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Unzendake Ropeway
（Source：hasehase2 / PIXTA(ピクスタ)）
By Unzen ropeway, you can easily climb up the 1,333-meter-high Mount Myokendake. The ropeway departs and arrives at Nitatoge observation deck. A 2-car ropeway with a capacity of 36 passengers runs between Nitatoge and Myokendake, a height difference of 174 meters, every four to eight minutes. It is only a 3-minute ride, but the view from the window is worth seeing! From the top of the mountain, you will have a 360-degree panoramic view of Unzen, a national park. Heiseishin-zan is a volcanic mountain as a result of the eruption of Mount “Fugendake,” can also be seen closely.
- Address
- 551 Unzen, Obama-cho, Unzen-shi, Nagasaki
- Contact No.
- +81-957-73-3572
- Access
- 81-min bus ride on Shimatetsu Bus bound for Unzen from Isahaya Station on JR. Followed by a 15-min car ride from Shimatetsu Unzen Eigyosho bus stop
- Opening Hours / Holidays
- Summer 8:31-17:23 (Last descending car 17:03), Winter 8:31-16:55 (Last descending car 17:11)
Open all year round (Closed in stormy weather) - Official Website
- http://unzen-ropeway.com/
- Time Required
- 30 minutes
- Admission fee
- Round trip tickets for adults 1,260 yen
- Best time to see
- Azalea: From the mid to the end of May; Autumn leaves: From the end of October to the beginning of November
※ Some information is displayed in Japanese and machine-translated English, which may not be accurate.
For the latest information, please check the official website for each spot.
（Source：週末は風来坊 / PIXTA(ピクスタ)）
Walking in the sky 1,300 meters above ground
The broad view that you will have just under your eyes while walking 1300-meter above ground is just outstanding. Since Unzen ropeway car is made in Santenkoso style which features big windows that extend to your feet, nature will feel very close to you.
（Source：普賢岳の山岳写真）
Spectacular colorful azalea!
In Unzen, spring comes around in the beginning of May when azalea starts blooming. Mitsuba tsutsuji, one kind of the pink azalea grows at the top of the mountain and creates a beautiful and eye-catching landscape. There are other kinds of azalea that look just as gorgeous such as Hikage tsutsuji, Miyama kirishima and Yama tsutsuji.
（Source：kattyan / PIXTA(ピクスタ)）
Autumn leaves designated as a natural monument
Red leaves of Mount Myogendake are very famous and are often introduced on TV. This forest of red leaves is called “Fugendake Koyo Jurin” and is designated as a Japanese natural monument. The scene with red leaves mixed with green and yellow looks like corals in the sea.
（Source：kattyan / PIXTA(ピクスタ)）
Nitatoge observation deck
The observation deck is on top of the mountain where the ropeway takes you. You can see Mount Unzen Fugendake and Ariake sea, also enjoy different scenic beauty in every season such as azalea in spring, deep green leaves in summer, red leaves in autumn and rime in winter. In the store inside, seafood from Ariake sea near by and specialty confection “Unzen Meisan Yu Senpei” is sold.
（Source：unzen-ropeway）
Unzen jigoku
In Unzen jigoku area, high temperature hot springs and steams spout out extensively and you can get a strong smell of sulfur odor. This is a main spot of Unzen onsen town. It is a 20-minute car ride from the ropeway station. The spectacle of extensive spouting of high temperature hot springs and steams reminds you of jigoku, hell in Japanese.
（Source：taka / PIXTA(ピクスタ)）