I was also given a receipt and not the actual ticket. Covers popular areas of Hakuba, Tateyama, Kamikochi, Kawaguchiko. I think it would have been extremely uncomfortable to carry my bags the whole way and incredibly rude to the other travelers. Magome Village on the Nakasendo: Blanscape / Shutterstock.com. If you really want to spend more time at Murodo and/or do the Mount Murodo viewpoint hike or visit the hot springs, then youll need to skip Midigahara. Spring in Tateyama (Yuki-no-Otani, or Great Snow Valley): Venus.1777 / Shutterstock.com. You can take a train to Hakuba or Matsumoto. Click here to get lots of great tips for traveling around Asia as well as my FREE Japan itinerary guide. I took it off and put it on again continuously as the temperature changed throughout the day. I could have taken a boring old train between these two cities, but by taking the Alpine Route, I was able to travel at over 2,000 meters through the Japan Alps using five modes of transportation: cable car, trolley, ropeway, bus, and train. Kanazawa has lots of traditional Japanese-style homes to rent that are stunningly beautiful. Do I buy tickets for each leg of the journey or do I buy one ticket for all the steps? Hut on Mt Karamatsu in the North Alps: ryuurikyou / Shutterstock.com. Yama-to-Kogen also has a similar app, but youll need to pay 500 yen to download each map you will want to use. star wars fanfiction terran alliance; when a girl says i'll keep that in mind; hillsborough disaster who was to blame; how to get into stanford with a low gpa Thanks for this! Tateyama, one of Japans three sacred mountains, Mt. The hotel I stayed at in Kanazawa has closed down, but I found a boatload of alternatives at all price points. The line to get onto the cable car was already long when I got there even though it didnt leave until 9:40 am. About Wes Lang Fall (September November) the Alpine Route is a great time to see the fall foliage. Yes the reason is because many Australians live in Hakuba for the ski season thats why there is plenty of English information about it. He had a list of bus departure times for Murodo. Mt Fuji from Kita-dake: Pongpet Sodchern / Shutterstock.com. 3. Day two charts a perilous course from Yari tothe Hotaka peaks via the Daikiretto knife point ridge. That said, the mountain ranks near the bottom of the difficulty table on the Nagano Prefecture Comprehensive Mountaineering Centers official guide, putting it within the reach of a fit novice hiker. tateyama to kamikochi traverse. The cost was 1500 (US$14) to Shinano-omachi. Kamikochi to Tateyama traverse - Day 2 . The hike starts at the very end of the Tomarushi Onsen () access road, on the southern flanks of the mountain. When I checked on tickets in March, many of the days in April and parts of May were sold out. I had to exchange the receipt for the actual ticket in Toyama, which was the beginning of the route. The signage on the Alpine Route is so great that it makes it super easy to travel on even for someone whos always getting lost. North Japan Alps from Happo-ike Pond near Hakuba: Krishna Wu / Shutterstock.com. Tateyama-machi, Toyama 36 F Check the Tateyama Kurobes website for the most up-to-date ticket price. When I was there, the last trolley bus out of Murodo left at 4:30 pm. As with Parts I and II of this guide, the topic well be tackling here is a big one. Aso and its impressive active volcanic lake a highlight of the region. Guests often stay in Omachi 4 or 5 DAYS to fully sample it here is an album of quick video snippets showcasing Omachi. Routes range from short, easy walks to long, tough treks and thrilling scrambles. The luggage pick-up spot is to the left of the station. - As with all Kamikochi hikes, there are numerous ways to approach Okuhotaka, including a straight climb up from the Karasawa Col, a traverse of the ridgeline between Mt. For more guides and itineraries on Japan, check out my Japan travel guide page. Buy Ticket: Alpine Route Day Trip from Nagano HOW LONG: 8 - 9 hours to complete; check timetable here Tateyama is a significantly easier mountain to climb than Mt. Ponds will also have formed from the melted snow. Through the translucent rays of the rainbow and whispy clouds I could just make out the path leading up and over the horse-like contours of Mt. In the spring, there is more water, but when I was there it was quite dry. Kamikochi Nagano Japan 15 Day Weather Forecast. bows and that would be a nice bow speaking of bows there are a lot of bows in japan get it my current vision of the traverse is hiking the northern alps kita alps From Takayama, there are regular buses to Kamikochi (2600 yen one-way, 90 min, involving a bus transfer at Hirayu Onsen) and Shin-hotaka ropeway (2160 yen one-way, 1 hr 45 min). When I arrived on the other side of the dam, I entered a tunnel that took me to the trolley bus. Most people will find it easier to embark from the trailhead in central Kamikochi and do a loop hike to the summit and back. Kamikochi + Tateyama Kurobe Two-Day Tour - 1 Person 1 Room Plan Free cancellation 22 day(s) prior to selected date. Includes Kurobegorodake*. I chose Midagahara, which unfortunately gave me less time at Murodo but allowed me to go for a walk in an area without tons of tourists. These routes were chosen because they represent a range of distances and difficulty levels while also covering different areas of Northern Alps geography. Full details/logistics of this traverse can be found in my guidebook.. From Sugo-norikoshi campsite, the peaks rise from the earth as if pulled up by Ninigi no Mikoto himself. Mountain hut near Mt Yari in the North Alps: English-language guidebook to the Japan Alps, Hiking in the Japan Alps: Kamikochi to Mt Yari-ga-Take via the Daikiretto Traverse, Walking the Nakasendo from Kyoto Guide and Map, The Kumano Kodo Walking Trail: A Guide with Maps, Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto), Kyoto Walking Tour 1: Nanzen-ji Temple to Yoshida-jinja Shrine, Kyoto Walking Tour 2: Tofuku-ji Temple to Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto Walking Tour 3: Classic Southern Higashiyama, A Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures, Kyoto Itineraries for Families with Children, Kyoto One-Day Off-the-Beaten-Track Cherry Blossom Itinerary, The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto. The information center pointed me to the appropriate window. As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Just make sure to leave Toyama before 9:00 am to give you enough time to do some hiking around Murodo. Theres a viewing platform where you can look out over the valley, but thats about it. An easier option is to purchase your ticket through Klook. Various scenic hiking routes are available depending, including very short day trips, and rock climbing options are available for the extra-adventurous as well. Along the way, you can check numerous hyakumeizan off your list as you take in brilliant panoramas from high mountain ridges. Yari (Yari-ga-Take), the Matterhorn of Japan, and Mt. The view from the train window was some of the most beautiful rural scenery I saw in Japan. USD 441.65 The total one-way fare is 3630 yen, but discount tickets available for those on a tourist visa who want to travel along the entire alpine route. While not quite as thrilling as the jagged peaks in the North Alps, the Hirogawara-to-Sawarajima trek features eye-popping views of Mt Fuji and long sections of isolated ridges devoid of other hikers. Hiker in the Japan Alps: Yusei / Shutterstock.com. This was the waiting room for the cable car to Bijodaira. 2. Access to Murodo is along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a high-altitude transportation network cutting straight through the Japan Alps, connecting Shinano-Omachi city in Nagano with Toyama city on the Sea of Japan coast. Day 2 dawned clear, but my late start meant I had the first climb completely to myself. Its situated at 2,450 meters and surrounded by several mountain peaks at over 3,000 meters. The informality of the whole set up would have worried me if I had not been in Japan. Mt Yari (Yari-ga-Take): Amstk / Shutterstock.com. Midagahara is a wetlands area at 2,000 meters above sea level. Its possible that the route is closed due to bad weather, which means youre out of luck. Arrange for your luggage to be transported to the end of the Alpine Route. 2. A legfontosabb esemnyek kz tartozik a Mt. Takayama has a lot of sightseeing options and you could easily spend a couple of days here relaxing in cafes and strolling the narrow side streets. 3. Day one of the trek takes you from your starting point in Kamikochi all the way to the top of Yarigatake (8hrs) where you can spend the night at Yarigatake Sansou Hutbeneath the peak. Routes range from short, easy walks to long, tough treks and thrilling scrambles. The prices I list here are what a Booking.com Genius Level 3 member would get for the cheapest room. Umineko Shouten In-store, Japan. Shah (@shahjpn)TikTok () #kamikochi #tateyama Summer day - TimTaj EASY WAY TO BUY TICKET ONLINE: The problem is that the above online booking system is complicated and inconvenient. Like the cable car that I took earlier, I couldnt see anything outside, and it was terribly crowded. Reservation through KKday, during the period limited to Tateyama Kurobe two-day tour, go to Japan's representative beautiful scenic spots, a 03AE3E7D-8372-4E4D-8D3F-71110C0CBE27 AC5232BC-2AE8-4307-8BCA-41C6C1EA9E70 The first leg of the journey is traveling by train to Toyama. From the Sarukura trailhead, give yourself6-7 hours to reach the peak. The sun usually rises around 4am in the summer, so be prepared for an early wake-up call. When I arrived at JR Station, I was immediately confused as I always am in Japanese train stations. Kurobedaira is really just the place where you transfer from the ropeway to the cable car that will take you down to Kurobeko. tateyama to kamikochi traversekerala express highway project. Kita-Hotakadake and Mt. Situated at 2400 meters above sea level, Murodo is an alpine plateau situated on the edge of the active volcanic caldera of Mt. Get all my great travel tips as well as this FREE Japan travel and itinerary guide sent to your email right away! Ive also left out a couple of my favorites, Tsurugidake and the Hachimine Kiretto, because of safety issues and logistical difficulties (mostly the latter). Another nice thing was that there were very few other tourists around, so it was peaceful. If the bus or ropeway is full, you wait for the next one. Known for alpine ponds, wildflowers, hissing volcanic steam vents, and relaxing hot spring baths, Murodo is an excellent place to spend a few days doing day hikes of Mt. If youre going to Nagano, youll need to pick up your luggage in Ogizawa. A hegyek szmtalan trzsi s trzsi lehetsget knlnak, a Kamikochi kzelben lv knny lb stktl a 3000 mteres cscsok izgalmas alpesi zrzavarig. You will be taken for sightseeing in the region, from Kurobe Gorge to Daikanbo Peak aboard the Tateyama Ropeway. Kamikchi was logged extensively until the mid-19th Century. A pair of earplugs may also come in handy to help drown out the sound of snorers. Cookie If youre not in too much of a hurry, considerextending your trip by a day to hitthe Yari Onsen on your way back to Sarukura. Then I compare that to the price of a Japan Rail Pass. I took the ropeway at 2:40 and it arrived at Kurobedaira at 2:47. Water is usually not included, however, so budget an extra 1000 yen per day to purchase water. The building also had lockers and restrooms. I always book a place to stay on either Booking.com or Agoda. The huts only accept cash, so make sure you bring enough money to cover your expenses. Location: Takayama, Gifu () Max elevation: 10,470 ft / 3,190 m Total length: 17.04 mi / 27.41 km Traverse length: 1.9 mi / 3.05 km Difficulty: Very Strenuous Nihon Hyaku-meizan: Yes READ MORE Hokuriku Hikes () Mount Arashima (Arashimadake) Location: Ono, Fukui () Summit elevation: 4,998 ft / 1,523.5 m Hakuba is supposed to be a good place for hiking. These are only rough introductions. From there you have two choices: either follow the official Omote Ginza route to Yarigatake and down to Kamikochi or follow a gentler route across the Jonendake and Chogatake before descending into Kamikochi. This in itself is not a reason to give Shirouma a miss, but its definitely something to keep in mind. While many routes in the Japan Alps are clearly marked, it is still helpful to bring a hiking map or GPS device to help during times of poor visibility, and they can also be used as a way of keeping track of your progress. Subscribe tomy newsletter to receive the latesttravel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary. The Japan Alps are usually only climbed by those training for Himalayan expeditions, with frequent avalanche danger and unstable snow cornices. Search for the bus routes and timetables to Ogizawa, the entrance to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. English-language guidebook to the Japan Alps, featuring 27 walks and treks in the North, Central and South Alps, and the Mt Fuji area. Subscribe to the Bamboo Traveler's Newsletter and gets lots of great traveling tips for Asia and a FREE Japan Itinerary Guide. In the spring, its possible to plow a pathway through the snow turning the roads into a corridor with snow piled on each side as high as 18 meters. Hope this correction helps anyone planning to stay in this beautiful area. The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is one of Japan's most remarkable landscapes and experiences. One of the most unique travel experiences for me in Japan was traveling from Kanazawa to Matsumoto via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. When I was there in August, I wore my fleece and a windbreaker over a short-sleeved shirt and pants. The. Central Alps in summer: Navapon Plodprong / Shutterstock.com. The Kurobe Dam is similar in importance to the Japanese as the Hoover Dam is to Americans. Tateyama-machi, Toyama, Japan Weather Forecast, with current conditions, wind, air quality, and what to expect for the next 3 days. All that you need is enough cash (budget 12,000 yen per day per person) to pay for full accommodation (which includes dinner, breakfast, and futon bedding) as well as a daypack of essentials (snacks, water, sunscreen, an extra layer) to make it your next nights accommodation. You can book your bus tickets to Ogizawa online through the ALPICO GROUP website. The Alpine Route website recommends going in June because the snow corridor is still at 10 meters high, there are fewer tourists, and the weather is more predictable. The guesthouse has private rooms with shared bath for only US$27what a deal! The best multi-day hike is the Tateyama to Kamikochi traverse, a 6-day trek through the heart of the North Alps. Full details/logistics of this traverse can be found in my guidebook. You could use your credit card to purchase the ticket. Mt Aso, in Kyushu: gnoparus / Shutterstock.com. 1. A freestanding tent is recommended, as many of the alpine campsites are on rocky ground that makes it hard to secure tent stakes. The same can be said for Chogatake, just outside Kamikochi. The bus dropped me off a little bit to the right of the train station. Walter Weston, a British Anglican missionary, is credited through his writing with sparking interest in recreational mountaineering in Japan and also with lobbying to preserve the Kamikchi area. Mikurigaike pond loop Easy 1.7 km in 1 hour This is a hike around the pond. Bessan. tateyama to kamikochi traverse. Htels prs de Misogura Takamura, Chikuma: consultez avis de voyageurs, 2 178 photos, les meilleures offres et comparez les prix de 474 htels Chikuma sur Tripadvisor. Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is another must-see for visitors, as the island just to the south of Kagoshima features ancient cedar trees and unique rock formations around the summit of Mt. The line I was in for the 2:15 bus wasnt very long. Thanks again to the author for writing about The Alpine Route. Look for a green sign. A bit closer to Kyoto, the Nakasendo is an 18th-century travel route connecting Kyoto and Tokyo known for its picturesque post roads and stunning rural scenery. Is it possible to hike from Ogizawa to Tateyama. September is generally considered typhoon season, so keep an eye on the latest typhoon information when planning your hikes. Take into consideration the time it will take you to do these hikes. Day Three: Yakushidake Sanso to Kurobegoro Goya, six to eight hours. I remember my trip primarily for the brilliant sunset I watched from a outlook near the lodge as well as for a Brocken SpecterI saw from a ridge line, while returning from the summit. I still had loads of questions: Hopefully, this post will answer all of these questions for you so you arent as confused as I was before your trip to Japan. Disclosure: InsideKyoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. Rather than attempting the impossible task of covering the whole of the Northern Japan Alps and the myriad hikes they offer, weve chosen instead to focus ona few extra special routes. Feel free to delete any double posts i made it seems the video link wasnt sticking so i retried 3 times and so may have ended up making superfluous posts apologies. Tateyama-Kamikochi Traverse - Japan The Japanese Alps are often described as "The Yosemite Valley of Japan" because of the spectacular mountain scenery. I usually use either Booking.com or Agoda to book my hotels in Japan. Its a good time to go hiking. I didnt see any of that when I was up there. If you have questions about the website, please email us at press [at] kamikochi [dot] org. After doing some research, these are the two ways that you can currently buy your Alpine Route ticket. Despite the Scottish weather, I'd thoroughly enjoyed myself in July, and had left confident that the ~70km trek was doable in two days. The station is big and there were no signs pointing in the direction of Dentetsu station. The car was so crowded that it was impossible to see outside. In addition, a shorter rainy season also occurs around the first two weeks of the month, and once that passes the humidity and brutal summer temperatures usually drop, making hiking a much more pleasant affair. Wes Lang provides all the details. And at 6-7 hours, the entire round trip to the summit and back is doable as a day-hike. tateyama to kamikochi traverse. Summer (July August) In the summer, you can still see a little bit of snow. English-language guidebook to the Japan Alps, featuring 27 walks and treks in the North, Central and South Alps, and the Mt Fuji area. However, in the next line, they say this: The ticket is valid for 5 days after the purchase date. For nature enthusiasts, the northernmost island of Hokkaido is the perfect destination to escape the summer heat and humidity of the rest of Japan. The bus arrived in Murodo 20 minutes later at 12:30 pm. Day hikes are by far the most popular option for visitors, requiring a light backpack and just an extra layer of clothing, lunch, and enough snacks and water to sustain you. Posted at 15:49h in slapping octopus before eating by facilities management jobs kenya. Inside the terminal, there were a couple of restaurants and a souvenir shop. Kamikochi: Hiran chulo / Shutterstock.com. With so many options to choose from, it may be hard to choose where to go. There was still snow in the mountains in August. It avoids the tag of 'technical climbing,' but only by having a well-maintained network of chains and ladders reducing the need for ropes and other climbing gear. The prices, exchange rates, and times listed here are the ones as of December 27, 2022. Raichozawa return Medium 2.4 km in 2 hours 30 minutes This is a hike along one side of the pond to the hot springs and to a lookout point over the Valley of Hell (Jigokudani). Menu. Daikonbo is pretty much just a transfer point for the ropeway down to Kurobedaira. Theres not a lot to do at Ogizawa. I booked a last minute flight, met my friend James in Tokyo for a quick couple of beers . After payment, the staff will usually explain the hut rules (regarding meal times, toilets, lights out, etc) and then show you to your room. Yake, a full 8-hour return climb up an active volcano and one of the best day hikes in the Japan Alps. 2. The ne plus ultra of Japan treks takes you from Murodo, the main central hub of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpen Route, across a long segment of the Tateyama Range and all the way to Kamikochi. Hiker with smartphone: lzf / Shutterstock.com. There are two main hiking map options, Yama-to-Kogen Chizu and Yama-Kei Tozanchizu, both of which are available at outdoor shops and bookstores throughout Japan. Buses were leaving every 40 minutes. . The green signs go toward Shinano-Omachi and the blue signs go toward Toyama. The ne plus ultra of Japan treks takes you from Murodo, the main central hub of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpen Route, across a long segment of the Tateyama Range and all the way to Kamikochi. Spring (April June) This is the time when people flock to see the snow corridor. https://www.facebook.com/kamikochiThe website is managed by SCOP and a group of Kamikochi lovers from around the world. Daisetsuzan National Park, while only around 2000 meters in height, consists of stunning alpine scenery among lingering snowfields and active volcanic steam vents. Both maps are only available in Japanese, but the peak names are only written in roman letters on the Yama-Kei maps. Each year in June, the Weston Festival is celebrated at Kamikochi in recognition of his contribution to the conservation of the . . There are no advance sales for day tickets.. In addition, the warm rainy weather brings out the mountain leeches that live in forested areas of Honshu. Sadly, Lonely Planet and most other guidebooks and blogs in English dont say much about Shinano-Omachi. Mae-Hotakadake and down through the Karasawa Col, and lastly as I had to choose a departure time with him to reserve a spot on the bus. The autumn foliage peaks in September in both Hokkaido and the Japan Alps, so those who are unable to experience Kyotos incredibly beautiful autumn colors can head to higher elevations for a preview. No SPAM. Buying online before leaving for Japan is a good idea when its the busy season such as in April to June, when a lot of people want to see the snow corridor. How hard would it be and how long would it take? Omachi is a shi (city). This is analogous to saying Los Angeles is just the gateway to other parts of California you can take a train from LA to Orange County. There, in fact LA is the much larger place and here Omachi itself is the biggest drawcard of them all Omachi is TRIPLE the size of Hakuba Omachi is a city of 30,000 with 4 supermarkets, 5 or 6 schools, a hospital etc whereas Hakuba is just a village of under 10,000 with just 2 supermarkets and no hospital. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. BEFORE I started looking around Midagahara, I went inside a small building where the bus dropped everyone off to reserve a seat on the next bus to Murodo. Kyushu to the south of Kyoto is considered land of active volcanoes, with Mt. Mount Murodo viewpoint Medium 2 km in 2 hrs 30 min. I expected an actual office, but it turned out to be a very unofficial looking table to the right of the gate to get onto the train platform. However, in this article we will focus on the Japan Alps, which offers Japans most stunning hikes. I did part of the Raichozawa return hike. However, afternoon thunderstorms are also a real possibility in the summer months, so take care in stormy conditions and be prepared to deal with the rain and mist. Many of the routes here require multi-day excursions which may be broken up into smaller hikes if time is a factor. Approach the front desk (uketsuke, ) and tell them you would like to stay with two meals (ippaku, ni shoku, ). English-language guidebook to the Japan Alps, featuring 27 walks and treks in the North, Central and South Alps, and the Mt Fuji area. It had been raining so in my haze I thought maybe the multicoloured lights were lightning and the flapping sounds . Day One: Murodo to Goshikigahara, six to seven hours. Murodo is the main attraction and the highest point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Please remember that lunch is not included in the tour. At other times of the year, visit the Alpine Routes official website to find out what to wear for each season on the Alpine Route. If youre just breaking into mountain walking and in search of a day trip (or a more relaxed excursion with a night spent at a lodge, a Tsubakurodake hike from Nakabusa Onsen is highly recommended. October to November is the definitely the best time to explore the mountains near Kyoto, especially when the foliage has reached its peak. Along the way, you can check numerous hyakumeizan off your list as you take in brilliant panoramas from high mountain ridges. The hike ended at the building (it could havebeen the hot springs) on the left-hand side in the above photo. READ REVIEWS & BOOK YOUR STAY: Booking.com | Agoda, LOWEST PRICE: US$27 | BREAKFAST: Not included | RATING: 9.2 (63+ Reviews), AVERAGE PRICE:US$46 - $66 |BREAKFAST:included |RATING:9.6 (65+ Reviews). There were two bland-looking hotels at Midigahara as well. Tateyama, Japn hrom szent hegynek egyike, Mt. However, everything was mostly green. Below Ill describe my tour to help you get an idea of what the tour is like and to help you know what to do for each step. Ecchuzawa, which checks in at just under 2600m above sea level. Today Kamikochi Nagano Japan: Patchy light snow with a temperature of -7C and a wind North-North-East speed of 5 Km/h. Mountain huts offer a luxurious alternative to staying in a cramped tent, and you may be thanking your financial decision on rainy days when you can stay dry, warm and comfortable. Htels proches de Misogura Takamura, Chikuma: consultez avis de voyageurs, 2 178 photos, les meilleures offres et comparez les prix pour 474 hotels Chikuma sur Tripadvisor. Navigation Menu tateyama to kamikochi traverse. You could easily spend several days here just admiring the mirror reflections in the Taisho pond and photographing the wild macaques that live in the area. Finally, if youre looking to get off the beaten path and try something truly epic, then a full 8-day traverse of the South Alps would be the way to go. The central landmark of Murodo is a pond surrounded by the peaks of the tallest mountains on the Alpine Route. Those who are working their way up to the Yari/Hotaka Circuit by stages should consider this trek which can either begin or end in Kamikochi. With full information on travel, camping, mountain huts and more. You can do the tour in the opposite direction from Shinano-Omachi to Toyama or Kanazawa. The traditional starting point is The Nakabusa Onsen trailhead where a pleasant mountain trail will take you to the top of Tsubakurodake. Mt Yake in Autumn: Ichiro Murata / Shutterstock.com. The next part of the Alpine Route involves several steps that are vitally important: Toyama has two train stations: JR Station and Dentetsu Station. Thank you! Even with a sturdy chain to grasp, you'll still find yourself negotiating exposed ridges with sheer drops below. When I purchased mine, I needed to indicate the departure time for the Tateyama cable car. -Sightseeing at Kamikochi (120mins) Enjoy free time in Kamikochi. A comprehensive English-language guidebook to the Japan Alps has recently been published and is well worth seeking out for its detailed route descriptions and full-color English maps. Walk from JR (Japan Rail) Toyama Station to the Dentetsu Station in Toyama, Exchange your receipt for the real Alpine Route train ticket at Dentetsu Station. Click on the link for each option to find out more details. Learn how your comment data is processed. Finally, pick up your ticket at least 15 minutes before departure from a WEB ticket counter. Karasawadake, continuing on to Mt. Departs from Nagano and Japan's other major cities. I think the post mentions that the bus from Midagahara to Murodo needed a reservation, but were there any others?ii) How does the system work once you have the option ticket? Fortunately, I found a map outside the station that told me that if I turned left, Id eventually get to the smaller and older Dentetsu Station, which I did in less than 5 minutes. Its a unique experience that shouldnt be missed!