No mountain climbing experience necessary! 10 spectacular mountain foliage views by ropeway

Mountains above 2,000 meters are colder than flatlands. If you just want to admire the mountains from an observation deck, bring a light down jacket. In the mountains, there are often hiking trails from the ropeway stations at the top of the mountain. "If you want to do some walking ", bring a fleece. For footwear, we recommend wearing sneakers that you are used to wearing.

Asahidake, at 2,291 meters above sea level, is the earliest mountain in Hokkaido in Japan to begin to turn red. Red and orange trees add contrast to the green high pine trees, and the majestic Asahidake towers majestically before your eyes.
From the ropeway station at the top of the mountain, there is a 1-hour walking trail that takes you to five observation decks and beautiful ponds such as the Sugatami Pond. The experience of being surrounded by the magnificent nature of Hokkaido is exceptional.

Best time to see autumn leaves: mid-September to mid-October
Fees
　-Season (10/21-5/31)
　 Adult (junior high school student and above) 2,200yen / Small person 1,500yen
Top season (6/1-10/20)
　 Adult (junior high school student and above) 3,200yen / Small person 1,600yen
Location: Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
・TEL: 0166-68-9111
Official website: https://asahidake.hokkaido.jp/ja/

Hakkoda is a series of peaks in Aomori Prefecture with the 1,585-meter-high Mt. Here, beech, maple, and other broadleaf trees turn red and yellow, and visitors can enjoy the autumn leaves while riding the ropeway. In late October, the first snow begins to fall, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of pure white snow at the top of the mountains and bright red autumn leaves on the lower part of the mountains.
From the summit station, there is a walking trail that takes about 60 minutes around the mountain. There is also a marshland, where you can enjoy lovely alpine plants that cannot be seen in the city.

Best time to view autumn foliage: early October to mid-October
Fees
　Adult (junior high school students and above) 2,000yen / Elementary school students (elementary school students) 700yen / No material before entering elementary school
Location: 1-12 Arakawa Samizusawa, Aomori-shi, Aomori
TEL: 017-738-0343
Official website: http://www.hakkoda-ropeway.jp/

Zao is a mountain range with its main peak, the 1,841-meter-high Kumanodake, located on the border between Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures. The broad-leaved trees such as beech and downy birch turn red and yellow. The ropeway allows visitors to enjoy the autumn leaves spreading out below. The autumn leaves, which darken in color as they rise in altitude, make you feel as if you are looking at a moving painting.
From the summit station, there are many walking trails. If you are not an experienced climber, you can choose the 1-hour "Aloe Swamp Course "or the 30-minute "Zao Botanical Garden Circle Course ".

Best time to see autumn leaves: mid-October to late October
Fees
　-To the Jizo summit station
　Adult (junior high school student and above) 3,000yen / Junior (elementary school student) 1,500yen
-To Jyugyokogen Station
　Adult (junior high school students and above) 1,500yen / Elementary school students (elementary school students) 800yen
Location: 229-3, Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
・TEL: 023-694-9518
Official website: https://zaoropeway.co.jp/summer/index.php

Tsugaike Kogen is a marshy area at an elevation of 1,900 meters, nestled among the three peaks of Hakuba in the Northern Alps. There are few tall trees, and visitors can enjoy the autumn leaves of low trees turning red and grass turning brick red.
From the ropeway station at the top of the mountain, there is a walking trail that takes about 5 hours to complete a circuit. In the first half of the walk, enjoy the contrast between the marshland and grassy autumn leaves as you gently gain elevation, and in the second half, enjoy the magnificent autumn leaves of the Hakuba Sanzanzan and the mountains of the Northern Alps.
"If 5 hours is a bit long ", there is also a 1 hour and 10 minute course that only visits Mizubashou Marsh and Watasuge Marsh.

Best time to see autumn leaves: Late September to early October
Fees
　-Tsugaike Gondola & Tsugaike Ropeway + Nature Park entrance fee included
　 Adult (junior high school student and above) 3,700yen / Elementary school student 2,100yen
　-Tsugaike Gondola & Tsugaike Ropeway only
　 Adult (junior high school students and above) 3,380yen / Elementary school students 1,840yen
Location: 12840-1, Chikuni Oaza, Otani Village, Kita Azumino County, Nagano Prefecture
・TEL: 0261-83-2255
Official website: https://www.nsd-hakuba.jp/green/tsugaike/panoramaway.html

Kisokomagatake is a 2,956-meter-high mountain located in Nagano Prefecture. If you wish to go from the ropeway station to the summit of Mt. Kisokomagatake, you will need serious mountain climbing equipment. If you have no climbing experience, take a walk from the ropeway station to Senjidashiki Curl. Even at the Senjyobashiki Curl, the altitude is high enough at 2,612m, so you can enjoy an extraordinary feeling.
The contrast of red and yellow autumn leaves, green high pines, and white mountain surfaces is beautiful at Senjidashiki Karl. Also, if the weather is good, you can see over the sea of clouds the Southern Alps and Mt. If you get tired of walking, enjoy a relaxing coffee break at the cafe of "Hotel Senjojiki ", which is located at the highest point in Japan.

Best time to see autumn leaves: Late September to early October
Fees
　-Suganodai Bus Center parking fee 800 yen/day
　-Suganodai Bus Center - Shirabidaira Station (bus): 1,660 yen
　-Shirabidaira station - Senjojiki station (ropeway) 2,540 yen
Location: 759-489 Ako, Komakane City, Nagano Prefecture
・ TEL: 0265-83-3107
Official website: https://www.chuo-alps.com/

Nishihotaka, you will need serious climbing gear. But at the Nishihotakaguchi Station, the terminus of the ropeway, a spacious wooden deck is available at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. There is an environment where you can relax and enjoy nature, such as the "forest table "where you can feel the scent of trees and birds chirping up close, and the "Yari-no Kairo "where you can enjoy the view of the "Yari Hotaka mountain range "which is popular in the Northern Alps.
The beautiful contrast between the blazing red of the autumn leaves, the gray of the Yaruhotaka rock cliffs, and the clear blue sky high in the sky looms before your eyes.

Best time to see autumn leaves: Late September to late October
Fees
　Adults (13 years and older) 3,000 yen / Children (elementary school students) 1,500 yen
Location: Shin Hotaka Onsen, Okuhida Onsenkyo, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
・TEL: 0578-89-2252
Official website: https://shinhotaka-ropeway.jp/

Gozaishodake is a 1,212-meter-high mountain located in Mie Prefecture. Around mid-October, the leaves are still green from the foot of the mountain, where the first ropeway station is located, to the mountainside, but as you approach the summit, you can enjoy the beautiful gradation of colors. However, as you approach the summit of the mountain, the trees begin to change color, creating a beautiful gradation of colors.
The summit station has a walking trail that takes about 30 minutes around the mountain, and you can also climb to the top of Mt. With a grassy plaza and a restaurant, this is a mountain foliage spot that can be easily enjoyed by the whole family.

Best time to see autumn leaves: mid-October to late November
Fees
　Adult (junior high school students and above) 2,450yen / Elementary school students (4 years old and above and below) 1,220yen
Location: Yunoyama Onsen, Komono-cho, Mie-gun, Mie Prefecture
・ TEL: 059-392-2261
Official website: https://www.gozaisho.co.jp/

Hieizan is a 848-meter-high mountain straddling Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. Hieizan is also known as Enryaku-ji Temple. You can reach Enryaku-ji Temple by car, but if you are so inclined, take the ropeway to enjoy the autumn colors of the entire mountain. The gradation of red, yellow, orange, and green that changes with the seasons is very beautiful.
At the top of Mt. Hiei, there is also a garden museum and a café with a Parisian motif. After enjoying the autumn foliage on Mt. Hiei, visitors can relax in the beautiful gardens or visit Enryaku-ji Temple.

Best time to see autumn leaves: Late October to mid-November
Fees
　Cable Yase Station - Cable Hiei Station
　 Adults 1,100 yen / Children 540 yen
　Rope Hiei Station - Hieizan Summit Station
　Adult 700yen / Small person 360yen
Location: Higashiyama, Kamikoya, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
TEL: 075-781-4338 (Cable Yase Station)
Official website: https://www.keifuku.co.jp/cms/eizan_timetable/

Kenzan is a 1,955-meter-high mountain located in Tokushima Prefecture. You can take a lift up to the 1,700-meter-high point. From the terminal station to the summit is a hike, but the path is well maintained and easy to walk on. Once you reach the top of Mt. Kenzan, there is a wooden deck where you can look out over the mountains of Shikoku.
The contrast between the green of the meadows leading up to the mountain "Jiro-oi "next to Mt. Kenzan and the autumn colors of the trees halfway up the mountain is indescribably beautiful.

Best time to see autumn leaves: mid-October to late October
Fees
　Adults 1,900 yen / Children 900 yen
Location: 65-8, Nishiyama, Sadamitsu, Tsurugi-cho, Mima-gun, Tokushima
・TEL: 0883-62-2772
Official website: http://turugirift.com/

Unzen Fugendake is a 1,483-meter-high mountain located in Nagasaki Prefecture. Although it is not possible to get close to the crater because the volcanic fumes are still rising, Fugendake can be seen up close from the summit of Myokendake, just after getting off the ropeway at the summit station.
While riding the ropeway, you can enjoy the carpet of autumn leaves below, but the view from the Myokomidake Observatory is exceptional. Far beyond the autumn leaves directly below you can see the Amakusa Sea and the islands of the Amakusa archipelago, and if you turn your head the other way, you can see the Ariake Sea. The vividly colored autumn leaves of the mountains and the blue of the sea create a beautiful contrast.

Best time to see autumn leaves: Late October to early November
Fees
　Adult 1,290yen / Small person 650yen
Location: 551 Unzen, Obama-cho, Unzen, Nagasaki
・TEL: 0957-73-3572
Official website: http://unzen-ropeway.com/

We have introduced some spectacular autumn foliage in the mountains that can be easily accessed even by inexperienced climbers. Autumn foliage in the city is nice, but seeing the leaves in the great outdoors is something else. Bring a packed lunch, breathe in the clean autumn air, and take your time to enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves.