Introducing mountains in Japan (2) ~ Mt. Tsurugi

Yatsumina in May

Mt. Tsurugi

Mt. Tsurugi is located in Toyama-ken where is about a several hours from Tokyo by train or car.
The access to the mountain is not really convenient from Tokyo area.  However, this is one of mountains I really like.  I climbed there many times when I was in Japan in different seasons.

There are some trail a regular people can climb to the top.   However, it might be harder than the other regular trails.  There are some section people needs to use ladders, some easy rock climbing with fixed chains and etc.   Also many climbers try many rock climbing routes.

In winter, Mt. Tsurugi is getting  a lot of snow.  The area is one of areas where getting a lot of snow in winter.  Like Mt. Tanigawa I introduced, the mountain could get a few meters snow in a night.  Due to the snow, in winter,  hiking / climbing based in summer time are closed in winter and people needs to take a long approach to the mountain.   Typically, it takes more than 1 day to get into the mountain.  If people who want to climb this mountain in winter time may take more than 1 week just climbed to the top.

Kurobe-Tateyama Alpain route 

For climbers, this is really nice area / mountain to enjoy various climbing.  (To climb in winter time, all parties needs to send the plan in advance.   This is enforced by local law. )

On the other hand, there is a famous sightseeing spot to look at mountains around Mt. Tsurugi.   One sightseeing line from Toyama-shi to Ohmachi-shi in Nagano called Kurobe-Tateyama Alpain route.  This line is combination of a bus, a cable car, tｒollory bus and rope way to across the mountain area.  The view is really nice and it is worth to visit to see mountains in the area.

To access to Toyama, people can take a train from Tokyo or Osaka and take a bus or taxi to the alpain route.   Also a air line is available from Tokyo (Haneda) to Toayama as well.  If people does not have time, it might be a good idea to take air plane.

To access to Ohmachi, people can take a train from Shinjuku where is a part of central Tokyo.  It may takes a few hours to get to Ohmachi station.  

Season to visit there

Winter time is closed and no service.   In spring, you can see a lot of snow in the middle section of the route.  The height of the both side of bus road near "Murodo" is much higher than a high deck bus.   In summer, you can see a lot of wild flowers.  In autumn, changing color on leaves is really beautiful.

This is one of good spots you can see nice mountains and nature in Japan.