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Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
The ropeway, from its lower terminal in Shin-Hotaka Onsen, the ropeway climbs 1,033 m, the greatest altitude change of any ropeway in Asia, in two stages to its upper terminal at Nishihihodaka-guchi. The trip takes 20 minutes, during which you’ll travel over 3 km before being deposited at the top. From here, stunning views of the Japanese Alps open in every direction, with hiking paths leading on into the mountains for the more adventurous.
The Shinhotaka Ropeway is an aerial lift system in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and is operated by Okuhi Sightseeing Development . The Meitetsu Group company also operates hotels in the area. Opened in 1970, the line climbs to the hillside of the Hida Mountains' Mount Hotaka, the third tallest mountain in Japan.
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西穂高岳
This 2,908 m peak is part of Mt. Hotakadake, and climbing it is relatively easy thanks to the cable car from Shin-Hotaka which takes you halfway up.
穂高岳 Hotaka-dake
At 3,190 m, this is the third-highest mountain in Japan. The mountain has several peaks, and the highest of these is Mount Okuhotaka (奥穂高岳 Okuhotakadake). It is on the border with Nagano.
槍ケ岳
The 3,180m mountain name means "Spear Mountain" for a reason, is occasionally dubbed Japan's Matterhorn.
平湯大滝 Hirayu ōtaki
A 64-meter-high waterfall, well marked and easily accessible along a short path. In winter the frozen waterfall is illuminated. Occasional buses, but check schedules carefully so you don't get stranded.