Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route / Cloudy2022.Oct.12
“How does peak autumn foliage look on a cloudy day?” This was the question I asked myself and the theme by which I write this Tateyama report, since less than stellar weather has continued unabated since 10/3 (Mon.). As I made my way up to the Kurobedaira Panorama Terrace on the rooftop of Kurobedaira Station, the Tateyama Ropeway’s base station, catching sight of the incredible autumn colors spreading across the entire Tambo-daira area (pictured) caused me to let out a squeal of excitement.
[Tambo-daira]
I found the autumn colors to have a unique and special charm when viewed in the softer light on this cloudy day with occasional light mist, in comparison to the less-subtle beauty when observed under clear skies. Gazing out from the Daikanbo Unjo Terrace, the vibrant fall colors of the trees lining the steep rocky cliff made for a spectacular sight (pictured). With the brisk outside temperatures, I noticed many people wearing jackets and gloves to insulate themselves from the cold.
[Daikanbo]
The vibrant colored leaves of deciduous trees such as Dakekanba (Erman’s birch), Nanakamado (Japanese rowan), and Minekaeda (butterfly maple) decorated the vast, gentle slopes of Tambo-daira (pictured). Autumn colors are now at their peak in the Tambo-daira, Dakanbo, Kurobedaira, Tengu-daira and Midagahara areas. Leaves in the area around Kurobe Dam (1,470m of elevation) are now roughly 20 to 30% of peak and should transition to richer shades of autumn in the next week.
[Tambo-daira]
Near the entrance/exit of the Kurobedaira alpine botanical garden, located off to the side of Kurobedaira Station, I noticed many visitors taking commemorative photos with the beautiful red leaves of the Nanakamado. The dark red ripe berries in conjunction with the crimson leaves made for a truly dynamic display of autumn colors. The season for fall foliage is almost over in the Tateyama Murodo area, and the first snows of the year were recorded there on 10/6 (Thurs.).
[Kurobedaira]
[Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route]
＊Address … Omachi-shi, Nagano / Tateyama-machi, Toyama
＊Business period … April 15, 2022 – November 30, 2022
＊Ogizawa Station parking lot … Passenger car JPY1,000/day (There is also a free parking lot.)
＊Required time … About 1 hour by car from Hakuba Village to Ogizawa Station
＊Transportation expenses from Ogizawa to Murodo … Round trip adult JPY9,470, child JPY4,740
