Visitors throng Japan's snow-laden northern alps in spring
By Channel NewsAsia's Japan Bureau Chief Michiyo Ishida | Posted: 08 May 2009 0059 hrs

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TATEYAMA, Toyama Prefecture: Cherry blossoms represents the coming of spring in many parts of Japan. But in the northern alps, it's the appearance of tall snow walls.

Channel NewsAsia takes us to the amazing symbol of spring that draws many tourists.

There's little snow at the 977-metre point of the Tateyama Kurobe alpine route.

But as visitors take the bus up the 23-kilometre route, the snow on the side of the road becomes higher and higher.

The area experiences one of the heaviest snow fall in Japan and it is closed to the public from December to early April.

In February, the removal of the steep snow begins to create a passageway to the 2,450-metre point.

The tall poles installed before the snowy season are the indicators.

It is a job only for highly-skilled workers, which Mr Kenichi Hatakeyama and his employees take pride in.

Mr Hatakeyama, Executive Director of Furutochi Construction, said: "When we forced through the tough final stage of the Big Valley of Snow with our 11 workers this year, many visitors were overjoyed. It was worth the effort."

An estimated quarter of a million people visit the area from April to May.

The 500-metre stretch of the road has been opened since April 17, and the highest part of the wall is up there. It is 15 metres high, and about the height of a five-storey high building.

But that's still far short of the record, which is 24 metres.

One woman visitor said: "I feel that there will be less snow so I wanted to see it while it's there. It's the first time I see so much snow."

A young Taiwanese man added: "It's incredible. Taiwan has no sights like this. It's amazing!"

The walk around the big wall ends after May, but it will be replaced by another snow passage.

Mr Shinichiro Kanamori, Chief of Overseas Sales at the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, said: "This is actually a walkway, but we wanted customers to enjoy from June to July so we are making a corridor through which they can go through freely and have a good time."

There were fewer visitors this year compared to the same time last year.

Many Korean visitors gave it a miss because of the unfavourable exchange rate, but the authorities hope to attract more local tourists by offering various snow experiences. - CNA/de

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