Japan 2011 » 17-Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

English | Deutsch

I am starting very early today for a special tour.	After an hour on the train I am changing into a funicular railway.	Then the journey continues with buses that have traction control on the rear axes.	The mountain station is already prepared for the harsh winter up here.
The ride goes through a wonderful winter wonderland.	And the road is mostly covered with snow.	They are expecting a lot of snow as you can see from the heavy snow plowing equipment.	The rainfall of the previous night has created a nice scenery.
We're already getting close to the mountain station.	And the panoramic view is getting better all the time.	This really looks like winter time up here.	I am getting right into winter vacation mood, not only because of the tour skiers up here.
The mountain hotel at Murodo.	Some more viewing angles of the panoramic view.	And there is another lodge up here.	A small fountain where you can still your thirst.
Funny driving tracks on the parking lot.	The journey now continues with electric trolley buses.	The whole journey will be in a tunnel.	The tunnel ist just as big as needed for the bus.
There's only one section where two buses can pass each other.	View of the Kurobe sea.	The ropeway will take me down to the next section.	An intersection of my journey of today.
Going down with the ropeway.	Meeting the other gondola.	The mountain ranges are pretty impressive here.	We have reached the valley station.
But in order to get down further we need another funicular railway.	Which is going to go down through a pretty dark tunnel.	Which is then lit up for the actual journey.	Meeting in the middle of the tunnel.
This is Kurobe dam.	This dam has some interesting figures.	And a nice view on top of all that.	The overhanging dam is a bit too much for my taste.
But the zick-zack dam crest looks pretty cool.	A last view into the abyss.	And then I'll board the next trolley bus.	Which actually sees the light of day in the valley station.

40 Images | Japan 2010 | Japan 2012 | Help