Flow in edgewise, CC BY 3.0

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway & Alpine Botanical Garden

湯沢高原ロープウェイ（アルプの里）

Niigata · Chubu

One of the world's largest gondola ropeways (166-passenger capacity, 1,300m long), climbing in 7 minutes from the Echigo-Yuzawa hot-spring town to a 1,000m alpine plateau with a botanical garden of 200+ rare alpine species, an open-deck cafe, and panoramic views of the Echigo mountains. The town itself is the real-life setting of Kawabata's novel 'Snow Country' (Yukiguni).

Crowd level: Hidden gem
Rating: 4.0· 268 reviews
Opening hours: Daily 8:40 AM – 4:40 PM
Admission: Adult round-trip ¥3,500 / child (elementary and under) ¥1,700 (2026 green-season pricing); ticket includes the ropeway round-trip, Yamabiko Lift, Kumo Cafe open deck, and Alp no Sato botanical garden entry — no separate garden fee. Green season runs late May-mid November, 8:40-16:40 daily (last ascent 16:20).
Nearest station

How to get there

8-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station west exit; 5 min by car from Yuzawa IC (Kan-etsu Expressway); free 1,000-car parking at the base station.

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