Yuki no Ōtani — Attraction in Tateyama

Great ambience if you like snow. We went there on 16 May 2019, the snow corridor still stand tall. Our trip started from Toyama using the JR Tateyama Option Ticket which we bought at JR East Travel Service at Shinjuku for 9,800 Yen (net after discount because we bought it 1 day before our trip so we get discount). From Shinjuku we took JR train at 7am to Omiya and continue with Shinkansen to Toyama, arrived at 9.30am. From Toyama, short walk to Dentetsu Toyama Station which stands beside Toyama Station (board sign will guide you easily from Toyama station, don't worry). At Dentetsu Toyama Station, show your JR Tateyama Option Ticket to the employee at the first locket at your left, he/she will attach 1 more ticket on your ticket showing that your ticket will cover from Dentetsu Toyama until Ogizawa (actually until Nagano, just show your ticket to the bus driver at Ogizawa for your trip to Nagano or Shinano Omachi and the bus driver will take your ticket as it will be your last route using the JR Tateyama Option Ticket). From Ogizawa we took the 4.40pm bus to Nagano, from Nagano we took Shinkansen to Omiya and continue to Shinjuku using JR train, arrived at Shinjuku before 9pm. Beside the tall snow corridor, you can play snow at the right side of Murodo station, the employees will direct you where to go as soon as you walk out from the station. The sceneries from Toyama to Murodo as well as from Murodo until Nagano are beautiful. For clothes, you need to check the weather forecast. On our visit, the forecast was sunny so i decided to wear long sleeve turtle neck heat tech shirt by uniqlo, warm jacket, legging and jeans, hat and sunglasses. Don't forget to use sunblock...

Expensive, difficult to reach but worth every yen. Spectacular panoramic views, hot springs, lots of trekking options and much more at this relatively isolated part of Japan. The snow corridor is not very long (about 500 meters) and takes only 20 minutes on foot. I suggest combining a mini trek around lake Mikurigaike or even a trek up to the peak of Tateyama mountain.

The snow corridor lasts for only 2 months starting from mid April with the best views in first 3-4 weeks. Huge crowds visit this site during this period and you need to plan in advance to have the best experience. For day trippers, take the first transport option in the morning (we took the 0730 bus from Ogisawa station). After 0800, the crowds become massive and you will have to jostle for space with thousand of others for a pic next to the corridor walls. If you can afford it, try staying overnight at the hotel at the top near Murodo terminal.

Though it is a snow corridor, it was very hot on a sunny day and I was sweating towards the end. Wear proper trekking shoes with crampons for trekking up the snow (I saw at least two people walking on the snow in driving moccasins). Goggles and sun cream are a must have.

The walls look nothing like the professional photos but are still...

Must visit when your around when the ice wall is present! Spectacular...even without the ice wall it's still definitely worth a visit. I was super worried about getting tickets up (Alpine pass is worth a purchase) as you can't book in advance...you can only book online if you go from the Toyama side but i wantes to start from thw Nagano side. The kurobe alpine pass is definitely worth purchasing...as I was planning on going on the second day the route opened in April I thought I would have a lot of trouble buying these tickets as it's only released a couple days before the route opened but I had no problem obtaining ticket from Nagano station (English is ok at this staion) once I purchase the ticket I was all set. I would strongly recommend staying and getting the earliest bus up as possible. Go to the starting stop as lots of people couldn't get on due to the crowds. It will be packed (super packed if you go near opening ) The tickets includes all transport up.amd down -I choose to stay overnight and go down early. I would recommend this as after a certain time Its gets much quieter and only people staying remain so you can properly enjoy and as an extra bonus when you are coming back down there is no crowds (remember pass is...