Gifu, Japan: Shinhotaka Ropeway

Travel Date: 09 December 2024

We kept on moving our visit to Shinhotaka due to weather, heavy rain and snow, and visibility status from the live camera. 

On our last day in Takayama, Monday, we finally headed to Shinhotaka.  I tried to buy from the ticket machine, but failed.

Then from the ticket counter, we bought a combination roundtrip bus and roundtrip ropeway journey.

It's almost a 100 minute bus ride from Takayama to Shinhotaka ropeway. The road leading to it is winding, sometimes rough, and narrow but scenic.

The mountain views are covered with snow.

We stepped out from the bus, and we need to be careful.  It's icy and slippery.

Be careful in going to 2F for the ticket counter.  Although some are like running for their turn in the queue.

For those who bought the combo-ticket, you still need to present it in the ticket counter to exchange for the ropeway ticket.

We were standing on the right-side of the first cable car. 

Then we walked and followed the crowd to change station for the second ropeway.  This time, it's a double decker ropeway, and we took the lower car. 

From the left-side we can sometimes see the alps.  This is the brightest sunlight we got on the day of our visit.

It was poor visibility and cloudy all throughout the day.

An amazing panoramic view of snow covered mountains.

Here's the Nishihotakaguchi Station.

Upon arrival at the top station, we had our breakfast at Cafe & Snacks Mount View. We ordered karaage, Hida bun, churros, and coffee. The food is pricey as expected due to the proximity to the city.  Try to avoid the lunch hours because it was crowded.

Before we roamed the area, we wore crampons for safety.  Be careful when walking on the stairs, it may be slippery.

Everywhere was covered with snow.  There are a lot of tall pine trees.

Always walk at the center of the walkway the guides will prepare.  The side areas might be deeper than expected.

When walking under the tree, just be quick.  Refrain from getting huge snow chunks from big trees.

The terrace corridor is still open to the public.  However, my sister noticed that some areas were already enclosed for guests.

Try to use waterproof or Gore-Tex shoes.  Or use double socks. At an altitude of 2156m, temperature can be drastic. Bring an extra layer of jacket and cover-up.

On a clear day, you should be able to see the alps.

From a souvenir shop, we bought postcards, stamps.  We also used stamps and inkpad to our postcards, wrote our messages before heading to the Observation Deck.  

We sent it from Yamabiko post, from 2156m elevation.

We waited in a queue for the gondola going back to Shirakabadaira Station.

We had pastries, croissants, corn soup pudding, and hot tea from Fresh Bakery cafe.  We enjoyed our snacks with this snowy view.

On our way back to the station, we made multiple snow ducks.

Doing this trip to Shinhotaka during early-winter is worth a visit. 

Plan your visit to Shinhotaka.  Knowing the bus schedule, I already mentioned to my sister that we don't need to roam around the souvenir shop as we need to take the bus back to Takayama.

Know where you are going.  Know beforehand the temperature and weather.  Monitor their social media, on where they announce cancellation of ropeway service. Monitor their website for weather and visibility.

Some photos on our way back to Takayama bus terminal.

 It's also our moving day back to Nagoya.  We had an early dinner of Hida-pork burgers.  Head to coin lockers to get back our luggage.  Luckily, we got the tickets for the second last bus back to Nagoya.