2025 version: Spectacular autumn foliage spot with a large panoramic view! Hakkaisan Ropeway, Niigata

  • Niigata
  • Sightseeing
Hakkaisan Ropeway
The beautiful autumn foliage season, when the bright green leaves turn red and orange. Hakkaisan, which has been revered as a sacred mountain since ancient times, is a popular autumn foliage spot in Minamiuonuma City. In autumn, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the autumn foliage that fills the mountain. Why not take the ropeway and enjoy the nature of Hakkaisan, which shows different colors in spring, summer, fall, and winter?

Take the Hakkaisan ropeway and enjoy the panoramic view of autumn leaves!

Hakkaisan is one of the top 100 mountains in Japan and is also known as one of the Echigo Sanzan (three mountains of Echigo Prefecture) along with Echigo-Komagatake and Nakanodake, and is a popular autumn color spot in Minamiuonuma City. Hakkaisan ropeway" is a must-see attraction at Hakkaisan. Hakkaisan ropeway is a 2,217-meter-long, 81-seat ropeway located within the Muikamachi Hakkaisan Ski Resort on the western slope of Hakkaisan, and offers a panoramic view of Minamiuonuma City from the top station.
Contrast of autumn leaves and snow

The best time to see the autumn leaves on Hakkaisan is from mid-September.

The leaves of the Japanese maples, maples, and beeches near the top of the mountain gradually begin to change color from mid-September. The best time to view the leaves around the ropeway is usually from mid-October to early November. When the first snow covers the summit of Mt. Hakkaisan in late October and the surface of the mountain turns white with snow, visitors can enjoy the contrast of the "white" of the mountain, the "red" of the autumn leaves, and the "green" of the cedar trees.
Ropeway through the autumn leaves
Hakkaisan seen from the sky

Hachikaisan in the early morning and enjoy the sea of clouds.

Have you ever seen a sea of clouds? A sea of clouds is a situation in which layered clouds spread out and look like a sea when you look down from a high altitude, such as a mountain. At Hakkaisan (Mt. Hakkai), you can enjoy not only the autumn leaves but also the sea of clouds.
Sea of clouds and ropeway
The seasons when cloud sea is most likely to occur are spring, early summer, and autumn, when there is a large temperature difference between day and night. The season of autumn leaves is the perfect time to see a sea of clouds. The time of day when cloud sea occurs is early in the morning from 4:00 to 7:00 a.m., but due to the location of Hakkaisan, there are days when cloud sea occurs until after 8:00 a.m. The coldest time of the day, so be sure to take good protection against the cold.
View of sea of clouds from the top of the mountain

Early morning extra ropeway information

Hakkaisan ropeway operates a special early-morning service departing at 7:00 a.m. so that you can enjoy both the sea of clouds and early morning climbing.
Operation period: April 26 (Sun) - November 16 (Sun), 2025
Operation time: 7:00
Ride time: about 7 minutes each way
Fare (per person):
- September 30 (Tue) Adult ￥3,300 / Child ￥2,200
October 1 (Wed) - November 16 (Sun) Adult ￥3,500 / Child ￥2,400

*If you already have a ticket or if you use a discount ticket 500 yen extra for those who already have a ticket or use a discount coupon.
*Downtown rides are available after the first regular flight.
Please check our website for updates on the occurrence of cloud sea and weather forecast.
Please check the website for updates on the occurrence of cloud sea and weather forecast. Please understand this in advance.

Normal operating hours and fare information

Operation Period: April 26 (Sun.) - November 16 (Sun.), 2025
Operation Time: All days 8:00A.M.-4:00P.M. (last down 4:30P.M.)
Round-trip fare (per person):
- September 30 (Mon.) ¥2,800 for adult / ¥1,700 for child
October 1 (Wed.) - November 16 (Thu.) ¥3,000 for adult / ¥1,700 for child Oct. 1(Wed.)-Nov. 16(Thu.) ¥3,000/ ¥1,900 for children
Pets (round trip: ¥500, one-way: ¥300) may ride with small dogs only in a cage or the like. For more information, please refer to the link below.
Normally, the service runs every 20 minutes (every 00 minutes, 20 minutes, and 40 minutes).
The service interval may be changed during busy times or when groups arrive.
Operation period and hours are subject to change or suspension due to weather, natural disasters, etc.
Hakkaisan ropeway details are here
Exciting for dogs, too! Hakkaisan for more information

Minamiuonuma Koshihikari "Onigiri" rice ball and mushroom soup" festival

After waking up early and enjoying the sea of clouds and autumn leaves, you may get hungry. This year, the "Minamiuonuma Koshihikari Rice Ball & Mushroom Soup Festival" will be held at the parking lot next to the base station of the Hakkaisan ropeway!
The "Onigiri" will be made from Minamiuonuma Koshihikari rice grown in the Hakkaisan water system and cooked using natural, ultra-soft water nurtured by the nature of Hakkaisan, and the "Mushroom Soup" will be sold, which is filled with six kinds of mushrooms: shimeji, maitake, enoki, nameko, shiitake, and eringi! Also, new Koshihikari rice will be used from October 1!
Using Koshihikari rice produced in Minamiuonuma
Mushroom soup with plenty of ingredients to keep your body warm

Many other popular products!

In addition, we will also be selling mushroom soba and mushroom udon noodles... Some people bring take-out containers and buy mushroom soup, and the "Minamiuonuma Koshihikari 'rice ball' & mushroom soup" festival has become an autumn specialty at Hakkaisan.
As souvenirs, the new Uonuma Koshihikari rice (300g), maitake mushroom rice stock (for 300g of rice) & "delicious spring water from Minami Uonuma," the super soft water collected at Hakkaisan, are also popular.
A view of the store

Detailed information

Date & Time: September 13 (Sat.) to November 16 (Sun.), 2025 *September: Sat. and holidays only
Hours: 10:30-15:00 (ends when sold out)
Location: Hakkaisan ropeway Sanroku Station parking lot Sanroku Snack
Menu: mushroom soup, Minamiuonuma Koshihikari rice ball (2 pieces), mushroom soba or udon, etc. Snacks, drinks, etc.

You can buy "Onigiri" and eat them while viewing the beautiful autumn leaves of Niigata-Uonuma at the top of the mountain. After viewing the beautiful autumn leaves, the delicious Onigiri and Mushroom soup will surely warm up your body that is chilled by the autumn air.
We hope you will enjoy the "Minamiuonuma Koshihikari Onigiri (rice balls) and Mushroom Soup" festival in conjunction with the autumn leaves.
2025 "Minamiuonuma Koshihikari Rice Ball & Mushroom Soup" Festival

Combine your favorite train with lodging or a day trip plan for a great travel experience!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, which allows you to choose your train and accommodations freely and apply for them all at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your application, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Enjoy your own trip according to your schedule and purpose.
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