One Day Itinerary for Alpine Route Nagano

1. 8:00AM: Toyama Station
   Start the day at Toyama Station located in the center of the city. Take the JR train to Tateyama Station. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

   This is the starting point of your Alpine route adventure to Nagano. You should arrive early to avoid the crowds and long lines. Make sure to grab some snacks and drinks for the journey ahead.

2. 10:00AM: Tateyama Station
   Take the cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira. The cable car journey provides stunning views, and when arriving at Bijodaira, you can see the beautiful Ushidome Pond.

   Bijodaira is also known as the Highlands of Tateyama since it is situated at the base of Mount Tateyama. Upon arriving at this station, there are plenty of activities to do, such as strolling to the Ushidome Pond, taking a cable car ride the walking trail.

3. 11:30AM: Kurobe Dam
   Take a Ōigawa Railway bus from Bijodaira to Kurobe Dam. This bus ride is a scenic drive that takes about 50min.

   Kurobe Dam is one of the highlights of the Alpine Route. It is the tallest dam in Japan and a masterpiece of engineering. Here, you can walk across the dam while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lake.

4. 1:00PM: Murodo Station
   Take the Ōigawa Railway bus from Kurobe Dam to Murodo station. The bus ride takes about 30min.

   Murodo Station, located at 2,450 meters above sea level, is the highest destination of the Alpine Route. Here, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Japanese Alps and to the Sea of Japan.

5. 3:30PM: Daikanbo Station
   Take the Tateyama Ropeway from Murodo Station to Daikanbo Station. The Ropeway ride takes about 7min.

   Daikanbo Station provides a stunning panoramic view of the mountains and clouds. You can also take a short hike to the nearby peak to enjoy a panoramic view from above.

6. 5:30PM: Ogizawa Station
   Take the Alpico Bus from Daikanbo Station to Ogizawa Station. It takes about 30min to travel back to Ogizawa Station.

   Ogizawa Station in Nagano is your last stop on the alpine route. Take some time to explore the station and its surroundings. There are plenty of gift shops and restaurants where you can try some local cuisine.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Train from Toyama Station to Tateyama Station (1.5 hours): $30
• Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira (7min): $7
• Ōigawa Railway Bus from Bijodaira to Kurobe Dam (50min): $10
• Ōigawa Railway Bus from Kurobe Dam to Murodo Station (30min): $10
• Tateyama Ropeway from Murodo Station to Daikanbo Station (7min): $8
• Alpico Bus from Daikanbo Station to Ogizawa Station (30min): $13

Total Estimated Costs (excluding food and souvenirs): $78

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit other attractions around Nagano City, such as Zenko-ji Temple or Togakushi Shrine. Make sure to check the schedule of the Alpine Route ahead of time, as some areas are closed during certain periods. If you have less time, you can skip the first station and start at Tateyama Station. You can also skip some of the stops and customize the itinerary to your liking. Just make sure to check for open hours!