Model courses include visits of sake brewery or sake shops
Model courses that visit historical temples and shrines
Model courses include visits of castles and ruins of castles
Travelling to Mount Gozaisho on a ropeway and visiting the Yunoyama Onsen hot spring, a town of love knot
Mount Gozaisho
Mount Gozaisho is a 1,212 meter high mountain which is located in the Suzuka Quasi-National Park. It is selected as one of the "Suzuka Seven Mountains".
Unlike other mountains, most of the rocks of Mount Gozaisho are formed by granite. In the immemorial times, the granite rocks appeared on the hill surface as they got eroded. This is why today we see various big and unique shaped rocks. The mountain attracts people who do trekking, skiing and rock climbing.
The four seasons of the year can be enjoyed here. The azaleas and cherry blossoms in spring, the cool breeze during the evening time and red dragonflies at summer, the red maple leaves in autumn, and the frost-covered trees and skiing from the hill top during the winter.
There are several trekking routes to climb the Mount Gozaisho, including the one from the Yunoyama Onsen hot spring. A physically fit person can climb the mountain and come home on the same day. For ordinary people, travelling to the summit by the ropeway is convenient.
Gozaisho ropeway
The Gozaisho ropeway is one of Japan's longest ropeways, connecting the Yunoyama Onsen station (400m above sea) and the Sancho Koen Station (1,180m above sea) in approximately 15 minutes. It is 2,161 meter long in total and travels a height difference of 780 meters. The mountain slope shows us diverse aspects depending on the place and season of the year we observe it. A panoramic view of the Ise Plain, Ise Bay and Chita Peninsular can be enjoyed if the weather is good.
The Gozaisho Ropeway gondola lift and the magnificent view that spreads below. (Photo source: Gozaisho Ropeway)
The ropeway station is in a 10 minute walk distance from the Yunoyama Onsen bus stop. The Yunoyama stop is 130 meter above sea, while the ropeway station is 400 meter high. Enjoy the petit hiking. If you think that is tiring, we advise you to take a taxi (approx. 10 minutes).
Feel the fantastic walk in the air from the gondola lift on your way to the Sanjo Koen station. (Photo shows a view in autumn.)
In just around a 10 minute ride, you will enjoy the different views of the mountain as the gondola lift travels higher.
As you get closer to the summit, you will see giant rocks on your left and right. Trekkers will wave hands to you.
Sanjo Park (Mountain Top Park)
Get off the gondola lift and you'll be at the Sanjo Koen. Breathe in the fresh cool air. It is 10 degrees Celsius colder than the mountain base.
Use the ski lift to go even higher.
Ski lift fee: Ropeway station to the Chojyo station. Round ticket 600 yen, one way 300 yen.
The summit is located at the boundary of Mie and Shiga prefectures. A splendid view spreads in front of you. There are benches for you to sit down and relax and a rest space not just for visitors who come by ropeway but also for a lot of trekkers.
If you are not in a rush, it is nice to walk back relaxingly from the summit to the Sancho Koen station. Walking along the pedestrian where the sunlight shines in between the tree leaves will allow you to feel the nature and green of the season.
Near the Sancho Park at Mount Gozaisho in spring. (Photo source: Gozaisho Ropeway)
Near the Sancho Park at Mount Gozaisho in early summer. The Enkianthus campanulatus (Sarasadodan Tsutsuji) flowers. (Photo source: Gozaisho Ropeway)
Lunch at the Sanjo Park
Restaurant "Azalea" is a recommendable place at the summit for having lunch. Curry taste udon noodles and ramen noodles are particularly popular. Both have a richly-textured soup. The beautiful view you get from the mountain top makes it more special.
Curry taste udon noodles at the mountain top restaurant.
Ramen noodles at the mountain top restaurant.
Mount Gozaisho in the winter time
The summit area of Mount Gozaisho is a perfect leisure place for skiing and sleighing. Since it has easy access from Nagoya, a lot of winter sports lovers gather in winter. (Photo source: Gozaisho Ropeway)
Icefall observed near the summit of Mount Gozaisho. (Photo source: Gozaisho Ropeway)
Yunoyama Onsen hot spring
The Yunoyama Onsen hot spring is believed to have been discovered by a Buddhist priest named Jyokun in 718 (Yourou 2) through the prophecy from Yakushi-nyorai (Medicine Buddha). The hot spring is also known as "Shika-no-yu" based on the legend that an injured deer ("shika" in Japanese) cured himself in the hot spring. Spring quality is alkaline radium, and is effective for gastrointestinal disease, neuralgia, and traumatic injury. There are a number of hot spring facilities at the foot of Mount Gozaisho.
Yunoyama Onsen district
Various hotels and inns can be found in the Yunoyama Onsen area. Enjoy the soothing hot spring and local cuisine at one of the traditional hotels.
Local cuisine of the Yunoyama Onsen district
Although Yunoyama Onsen is located in the mountains, dishes served at the hotel are mainly seafood as the area is also close to the Ise Bay.
Aqua Ignis
It is a complex facility which is drawing people's attention recently. There are various buildings inside the premises with six different themes; spa, stay, food, plantation, celebration, and store. A good place to spend relaxing moments. The spa is 100% free-flowing hot-spring.
Foods at Aqua Ignis
The restaurants at Aqua Ignis serve good food for you to enjoy after refreshing yourself with the hot spring. Other than traditional restaurants, there are also confectionery and bakery shops in the area. The confectionery is owned by a famous pâtissier, which attracts customers who come to buy even from afar. The breads in the bakery are baked using only made-in-Japan flour to assure safety and quality, which are also making good sales.
Oishi Park
The Mitaki River runs through the Yunoyama Onsen district. There are numerous massive and odd-shaped rocks along the river stream. At the Oishi Park, you will find a giant granite rock which is believed to be the biggest in Japan. The name Oishi (meaning big rock in Japanese) comes from this fact. A lot of people visit the area during the summer to get refreshed.
Oishi Park and Oishi Kuranosuke
It is said that Oishi Kuranosuke, a famous figure in the Chusin-gura (a Japanese literature based on a true incident) during the late Edo period stood in front of the big rock for a while and pondered when he visited Oishi Park.
Sangakuji Temple
The Sangakuji Temple (based on the Tendai school of Buddhism) is located near Oishi Park. It is a branch temple of the Hieizan Enryakuji Temple.
Today, the place is known for being one of the love knot temples following on the paper crane legend. Write down your wish on an origami paper, fold it to form a shape of crane and make an offering called the "orizuru hounou". People constantly visit the temple to make prayers here.
The Souhei Festival is held in October. People walk around the hot spring village carrying the Kaen Mikoshi (portable shrine with fire and flames). The festival commemorates the armed priests who bravely fought against the Oda Nobunaga army. It is worthwhile seeing the local men dressed in the attire of armed priests walking around the area carrying the flamed torches. (Photo source: Gozaisho Ropeway)
Souvenirs from Yunoyama
Try to drop by one of the stores that sell local products and souvenirs in front of the Gozaisho Ropeway Yunoyama station.
This lantern is popular among foreign tourists who are fond of the traditional Japanese design.
Local Sake which offers a mild taste is also one of the good selling products.
A sweet pie pastry resembling the white steel ropeway tower.
If you are interested in our tour guide programs, please contact us.