Japan's only double-decker ropeway: at 2,156 m, the highest postbox in the country.
Two connected sections covering 3,200 m run from the base station at Shin-Hotaka Onsen to Nishi-Hotaka-guchi at 2,156 m, with 360-degree views of the Northern Alps (Kasa-ga-take, the Hotaka-Yari massif, the Yake-dake volcano). The double-decker cabin, the only one in Japan, carries up to 105 people per trip. At the top is the ‘Yamabiko Post’, a postbox in use all year round: an employee goes up every morning at around 8:00 for the collection, and it is the highest working postbox in the country.
In operation since 1970 in the Okuhida valley, it has been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide. It links the hot-spring valley floor of Shin-Hotaka Onsen to the slopes of the Central Alps National Park, a starting point for climbers heading for Mount Hotaka and a base for watching troops of Japanese macaques in winter.
ℹ️ April–November 8:30–16:00 (August and weekends in October 8:00–16:00), December–March 9:00–15:30. Full return trip 3,800 yen adults, 1,900 yen children. The ropeway and the viewpoint take about two hours, counting the weekend queue in high season (autumn above all).
🚉 Shinhotaka Ropeway Bus Stop · in front of the station
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