Exploring the Roof of Mie at the Gozaisho Ropeway

Mt. Gozaisho is a fantastic winter destination where you can enjoy authentic snowy scenery, just a short trip from both Osaka and Nagoya. It is the closest snowcapped mountain to Nagoya, offering glistening white slopes along with skiing and sledding. In winter, Mt. Gozaisho is known for its frost-covered trees and “snow monsters,” while in autumn it bursts into brilliant color. My goal today was to explore the beautiful snowy world at the summit.

Written by John Asano

The Mighty Mt. Gozaisho

Mt. Gozaisho is located in the Suzuka Mountain Range, which stretches across both Mie and Shiga prefectures. With an elevation of 1,212 meters, it is one of the tallest peaks in the range and offers impressive views of the surrounding landscape.

It is a popular spot for hikers and outdoor lovers due to its easy access. In the warmer months, visitors can explore its trails and enjoy lush greenery and diverse flora and fauna. In autumn, the mountain becomes a dazzling display of red, orange, and yellow leaves.

Starting off at Yunoyama Onsen Station

I started the day at Yunoyama Onsen Station at the foot of the mountain. The Gozaisho Ropeway is home to the tallest ropeway tower in Japan. Pillar 6, commonly known as the White Pylon, stands out spectacularly against the backdrop of the mountain. The gondola ride to the summit takes around 15 minutes.

On this cold March morning, I was grateful for the warm waiting room near the ropeway station before boarding the gondola. I also met a brave mountaineer there who said that he sometimes climbs to the top of the mountain from the base. Fortunately, that three-hour trek to the top was not what I had to do on such a snowy and windy day.

Snow and Spectacular Ice Trees

Once I stepped out of the summit ropeway station, I was greeted by a breathtaking winter landscape. The area beneath the ropeway, known as Summit Park, has plenty to explore. It receives some of the heaviest snowfall in Mie and is home to the prefecture’s one and only ski resort.

My first stop was the famous winter phenomenon known as Juhyo, or frost-covered trees. This is one of the few places in Japan where you can experience this striking display. This spectacle can only be seen when the temperature drops below freezing. From the summit ropeway station, it is only a short walk to an ice tree tunnel leading to the Choyodai Observatory at the top.

During my visit, the trees just had enough snow piled on them to make their white, bare branches look otherworldly.

Skiing and Sledding at the Gozaisho Ski Resort

As I wandered among the ice trees, I could hear the joyful sounds of children playing in the snow. A short distance from the summit ropeway station are two sledding areas and a snowshoeing trail. Visitors can zoom down the slopes of pristine white snow, a huge hit with both kids and adults. There are also two ski slopes near the chairlift (beginner and advanced), which are both winter-only experiences, so be sure to check them out.

Ski and sled rentals are available from the Gozaisho Nature School and Ski Rental Shop, open only in winter.

Enjoying Local Delicacies and the View

All the exploring made me famished, and it was time to warm up and refuel my starving soul. Nature, the on-site restaurant, offers delicious meals and sweeping views of the surrounding area. I had to get the local specialty, Gozaisho Curry Udon with fatty pork, and it did not disappoint. The springy noodles and rich curry warmed both my heart and my hands.

The restaurant also serves seasonal soft serve ice cream in several flavors. I went with vanilla, which came with a cute cookie on top, and enjoyed it while watching the ropeway glide up and down the mountain.

Walking in the Snow at the Choyodai Observatory

Once again, it was time to brave the cold and snow to hike up to the Choyodai Observatory. It is only a short walk from the summit ropeway station, and on clear days you can see as far as Nagoya, Chubu International Airport, and even the Northern Alps.

Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to me on this visit, so instead of soaking up the views, I enjoyed wandering among the torii shrine gates and other interesting monuments scattered around the area.

From here, you can also continue a bit farther to the Fujimi-Iwa Observatory, where the iconic Mt. Fuji can sometimes be seen on clear days.

Exploring the Summit of Mt. Gozaisho

One of the highlights of my trip was reaching the top of Mt. Gozaisho at 1,212 meters above sea level. A single-seat chairlift takes visitors to the peak in about eight minutes from the Summit Ropeway Station, where a landmark marks the summit.

Close to the top is the Boukodai Lookout (Lake Lookout), offering views of Lake Biwa, which is the largest lake in Japan.

After exploring the mountain, visitors can soak their tired feet in the soothing hot spring waters of Yunoyama Onsen at the base of the mountain.

Wrap Up

Mt. Gozaisho is just an hour away from Nagoya, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature and experience a snowy paradise without having to travel deep into the Northern regions of Japan.

How to Get There

The easiest way to reach the Gozaisho Ropeway is by taking a direct Mie Kotsu Bus from the Meitetsu Bus Center in Nagoya. Ride to the Yunoyama Onsen Gozaisho Ropeway Mae bus stop, which takes around 70 minutes. From there, it is a short walk to the ropeway.

Visit the following website for more information, including ropeway and rental fares and operation hours: