The Murodo snow corridor will be open to pedestrians from April 16 to June 22 2016.
As Tateyama Alpine has just opened for the 3rd day, it was expected there will be huge crowd travelling in the same direction. And so, we woke up as early as 5 plus in the morning and skipped the free breakfast at Ace Inn, in order to catch the 2nd earliest train @ 627 am to Shinano Omachi.
Using JR pass, we took the Oito line which got us to Shinano Omachi in 1-hour.
Our route is from right to left, starting from Shinano Omachi:-
At Shinano Omachi, we need to get to Alps Roman Kan to drop our luggage (it will be for pick up at the end of the day at Dentetsu Toyama). Alps Roman Kan was supposed to open at 8am, but when we arrived at 7plus, it was already opened. There's no need to buy tickets for the trip as we already bought the tourist promotion tickets.
 |
| Alps Roman Kan and omiyage (souvenir) shop |
 |
| We saw full blooming sakura near bus stop @ Shinano Omachi |
 |
| Sakura and Alps in the background |
 |
| Ticket for today's trip |
We arrived at Ogizawa after 40 mins of bus ride. There is nothing much to see around Ogizawa.
From Ogizawa, we need to take the tunnel trolley bus to Kurobe Dam.
 |
| View from Ogizawa |
 |
| Look at the crowd queuing for the trolley bus |
In 16 mins, we arrived at Kurobe dam, 黒部ダム. It is the highest arch dam in Japan at 1454 meters tall. I heard it took 7 years for the dam to be constructed.There were many difficulties in the construction and 170 people died in the progress. After the dam has been constructed, it has supplied electricity for Kansai region since 1963. It sure was cold when the wind blows strongly in the dam area.
 |
| The temperature's just over 10 degrees |
 |
| After alighting from trolley bus, we came out from this tunnel |
 |
| It takes about 15 mins or more to climb that |
 |
| In April, the water in the dam is still frozen, so we cant see water splashing out |
 |
| Kurobe Dam, 1454 meters above sea level |
From the dam, let's take the Kurobe cable car from Kurobeko station to Kurobedaira. The crowd cleared very quickly.. and we were almost the last group left in the dam area.. Quickly get to the cable car before another batch of crowd arrives.
 |
| Enter here to look for cable car |
 |
| Here for cable car |
 |
| Lots of steps to climb.. good exercise for yoyo |
 |
| Look at the crowd behind us |
We arrived at Kurobedaira. There's a beautiful garden here I heard, but in April, it is covered in snow. It is still beautiful though. Once we go up to the observation deck in the top level, we can see very beautiful view of the snow mountains, and at level 1, we can find the beautiful garden.
 |
| More steps to climb as we get out of the car |
 |
| View of garden from the observation deck |
 |
| Beautiful snow mountains from the deck |
 |
| Get down to level 1 to go to the garden |
 |
| Someone made a snowman |
 |
| The queue was long, so just stand beside them to take a photo |
 |
| Although I did not feel snow falling down on me, it was still great to touch fallen snow |
From Kurobedaira, we need to take the Tateyama Ropeway to Daikanbo. At the ropeway queue, we almost had trouble to board, as the station officer was telling us that we need to wait at least 2 hours for the next ropeway. Luckily, we were able to produce a number tag which was given to us just before we board the cable car at Kurobeko. And soon it was our turn to board the ropeway.
The view was beautiful while on the way up. I don't remember taking any photos at Daikanbo. Anyway, we rushed to board the next trolley bus from Daikanbo to Murodo.
 |
| At Tateyamama..its time to move on.. we need to take the ropeway to Daikanbo |
 |
| It's not our turn yet.. we watched on as the crowd rushes into the ropeway |
 |
| Getting to the trolley bus at Daikanbo |
We are now up in Mount Tateyama, 立山. The main attraction for the day is coming up, the Murodo snow wall! As mentioned above, the snow wall only opens for about 1.5 months in every year, from April to June. From Dec to mid-April, snow has accumulated in the mountains and from April, the wall is already starting to melt. Hence, the people are able to drive the GPS through to clear the road, forming a 500 meters long snow corridor.
As it is approaching noon, we are already feeling hungry. Let's head for lunch first and boost our energy level before getting out in the cold. The restaurant at 2nd level was super packed and reserved by people from the tour groups, hence we could not eat there. Instead, we found some snacks at a level 1 snack corner.
 |
| To keep warm, have some hot soup before going out to the cold |
We need to get prepared for the super cold weather outside. See us all wrapped up. It was 1 degree when we went out and strong wind was blowing...it was freezing cold!!!!
 |
| Highest point is here |
 |
| Getting ready to get down from Murodo |
 |
| Toyama Ramen came along with us |
From Murodo, we took the Tateyama highland bus to Bijodaira for about 30 mins, from there we need to transfer to Tateyama cable car to transfer to Tateyama train station.
 |
| Last of the steps.. we made it! |
At Tateyama station, we stopped for some souvenir and snacks at the omiyage shop, and then headed to board the train. It took about 1 hour to get to Dentetsu Toyama station. That's where we will pick our luggage and end our trip for Tateyama Alpine.
 |
| Arrival at Dentetsu Toyama |
 |
| Look at their happy faces |
 |
| Luggage pick up straight after we alight from the train |
It was about 5 mins walk from Dentetsu Toyama station to JR Toyama station. We are quite tired by the time we reached Toyama. So we did not spend any time to check out the place.
From Toyama, let's take the train to Kanazawa, where we will rest for the night.
Tickets were not reserved as it was difficult to estimate our arrival time at Toyama.
 |
| That's the Hakutaka567. Let's board it! |
Kanazawa, 金沢Arrival at Kanazawa in 25 mins.
Before check-in to our hotel, as we are at the east side of the station, we need to collect the bus tickets for the next day trip (It will be another exciting day!!! :P)
Check-in to APA hotel, just short few minutes walk to the back of the station (west) and drop our luggage then find a place for dinner.
After some discussion, we decide to eat at local restaurant in building beside APA hotel.
 |
| Modern structure at Kanazawa station |
 |
| Oyasuminasai |
No comments:
Post a Comment