A soaring ride over snow-capped peaks
Shinhotaka Ropeway offers panoramic views of Japan’s Northern Alps, glistening with snow during wintertime. The ropeway ascends nearly 1,000 meters to a mountaintop observatory 2,156 meters above sea level. From the viewing platform at the top station, visitors can see the magnificent peaks of the Japan Alps and their valleys. In wintertime, maze-like “snow corridors” extend from the observatory, allowing visitors to hike while surrounded by 3-meter-high walls of snow. The intermediate stop of Shinhotaka Ropeway is at Nabedaira Kogen, where two information centers house a variety of restaurants and snack bars, an onsen and a free outdoor foot spa with mountain views. In winter, visitors can rent snowshoes to walk the nature trails that branch off from this site.
How to get there
Shinhotaka Ropeway is accessible by bus from Takayama Station (90 minutes) or Hirayu Onsen (40 minutes).
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