First, due to changing plans with bad weather, we did this in one day (from the Toyoma/Tateyama side). It is a Very Long Day doing it in just one day - as there are many places to stop and spend time and a lot of separate travel steps that can have lines and be a bit hard to time.... (6 steps plus getting to Tateyama and back from Ogizawa). Easy for it to take even longer if you just miss the bus back to Nagano (doesn't run very often). Second, the actual trip was wonderful. Which area was the best probably changes a bit with the season. Midagahara (wetlands) is better in the spring with flowers. Murodo already had snow, so that limited hiking a bit, but the fresh snow on the mountains was beautiful. Daikanbo (top of the skyway, and below Murodo) was the Giant Surprise. Incredible view over Lake Kurobe and the surrounding peaks (with snow on the higher ones). And with our timing in mid October, the peak of color was just below us and on the surrounding hills. Then Superb Color on the skyway descent into Kurobediara. Highly recommended, but allow enough time - there are crowds and lines and a lot of different travel steps.

Usually this route is popular in Spring but I think it was also amazing in autumn. It was truly incredible to ascend and descend so many metres and observe the according changes in climate/environment. At the time we went autumn leaves were at its peak at the base (Shomyu Falls) and there was a metre or 2 of fresh snow at the top (Murodo) then back down to greenery surrounding the emerald-turquoise Kurobe dam. Multi-modal transport experience is both a novelty and tiring but there are frequent breaks. It is possible in one day (started from Tateyama St at 0830, to last bus leaving Ogizawa at 1700) but if you are able to stay overnight along the route (eg. Mt Tateyama hotels) there will be plenty more to experience and less pressure for the weather to work out on the day of your trip.

We set off early from Ogisawa having already booked the tickets online. There were very few people around at 8am. The journey up to Murodo by various means was fantastic as were the views. At the top we hiked to the viewpoint which was a little challenging without snow hiking gear, but worth the trek. The lakes also offered great views but it had started to get crowded by then. The snow corridor was closed and is only accessible in spring.

I was apprehensive about going on this route as I'm not a fan of trekking or hiking, ropeway etc per se. I must say I was blown away by the orderliness of the whole trip, how every station, viewpoint is equipped with clear instructions, clean toilets, etc. Most importantly, once we were at morudo, the view was spectacular. I didn't expect snow but luckily I wore the right gear. It was breath-taking. So much so I want to return again to do the full route. We brought our 5 yo with us, so we only dod half the route.

We still managed to catch the snow corridor in its glory. Perhaps, it may not be a full snow experience but it was cold enough for us. Even though it was quite difficult for the elderly in our group to walk up the various parts, we managed slowly. It was just our luck that it rained and windy whilst we were on the dam crossing. Still, it was an awesome experience. I would like to do it again!

An adventure and an engineering marvel. We started in Toyama and ended in Shin-Omachi. We allocated one day, which worked out well for us because the weather was good that day. We spent about 3 hours hiking in Murodo, where there are easy and more challenging hikes. At the other stops, we didn't stay long, with the possible exception of Kuroba Dam, where we took our time. The engineering of the Alpine Route is fascinating! And it runs like everything else in Japan--very efficiently. Be sure to print a schedule for yourself ahead of time and know when to catch "the last bus." Key advice for starting in Toyama: (a) the train from Toyama leaves from Denetsu-Toyama Station, which is adjacent to the larger Toyama Station, (b) tickets from Toyama to Tateyama are CASH ONLY, and (c) take advantage of the luggage transfer from Toyama to your endpoint.