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Vegetarian's Japan Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Hakkōda Ropeway

Ropeways are not cheap to build. So if a ropeway is built at a location, the scenery from the ropeway is bound to be amazing. In Aomori Prefecture, not only is the Hakkōda Ropeway (八甲田ロープウェー) known for its great view, but they are also known for its skiing and snowboarding courses from the Summit Station (山麓・山頂駅).

After you reach the top of the mountain, before going back down to continue your exploration in the area, such as the famous Oirase Gorge, there are a few trekking courses that you can always stroll around to explore the area more closely (*’▽’).

Please refer to HERE for the official trek/hike course map!

For Ropeway’s business hours, timetable and fares, please refer to their official website HERE and scroll down.

Hakkoda Ropeway Aomori Japan Autumn
Photo from Aomori prefecture

If you want to know more about the Hakkōda area and what to expect when you visit Hakkōda Ropeway each season, please refer to their brochure HERE!

Hakkoda Ropeway Aomori Japan Winter With Snow Monsters
Photo from Aomori prefecture

The snow season at Hakkōda usually commences from the end of November to mid-May. There are several courses with various levels of difficulty that you can take.

Apart from the rime on trees in Hakkōda, you will also be enjoying the scenery of Tsugaru (津軽), Shimokita Peninsulas (下北両半島), and even Hokkaidō (北海道) as you ski or snowboard (but still pay close attention to what is in front of you. We really don’t want your Japan trip to end up with you in the hospital).

Tip: if you are interested in the snow monsters (trees that are glazed with snow and ice, morphing them into strange monster-looking figures – like those that are shown in the photo) in Mt. Hakkōda, visit the Hakkōda Ropeway in January or February (^_-)-☆.

Please click HERE for more information about the ski/snowboard courses at Hakkōda.

Ski/Snowboard Equipment Rental

Apparently, you can get a cheaper price if you pay in cash. Please refer to the price tables HERE on the official website. The English price table is below the Japanese ones.

Important: If you are heading to Hakkoda for activities other than boarding the ropeway, please read through the rules HERE for your own sake!

The Fall Foliage and Snow Season at Hakkōda Ropeway

The autumn foliage season around Hakkōda mountains usually peaks around mid-October, but if you want to see the autumn foliage at the top of the mountains, you will want to aim for early-Oct instead.

From late October, the snow season begins (albeit as the earth gets warmer, we might not get the first snow until somewhere in November…).

How to Get to Hakkōda Ropeway

  • From Aomori (approx. 60 minutes travel time): Take JR Bus Mizuumi-Gō (みずうみ号) from either JR Aomori Station’s bus stop no. 11 or the bus stop no. 1 located at JR Shin-Aomori’s east exit.
  • From Sukayu Onsen (酸ケ湯温泉) (approx. 15 minutes travel time): Take JR Bus Mizuumi-Gō (みずうみ号)
  • From Lake Towada (only available between mid-April to mid-November) (approx. 125 minutes travel time): Take JR Bus Mizuumi-Gō (みずうみ号) from JR Tohoku Bus Nenokuchi Station (ジェイアールバス東北 子ノ口駅)

Once you get on the bus, please keep track of your destination stop as you will need to get off at Hakkōoda Ropeway (ロープウェー駅前) (‘ω’)ノ.

Tips:
☛ If you have luggage or bags that you don’t want to take with you as you trek around the Summit Station (山麓・山頂駅窓口), you can check in your belongings at the Summit Station for 200 yen per bag.
☛ If you are holding a JR pass covering the Aomori Prefecture, it is free for you to board any JR bus in the region! You can refer to HERE for a list of regional JR Passes and look for the ones that covers Aomori.
☛ If you are planning a day trip from Aomori City to Hakkōda Ropeway, Jokagura Onsen (城ヶ倉温泉) or Sukayu Onsen (酸ケ湯温泉), you can utilize the Hakkōda 1-Day Free Ticket (八甲田1Dayフリーきっぷ). The 2,000 yen ticket can be purchased from Aomori’s main JR stations’s Midori no Madoguchi (みどりの窓口), reserved ticket vending machines, or travel agents such as Eki Tabi Concierge (駅たびコンシェルジュ). The tickets will also get you discounts at the ropeway as well as Sukayu Onsen and Jokagura Onsen!

Discover the Attractions in Hakkōda Mountains

Hakkoda-Mountains-Aomori-Japan
Click the photo for other scenic spots in Hakkōda Mountains!

Instead of heading straight to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada after you enjoyed Hakkōda Ropeway, we recommend you stop by a couple of the attractions in the Hakkōda Mountains (八甲田山). You will find some of the most breathtaking scenery as you trek through the mountain trails that connect you to ponds and lookouts.

For more information, refer to our article on Hakkōda Mountains!