Tourists are flocking to a spectacular snow corridor in Japan's Northern Alps. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opened on Monday after it was closed throughout the winter.

The road stretches over 37 kilometers. It connects Tateyama Town in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture. It features a ropeway and cable cars.

An opening ceremony took place near Murodo Terminal at an elevation of 2,450 meters. The last time vehicles were able to travel on the route was four and a half months ago.

Tourists at the ceremony headed along the snowy corridor.

A male tourist from Singapore said, "This place is very, very special, unique and different from anything else that we have seen in Japan. We recommend it to anybody, all friends and family. It's a great place, something everybody should see."

The route's operator, Tateyama Kurobe Kanko, says a strong earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula farther north on New Year's Day did not damage the route.

Tourism officials say many visitors are expected, as subsidies for promoting tourism in the quake-hit region have helped dispel their concerns.