On Sunday, October 19, 2025, I rode the Shinhotaka Ropeway in Takayama, Gifu, up to Nishihotakaguchi Station (2,156 m), then hiked past Nishiho Sanso hut to Nishiho-Maruyama (2,452 m) and back. The walk came to about 4.7 km and took about 3 h 15 min, breaks included. It was a misty, drizzly morning, but halfway up on the second ropeway we broke through the mist and came out above the clouds! At Nishiho-Maruyama, clouds filled the valleys, and on the way back we stopped at Nishiho Sanso for a bowl of shoyu ramen.
I didn't stop at an onsen this time, so at the end I've listed day-use hot springs you can drive to from Shinhotaka Onsen Station, along with places to stay nearby.
Route Data
Item | Record |
|---|---|
Date | Sunday, October 19, 2025 |
Distance | approx. 4.7 km (excluding the ropeway) |
Total time | approx. 3 h 15 min (incl. breaks) |
Elevation gain | approx. +360 m |
High point | approx. 2,450 m (Nishiho-Maruyama) |
Route | Nishihotakaguchi Sta. → Nishiho Sanso → Nishiho-Maruyama (out and back) → Nishiho Sanso → Nishihotakaguchi Sta. |
Here is how it broke down. These numbers come from my own YAMAP record, so treat them as a rough guide.
Section | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
Nishihotakaguchi Sta. → Nishiho Sanso | approx. 1.8 km | approx. 50 min |
Nishiho Sanso → Nishiho-Maruyama | approx. 0.4 km | approx. 20 min |
Nishiho-Maruyama (stop) | approx. 20 min | |
Nishiho-Maruyama → Nishiho Sanso | approx. 0.4 km | approx. 25 min |
Nishiho Sanso (lunch) | approx. 20 min | |
Nishiho Sanso → Nishihotakaguchi Sta. | approx. 2.0 km | approx. 1 h |
You go up and come back down on the same trail. The elevation gain stays small because the ropeway lifts you straight to Nishihotakaguchi Station at 2,156 m.
Access & Parking
You reach Nishihotakaguchi Station by changing between the two Shinhotaka Ropeway lines. Take the 1st ropeway from Shinhotaka Onsen Station to Nabedaira Kogen Station, walk a short way to Shirakabadaira Station (1,308 m), and ride the 2nd ropeway up to Nishihotakaguchi Station.
For parking, there are paid lots at Shinhotaka Onsen (approx. 160 cars) and Nabedaira Kogen (approx. 550 cars), among others.
The adult round-trip fare between Shinhotaka Onsen and Nishihotakaguchi is ¥3,800. Note that this is the figure on the official website as of October 2026, not what the fare was when I rode it in October 2025. Extra cars apparently run when it's busy, and priority boarding for the uphill ride costs ¥300 per person.
Clothing & Gear
The morning was drizzly. From Nishihotakaguchi Station to Nishiho Sanso, the trail climbs through a mossy conifer forest, and past the hut it becomes a ridge of rock and creeping pine.
Up to Nishiho-Maruyama, I think the route is beginner-friendly. That said, this is my impression from walking it in October with no snow on the ground. Beyond Nishiho-Maruyama, the trail toward Nishiho-Doppyo and Mt. Nishihotaka turns rocky, so plan for your gear and experience.
Hike Log
Up by the Shinhotaka Ropeway (1st and 2nd ropeways)
In the drizzle, we took the 1st ropeway from Shinhotaka Onsen Station and walked over to Shirakabadaira Station. According to the official website, the 2nd ropeway runs Japan's only double-decker gondolas.
Partway up, we broke through the mist and found ourselves above the clouds!
Nishihotakaguchi Station sits at 2,156 m. The station roof is an observation deck with a 360° view of the Northern Alps.
Nishihotakaguchi Sta. → Nishiho Sanso (approx. 1.8 km, approx. 50 min)
I set off from Nishihotakaguchi Station around 10:42 a.m. Near the station, a rocky ridge rises beyond trees in yellow leaf.
The hiking trail starts here. For a while the elevation barely changes, and the climbing comes in the second half. The path was covered in fallen leaves.
The trail climbs through a mossy conifer forest, weaving between moss-covered rocks and bamboo grass.
Through the trees I could see autumn-tinted slopes, and clouds had pooled in the valleys.
Before long Nishiho Sanso came into view, and I reached it around 11:32 a.m. The hut stands at 2,367 m and is the only year-round mountain hut in the southern Northern Alps.
By the way, the hut's official website gives 1 h 30 min on foot from the ropeway. It took me about 50 minutes, but I'd leave yourself some margin when planning.
Nishiho Sanso → Nishiho-Maruyama (approx. 0.4 km, approx. 20 min)
The trail forks above the hut, and you head on toward Maruyama. Out of the forest, you step onto a ridge of rock and creeping pine.
Up on the ridge, there was a sea of clouds below, with mist rising from the valley.
Beyond the creeping pine, green mountains carried on into the distance.
I reached Nishiho-Maruyama around 11:52 a.m. The hut's official website puts it about 15 minutes from the hut, while the ropeway's site says about 30 minutes. This time it took me about 20.
Summit of Nishiho-Maruyama (2,452 m, approx. 20 min stop)
Nishiho-Maruyama stands at 2,452 m. Clouds filled the valleys, with ranges of mountains stretching beyond.
Ahead, the ridge climbs on toward Nishiho-Doppyo. This was our turnaround point. While we were there, a helicopter flew past with a sling load.
Nishiho-Maruyama → Nishiho Sanso (approx. 0.4 km, approx. 25 min)
On the way down, Kamikochi lay far below. To the left was Mt. Kasumizawa, Mt. Norikura in the distance, and Mt. Yake on the right.
Peaks floated like islands in a sea of clouds.
Looking down, the red roof of Nishiho Sanso came into view.
We were back at Nishiho Sanso around 12:34 p.m. and stopped there for lunch: shoyu ramen. After a break of about 20 minutes, we left the hut around 12:54 p.m.
Nishiho Sanso → Nishihotakaguchi Sta. (approx. 2.0 km, approx. 1 h)
The way back follows the same trail. Beyond the mist, a rust-red ridge came into view.
We were back at Nishihotakaguchi Station around 1:57 p.m., completing 4.7 km in about 3 h 15 min.
On the ride down, the gondola sank back into the clouds, with autumn colours on the slopes below.
Onsen After the Hike
A hot spring is a great way to end a hike! I didn't stop at one this time, so here are day-use onsen you can drive to from Shinhotaka Onsen Station, where the ropeway starts. Driving times come from a map route search on November 8, 2026, and are approximate.
Onsen | Drive from Shinhotaka Onsen Sta. | Options |
|---|---|---|
Okuhida Hot Spring Kojin-no-Yu | approx. 10 min | Day visit |
Hirayu Hot Spring Hirayu no Yu | approx. 20 min | Day visit |
Shinhotaka Onsen Shinhotaka-no-Yu | approx. 5 min | Day visit, riverside open-air bath, closed in winter (seasonal) |
Shinhotaka-no-Yu is open seasonally and closed through the winter.
Okuhida Hot Spring Kojin-no-Yu
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 | 05:00 - 22:00 |
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 | 07:00 - 21:00 |
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 | 08:00 - 18:00 |
Where to Stay Nearby
These work for a night before catching an early ropeway, or for taking it easy after the hike. Driving times are from Shinhotaka Onsen Station and are approximate.
Place | Drive from Shinhotaka Onsen Sta. | Options |
|---|---|---|
Yarimi no Yu Yarimikan | approx. 5 min | Overnight |
Shinhotaka Onsen Nonohana Sanso | approx. 5 min | Overnight |
Fukuji Onsen Yamazato no Iori Soene | approx. 15 min | Overnight |
Fujiya Farmhouse Inn (Shinhirayu Onsen) | approx. 15 min | Overnight |
Fukuji Onsen Yumoto Choza | approx. 15 min | Overnight only |
Yarimi no Yu Yarimikan
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 | 10:00 - 14:00 |
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 | Closed | Closed | 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 | 15:00 - 21:00 |
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Hol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 | 10:00 - 15:00 |
FAQ
How long does the Nishiho-Maruyama hike take?
For me, the round trip from Nishihotakaguchi Station took about 3 h 15 min. That includes about 20 minutes at Nishiho-Maruyama and a 20-minute lunch at Nishiho Sanso.
Is Nishiho-Maruyama suitable for beginners?
Walking it in October with no snow, I found it an easy route to manage. The elevation gain is about +360 m, and the rocky sections start past Nishiho-Maruyama. Conditions change once the snow arrives, so check the latest information.
How much is the Shinhotaka Ropeway?
¥3,800 for an adult round trip between Shinhotaka Onsen and Nishihotakaguchi (official website, as of October 2026). Fares can change, so check the official website before you ride.
Where do you park for Nishiho-Maruyama?
There are paid lots near the ropeway stations at Shinhotaka Onsen and Nabedaira Kogen. Nabedaira Kogen is the larger of the two, with about 550 spaces.
Is there an onsen near Nishiho-Maruyama for after the hike?
Yes. Shinhotaka-no-Yu (seasonal) is about 5 minutes by car from Shinhotaka Onsen Station, and Kojin-no-Yu is about 10 minutes.
Wrap-up
Because the Shinhotaka Ropeway takes you up to 2,156 m, Nishiho-Maruyama puts you on a 2,452 m ridge with a round trip of only about 4.7 km. In that short distance the scenery kept changing, from mossy forest to the year-round Nishiho Sanso hut and the creeping-pine ridge. That day a drizzly morning turned into a view from above the clouds, looking out over valleys filled with cloud! Snow changes the difficulty, so check the season and your gear before you go. The onsen of Okuhida are close by for after the hike, so it's well worth a visit at least once!
Watch the Video
The video's chapters roughly follow the same sections as the Hike Log above.
Nishiho-Maruyama Hike: Above a Sea of Clouds via the Shinhotaka Ropeway | Japan Alps 4K (YouTube)
- 00:00 Opening
- 00:27 Shinhotaka Ropeway
- 02:29 Route Overview
- 03:14 Nishihotakaguchi Sta. → Nishiho Sanso
- 08:26 Nishiho Sanso → Nishiho-Maruyama
- 12:32 Nishiho-Maruyama
- 14:59 Nishiho-Maruyama → Nishiho Sanso
- 17:31 Nishiho Sanso → Nishihotakaguchi Sta.
- 20:04 Ropeway down & Completed
Times and distances are from my own record and are approximate. The ropeway fare is from the official website as of October 2026, and fares, hours and trail conditions may change. Driving times come from a map route search on November 8, 2026. Please check each official website for the latest information before you go.
