Unzendake Ropeway

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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.

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.

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.

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.