Top 10 Selected Spots in Toyama Prefecture: Guide to Maps, History, Nature, and Best Times for Photography

Index

Introducing Instagram-worthy Photos of Toyama Prefecture

Introducing Instagram-worthy Photos of Toyama Prefecture

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a world-famous mountain sightseeing route. It spans a total length of 37.2 km and has a maximum elevation difference of 1,975 meters. This route takes you from Toyama Prefecture’s Tateyama Station to Nagano Prefecture’s Ogizawa Station, using various modes of transportation such as cable cars, ropeways, and buses. Along the way, you can enjoy stunning natural scenery.

Tateyama Mountain Range

Tateyama consists of three main peaks: Oyama (3,003m), Oonanji-yama (3,015m), and Fuji-no-Oritate (2,999m). It is considered one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku, and has held religious significance since ancient times.

Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: Closed in Spring, Summer, Autumn/Winter Season
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Bus 3 hours 30 minutes from Nagano Station

Murodo Terminal

Murodo, at an altitude of 2,450m, can be reached by cable car and bus in about an hour. Summer is short here, with snow melting starting in early July and first snowfall occurring from late September to early October. During the summer season, it is bustling with climbers. This area is ideal for nature observation as you can see the rock ptarmigan, a special natural monument, and alpine plants. The terminal is well-equipped with facilities like hotels, shops, restaurants, and a simple post office, making it popular not only for climbing but also as a resort area.

Snow Wall

Tateyama is one of Japan’s snowiest regions, with heavy snowfall especially near the Murodo Terminal. The snow walls formed during snow removal can reach heights of over 20 meters and stretch for about 500 meters. Every spring, there is a famous event where you can walk alongside these snow walls.

Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: Spring
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Bus 3 hours 30 minutes from Nagano Station

Mikurigaike Pond

Mikurigaike Pond, formed around 10,000 years ago, is a volcanic lake with a circumference of about 630 meters and a depth of about 15 meters. You can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the year, especially from July to October when the surrounding majestic mountains are reflected on the lake’s surface. In autumn, the stunning fall foliage adds to its breathtaking beauty.

Rock Ptarmigan

The rock ptarmigan, a symbol bird of Toyama Prefecture, is considered a “living fossil” that has survived since the glacial period. Its feathers change color from brown in summer to white in winter. Although it usually avoids human presence, you have a higher chance of spotting it on rainy or foggy days. The ptarmigan has long been regarded as a “messenger of the gods.”

Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

Jigokudani is a hazardous area with sulfur emissions and volcanic gases, so entry is prohibited. However, around it, you can find the cobalt blue Mikurigaike Pond and the red-colored Chinoike Pond. In the Edo period, Jigokudani was recognized as a representation of hell on earth as part of the religious belief system centered on Tateyama.

Kurobe Dam

Kurobe Dam is one of Japan’s largest dams, built over seven years from 1956 to 1963, involving ten million workers and a budget of 51.3 billion yen. The main attraction is the powerful water discharge, releasing over 10 tons of water per second from Kurobe Lake. On clear summer days, the spray from the discharge creates rainbows, which are best seen in the morning.

Kurobe Gorge

Kurobe Gorge, one of Japan’s three great gorges, was formed over a long time by the Kurobe River as the surrounding 3,000-meter-class mountains rose. This V-shaped gorge is known for its stunning scenery, with beautiful blue water flowing at the valley floor, reflecting the fresh greenery in spring and the vibrant colors of autumn.

Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: Spring, Summer, Autumn / Partial operation in winter
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: ▶Kurobe Gorge Railway operation information

Kurobe Gorge Railway

Kurobe Gorge was once an inaccessible wilderness, but with the advent of hydroelectric development in the early 20th century, a railway was built. Today, you can enjoy a 1 hour 20 minute journey through the gorge on the Kurobe Gorge Railway.

Unazuki Onsen

Unazuki Onsen, known as the gateway to Kurobe Gorge, boasts some of the best-quality hot springs in Japan, with top-class transparency. This weakly alkaline water is also known as “beauty skin water” for its gentle effect on the skin. When visiting Kurobe Gorge, a stop at this hot spring is highly recommended.

Instagram Worthiness:★★★★★
Photography Opportunity: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Location Information: ▶Map, Hours, Routes
Transportation Information: Unazuki Onsen Station