The Takayama area of Gifu Prefecture is a popular destination for travelers and locals alike for its diversity in hearty and delicious cuisine, natural resources, and colorful history. There’s much to be explored in Takayama City by itself, but today we will continue on our mission to get out and get away from the bustling and busy city life.

The Shinhotaka Ropeway is one of the most famous sightseeing parts in all of Gifu. It offers unbelievable panoramic views of the Japanese Alps mountain range as well as a number of recreational, food, and shopping opportunities for visitors looking for things to do on top of a mountainside.

Let’s begin with how you can get up to the top!

Takayama Bus Terminal is about two and a half hours by bus from Nagoya’s Meitetsu Bus Center where you can book one-way or roundtrip tickets. Upon arrival, there is a ticket kiosk at the Takayama Bus Terminal where you will be able to transfer by purchasing tickets to Shin-Hotaka. My suggestion is to get the two-day bus ticket that includes unlimited rides to both the bus that will take you to and from Shin-Hotaka as well as the Ropeway gondolas that you will need to make it to the top!
Okuhida Marugoto Value Ticket:https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/marugoto_value_ticket_en/

The price of the two-day pass will still be cheaper than purchasing the equivalent amount of one-way tickets on a one day trip by bus and gondola so you are definitely making every penny worth it. If you’ve decided to take this option, I suggest you check the bus departure times for the whole day so you can make the most of your time while you’re up there. The buses for the most part run regularly in hourly intervals going both ways.

Once at the Shin-Hotaka station, there are a number of options to freshen up with some food or a bathroom break from the hour and thirty minute bus ride from Takayama. You can even try a softboiled egg cooked in geothermal water that runs from a natural spring.

To continue your journey up, just follow the signs that lead to the second floor where the gondolas ferry intrepid passengers to the first of two stations. As a pro tip, I suggest that you prepare any camera gear and secure your belongings because depending on the season, it could be a tight squeeze with many tourists vying for the best view! This first trip will take you to the village where travelers can enjoy a bite to eat, relax in an outdoor bath, and even learn about the mountain’s ecosystem.

If you’re not quite in the mood for a full bath in a Japanese onsen, you can just sit down and dip your feet in a geothermal footbath with water being pumped directly from the side of the mountain.

Going onwards and upwards you will take another gondola and this double-decker version will take about 7 minutes to the top. This is where you can get the most of your money shots! My suggestion here is to face towards the point of departure or the base of the mountain you are coming from because you’ll be able to see a gorgeous view of the mountains on the horizon as you ascend.

Once at the top, the weather might be slightly different than at the bottom, especially during the days with extra cloud cover so it’s also a good idea to pack another layer or at least caution yourself to prepare for some precipitation as well as colder temperatures. Luckily, if worse comes to worst, there is a small pro shop where you can procure extra layers along with souvenirs and refreshments if needed.

There is a large cafeteria just under the platform where you’ll want to take pictures from and see the Japanese Alps in the open air.

The platform offers a wide area and ample opportunity for picture taking and nature gazing. Depending on the time of year it is said that you can see a variety of wildlife moving about the side of this largely untouched mountainside. With plenty of cheerful guides and helpful hands at the top, it shouldn’t be difficult to get a picture taken of yourself or anyone else that you are with!

Again, I definitely recommend you keep track of the times the gondolas leave so that you can get a good spot if you want to get the best opportunity for pictures.

If you’re ever in the Gifu area, I highly suggest you visit Shin-Hotaka. You can experience a different view depending on what season you visit. From snowy mountain tops, to extravagant fall colors, to a mixture of green and pink in the early spring and summers, there’s never a bad time to visit!