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.
What is the current situation in 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 › EastTateyama in November, the charm of the first slide
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 Tateyama
Tateyama can be approached via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in both directions from Tateyama Station on the Toyama side or Ogizawa Bus Terminal on the Nagano side.
●From Toyama Prefecture About 40 minutes from Hokuriku Expressway "Tateyama IC", about 1 hour from Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route "Tateyama Station"
●From Nagano Prefecture About 40 minutes from Nagano Expressway "Toyoshina IC", Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route About 1 hour from Ogizawa Station *Although access from the Tateyama-cho (Toyama Prefecture) side is easy, please be aware that buses may not run in November due to snowfall conditions, making it impossible to enter and descend the mountain.
* Check here for the daily operation status of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Station to Ogizawa) and the availability of the Tateyama parking lot and Ogizawa parking lot!
❖Click here for access information on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route official website＞＞＞
operation status of vehicles on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Tateyama Station to Ogizawa) and vacant information on the Tateyama and Ogizawa parking lots, see the official website Check "Information"! >>>
Taste Tateyama's fresh powder!
Tours organized by backcountry guide clubs
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/
Tateyama is the earliest place in Japan where you can go backcountry. Let's ski powder faster than anyone else! Let's slide down at the beginning of the season when there aren't many people yet! This year, the event will be held on various dates, so please consider it! Let's go to Tateyama with 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)
*Details/Application: https://bambootail.com/tour_4/
COLOR SPORT CLUB
◇Official website/ http://www.colorsportclub.com/
Another world in November! Tateyama at this time of year, when an incredible silver world spreads out. A seasonal festival where backcountry lovers gather! After skating, eating, and soaking in the hot springs, all I had to do was sleep and dream about the next day. Let's aim for the powder! Of course, first-timers are most welcome! Plan to stay at Raichoso Hotel Tateyama.
◆Tateyama first ski 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 skiing tour/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)
*Details/Application: http://colorsportclub.com/schedule/backcountryschedule_11.html
GRANIX mountain guide
◇Official website / https://granix-mg.com/
This fall, you can enjoy a backcountry experience in the 3000m-class Tateyama Mountain Range of the Northern Alps, based on Murodo at 2450m. Let's experience the large slopes and powder snow of the Akitachi Alpine area starting in November and the deep winter season together! ! After climbing, sliding, and enjoying nature to your heart's content, you can spend a relaxing time in the hot springs at the hot spring inn "Raicho-so" that will soothe your body after all the fun. It is also possible to hold the event on weekdays, so please feel free to contact us regarding your desired schedule. Enjoy a special Northern Alps experience this fall!
◆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.
◆Tateyama in fresh snow
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/
Tateyama at this time of year is a bit of a gamble, and if you win, you can enjoy a pretty good run, but if you don't get the timing right, you won't be able to see the scenery or the snow, and you won't be able to ski much at all. Still, it's an annual in-season celebration event for backcountry enthusiasts! No matter what your condition is, I think it's definitely better to go and try it out instead of watching social media at home and getting irritated by people posting their first skates. Skis may fall apart from stepping on rocks, so it's best not to bring new skis you just bought.
◆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)
*Details/Application: https://locus.guide/
POWER ZONE
◇ Official HP https://powerzone.co.jp/
Thank you for waiting! In recent years, there is often little snow in Tateyama in November, but there is no excuse not to recruit. In anticipation of snow, we are now recruiting for the first ski in Tateyama for the 2024-25 season! Even if there isn't much snow, let's enjoy this year's fresh snow and celebrate the arrival of the season with 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)
*Details/Application: 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