Mount Gozaisho Mountain

Address: Gozaisho Ropeway: Yunoyama-Onsen, Komono, Shiga/Mie area (regional access)

Website: http://gozaisho.co.jp/ (ropeway/operator site)

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 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.

• 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.