【Hakkaisan Ropeway】Green Season Tourist Operations for Hakkaisan Ropeway, Offering Seasonal Views, Start from April 25 (Saturday)
Hakkaisan Ropeway is commencing its green season tourist operations from April 25, 2026, offering magnificent seasonal views and various events. Especially in summer, it's a cool retreat with superb panoramic views extending to the Sea of Japan, featuring activities like warabi (bracken) picking, sea of clouds viewing, and seasonal festivals to fully enjoy nature.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 21:21
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Hakkaisan Ropeway at Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort (Location: 1610 Yamaguchi, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture; Manager: Yuji Otsuka) will begin its green season tourist operations from Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Hakkaisan Ropeway is located on the western slope of the sacred Hakkaisan mountain (elevation 1,778m), one of the Echigo Sanzan mountains. It is a ropeway within Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort, with a total length of 2,217m, a speed of 7m per second (the fastest in the prefecture), and a capacity of 81 people.
Starting with an 'aerial walk' offering open panoramic views, visitors can experience the charm of nature throughout the four seasons, including mountain climbing and trekking to the sacred Hakkaisan. Spring brings fresh greenery and lingering snow, summer offers refreshing coolness, and autumn showcases sea of clouds and colorful foliage.
Especially during the summer, the summit station of the ropeway is at an altitude of 1,147m, with an elevation difference of 771m from the base station, making the temperature about 5°C lower than at the foot of the mountain. Even in mid-summer, the refreshing breeze allows visitors to fully enjoy a resort-like atmosphere.
From the observation deck a short walk from the summit station, a grand panorama unfolds, offering views of the Uonuma Basin, the mountains on the Joshinetsu border, and on clear days, even the Sea of Japan and Sado Island, making it one of the best viewpoints in the prefecture.
Spring is beautiful with the lingering snow of the Echigo Mountains and fresh greenery.
Looking down at the Uonuma Basin where rice planting preparations begin.
A torii gate of Hakkaisan Okami is located at the summit, with ema (votive tablets) also available from mid-June.
Hakkaisan Ropeway Operation Overview
Operating Period: Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Sunday, November 15, 2026
Operating Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. daily (Last descent 4:30 P.M.)
Travel Time: Approximately 7 minutes one way
*On weekdays from May 7 (Thursday) to May 22 (Friday), only groups (21 people or more) can use it (reservations required up to one week in advance).
*Usually operates at 20-minute intervals (at :00, :20, :40 past the hour).
*Operating intervals may change during crowded times or upon the arrival of groups.
Fares
Spring – Summer [April 25 – September 30]
Adults (Junior high school students and older)
Children (Elementary school students)
Round-trip ticket: ¥3,000, ¥1,900
One-way ticket: ¥1,900, ¥1,200
Autumn [October 1 – November 15]
Adults (Junior high school students and older)
Children (Elementary school students)
Round-trip ticket: ¥3,200, ¥2,100
One-way ticket: ¥2,100, ¥1,400
*Pets are allowed in cages (excluding large dogs) for an additional fee: ¥500 for a round trip.
Other Plans
Spring Ski Slope Warabi Picking
'Warabi' (bracken) picked on the ski slopes.
Enjoy wild vegetable picking on the slopes. Savor the slightly bitter spring aroma of warabi, kogomi, and udo.
◆Operating Period: Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026
◆Fee: Wild vegetable picking only ¥2,000 (Children ¥1,000)
*The period may change depending on growth conditions.
*Please purchase tickets at the ticket counter before enjoying.
*The wild vegetable picking area is within the ski resort management area.
*Mountain paths and slopes are not groomed. Please watch your step.
*General ropeway boarding is not available on weekdays from May 7 (Thursday) to May 22 (Friday).
*Eating the wild vegetables you pick is at your own risk.
Sea of Clouds Viewing / Early Morning Mountain Climbing Ropeway
Sea of clouds filling the Uonuma Basin.
Enjoy sea of clouds viewing or leisurely mountain climbing with the early morning ropeway.
◆Operating Period: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 18, 2026 – November 15, 2026
◆Operating Hours: 7:00 A.M. (Descent will be available after the regular first scheduled service).
◆Fee: ¥500 added to the regular round-trip fare.
*Please check our website for sea of clouds occurrence predictions.
*Please note that sea of clouds may not occur depending on the weather conditions on the day.
Events You Can Experience at Hakkaisan Ropeway
Katakuri Festival in Hakkaisan
The vast clusters of Katakuri (Erythronium japonicum) flowers blooming all over the slope to the left of the ropeway's base station are a breathtaking sight.
During the period, stalls will be set up by the Hakkaisan Jonai Tourist Association.
◆Period: Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Monday (Holiday), May 4, 2026
Katakuri flowers heralding spring in a snowy country, covering the slopes.
Summer Sky Snow Festival in Hakkaisan
Enjoy snow play in mid-summer at the ropeway's summit station. There will be sledding on lingering snow, and stalls selling local ingredients and a product exhibition.
◆Period: Saturday, August 8, 2026 – Tuesday (Holiday), August 11, 2026
Snow play at the mid-summer summit.
Minamiuonuma Koshihikari 'Onigiri' & Mushroom Soup Festival
Sales of Minamiuonuma Koshihikari 'onigiri' cooked with soft natural water nurtured by Hakkaisan's nature, and 'mushroom soup' containing several types of mushrooms will be held.
Hakkaisan Ropeway is located on the western slope of the sacred Hakkaisan mountain (elevation 1,778m), one of the Echigo Sanzan mountains. It is a ropeway within Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort, with a total length of 2,217m, a speed of 7m per second (the fastest in the prefecture), and a capacity of 81 people.
Starting with an 'aerial walk' offering open panoramic views, visitors can experience the charm of nature throughout the four seasons, including mountain climbing and trekking to the sacred Hakkaisan. Spring brings fresh greenery and lingering snow, summer offers refreshing coolness, and autumn showcases sea of clouds and colorful foliage.
Especially during the summer, the summit station of the ropeway is at an altitude of 1,147m, with an elevation difference of 771m from the base station, making the temperature about 5°C lower than at the foot of the mountain. Even in mid-summer, the refreshing breeze allows visitors to fully enjoy a resort-like atmosphere.
From the observation deck a short walk from the summit station, a grand panorama unfolds, offering views of the Uonuma Basin, the mountains on the Joshinetsu border, and on clear days, even the Sea of Japan and Sado Island, making it one of the best viewpoints in the prefecture.
Spring is beautiful with the lingering snow of the Echigo Mountains and fresh greenery.
Looking down at the Uonuma Basin where rice planting preparations begin.
A torii gate of Hakkaisan Okami is located at the summit, with ema (votive tablets) also available from mid-June.
Hakkaisan Ropeway Operation Overview
Operating Period: Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Sunday, November 15, 2026
Operating Hours: 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. daily (Last descent 4:30 P.M.)
Travel Time: Approximately 7 minutes one way
*On weekdays from May 7 (Thursday) to May 22 (Friday), only groups (21 people or more) can use it (reservations required up to one week in advance).
*Usually operates at 20-minute intervals (at :00, :20, :40 past the hour).
*Operating intervals may change during crowded times or upon the arrival of groups.
Fares
Spring – Summer [April 25 – September 30]
Adults (Junior high school students and older)
Children (Elementary school students)
Round-trip ticket: ¥3,000, ¥1,900
One-way ticket: ¥1,900, ¥1,200
Autumn [October 1 – November 15]
Adults (Junior high school students and older)
Children (Elementary school students)
Round-trip ticket: ¥3,200, ¥2,100
One-way ticket: ¥2,100, ¥1,400
*Pets are allowed in cages (excluding large dogs) for an additional fee: ¥500 for a round trip.
Other Plans
Spring Ski Slope Warabi Picking
'Warabi' (bracken) picked on the ski slopes.
Enjoy wild vegetable picking on the slopes. Savor the slightly bitter spring aroma of warabi, kogomi, and udo.
◆Operating Period: Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026
◆Fee: Wild vegetable picking only ¥2,000 (Children ¥1,000)
*The period may change depending on growth conditions.
*Please purchase tickets at the ticket counter before enjoying.
*The wild vegetable picking area is within the ski resort management area.
*Mountain paths and slopes are not groomed. Please watch your step.
*General ropeway boarding is not available on weekdays from May 7 (Thursday) to May 22 (Friday).
*Eating the wild vegetables you pick is at your own risk.
Sea of Clouds Viewing / Early Morning Mountain Climbing Ropeway
Sea of clouds filling the Uonuma Basin.
Enjoy sea of clouds viewing or leisurely mountain climbing with the early morning ropeway.
◆Operating Period: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 18, 2026 – November 15, 2026
◆Operating Hours: 7:00 A.M. (Descent will be available after the regular first scheduled service).
◆Fee: ¥500 added to the regular round-trip fare.
*Please check our website for sea of clouds occurrence predictions.
*Please note that sea of clouds may not occur depending on the weather conditions on the day.
Events You Can Experience at Hakkaisan Ropeway
Katakuri Festival in Hakkaisan
The vast clusters of Katakuri (Erythronium japonicum) flowers blooming all over the slope to the left of the ropeway's base station are a breathtaking sight.
During the period, stalls will be set up by the Hakkaisan Jonai Tourist Association.
◆Period: Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Monday (Holiday), May 4, 2026
Katakuri flowers heralding spring in a snowy country, covering the slopes.
Summer Sky Snow Festival in Hakkaisan
Enjoy snow play in mid-summer at the ropeway's summit station. There will be sledding on lingering snow, and stalls selling local ingredients and a product exhibition.
◆Period: Saturday, August 8, 2026 – Tuesday (Holiday), August 11, 2026
Snow play at the mid-summer summit.
Minamiuonuma Koshihikari 'Onigiri' & Mushroom Soup Festival
Sales of Minamiuonuma Koshihikari 'onigiri' cooked with soft natural water nurtured by Hakkaisan's nature, and 'mushroom soup' containing several types of mushrooms will be held.