Mount Gozaisho

Mountain Shiga mountain with scenic ropeway and panoramas

Gozaisho draws day-trippers with a ropeway to alpine ridges, marked hiking trails and seasonal foliage; the peak sits within a park network offering panoramic views of nearby valleys.

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Gozaisho Ski resort 2009-10-11.jpg
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Hyakken Waterfalls (Mitaki River).jpg
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Mount Gozaisho (around 1,212 metres) sits on the border area between Mie and Shiga Prefectures in central Japan and is a well-known recreational mountain. It combines developed visitor infrastructure with accessible summit views, making it popular for day trips.

The mountain features an aerial ropeway and a small ski area at its lower slopes, and the upper sections have observation platforms that offer wide views toward Ise Bay and neighboring ranges. Hikers use a network of trails that range from short walks to more rugged routes linking into the Suzuka range.

Gozaisho has been used for recreation and mountain tourism since the 20th century, with the ropeway and onsen at the base supporting visitor access. Over time the area has developed into a year-round destination for foliage, snow scenery, and panoramic viewpoints.

It sits in central Honshu within the Suzuka/Sekigahara mountain systems, roughly between the cities of Nagoya and Kyoto, and is commonly accessed from the Yunoyama Onsen area at the mountain’s foot.

  • Easy access option: A ropeway provides direct visitor access from the base to near the summit, making the mountain accessible to non-hikers for panoramic views.
  • Seasonal highlights: Popular in winter for snow scenery and in autumn for foliage displays, with short hiking routes available from the ropeway top station.

What to See #

  • Gozaisho Ropeway: An aerial cableway that carries visitors from the Yunoyama area close to the base up toward the mountain's upper slopes and near the summit observation area.
  • Yunoyama Onsen and ski facilities: A small ski area and visitor facilities at the mountain's lower slopes, with nearby hot-spring inns at Yunoyama Onsen serving as common base points for visitors.
  • Summit observation area: The exposed summit and observation platforms that sit at about 1,212 metres and provide panoramic views across nearby plains and, on clear days, toward Ise Bay and the surrounding ranges.
Mount Gozaisho
Gozaisho Ropeway: Yunoyama-Onsen, Komono, Shiga/Mie area (regional access)
35.0203, 136.4195

How to Get to Mount Gozaisho #

Mount Gozaisho is reached via the Yunoyama Onsen area. From Yokkaichi or Kuwana, regional trains and buses connect to Komono; the ropeway station is a short walk from Yunoyama-Onsen Station. Drive via National Route connections from nearby cities.

Tips for Visiting Mount Gozaisho #

  • Take the Gozaisho Ropeway from Yunoyama Onsen for an easy, scenic ascent close to the summit-best for less-abled visitors or to save time for ridge hikes.
  • Spring and autumn are peak seasons for cherry blossoms and autumn colour-arrive early to avoid the busiest hours.
  • If hiking, connect to the Nakanosawa or Kōya routes for multi-hour ridgeline walks with changing terrain.

Best Time to Visit Mount Gozaisho #

Best visited in autumn for foliage or spring for blossoms; the ropeway gives easy access year-round, weather permitting.

Autumn
October-November · 8-18°C
Autumn foliage is spectacular; cable car and trails are popular.
Spring
March-May · 8-16°C
Cherry blossoms and milder hiking conditions-busy but beautiful.
Winter
December-February · -5-5°C
Snow dusting creates a stark landscape; ropeway often operates but check winter hours.

Weather & Climate near Mount Gozaisho #

Climate

Mount Gozaisho's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 25°C. Heavy rainfall (2224 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-5°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-5°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

140 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

195 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Heavy rain (203 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

203 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
13.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 13°C. Heavy rain (298 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 20°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

298 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (305 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 24°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

305 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (272 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 25°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

272 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Heavy rain (298 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
14° 21°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

298 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (165 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

165 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.2h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

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