[Japan] Experience Riding the Shin-Hida Ropeway | Enjoy the Stunning Snowy Landscape of the Northern Alps in Gifu!

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Summary

The Shinhotaka Ropeway is a popular tourist attraction in Gifu, Japan. It is known for its double-decker cable car that takes visitors to an observation deck at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, offering a 360-degree view of the Northern Alps. The ropeway is divided into two sections, with the second section being the only double-decker cable car in Japan. It is recommended to visit the ropeway from Takayama and to plan for additional time to explore nearby hot springs. The operating hours and ticket prices vary depending on the season. Despite weather conditions affecting the ropeway’s operation, the experience of witnessing the snow-covered landscape is highly recommended. Overall, the Shinhotaka Ropeway is a must-visit attraction in the Hokuriku region of Japan.

The Shinhotaka Ropeway is a popular tourist attraction located in Gifu, Japan. It is also one of the must-visit destinations for those planning a trip to the Hokuriku region. The most famous feature of the Shinhotaka Ropeway is its double-decker cable car, which takes you to an observation deck at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Northern Alps. Even in the winter, when temperatures drop below freezing, it is definitely a memorable journey!

About the Shinhotaka Ropeway

The Shinhotaka Ropeway is located in Gifu Prefecture, about a 1.5-hour drive from Takayama City. The ropeway consists of two sections: the first section goes from “Shinhotaka Onsen Station” to “Nabedaira Kogen Station,” and the second section goes from “Shirakabahira Station” to “Nishihotakaguchi Station.” The second section is a double-decker cable car, making it the only one of its kind in Japan!

Map of the Shinhotaka Ropeway route

The highlight of the Shinhotaka Ropeway is the “Nishihotakaguchi Station,” which is the final stop of the second section. From the observation deck at an altitude of 2,156 meters, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Northern Alps, including Mount Nishihotakadake, Mount Yarigatake, and Mount Kasadake. On a clear day, the view is truly spectacular.

On a clear day, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Northern Alps from the observation deck at Nishihotakaguchi Station.

How to Get to the Shinhotaka Ropeway

If you want to visit the Shinhotaka Ropeway, it is recommended to start from Takayama City. You can first arrange a one-day trip to Takayama and then take a ride to the Shinhotaka Ropeway the next day. On the way from Takayama to the Shinhotaka Ropeway, you will pass by famous hot springs such as Hirayu Onsen and Fukuchi Onsen, where many hot spring resorts and guesthouses are located. Additionally, you can also take a bus from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi or Matsumoto.

To get from Takayama to Shinhotaka, you need to take a bus from the “Takayama Nohi Bus Center” to the Shinhotaka Ropeway (get off at “Shinhotaka Ropeway”). As the Shinhotaka area is easily affected by weather conditions, it is recommended to depart early. This way, if the weather is bad when you arrive at Shinhotaka, you will have plenty of time to make alternative plans.

Nohi Bus Schedule

Takayama to Shinhotaka Bus Schedule

Since the bus to Shinhotaka also stops at Hirayu Onsen and Fukuchi Onsen, if your schedule allows, it is recommended to arrange to stay in the hot spring area after visiting Shinhotaka. This will give you more time to relax!

Map of transportation near the Shinhotaka Ropeway

Shinhotaka Ropeway Schedule and Ticket Prices

Shinhotaka Ropeway Schedule

The Shinhotaka Ropeway is generally open year-round, but the operating hours vary depending on the season. Before your visit, you can check the official website of the Shinhotaka Ropeway for the latest schedule. Please note that the ropeway may be temporarily closed due to inclement weather or regular maintenance. The first section of the ropeway departs every hour at 00 and 30 minutes, while the second section departs every hour at 15 and 45 minutes. The departure times are the same for both the outbound and return trips, and the total travel time for both sections is approximately 25 minutes.

Shinhotaka Ropeway Schedule (Image source: Official website of the Shinhotaka Ropeway)

Shinhotaka Ropeway Ticket Prices

To ride the Shinhotaka Ropeway, you can simply purchase a ticket on the day of your visit. If you want to reach the observation deck at Nishihotakaguchi Station, which offers a view of the Northern Alps, you will need to take both the first and second sections of the ropeway. The combined ticket price for both sections is 3,300 Japanese yen. Please note that there is an additional fee for carrying equipment weighing more than 6 kilograms.

Shinhotaka Ropeway Ticket Prices (Actual prices may vary, please refer to the official announcement of the Shinhotaka Ropeway).

My Experience Riding the Shinhotaka Ropeway and Capturing Winter Snowscapes

On the day of my visit to the Shinhotaka Ropeway, the weather was excellent, allowing me to capture the winter snowscapes.

After getting off the Nohi Bus, you can reach the Shinhotaka Ropeway at the “Shinhotaka Onsen Station.”
After purchasing tickets at the Shinhotaka Ropeway ticket counter, you can obtain your ropeway ticket!
After purchasing the ticket, you can proceed to the ropeway boarding area and take the first section of the ropeway. The visibility was excellent that day.
The first section of the Shinhotaka Ropeway is a single-decker cable car.
As the cable car ascended, the ropeway station quickly became tiny in the distance.
Winter scenery and mountain views from the first section of the Shinhotaka Ropeway.
There was a particularly captivating view during a certain section of the cable car ride near Nabedaira Kogen.
After about a 4-minute ride, you will arrive at Nabedaira Kogen Station!

Although the weather was excellent on the day of my visit to Shinhotaka, the second section of the ropeway was temporarily closed due to weather conditions (possibly strong winds). As a result, we spent quite some time playing in the snowy landscape at Nabedaira Kogen (after all, it was the first time I had seen such a spectacular snowscape). Nabedaira Kogen also has open-air natural hot springs, so if you’re interested, I recommend allocating more time to stay here!

Map of the Shinhotaka Ropeway attractions.
Although the weather was excellent on the day of my visit to Shinhotaka, you can still see the thick snow left from the previous night.
Seeing such a spectacular snowscape for the first time, I couldn’t resist making a snowman.

After spending about 30 minutes at Nabedaira Kogen and preparing to descend, we heard a broadcast announcement that the second section of the ropeway was back in operation! Of course, we had to take the unique double-decker cable car in Japan to Nishihotakaguchi Station and enjoy the magnificent snowscape of the Northern Alps!

The starting point of the second section of the Shinhotaka Ropeway, Shirakabahira Station
The Shinhotaka Ropeway is the only double-decker cable car in Japan.
As the second section of the ropeway ascends and descends, you can quickly see the snowy landscape of the Northern Alps.
Arriving at Nishihotakaguchi Station, you can go directly to the rooftop observation deck to enjoy the mountain view!
A snowman that won’t melt, a symbol of the Shinhotaka Ropeway!
Standing on the observation deck at Nishihotakaguchi, you can admire the panoramic view of the Hida Mountains in the Northern Alps.
In addition to the stunning mountain views, the ice-covered trees at Nishihotakaguchi are also captivating.

All in all, the Shinhotaka Ropeway is highly recommended for those traveling to the Hokuriku region in Japan. With the ropeway, you can enjoy breathtaking mountain views without having to trek for a long distance. Located just about 1.5 hours from Takayama, the Shinhotaka Ropeway is also conveniently located for visiting other attractions in the Hokuriku region, such as Shirakawago, Takayama, or Kanazawa.

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