Yunoyama Onsen and Mt. Gozaisho - Escape to a quiet mountain village with lush forests, waterfalls and hot springs

Written by Pete Leong

Yunoyama is particularly known for its changing beauty through the four distinct seasons as well as its several ryokan (Japanese inns) with hot springs. The area attracts many campers, hikers and cyclists to its beautiful Suzuka Mountain ranges. The most famous of these is Mt. Gozaisho, standing 1,212m high. Beautiful panoramic scenery can be enjoyed from those that venture to the top of Mt. Gozaisho ? of the surrounding mountains, nearby Yokkaichi City, Ise Bay, Lake Biwa on the Shiga Prefecture side and if you’re lucky even Mt Fuji on a clear day. The night view of the Yokkaichi Industrial Complex is also fine.

The summit is accessible via five main hiking routes which are all fun and challenging, both for beginners and experienced hikers. Interesting rock formations can also be seen along some routes. Caution must be taken, however, on several areas along some of the trails as there is potential for a dangerous fall in some of the more exposed rocky areas. Guide maps for the routes are available from the souvenir shops and most ryokan around town. 

If you’re not up for hiking then there is the famous Gozaisho Ropeway at 2.1km (1.3mi) long, with Japan’s tallest ropeway support (61m), which allows visitors to enjoy 360-degree panoramas along the way up from its base at Yunoyama Onsen to the summit. Once at the top you can hike around and eat and drink in a restaurant with spectacular views of surrounding scenery. In winter time it is open as a ski park but the most popular time to visit is in autumn, when the mountain lights up with stunning fall colors. 

Around the base of Mt. Gozaisho there are also many beautiful natural waterfalls to explore. One of the best known being Aotaki.  Aotaki Falls are quite high and impressive to see. It is easily accessible and takes about 20 minutes on foot from the Ura Michi Trail which begins just along a path to the left side of the ropeway entrance. On a fine day it’s the perfect spot to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy as you sit by the falls. 

Some people then continue along the trail for another three hours or so to the top of Mt. Gozaisho where along the way you can enjoy views of the daring rock climbers high above on cliffs and the tranquil views over Yokkaichi City and Ise Bay below.

Along the way you might even spot a Japanese monkey or two. The Japanese macaque monkeys frequent the Yunoyama hot springs area and can often even be seen in the main town hanging out on the roof tops or in the trees alongside the roads. If you are really lucky you might even have an encounter with the kamoshika (Japanese serow), a goat-like antelope which usually likes to stay higher in the mountain forests. They are the mascot for Mt. Gozaisho. 

While around the bottom of the ropeway area visitors can also enjoy lunch at one of the several restaurants, there are also souvenir shops and even a Mont Bell store in case you forgot to pick up any hiking and outdoor gear for your adventures. 

If you want to get on the trails and hike a mountain but don’t have the time or energy required for Gozaisho, then just a couple of kilometers down the mountain road you will find a small car park that marks the entrance to the trail to climb Komono Fuji. A smaller mountain at 369m high, it only takes around 20-30 minutes to reach its peak but still offers a relaxing, not-so-steep climb up through the forest where you will be rewarded with a panoramic vista over Yokkaichi and Nagoya cities. This is a popular spot to view full moon rises from and see all the lights over the cities below at night and casual, enjoyable hiking in pristine nature the whole family can enjoy. Just remember to bring a headlamp for evening ascents.

Further down at the base of the mountains just out of Komono Town proper is Yunoyama Forest Adventure, where thrill seekers can enjoy flying through the forest on a zipline and conquering its many high-top, tree-to-tree obstacles and bridges. 

The best times to visit depend on what you like to see. For sakura (cherry blossoms) it’s best to visit in April. Summer time is popular for people wanting to have a break from the heat of the lower surrounding areas, as the temperature is generally a few degrees cooler up at the higher altitudes and there are many clear rivers and springs to swim and relax in also. If it's fall colors you’re after, the best time to visit is around the end of October through November. After that it is snow through the winter months.

For more information visit Mt. Gozaisho’s website here:https://www.gozaisho.co.jp/en/

Forest Adventure information and bookings here: https://fa-yunoyama.foret-aventure.jp/eng/

[Access]

Yunoyama Onsen

Shin-Meishin Expressway→Komono IC→10 minutes by car

Or from Yunoyama Onsen Station on the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line, take the Mie Kotsu Bus to the Yunoyama Onsen/Gozaisho Ropeway-mae stop

Gozaisho Ropeway

Shin-Meishin Expressway→Komono IC→10 minutes by car

Or from Yunoyama Onsen Station on the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line, take the Mie Kotsu Bus to the Yunoyama Onsen/Gozaisho Ropeway-mae stop