The Tateyama and Kurobe area covers Tateyama Town and Kurobe City in Toyama Prefecture, and Ogizawa in Omachi, Nagano Prefecture. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route links Tateyama Station on the Toyama side with Ogizawa on the Nagano side, and to the north are Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen. Private cars cannot enter the Alpine Route, so you leave your car at Tateyama Station or Ogizawa and change to the cable car and buses. This page covers the places you can reach by car and the car parks where you change, with routes, roads and places to stop.
Map of the Tateyama and Kurobe area
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Tateyama Museum of Toyama
- 2Tateyama Station parking
- 3Shomyo Falls
- 4Murodo (by cable car and bus)
- 5Lake Arimine
- 6Ogizawa Station
- 7Kurobe Dam (by electric bus)
- 8Kurobe Gorge Railway, Unazuki
- 9Unazuki Onsen, Yamabiko path
- 10Michi-no-Eki Unazuki
- 11Michi-no-Eki KOKO Kurobe
- 12Michi-no-Eki Azumino Matsukawa
Line: 1 → 2 → 3
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The line on the map is the car route on the Toyama side: Tateyama Museum, Tateyama Station and Shomyo Falls. The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Murodo and Kurobe Dam are reached by public transport. Hover over or tap a number to see its name.
Recommended drives
First visit: park at Tateyama Station and go up to Murodo, then Shomyo Falls on the way back
From Tateyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway, it is about 35 to 40 minutes to Tateyama Station. Leave your car at the free car park at Tateyama Station (about 900 spaces) and go up to Murodo by the Tateyama Cable Car and the Kogen Bus. The round trip from Tateyama Station to Murodo takes 5 to 6 hours, lunch included. When you are back at Tateyama Station, drive to Shomyo Falls. From Tateyama Museum through Tateyama Station to Shomyo Falls it is about 13 km by car (calculated from map data).
The Katsuradai Gate on Shomyo Road is open from 7:00 to 18:00 from September to November. From the Shomyo-daira car park it is a 30-minute walk each way to the falls.
From the Nagano side, go to Kurobe Dam from Ogizawa
From Azumino IC on the Nagano Expressway, it is about 60 minutes to Ogizawa. Leave your car at Ogizawa and take the Kanden Tunnel electric bus to Kurobe Dam, 16 minutes (¥1,800 one way). The round trip from Ogizawa to Kurobe Dam takes 2 to 3 hours. The Ogizawa car parks are a paid one with 350 spaces (¥1,000 for 12 hours, 1,000-yen notes only) and a free one with 230 spaces.
To go all the way through, use the car forwarding service
To go from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa, use the private-car forwarding service, which moves your car to the other side. It takes bookings from the end of April to November, and forwarding takes about 5 hours. Going through the Alpine Route takes 6 to 7 hours one way.
Kurobe Gorge: start from Unazuki
It is 20 minutes from Kurobe IC to Unazuki Station on the Kurobe Gorge Railway. The Kurobe Gorge Railway has run the full line to Keyakidaira since 1 October, and runs until 30 November. The area around Keyakidaira Station is under restoration work, and you cannot go beyond the station and the Keyakidaira Visitor Center.
Roads you can drive
| Road | What it is | Length and toll | Hours and restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route | From Tateyama Station through Murodo and Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa (37.2 km) | Fares for the transport (the electric bus from Ogizawa to Kurobe Dam is ¥1,800 one way, for example) | Closed to private cars. Open until 30 November in 2026 |
| Shomyo Road | From the Fujihashi Gate through the Katsuradai Gate to the Shomyo-daira car park | — | Katsuradai Gate: 7:00 to 18:00 from September to November. Closed at night and in bad weather. Closed in winter |
| Arimine Forest Road | From the Kameya, Mizusu and Higashidani offices to Lake Arimine | ¥2,700 for a small car | Closed from 20:00 to 6:00 the next morning |
| Hokuriku Expressway | Tateyama IC and Kurobe IC are the entrances on the Toyama side | Toll | Two-way traffic on one carriageway between Toyama IC and Tateyama IC until 30 November |
| Omachi Alpine Line (Prefectural Route 45) | From central Omachi to Ogizawa | — | Roadworks can cause traffic jams. Closed for the winter between Ogizawa and Hinatayama from 10:00 on 1 December |
Places to stop
Views and nature
The numbers are the numbers on the map.
| No. | Place | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tateyama Museum of Toyama | — | 9:30 to 17:00, closed on Mondays. The permanent exhibition is ¥350 for adults |
| 2 | Tateyama Station car park | Free, about 900 spaces (140 spaces cannot be used because of rockfall) | The Toyama-side entrance to the Alpine Route. Parking for more than 1 week is not allowed |
| 3 | Shomyo Falls | Shomyo-daira car park | 30 minutes on foot each way to the falls. Katsuradai Gate: 7:00 to 18:00 from September to November |
| 4 | Murodo | Cars cannot go there | Go by the Tateyama Cable Car and the Kogen Bus. The last departure toward Toyama is at 16:20 |
| 5 | Lake Arimine | — | Reached by the Arimine Forest Road (¥2,700 for a small car) |
| 6 | Ogizawa Station | Paid: 350 spaces (¥1,000 for 12 hours); free: 230 spaces | The Nagano-side entrance to the Alpine Route. The city-run No. 1 car park is closed for roadworks until 16 November |
| 7 | Kurobe Dam | Cars cannot go there | 16 minutes by electric bus from Ogizawa. The sightseeing discharge ended on 15 October |
| 8 | Unazuki Station, Kurobe Gorge Railway | About 350 standard cars (¥1,000 for 6 hours) | ¥2,480 one way to Keyakidaira. The full line runs until 30 November |
| 9 | Unazuki Onsen and the Yamabiko Promenade | Paid car park in front of Unazuki Station | Closed at night. Usually open from late April to the end of November |
| — | Akujo no Kabe | — | A rock cliff on the left bank of the Shomyo River, about 2 km long |
Roadside stations
| No. | Roadside station | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Michi-no-Eki Unazuki | 84 spaces | 6 km from Kurobe IC. 9:00 to 17:00, open every day. Electric-car rapid charger |
| 11 | Michi-no-Eki KOKO Kurobe | 224 spaces | About 7 km from Kurobe IC. 8:30 to 21:00, open every day. Electric-car rapid charger |
| 12 | Michi-no-Eki Azumino Matsukawa | 33 standard cars | On the way from Azumino IC to Ogizawa |
Best seasons and crowds
The autumn leaves come down from the high ground. In 2026, Kurobe Dam was "close to peak" as of 18 October, and the area around Tateyama Station and Shomyo Falls usually peaks in early November. In Kurobe Gorge, Keyakidaira is at its best in late October, and Kane-tsuri and Nekomata in early November.
| When | What to see and watch for |
|---|---|
| Mid-April to May | The Alpine Route opens (15 April in 2026) |
| Mid-October | Autumn leaves at Kurobe Dam and Ogizawa |
| Early November | Autumn leaves around Tateyama Station and at Shomyo Falls |
| 30 November | The last day of the Alpine Route and of the full line of the Kurobe Gorge Railway in 2026 |
Crowded places and times
- On the Alpine Route, holiday weekends in the autumn-leaf season are very busy. Buying a same-day ticket can take over an hour, and boarding at Tateyama Station can take 1 to 2 hours or more.
- From 27 October to 1 November, same-day round-trip tickets from the Toyama side are sold in limited numbers for each departure. One-way tickets through to Ogizawa are sold as usual.
- In front of Unazuki Station, the car parks and roads are very busy on weekends and holidays in the autumn-leaf season.
Closed roads and restrictions (as of 26 October)
- The city-run No. 1 car park at Ogizawa (free, 170 spaces) is closed for paving work until 16 November. When the other car parks are full, use the temporary car park about 8 km before Ogizawa (¥1,000 donation, free shuttle bus).
- The Hokuriku Expressway between Toyama IC and Tateyama IC has two-way traffic on one carriageway until 30 November.
- From late October, there may be snow or ice up to Tateyama Station and Ogizawa. Carry chains or winter tyres.
Getting there and fuel
| From | Guide |
|---|---|
| Hokuriku Expressway, Tateyama IC | About 35 to 40 minutes to Tateyama Station, about 30 minutes to Tateyama Museum |
| Hokuriku Expressway, Kurobe IC | 20 minutes to Unazuki Station on the Kurobe Gorge Railway |
| Nagano Expressway, Azumino IC | About 60 minutes to Ogizawa |
| Joshin-etsu Expressway, Nagano IC | About 1 hour 30 minutes to Ogizawa |
There is no list of petrol stations, so fill up in the towns near Tateyama IC, Kurobe IC or Azumino IC before you go. Electric cars can charge at Michi-no-Eki Unazuki and KOKO Kurobe.
If you don't have a car
You can rent a car in Toyama Prefecture. Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. For how pickup and return work at an airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?
Private cars cannot enter. Park at Tateyama Station on the Toyama side or at Ogizawa on the Nagano side, then change to the cable car or buses.
Until when is the Alpine Route open?
In 2026, until 30 November. The opening date for 2027 has not been announced yet.
What happens to my car if I go all the way through?
If you book the private-car forwarding service from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa, your car is moved to the other side. It takes bookings from the end of April to November, and takes about 5 hours.
Can I go to Keyakidaira on the Kurobe Gorge Railway?
The full line to Keyakidaira has run since 1 October. The area around Keyakidaira Station is under construction, and you cannot go beyond the station and the Keyakidaira Visitor Center.
Can I buy petrol near Tateyama?
There is no list of petrol stations. Fill up in the towns near Tateyama IC or Kurobe IC before you go.
Nearby areas and guides
- Kamikochi and Norikura Driving Guide: Sawando Bus Transfer, Norikura Kogen and Shirahone Onsen with Map
- Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27: Mountain Road Closing and Reopening Dates
- Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
- Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Dam (Kansai Electric Power) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Dam (Kansai Electric Power) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Dam (Kansai Electric Power) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Omachi City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Arimine Forest Culture Village (Arimine Net) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Arimine Forest Culture Village (Arimine Net) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Arimine Forest Culture Village (Arimine Net) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- NEXCO Central Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Hokuriku Michi-no-Eki (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Hokuriku Michi-no-Eki (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- NEXCO Central Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- NEXCO Central Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Dam (Kansai Electric Power) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe Dam (Kansai Electric Power) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Kurobe Kanko) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki KOKO Kurobe (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki KOKO Kurobe (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kanto Michi-no-Eki Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-26
