2024 version: A spectacular autumn foliage viewing spot with a large panoramic view in Niigata Prefecture [Hakkaisan Ropeway].

  • Niigata
  • Sightseeing
Hakkaisan ropeway
The beautiful autumn foliage season, when the 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 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 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

View the sea of clouds at Hakkaisan in the early morning.

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 7:00 a.m. service so that you can enjoy both the sea of clouds and early morning climbing.
Operation period: April 27 (Sat) to November 10 (Sun), 2024
Operation time: 7:00
Ride time: about 7 minutes each way
Fare (per person): ~September 30 (Mon) adult ￥3,000 / child ￥1,800
October 1 (Tue) to November 10 (Sun) adult ￥3,200 / child ￥2,000

*Ticket and discount coupons 500 yen extra for those who use a ticket or discount coupon.
*Downtrain 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 fees

Operation Period: April 27 (Sat.) - November 10 (Sun.), 2024
Operation Time: All days 8:00A.M.-4:00P.M. (last down 4:30P.M.)
Fare (per person): - September 30 (Mon.) ¥2,600 for adult / ¥1,500 for child
October 1 (Tue.) - November 10 (Sun.) ¥2,800 for adult /Children ￥1,700
*Train usually runs at 20-minute intervals (every 00 min., 20 min., and 40 min.).
The 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 here

Minamiuonuma Koshihikari Rice Ball & 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 again this year!
Minamiuonuma Koshihikari rice grown in the Hakkaisan water system and cooked with natural soft water from the nature of Mt. Hakkaisan, and "Mushroom Soup" filled with 6 kinds of mushrooms (shimeji, maitake, enoki, nameko, shiitake, and eringi) will be on sale! We also recommend "Soba" and "Udon" made with "Hakkaisan" from a local sake brewery and mushroom soup, using new Koshihikari rice from October 1!
Using Koshihikari rice produced in Minamiuonuma
Mushroom soup with plenty of ingredients to keep your body warm

There are many other popular products!

In addition, Uonuma Mushroom Soba and Uonuma Mushroom Udon will also be available... Some people bring take-out containers and buy mushroom soup, and the "Minami Uonuma Koshihikari 'rice ball' & mushroom soup" festival has become an autumn specialty at Hakkaisan.
The most popular souvenirs are the new Uonuma Koshihikari rice (300g), maitake mushroom rice stock (for 300g of rice) & "Minami Uonuma's Delicious Spring Water", the super soft water collected at Hakkaisan. The mushroom set (3-piece set of maitake, eringi, and bunashimeji mushrooms) is also a great value and very popular.
A view of the store

Holding period

Date and Time: Saturday, September 14, 2024 - Sunday, November 10, 2024 *Saturdays and holidays only in September
Hours: 10:30 - 15:00
*Onigiri ends when all are gone
*Opening hours may be extended depending on conditions

You can buy "onigiri" and eat them while viewing the beautiful autumn leaves of Niigata Uonuma at the top of the mountain or after seeing the beautiful autumn leaves After viewing the beautiful autumn leaves, the delicious rice balls and mushroom soup will surely warm up your body after being 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.
2024 "Minamiuonuma Koshihikari "rice ball" & mushroom soup" festival

Let's combine your favorite train and lodging to save money!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product sold exclusively through the Internet that allows you to freely select a train and accommodations and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Please enjoy your own trip according to your schedule and purpose.

Click here for details

For train + accommodation "Niigata Area" reservations, please visit [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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