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Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway

A spectacular aerial view of Japan's three largest Japanese Alps, with an interesting stroll along the Tsuboniwa scenic trail at the top.

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This cable car connects the base station at 1,771 meters above sea level to the summit station at 2,237 meters above sea level, a difference of 466 meters in elevation and a total distance of 2,215 meters in about seven minutes.

The giant 100-seater cable car is in operation all year round and is popular with many tourists throughout the four seasons. Many visitors come for sightseeing and hiking in the summer, and skiers and snowboarders enjoy the sports in the winter.

From the windows of the cable car, a view opens up to the spectacular Yatsugatake Mountain range and all of Japan's three major alps range: the Southern, Central, and Northern Alps.

At the summit station, Tsuboniwa Scenic Trail, where a volcano has created a natural art environment, alpine plants bloom seasonally. You can walk around the beautiful landscape here for 30~40 minutes.

The cable car makes trekking around Kita-Yatsugatake easy. The Kita-Yokodake hiking route from the summit station is especially popular with youngsters and seniors alike.

Both the base and summit stations have stores, cafes, and restaurants and you can buy souvenirs made from the distinct kokemomo berry and food made from ingredients unique to Shinshu area.

Highlights

  • A 7-minute aerial experience to the 2,237-meter-high summit station.
  • The window view of the Yatsugatake Mountain range and all three major Japanese Alps.
  • The Tsuboniwa Scenic Trail with seasonal alpine plants at the summit station.

Photos

  • Mega size Cable car with a capacity of 100 passengers

    Mega size Cable car with a capacity of 100 passengers

  • Beautiful foliage spread out below the car in Autumn

    Beautiful foliage spread out below the car in Autumn

  • Shimagare-yama from the window. As the name implies (shima is for stripe and gare for dry up), the slopes of the mountain are covered with the "withering stripes" phenomenon.

    Shimagare-yama from the window. As the name implies (shima is for stripe and gare for dry up), the slopes of the mountain are covered with the "withering stripes" phenomenon.

  • Tsuboniwa Scenic Trail at the summit. The best season is late June to early July.

    Tsuboniwa Scenic Trail at the summit. The best season is late June to early July.

  • Beautiful mountain range view from the Tsuboniwa Scenic Trail.

    Beautiful mountain range view from the Tsuboniwa Scenic Trail.

  • Enjoy the trekking route after the cable car trip.

    Enjoy the trekking route after the cable car trip.

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Details

Name in Japanese
北八ヶ岳ロープウェイ
Postal Code
391-0301
Address
4035-2541 Kitayama, Chino City, Nagano
Tel
0266-67-2009
Closed
Irregular holidays
Business Hours
8:40am-4:40pm,
Saturdays/Sundays/public holidays 8:20am-5:00pm
The bus departs hourly, every 20 minutes.
Fare
Round trip: Adults 2,100 yen, elementary school students and younger 1,050 yen / One-way: Adults 1,200 yen, elementary school students and younger 600 yen
Access
(1) 50 minutes by car from Suwa I.C. on the Chuo Expressway
(2) 60 minutes bus ride from Chino Station on the JR Chuo Line, on the Arpico Kotsu Bus bound for Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway (approx. 60 min.). Get off at the last stop.
Credit cards
accepted only at the base station. (VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay, JCB) *Not available at the summit station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)