Yuki no Otani: The Great Snow Canyon
Walk between towering snow walls up to 20m high at Yuki no Otani, a seasonal spectacle on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route in Japan.
Yuki no Otani, or the Great Snow Canyon, is a breathtaking highlight of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, featuring towering snow walls that can reach up to 20 meters (65 feet) high. Carved out by snowplows, this unique attraction offers visitors a chance to walk between these impressive walls from mid-April to mid-June.
A brief summary to Yuki no Ōtani
- Ashikuraji, ブナ坂11, Tateyama, ブナ坂 Ashikuraji, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama, 930-1406, JP
- +8176-481-1500
- Visit website
Local tips
- Visit between mid-April and mid-May for the tallest snow walls, as they tend to shrink as the season progresses.
- Dress warmly in layers and wear waterproof shoes, as temperatures can be very cold, and there may be snow and ice on the ground.
- Bring sunglasses and sunscreen, as the sun reflects strongly off the snow, even on cloudy days.
- Be prepared for high altitude. Murodo Station is over 8,000 feet, so take it easy if you're not used to the elevation.
- Check the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route official website for the most up-to-date information on opening dates, hours, and transportation schedules.
Getting There
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Public Transport
To reach Yuki no Otani, start at either Tateyama Station (Toyama side) or Ogizawa Station (Nagano side) and take the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. This scenic route involves a combination of train, cable car, bus, and ropeway. From Toyama Station, take the Toyama Chiho Railway to Tateyama Station. From Nagano Station, take a bus to Ogizawa Station. From either entry point, follow the Alpine Route to Murodo Station, which is a short walk from Yuki no Otani. A one-way ticket from Dentetsu Toyama Station to Ogizawa Station costs 12,170 yen. Tickets for each segment can also be purchased separately. A round trip bus ticket from Toyama Station to Yuki-no-Otani costs approximately 6,300 yen.
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Car
Private vehicles are not allowed on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route. Visitors arriving by car should park at either Tateyama Station (Toyama side) or Ogizawa Station (Nagano side). Free parking is available at Tateyama Station. At Ogizawa Station, there is limited free parking and paid parking for 1,000 yen per 12 or 24 hours, depending on the parking lot. Car forwarding services are available for those who wish to travel the entire route without backtracking, costing approximately 25,000 to 30,000 yen. From the parking areas, follow the public transport guidance to reach Yuki no Otani.
Discover more about Yuki no Ōtani
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