The opening of Mt. Tateyama in autumn typically signals the start of the snow season. For core users who think, "The first skiing of the season has to be at Mt. Tateyama," we have compiled information on the mountain's conditions, access, and even backcountry tours organized by guide clubs for those first-time skiers
The current state of Mt. Tateyama... from the Tateyama Murodo live camera
This is what Mount Tateyama looks like now in early November. Due to the cold wave last weekend, as of November 4th, the landscape is completely covered in snow, as you can see. By mid-November, the beautiful Tateyama mountain range will be covered in even deeper snow, and the full Tateyama season will finally begin
According to the three-month forecast released by the Japan Meteorological Agency on October 21, 2025, temperatures in the area where Mt. Tateyama is located in November will be normal or slightly higher than normal, and precipitation (which will turn into snow in higher altitudes) will be slightly higher than normal in December. When will the best time to enjoy the bounty of fresh powder snow at the start of the Tateyama season be?
Tateyama Town › EastThe charm of the first skiing trip to Tateyama in November
The Tateyama mountain range, with its series of mountains reaching heights of around 3,000 meters, receives an astonishing amount of snowfall. Snow clouds rising from the Sea of Japan bring abundant snowfall to the area, and Murododaira has even created a tourist attraction called "Snow Valley," where snow piles up to a height of 15-20 meters
Due to the heavy snowfall, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which connects Toyama with Omachi in Nagano Prefecture, is closed every year from December 1st to mid-April. As a result, the only time you can ski is from the end of November, when the snow starts to fall, to mid-April to late June, when the Alpine Route begins operating in the spring
Even in spring, snowfall occurs occasionally at altitudes of 3,000 meters, and powder snow can be enjoyed even in April. In May, when the snow settles, the area becomes a mecca for spring skiing, attracting many skiers
When snow first starts falling in November, it can be difficult to find the right time to enjoy skiing, but once the snow has covered the rocks and vegetation, you can enjoy the finest powder snow. The peak skiing season is usually around the week from around Labor Thanksgiving Day until the end of the month
The snow on Mt. Tateyama in November can be described as the best powder. The snow that falls at an altitude of 3,000 meters is extremely light and dry. It's so light that it flies away when the wind blows. When it accumulates properly, you can enjoy a floating, non-resistance skiing experience. Many skiers come to the mountain at this time of year, hoping for snow that will pile up without being blown away, but in November the balance between snowfall and accumulation is unstable, and there are often cases of what is known as "unsettled snow," and avalanches are not uncommon. Please be careful
Access to Mt. Tateyama
You can approach Mt. Tateyama in both directions from Tateyama Station on the Toyama side or Ogizawa Bus Terminal on the Nagano side, using the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
●From Toyama Prefecture: Approximately 40 minutes from Tateyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway, approximately 1 hour from Tateyama Station on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
●From Nagano Prefecture: Approximately 40 minutes from Toyoshina IC on the Nagano Expressway, approximately 1 hour from Ogizawa Station on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. *However, while access from Tateyama Town (Toyama Prefecture) is easier, please note that in November, buses may be suspended due to snowfall, making it impossible to enter or exit the mountain.
*Check here for daily vehicle operation status on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Station to Ogizawa) and availability at the Tateyama and Ogizawa parking lots!
❖Access information for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route official website can be found here>>>
❖For daily transportation status on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Station to Ogizawa) and availability information for the Tateyama Parking Lot and Ogizawa Parking Lot, check the "Operation Information" on the official website! >>>
Experience the fresh powder of Mt. Tateyama!
A tour organized by the Backcountry Guide Club
Experience the fresh powder of Mt. Tateyama! A tour organized by a guide club
Among backcountry enthusiasts, the catchphrase for the start of the season is "first time skiing at Mt. Tateyama." It feels great to be the first to ski on powder snow during the opening season. As November approaches, backcountry guide clubs start to hold their first skiing tours one after another. With tours, you won't have to worry about not being able to get accommodation! Even beginners to backcountry skiing can experience Mt. Tateyama at this time of year with peace of mind. Here we introduce the first skiing tours at Mt. Tateyama scheduled for November
*For detailed tour information about the guide club, please check the guide club's official website or social media
Bantei～bamboo tail～
◇Official website: https://bambootail.com/
Mt. Tateyama is the earliest place in Japan where you can enjoy full-scale backcountry skiing. Come and ski powder before anyone else! Come ski to your heart's content at the beginning of the season when there are still few people around! There are various dates planned this year, so please consider it! Come to Mt. Tateyama with a Bantei guide in search of good snow!
- Tateyama Backcountry Tour (Day Trip) | November 18th (Tue)
- Tateyama Backcountry Tour (2 days, 1 night) | November 18th (Tue) - 19th (Wed) / November 22nd (Sat) - 23rd (Sun)
- Tateyama Backcountry Tour (2 nights, 3 days) | November 22nd (Sat) - November 24th (Mon)
- After mountain hut closing time Tateyama Backcountry Tour Day Trip | November 29th (Sat) and November 30th (Sun)
- Tent-style Tateyama Backcountry Tour (2 days, 1 night) | November 29th (Sat) - 30th (Sun)
*For details and to apply: https://bambootail.com/tour_4/
COLOR SPORT CLUB
◇Official website: http://www.colorsportclub.com/
It's a different world in November! At this time of year, Mt. Tateyama is enveloped in an unbelievable snowscape. It's a festival where backcountry skiers gather to enjoy the season! Ski, eat, soak in the hot springs, and then all you have to do is sleep, dreaming of the next day. Let's aim for powder!! Of course, first-timers are also welcome!! This plan includes an overnight stay at Raichoso Hotel Tateyama
◆Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour - Raichoso Plan
Enjoy a comfortable stay at the familiar Raicho-so and aim for powder snow
- 2025/2026 Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour with Raicho Hot Springs! Weekend 2-Day, 1-Night Plan | November 15th (Sat) - 16th (Sun)
- 2025/2026 Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour with Raicho Hot Springs! Weekday 1-night, 2-day plan | November 18th (Tue) - 19th (Wed)
- 2025/2026 Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour with Raicho Hot Springs! 3-Day, 2-Night Weekend Plan | November 22nd (Sat) - 24th (Mon)
◆Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour and Hotel Tateyama Plan
During this time, only Hotel Tateyama is open, and the field is available for your use! Ski to your heart's content, enjoy a full-course meal, relax in the bath, and then go to sleep, dreaming of the next day
- 2025/2026 Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour Hotel Tateyama Last!! Weekday 1-night, 2-day plan | November 25th (Tue) - 26th (Wed)
- 2025/2026 Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour Hotel Tateyama Last!! Weekday 1-night 2-day plan | November 27th (Thurs) - 28th (Fri)
- 2025/2026 Tateyama First Time Skiing Tour Hotel Tateyama Last!! Weekend 1-night, 2-day plan | November 29th (Sat) - 30th (Sun)
*For details and to apply: http://colorsportclub.com/schedule/backcountryschedule_11.html
GRANIX mountain guide
◇Official website : https://granix-mg.com/
This autumn, you can enjoy a backcountry experience in the 3000m-class Tateyama mountain range of the Northern Alps, based at Murodo at 2450m. Autumn begins in November, so let's experience the steep slopes of the alpine area and the powder snow that is unique to the harsh winter! After climbing, skiing, and enjoying the great outdoors to your heart's content, you can relax in the hot springs at the hot spring inn "Raichosou" to soothe your body after all that fun. Weekday tours are also available, so please feel free to contact us to discuss your preferred dates. Enjoy a special experience in the Northern Alps this autumn!
◆2025 Trip Session in Tateyama
- Saturday, November 15th, 2025 - Friday, November 21st, 2025 (Day trip)
- November 22nd (Sat) - November 24th (Sun) 2025, 2 nights, 3 days
- November 26th (Wed) - November 30th (Sun), 2025 Day trip
*For details and to apply: https://granix-mg.com/2025-trip-session-in-%e7%ab%8b%e5%b1%b1/
INField
◇Official website: https://www.in-field.com
The start of the 2025-26 snow season is fast approaching. This is the annual start-of-season event where you can enjoy your first skiing experience while feeling the snow for the first time in a while
◆Fresh snow on Mt. Tateyama
Based at the Murodo mountain hut at an altitude of 2,400 meters, already a world of silvery white, you can enjoy the soft, fresh snow in a superb location surrounded by the Tateyama mountain range. You can stay at Mikurigaike Onsen, which is popular for its delicious meals and rich hot spring water. It's truly luxurious to be able to drink a cold beer in a warm inn on a cold day. Please contact us for more details
First Time Skiing in Tateyama: 2 Nights, 3 Days | November 22nd (Sat) - 24th (Mon)
*For details and to apply: https://www.in-field.com/
JUNRINA mountain service
◇Official website: https://www.junrina.com/
Even beginners can enjoy Tateyama BC! We will carefully escort you according to your level and difficulty. If you have never stayed at Hotel Tateyama, we look forward to your reservation for the autumn Tateyama backcountry. Of course, we also welcome reservations for Tateyama BC while staying at Raichoso!
◆ Tateyama BC Hotel Tateyama Plan
- November 29th (Sat) - 30th (Sun) 2 days
◆ Tateyama BC Raichoso Plan
- November 15th (Sat) - November 25th (Tue) 2 days/3 days
*For details and to apply: https://www.junrina.com/
Locus Guide Service
◇Official website: https://locus.guide/
At this time of year, skiing at Mt. Tateyama can be a gamble, and if you get it right, you can enjoy some pretty great runs, but if the timing isn't right, you won't be able to see the scenery or the snow, and you often won't be able to ski much. Still, for backcountry enthusiasts, it's an annual event to celebrate the start of the season! Whatever the conditions, it's definitely better to go than to sit at home and get annoyed by other people's posts about their first ski run. It's best not to bring brand new skis, as you might step on rocks and ruin them
◆Tateyama 1 night 2 days Intermediate BC
- November 15th (Sat) - 16th (Sun)
◆Tateyama 2 nights 3 days Intermediate BC
- November 19th (Wednesday) - November 21st (Friday)
- November 22nd (Sat) - 24th (Mon)
*For details and to apply: https://locus.guide/
POWERZONE
◇Official website: https://powerzone.co.jp/
We've kept you waiting! In recent years, there has been little snow in November at Mt. Tateyama, but we still can't refuse to recruit. Hoping for snow, we are now accepting applications for the first skiing trip to Mt. Tateyama in the 2024-25 season! Even if there isn't much snow, let's celebrate the start of the season by enjoying this year's fresh snow and enjoying hot springs and drinks!
◆First time skiing in Tateyama 2-day tour
- November 24th (Monday) - 25th (Tuesday)
◆First-time skiing tour in Tateyama, 1 day
- November 23 (Sun)
- November 24 (Mon)
- November 25th (Tue)
- Friday, November 28th
- November 29th (Sat)
- November 30th (Sunday)
◆You too can join the ranks of enthusiasts! Camping in a tent at Mt. Tateyama
Accommodations in Murodo close on November 24th (although Hotel Tateyama is open), but if there is enough snow, the tent site will move to Murododaira, making it a relatively easy place to stay overnight. Join the ranks of ski enthusiasts by camping at Tateyama, which is close to closing!
- November 28th (Friday) - 29th (Saturday)
- November 29th (Sat) - 30th (Sun)
*For details and to apply: https://www.powerzone.co.jp/snow/
Rhythm Works
◇Official website: https://www.ne.jp/
Tateyama in the Northern Alps is a heavy snow region with a series of 3000m-class mountains. You can start skiing earlier and finish later than anywhere else, so skiers say you can start and end your time there. In the fall, when the season starts, take it slow. In the spring, cross the ridge and take on long routes around Kurobe Dam and cirque terrain. Feel the snow and welcome the start of the season together in Tateyama, enjoying the remaining granular snow until the season.
*Private guides are also available for groups.
- November 17th (Mon) - 18th (Tue) Stay at Raichoso (2 days, 1 night)
- November 19th (Wed) - 20th (Thu) Stay at Raichoso (1 night, 2 days)
- November 22nd (Sat) to 24th (Holiday) Stay at Raichoso (2 nights, 3 days)
- November 29th (Sat) - 30th (Sun) Tent stay 1 night 2 days
*For details and to apply: https://www.ne.jp/asahi/rhythm/works/backcountryguide/pg125.html