Guida
Located on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Toyama Prefecture, "Yuki no Otani" (Snow Valley) is a massive snow corridor that appears near Murodo at an altitude of 2,450m. In this area, one of the world's heaviest snowfall regions, the snow can exceed 20 meters in depth. The corridor is created by the road clearing process, where massive vertical snow walls reaching 15 to 20 meters high are carved out. Visitors can walk through these walls via a designated pedestrian path. The striking contrast between the brilliant white snow and the deep blue sky creates a truly monumental and breathtaking landscape.
The formation of this site is a result of the intense snow removal work required to open the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Every year, the process begins in late January, starting with the task of locating the road beneath the heavy snow. Using GPS technology, heavy machinery such as bulldozers and specialized rotary snowplows are used to carve out the path, creating the "Snow Corridor" that is eventually opened to the public. This process showcases the incredible human effort required to maintain access to these high-altitude-mountain routes.
The most spectacular feature is the towering snow walls on either side. These walls, which can reach nearly 20 meters in height, offer an overwhelming sense of scale and the raw power of nature. There is a walking section of approximately 500 meters where you can feel completely surrounded by white. Additionally, the nearby "Panorama Road" offers stunning views of the Tateyama Mountain Range. Because the height and texture of the snow walls change depending on the season, the scenery offers a different expression every time you visit.
Yuki no Otani is open for a limited period from April 15th to June 25th. The experience varies depending on when you visit:
The main activity is the "Yuki no Otani Walk," a journey through the heart of the snow walls. The walk covers about 500 meters, taking approximately 15 minutes to walk one way (downhill) and about 20 minutes for the return trip (uphill). Depending on the period, there may also be event areas like the "Yuki! Fureai Hiroba" or exhibitions of the snow removal vehicle "Tateyama Kumataro." It is a rare opportunity to feel the texture and immense scale of the snow up close.
Yuki no Otani is located in the Murodo area. Nearby landmarks include the Murodo Terminal and the Nature Conservation Center. The route is also known as the "Snow Corridor" (Yuki no Kotani). Other nearby natural spots include Bajimajima-so and the cirques of Mount Yakushi.
When visiting Yuki no Otani, please keep the following in mind: