Recommended autumn foliage spot along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route!

Have you heard of the beautiful autumn foliage along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?
Beginning in September, a glorious spectacle of red, yellow, and orange carpets the scenic Northern Japanese Alps, starting at the higher elevation of the Murodo Plateau and gradually progressing down the surrounding mountains.

Although every twist and turn on the Alpine Route provides breathtakingly gorgeous scenery, the most beautiful of them all has to be Kurobedaira. Depending on the timing, Kurobedaira can be covered in vivid red, making it truly stand out.

Although plenty of people have been to the Murodo Plateau, many have never ventured beyond that point. This article makes the case for you to go one step further into a world of autumnal wonder at Kurobedaira!

Kurobedaira's autumn foliage is unmatched!

When I first travelled to the area, I did not know much about Kurobedaira - I only considered it a mere stop enroute to the Kurobe Dam.
However, when I got off the ropeway and looked at the scenery, I was blown away!
The date was October 7, and the leaves were just starting to change color, but the view was out of this world!

The official YouTube video of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route will give you an idea of how beautiful the scenery can be during peak autumn foliage.

Photogenic vibes at the Panorama Terrace!

If you go to Kurobedaira, be sure to visit the Panorama Terrace on the rooftop!
This photogenic sitting area overlooking the Tanbo Plain makes for the ideal spot to chill out and snap a scenic photo.

When the timing is just right, Kurobedaira boasts a rare trio of scenic views: alpine snow, autumn foliage on the Tanbo Plain, and lush greenery at the foot of the mountain.
When I went there, it was a little before the peak autumn foliage season, but the lucky visitors who arrived a little after me were no doubt treated to this epic view.

Head over to the Kurobe Dam side of the Panorama Terrace to catch a view of the Kurobedaira Teien Garden from above.
This sprawling landscape is a feast for the eyes!

Kurobe Teien Garden is a must-see!

Like Panorama Terrace, Kurobedaira Teien Garden is also a must-see tourist attraction.
The garden itself is not too large - ideal for a quick visit during the transit time between ropeway rides. There are several areas in the garden where the autumn leaves are particularly beautiful.

Because of the wide variety of plants in the Kurobedaira Teien Garden, there are plenty of pretty trees that are tinted red and yellow even when the Tanbo Plain has not yet reached the peak of its autumn foliage.

There is also a special spot where visitors can see the autumn leaves of Kurobedaira Teien Garden paired with the scenery of the Tanbo Plain.
Benches are placed in the prime position, ideal for enjoying the view.

When I was there, there were also many small flowers in bloom.
Watch your step around the rugged grounds and enjoy the beautiful flowers and trees!

Visitors can see the rear side of the ropeway on the walk back to the station.
It is an interesting angle, so go take a look if you are intrigued.

Access to Kurobedaira

To get to Kurobedaira, take the trolleybus and ropeway from Murodo.
Fun fact - did you know that this is the only place in all of Japan where you can ride a trolleybus?
Even if you are not a vehicle enthusiast, the experience of squeezing through the amazingly narrow tunnel will be unforgettable!

The ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira is also a bit unusual as there is not a single support pole along the way!
The reason for this is that the poles would not be able to withstand the heavy snowfall in winter. This design is called the one-span method, and there are only a few ropeways in Japan built this way.
Hop on board and enjoy the view of the majestic Tanbo Plain from the ropeway!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into Kurobedaira, the best autumn foliage spot on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route!

Despite the Murodo Plateau being relatively easy to reach from Toyama Prefecture, many people have never ventured further over to the Kurobe Dam side. By going the slightly extra distance, you can discover a truly spectacular view that will give you a whole new impression of Toyama. Although the transportation costs may be a bit high, consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and take a step out of your comfort zone!

There are also many other sightseeing spots in Toyama Prefecture where you can enjoy beautiful scenery. In the column below, we have compiled a list of the best autumn sightseeing areas. This detailed article probably includes some places you have never heard of, so if you are interested in autumn leaves and beautiful scenery, please check it out! You will surely discover something new and fascinating about Toyama.