Hakone Ropeway - Mt. Fuji View

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Updated

Splendid View From Above | Hakone Rope-way

Featured Experience on our Cherry Blossom Japan Tours vacation series.

The Hakone - Owakudani Ropeway is an aerial lift located in Hakone, Kanagawa, near Lake Ashi. The ropeway has two sections: one from the Sounzan station to Owakudani station, the other from Owakudani station to Togendai station. The Owakudani station will take you to a little over 1000 meters above sea level during the ride from the bottom to top station. From top to bottom, the ropeway takes about 30 minutes to travel. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of Owakudani Valley, the famous active, sulfuric valley which heats many of the hot springs around the area. If you are lucky and visibility allows, you can also see Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi on the way down from the ride as well.

Views of Mt. Fuji & Owakudani Valley

While the rope way was initially a single line design, from 2002 the rope way splits the line into two distinct sections. Although the rope way previously used a gondola-style lift for their cars, the section between Sounzan and Owakudani were changed to a funitel-style system from 2002. The section between Owakudani and Togedani used the gondola style until 2006, and changed to the same funitel system from 2007. Although the systems have been updated and are regularly maintained for customer safety, the rope-way does occasionally need temporarily shut operations in the attempt of increased volcanic activity. Even if you cannot enjoy the rope way ride, there's plenty to do and see while walking along the station at Owakudani Valley.

Enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Ashi and maybe even Mt. Fuji from the gondola by joining one our fully-guided Highlights of Japan tour packages or Cherry Blossom Japan Tours available year-round or during the Spring sakura season.