Shinhotaka Ropeway — Japan Alps Aerial Journey

The Shinhotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ) is Japan's only double-decker cable car, ascending 1,308 meters from the Hida mountain valley floor to a 2,156-meter observation deck in the Northern Japan Alps. The two-stage journey (first stage to Nabedaira, second to the summit) offers 360-degree panoramas of the Hotaka Range — jagged 3,000-meter peaks including Mt. Oku-Hotaka (3,190m, third-highest in Japan). The summit deck provides unobstructed views across snowcapped ridges, alpine valleys, and, on clear days, distant Mt. Fuji.

The ropeway area includes hiking trails (1–3 hours), an open-air rotenburo at Nabedaira station (free with ropeway ticket), and access to serious alpine routes for experienced climbers. The lower Nabedaira station offers gentler forest walks suitable for families. Seasonal highlights include alpine wildflowers (June–July), autumn foliage (October), and winter snow landscapes (December–March). The ropeway operates year-round except for maintenance closures.