Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani Walk! Hida Takayama & Shirakawago

The Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani Walk offers a truly enchanting winter experience in Japan’s mountainous regions. Visitors can marvel at the towering snow walls, reaching up to 66 feet high, expertly carved by skilled operators. This all-inclusive tour promises hassle-free transportation, meals, and the opportunity to explore the charming towns of Hida Takayama and Shirakawago. Whether you’re seeking stunning natural landscapes or enjoying traditional Japanese culture, this adventure has something captivating in store.

Key Points

• The tour offers an impressive snow wall experience up to 20 meters high, formed by bulldozers creating paths through heavy snowfall.
• The tour includes hassle-free pickup and drop-off from central Nagano, allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning winter landscape and snow play opportunities.
• The itinerary includes a meeting point at Osaka Ekimae Dai-Yon Bldg. at 7:15 AM, and a tour ending back at the same location.
• The tour provides air-conditioned transportation, with wheelchair and stroller accessibility, and a maximum of 45 travelers for a comfortable experience.
• The tour includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a driver/guide, with a single room guarantee plan available for an additional fee.

Tour Overview and Highlights

The guided tour to Yuki no Otani (Snow Wall) in Japan offers a unique opportunity to experience the impressive snow walls, reaching heights of up to 66 feet (20 meters).

These walls are formed by bulldozers creating paths through heavy snowfall, providing a captivating natural attraction.

The tour includes hassle-free pickup and drop-off from central Nagano, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the snow play opportunities.

With this guided experience, travelers can enjoy the stunning winter landscape and create unforgettable memories in a hassle-free manner.

Itinerary and Schedule

Travelers will meet at the Osaka Ekimae Dai-Yon Bldg. at 7:15 AM to begin the Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani Walk tour.

The tour ends back at the meeting point.

In case of bad weather, the Snow Otani Walk may be canceled, and an alternative city sightseeing in Kanazawa will be provided instead.

The schedule may change due to traffic or uncontrollable incidents.

Participants will receive a refund of 1,000 yen if the itinerary changes due to adverse weather.

Transportation and Accessibility

Air-conditioned vehicles will transport participants on the tour.

The transportation is wheelchair and stroller accessible, making it suitable for most travelers.

Infants aged 0-2 can join the tour but must sit on laps as there are no dedicated seats for them.

The meeting point and drop-off location are near public transportation options, ensuring convenient access.

The tour has a maximum of 45 travelers, allowing for a comfortable and personalized experience.

In the event of adverse weather conditions, the tour may be adjusted, but participants can expect a refund of 1,000 yen if the itinerary changes.

Inclusions and Costs

The tour includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring participants are well-fed throughout the experience.

A driver/guide is also provided to handle transportation and logistics.

For those seeking more privacy, a single room guarantee plan is available for an additional 3,000 Japanese yen.

If the toll road is closed due to bad weather, cable car charges ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 yen will apply.

Lastly, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, providing flexibility for participants.

Important Notes and Recommendations

When booking the tour, you will receive confirmation unless the reservation is made within 3 days of travel.

The height of the Snow Otani wall varies based on the climate, and temperatures may drop below 10°C. Travelers should bring a warm jacket for this experience.

Infants aged 0-2 can attend for free but won’t have a seat on the bus; reservations are required for children aged 3 and older.

The tour has a maximum of 45 travelers. If the itinerary changes due to bad weather, you will receive a 1,000 yen refund.

Exploring Hida Takayama

Nestled in the Japanese Alps, the historic town of Hida Takayama captivates visitors with its well-preserved traditional architecture and charming streets.

Wandering through the Sanmachi Suji district, travelers are transported back in time, admiring the wooden machiya townhouses and artisanal shops.

The Hida Folk Village showcases an open-air museum of authentic farmhouses, offering insights into the region’s rural heritage.

Visitors can also explore the impressive Takayama Festival Floats Museum, home to elaborately decorated floats used in the town’s acclaimed spring and fall festivals.

With its serene atmosphere and cultural treasures, Hida Takayama promises an immersive experience in Japan’s heartland.

Discovering Shirakawago

Just north of the historic town of Hida Takayama lies the captivating village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique architectural style and deep-rooted traditions.

This picturesque hamlet is celebrated for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, characterized by their steeply-pitched thatched roofs.

Visitors can:

• Stroll through the charming streets and admire the well-preserved 19th-century buildings
• Explore the open-air museum showcasing the region’s folk culture and way of life
• Hike to the Shiroyama Viewpoint for panoramic vistas of the village and surrounding mountains
• Participate in cultural workshops to learn about traditional crafts and cooking
• Immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere and rhythms of rural Japanese life.

Tips for a Memorable Experience

To make the most of your Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani Walk, visitors should dress warmly and wear appropriate winter attire. The tour includes opportunities for snow play, so packing gloves, hats, and sturdy boots is a must. Bringing a camera is also recommended to capture the stunning snow walls reaching up to 20 meters in height.

Helpful Tips	Packing Essentials	Things to Remember
Dress in layers	Warm jacket	Temperatures can drop below 10°C
Wear waterproof shoes	Gloves and hat	Accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers
Bring a thermos of hot tea	Hand and toe warmers	Tour may be canceled due to bad weather

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Photography Allowed Throughout the Snow Otani Walk?

Photography is allowed throughout the Snow Otani Walk. Visitors can capture the stunning 66-foot-tall snow walls and their snow-covered surroundings during the guided tour, providing ample opportunities to take memorable photographs.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Visitors can bring their own food and drinks on the snow wall tour. The tour includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but attendees are free to supplement these meals with their own snacks and beverages if desired.

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for This Tour?

There is no minimum age requirement for this tour. However, infants aged 0-2 do not have their own seats on the bus, and reservations must be made for children aged 3 and older.

Is There an Option to Upgrade the Transportation?

Yes, there’s an option to upgrade the transportation. Travelers can pay an additional 3,000 Japanese yen for a single room guarantee plan, which provides a more comfortable and private transportation experience during the tour.

Can I Extend My Stay in the Hida Takayama or Shirakawago Regions?

Yes, you can extend your stay in the Hida Takayama or Shirakawago regions. The tour operators offer flexible options to extend your visit and explore these areas further after the main Snow Otani Walk experience.

The Sum Up

The Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani Walk offers an unforgettable winter adventure through Japan’s stunning landscapes. Visitors can marvel at towering snow walls, explore historic Hida Takayama and Shirakawago, and enjoy hassle-free transportation and meals. With advance booking and proper attire, travelers can enjoy this breathtaking winter wonderland for an unforgettable experience.