Explore Japan
CRe8Japan
クリエイトジャパン
Omachi City
Hakuba Valley, Nagano
Kurobe Dam & Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Information
2025-2026
Welcome to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route; a world-famous sightseeing destination, which runs through the 3,000-metre-high peaks of the Japanese Northern Alps. Sites like this and many more are just minutes away for travellers lodging in Omachi City, Nagano. This includes the eye-catching Kurobe Dam, which is only 16 minutes away by electric bus from Ogizawa Station.
From the Kurobe Dam, guests can venture through underground cable cars, sky-soaring ropeways or hop aboard a trolley to visit Murodo, the area’s highest point reachable by transport at 2,450 metres. From April to June, enter into a fantasy-like snowscape encased by massive snow-walls, called Yuki-no-Otani, which are over 10 metres in height in May and can even exceed 20 metres.
Mikuriga-ike Pond is another breath-taking spot in Murodo, where the Tateyama Mountain Range bounces off water so pristine, you’ll think you’re seeing double. This is best observed from late June to mid-July when the abundant alpine flora prospers and thunderbirds soar the skies; an ideal walking course for any level in search of grand views. Or, take things one step further and head for Mt. Tateyama, one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains. Its peak can be reached in approximately 2 hours from Murodo Terminal on foot.
Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant scenes of Autumn in the Alps. At Murodo, visitors can catch crisp fall foliage from mid-September, with leaves peaking below in early October that appear as a sea of colourful trees surrounding the Tateyama Ropeway.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Information -> https://www.alpen-route.com/en/
Omachi City General Information
Omachi City is located at the Southern-most part of Hakuba Valley and borders Kashimayari and Jiigatake, two excellent ski resorts with fluffy powder snow and varied trails. Both of which are included in the Hakuba Valley Lift Pass.
Kashimayari Ski Resort is characterized bowl-shaped terrain and wide variety of slopes. There are also plenty of snow activities and an indoor playground that even non-skiers can enjoy, so the whole family have fun their holidays.
Pokémon Snow Adventure, which has the theme of "Play with Pokémon on the snow mountains," offers three areas to enjoy: the snow tubing area, the playland area, and the first experience of snow mountain area.
Kashimayari Ski Resort information -> https://www.kashimayari.net/snow/
Jiigatake Ski Resort, most of the slopes are gentle and ideal for families and beginners making their first skiing experience. You can experience the charm of a snow resort beyond just skiing, with activities such as snow tubing in one of Japan's largest kids' parks, a snowmobile tour through the lush forest, and an exciting snowcat ride.
In Omachi City, the saying “less is more” rings true. Compared to Hakuba, the ski resorts here are more comfortable and enjoyable with less lines at the lifts, less crowded restaurants and less expensive accommodation.
There are more than a dozen hotels in the Omachi Onsenkyo Area, and the hot springs found here are the perfect way to relax after a long day on the slopes. Most accommodation includes breakfast and dinner, typically with an option of buffet or kaiseki-style meals. Additionally, every Saturday evening in February, the area hosts the Dream Fireworks and Sound Festival. Make sure to mark this event on your calendars for a wonderous display of Japanese taiko drum performances and fireworks!
From the Omachi Onsenkyo Area, getting to the action is easy. A short shuttle bus ride will get you to Jigatake Ski Resort in 10 minutes and Kashimayari Ski Resort in 25 minutes. Visitors can also hop aboard and arrive at the Hakuba Ski Area in just 50 minutes!
Omachi Onsenkyo Area information -> https://www.omachionsen.jp/
Or, opt for an immersive experience in Japanese culture by lodging at the luxurious traditional accommodation, Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps. This hot spring oasis is conveniently nestled in the jaw-dropping landscape found at the edge of Omachi City. Here, guests can experience authentic kaiseki cuisine and get lost in the magnificent views of surrounding mountains and rivers from multiple lookout points, including while soaking in outdoor hot springs or huddled around comfy fire pits.
Tateyama Prince Hotel is a Japanese-style inn nestled in a forest. Featuring two large baths and two open-air baths for men and women separately, bathing in a rustic atmosphere makes you feel very relaxed. For food, enjoy the chef's pride and joy, a traditional Japanese kaiseki meal made with plenty of local ingredients. The hotel is located in the Omachi Onsenkyo Area which is the closest to Kurobe Dam and only 20-minutes’ drive from the famous sightseeing spot the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. An excellent location for skiing to Hakuba and sightseeing to Azumino.
Tateyama Prince hotel reservation -> https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/tateyama-prince
Hotel Keisui boasts a variety of hot springs, including an open-air garden bath, foot baths, and private baths. Meals are cooked with an abundance of local ingredients, and the head chef carefully prepares each dish with a focus on health. The hotel is conveniently located for sightseeing to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, strolling in Azumino, and trekking in Hakuba, making it a great base for sightseeing and a wonderful trip where you can experience Omachi's rich nature up close.
Hotel Keisui reservation -> https://reservation.quintessahotels.com
Kurobe Kanko Hotel is the only hotel in the Omachi Onsenkyo Area that offers a buffet-style dinner. You can enjoy a wide variety of dishes from an extensive menu of over 70 items, including tempura, sushi, crab, sashimi, meat and local cuisine. They have the largest public bathing space in the Omachi Onsenkyo area, which allows you to relax.
Kurobe Kanko Hotel reservation ->https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kurobe-kanko
At Kurobe View Hotel, you can experience the beauty of the Northern Alps, which change colour with each season all year round. Your stay in the quiet forest will warm your heart and make you feel calm every day. You can choose between Japanese-style or Western-style rooms which allows you to relax and unwind. The cuisine offers a variety of dishes rich in local flavors.
Kurobe View Hotel reservation -> https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kurobe-view
Wachigai - Japanese cooking workshops and a dining experience
Just a 5-minute walk from Shinano-Omachi Station, take part in a dining experience unlike anything you’ve ever tried before at Wachigai, a traditional local restaurant in Omachi City. In this stunning 130+ year old establishment, guests can participate in unique Japanese cooking workshops led by an English-speaking host.
There are two course options: Sushi or Full Course. Both options introduce authentic food culture, and include ingredients such as fresh river fish and locally harvested vegetables to be enjoyed in a one-of-a-kind space.
Stepping inside Wachigai, originally owned by one of the biggest merchants of 1800’s Japan, the historical architecture and furnishings, together with the meal, give deep insight into the people who have habited this region for many, many years.
