us who live vicariously through you!!

[@michaelsylvester7272]

All you can see it beautiful adventures

[@mariaelenadiduszyn462]

The colours are unbelievable

[@mariaelenadiduszyn462]

Indeed a feast for the eyes

[@Posey12345]

Sam and Audrey watching your video Japanese Alp from our hotel in Yokahama Japan Our first week here Loving it so far

[@samuelandaudrey]

Oh, very cool! I hope Japan is treating you well so far. Enjoy Yokohama - we loved the food there! 😊🍜

[@dbwatx931]

Scenery was gorgeous, worth all the transfers!

[@samuelandaudrey]

For sure!

[@millimind]

I did some research and found your video, which confirms everything I'm skepital of. Amazing video. Breath taking view that you had. Thanks for the video!

[@jmpht854]

Gorgeous! And I feel ya both, I used to be like the energizer bunny on trips, now I drift off when I'm seated and take any and all napping opportunities 😀

[@samuelandaudrey]

There's something soothing about a bus or train gently swaying you to sleep...😴

[@ettevaatustproductions6164]

Wow!! What a fun filled day you guys had. The scenery looked amazing and all those modes of transportation. Another great video from you guys. We just got back from Bansko and among other things we took a gondola to the ski area which was over 2,000 meters. If you guys want to come to Bulgaria we'd be happy to show you the sites here.

[@samuelandaudrey]

That sounds amazing! We've heard lots of good things about Bansko. Who knows, we might end up visiting one day!

[@yaneyanyan5305]

For my recent trip, I made a couple of reservations that needed me to translate my name to katakana or hiragana and I just used the google translate, it worked fine for me.

[@allanelliot1566]

Enjoy you video's..........Thank You!!!

[@debbiedennison]

So interesting all the different unique modes of transport!

[@samuelandaudrey]

For sure! The ropeway was a real treat - I wish that part had been a bit longer. 😊🚠🍂

[@HawaiiJapan808]

Thank you for making this. Its been on my list. Ill go next month🤙🏽

[@samuelandaudrey]

Awesome! Wishing you happy travels.

[@HawaiiJapan808]

@@samuelandaudreygoing tomorrow. Cant wait. Thx

[@paulwheelan1106]

Utterly fantastic Vid. Brilliant Vistas and Audrey was right one short of Crowded House "4 Seasons in one Day"....Keep them coming, loving them

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Paul! We're glad you enjoyed this episode. The autumn foliage was just magical - hands down one of the coolest things we did in Japan. We still have a couple more episodes before the Japan adventure comes to an end. Thanks for watching and happy weekend! 😊

[@rafaelguerrero5259]

Hermoso !!! ❤

[@samuelandaudrey]

Japón en otoño es pura magia! 🍂🍁✨

[@elexisselorio]

this is so incredible! i will be travelling to Kanazawa Japan this August 2024. I plan to book an overnight stay in Toyama so i can get the first train to Tateyama. I plan to stop in Kurobe Dam and traverse back. Another option is to go straight to Nagano, like what you did and just take the shinkansen back to Kanazawa... I'm still thinking whats the best between the two.

[@user-mh8mg6dm4z]

素晴らしい景色でした！ 室堂で1時間ほど散策すると最高です、雪で歩きづらかったから残念、春夏シーズンにまた来て下さい😊

[@ursulaeleizalde712]

Que bello😍😍😍😍😍

[@sabrinastraveladventures4263]

What an incredible trip! I was just thinking of that trip you’d taken years ago in the summer that had me rethink it all 😅 To be honest at that stage I just don’t care when I just want to go! I’m really enjoying all your Japan vlogs immensely Thank you very much indeed for your hard work Sabrina🇫🇷🇬🇧

[@samuelandaudrey]

Oh, that infamous summer in Japan! Haha, yeah, it wasn't the best time to visit. That being said, escaping to the mountains provided some relief.

[@sabrinastraveladventures4263]

@@samuelandaudrey yes a totally different trip in the same country 😂😘

[@mariaelenadiduszyn462]

Kurobe Dam 😮

[@roldansalalila6544]

Me and my wife are planning to visit this Alpine Route this coming May of 2024...you video is big help...

[@samuelandaudrey]

That's amazing! That means you'll get to see the giant walls of snow!! Wishing you a great trip - that's coming up soon. 😊

[@roldansalalila6544]

@@samuelandaudrey Yeah we wanna see the snow wall hopefully...Thanks

[@kiminoriyui.3873]

素晴らしいタイミングで行けて良かったですね❤ だけどどの季節に行ってもここは裏切らないところですよ😊 立山連峰のハイキングもおすすめです🥾

[@sergeykomarov2203]

It's an ingenious package when you can squeeze out 2 sauces at once.

[@samuelandaudrey]

It was pretty cool! We've only ever seen that type of packaging in Japan.

[@samuelandaudrey]

That's awesome! Spring is a great time to do the crossing because you get to drive through the giant walls of snow!!!

[@thomass4785]

This area is known as one of heavy snow fall in Japan. In spring, when they remove snow on the road before reopen , 20 meters snow walls both side of road. The visitors can walk on the snow wall road.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Yes, that's how we first learned about this place! We'd love to do it again in the springtime for a completely different experience.

[@markaidan3020]

Thanks!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks for the tip!

[@edgardopescatori]

Hola Audrey y Samuel. Primero en ver el video y en darle link. Saludos desde Córdoba Edgardo 🍷.

[@spankohyayo]

立山黒部アルペンルートへようこそ！秋の紅葉と先取りした真冬の混在したとても綺麗な季節に訪れ最高でしたね！！

[@samuelandaudrey]

タイミングも完璧でした。訪問でき​​てとても幸運でした！それは私たちの日本旅行のハイライトの一つでした。

[@midori_daikon7366]

Hi! this is such an informative video, I'm so glad i found it. As I will do the exact same route as you in late Oct, may i know how much time per stop you can stroll around? is the stop to stroll the area only at the peak?

[@jtstudio7020]

Cool and chill vibes! Subscribed! I always loved to go Toyama, seeing this video I am going to try the Tateyama Kurobe alpine route! May I know if you only have an allocated time between each segment of the route? For example, how long can we stay at Kurobe dam before boarding the bus again? Thanks!

[@samuelandaudrey]

We did have a timed ticket for the Tateyama Cable Car. That was the second mode of transportation. You could stay at Kurobe Dam longer if you wanted too - many people do in order to enjoy the boat ride and visit the museum.

[@ElZorrotruck]

This video, while not the same, reminds me of a movie called "Planes, Trains and automobiles. RIP John Candy.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Ahh, a classic. We like that one too.

[@ElZorrotruck]

@@samuelandaudrey 😀

[@ycai1214]

What time do you arrive at Omachi bus station? I plan to take train from there to Matsumoto, then day trip to Kamikochi.

[@tla2001]

When my wife and I did this journey several years ago, we were able to purchase our tickets when we picked up our JR Rail Pass in Tokyo. Be prepared for weather regardless of season.

[@xoxoarn1618]

What a great long journey. What month exactly when you went there? (I know its when autumn) ... thank you

[@manuvital9071]

Picturesque video! What month did you do this alpine route? Thanks

[@samuelandaudrey]

This was in mid-October. It was peak autumn foliage!

[@skipper4114]

As a Canadian who's married to a Japanese person I have to say you guys are brave for all of the travels within Japan with out speaking the language. I have been to Japan 11 times and I have only seen 10% of what you have. I am not that brave....lol. But why back to Japan when you have been already a few times?

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, thank you! It was only our second time back in Japan. We decided to come back because our first trip was mainly centred around Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto, but we quickly realized we preferred the smaller towns out in nature. We decided to make that the focus of this trip and had a much better experience. As for the language barrier, we're okay pointing, signing and playing charades - it's just part of the adventure!

[@nabilaidzni9429]

Hi, Thank you so much for the video. It;s very informative and helpful! I'm planning to take alpine route by staying overnight in Murodo and continuing the journey to Ogizawa the next day. If this the case, how should I purchase the transportation tickets? should I purchase it one way from toyama-ogizawa just like you did, or is there any ticket counter up there along the journey that I should buy on the 2nd day? I'm just worried that the purchase also came with the time of the ride. Thanks in advance :)

[@ycai1214]

Thank you for making this video. It’s very helpful. I am plan to fly to Toyama in this mid October and take Alpine Route trip. When and where do you buy the bus tickets? But online or at the bus stop after you finish all the rides? Thanks.

[@samuelandaudrey]

If you're Japanese, I would suggest buying them online on the official Alpen Route website. If you're a foreigner, you can follow the exact steps we showed in this video. Arrive at Dentetsu-Toyama Station and get in line before the ticketing booth opens. A select number of same-day tickets are released and you can buy those in person.

[@ReconNobleSeven]

When was this? I’m heading there on the 11th of November this year, hoping the foliage is still spectacular in Mid November!

[@wonderbabyoli]

departing from dentetsu Toyama to Murano, can u get a u turn bus back to Toyama or must sit all the way till the end ?

[@nobuhirokawanisi]

ようこそ富山へ

[@RoldanSalalila-bl5ox]

We visited Alpine Route this last May ang planning to visit again this autumn...may I know the actual date of your trip...Thanks

[@Kangarooworld]

beautiful video! may i ask what were the dates of your visit?

[@samuelandaudrey]

We did the Alpine Crossing on October 16, which turned out to be peak foliage season.

[@Nastasya017]

Hallo Samuel and Audrey! We're going here in November so I've been watching videos to help me prep. Did I get it right that you paid for the entire route up front in Toyama Station? And there was no need to pay anymore each time you changed transportation? Thanks!

[@pianolove237]

Hello! thank you for your informative video! i am going there in April to buy the day tickets, would like to find out a bit more about the tickets! 1. do you happen to know how many day tickets do they sell each day 2. was there already a queue upon opening time 0730h during your visit? 3. After you got the tickets @2:20 with immediate payment, you mentioned did you pay on the spot for the entire ride but also mentioned that 'after paying for all of this' you needed to figure out the luggage. May i know if you paid in full at the dentetsu toyama window or you still have to pay elsewhere along the route?

[@samuelandaudrey]

All very good questions! I have answers for some of these. 1. I have no idea how many day tickets are released each day. I found this link on the Alpine Route website that talks about how many tickets they were releasing for a busy long weekend in August. This might be a good indicator: www.alpen-route.com/en/10373-2 That's why we wanted to be there are soon as they opened - to get in with the first wave of released tickets. 2. There were maybe 10-15 people buying same day tickets when we got there in the morning. We were the first to arrive and then people slowly trickled in. We went on a weekday, so I imagine this is why it wasn't too busy. 3. We paid for the full route from Toyama to Ogizawa when we purchased the tickets at the start of the day. Then we paid for the luggage forwarding service (it's now at 3000 yen per bag). Lastly, when we arrived in Ogizawa at the end of the route, we paid for 2 more buses: one to Shinano Omachi to pick up the luggage and another one to Nagano City (there's an express bus from Ogizawa to Nagano if you don't have luggage). I hope this helps a bit! It's a lot of info, but definitely doable.

[@hestijuliningsih2292]

hi, nice info. what month did you go there?

[@samuelandaudrey]

We visited in mid-October. It was peak foliage season!

[@marrkqu9367]

You missed the ice wall???

[@ninininpopopopo6167]

Are you recommend to book the route ticket online? Or buy at the Toyama station is better?

[@samuelandaudrey]

If you're Japanese, you can book online. However, if you're a foreigner, you'll want to go in person - and try to go early if you're travelling during high season!

[@yaday.9239]

Hi, can I ask which month you went there? I’m planning to go in autumn too. Thank you!

[@samuelandaudrey]

This was in mid-October.

[@rajdeepchoudhury]

Hi , please let me know did you guys book all the tickets onspot or pre booked anything?

[@samuelandaudrey]

We showed up early and booked our tickets right on the spot. We explain and show the whole process in the video.

[@deanzaZZR]

If the only hurdle to getting online tickets is Japanese input on a form simply ask the hotel staff to translate your names to katakana and have them send it to you via email so you can cut and paste. My first name is Thomas which is トーマス in katakana. It's totally doable.

[@samuelandaudrey]

We tried asking for help at 2 different tourism offices, but they recommended we just buy the tickets in person. I also thought of translating our names into katakana, but was worried it would be an issue if it didn't match our IDs. Thankfully, It all worked out in the end!

[@aaronhenderson8502]

How much in US dollars did it cost? Just tickets 2024 Also this is so relaxing 😌 Big fan

[@samuelandaudrey]

All the fares are listed here: www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/fare.html At the moment, it's ¥15,270 or $102 USD one way.

[@gabrielagallegos2967]

Avisame cuando pongan videos de Córdoba y en Español

[@samuelandaudrey]

En Abril arrancamos con los nuevos videos de Argentina.

[@donfrank4429]

still liked your testing pizza years ago

[@samuelandaudrey]

Haha, we do have a lot of pizza videos on the channel! 😅🍕

[@donfrank4429]

It was in 2017 or 2018, you guys take care

[@mawtravels]

When was this specifically? 🥺 Im going in mid-October

[@samuelandaudrey]

We also did this trip in mid-October. The colours were just perfection!

[@mawtravels]

@@samuelandaudrey thank youuu 🥺

[@joshr9417]

Just how long have you been holding your videos..... 6-7 months?

[@samuelandaudrey]

You may be surprised to learn that most travel vloggers do post their content several months after the trip. Editing is very time consuming and it's simply not sustainable to do it whilst travelling.

[@kmakma525]

2:36 Did you notice that not only the “time” but also “Canada” in red letter, are written in the paper😂😂😂?

[@samuelandaudrey]

Yes, they did ask us where we were visiting from. 🇨🇦

[@Songbirdstress]

Love the vid, but the music is really annoying. Could you maybe do one in two with the actual sounds and music, so everyone gets a part they like?

[@emilybh6255]

Could you have rented a car and just driven the entire way? I think that would have been far less stressful. You would have missed the foliage and river and mountain views but you'd probably enjoy other nice views on the way. Or, are the roads too treacherous?

[@samuelandaudrey]

We did the journey for sightseeing purposes. It's a famous route across the Alps and the whole point is to enjoy different methods of transportation as you go across the mountains. We could have taken the Shinkansen from Toyama to Nagano, but we specifically wanted to do this alpine crossing. 😊