Sunrise and Goodbye – Snowy Wonderland

New! We signed up for the sunrise tour @ 2000 yen per pax. the staff told us they would phone us at 405am in the morning to let us know if the weather was good enough. If it wasn’t the tour would be cancelled.

We were in luck. The weather couldn’t be better. So, at 0415hrs, we trooped down obediently to the lobby then made our way to the station and got up the trolley bus. I think the bus brought us back to Daikanbo. We climbed up a viewing platform and waited quietly for the sunrise.

It was an ok sunrise. I’m not a fan of sunrises but I didn’t mind going. I wouldn’t have minded not going too. But then if we had not gotten up for this one, we might have missed the next one which in my view was the best one and the reason why staying at Tateyama Hotel was worth every yen.

When we got back to the hotel, more beautiful sights were awaiting us. And it was free.

It was the same place we were tramping around the day before, but oh, what a difference a day made. The sun, the blue skies, changed the entire countenance of the place.

Here are some snapshots.

The morning light cast a really beautiful spell over the snow.

After breakfast, we were on the first bus out, first to Midagahara then to Bijodaira, where we would transfer to the cable car to Tateyama station. Along the way, we passed by never ending snow wall and saw more beautiful snowscapes.

Finally we couldn’t see the snow anymore. It’s like leaving Alice’s wonderland, only it was a blue and white one.  I knew I’d miss the place.

When we got to Tateyama station, it was already bursting with day trippers.  Very relieved we were on our way and could escape the crowd.

Read The Alpine Route – Part 1 here.

Next stop: Gokayama

Visited 24-25 April 2013