Mount Gozaisho

Mount Gozaisho (御在所岳 gozaisho dake) is a mountain in Komono that is part of the border of Mie and Shiga Prefectures. It is part of the Suzuka Mountains, and is the tallest peak amongst them.

It has an onsen village at the base and is the only mountain in all of Mie that has a ropeway.

Features

Hiking

There are two primary hiking trail up the mountain, both originating from near the onsen village at Yunoyama.

Gozaisho Ropeway

Said to be the longest ropeway in Japan, this trolley will take you all the way up the mountain. The carriages have large windows and provide a great view of the changing of the seasons and you can observe the difference from top to bottom. Thus the ropeway is especially popular in spring for the blossoms, fall for the leaves, and during the snowy part of winter.

The price is a bit steep but it's a lot quicker than hiking. If you make an event out of hiking up the mountain, it's also a very relaxing way of getting down the mountain.

The ropeway runs pretty much constantly during the hours of operation, and if you go at an off time it's not unusual to have the entire carriage to yourself.

• Hours: 9:00~17:20 (16:20 in winter)
• Price: ¥1200 one-way; ¥2100 round-trip
• Notes: The ropeway frequently closes in winter due to strong winds

Ski Course

The only skiing location in Mie, though at only 1200m it can hardly compare with those elsewhere in Japan. For those desperate it is a conveniently close course, however people are strongly encouraged to consider the many slopes available in nearby Gifu and Nagano prefectures.

Yunoyama Onsen

Yunoyama Onsen (湯の山温泉) is a village in Komono at the base of Mount Gozaisho. It is one of the premier onsen villages in Mie Prefecture.

It was a focus on Kintetsu when they were building their lines through Mie and as a result the Yunoyama Line was created to serve the many people wanting to visit the onsen.

Many of the hotels and ryokan are right at the base of the mountain where the ropeway is anchored, making it easy to get up to the top of the mountain or go hiking before or after your visit to the springs. People living in Mie, especially in the north, are highly encouraged to make a visit here at least once during your time in the prefecture -- you can learn more about onsen hotels in the onsen article. The hotels can be expensive to stay at, however for many of them it is possible to use their onsen without staying overnight for a much cheaper price.

The road up the mountain between Yunoyama Onsen Station and where the onsen village is located is lined with many cherry blossom trees and is particularly stunning in April.

Map

• Google map

Directions

By Train

Get yourself to Yunoyama Onsen (湯の山温泉) Station on the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line. You have first get to Kintetsu Yokkaichi and then transfer to the Yunoyama Line and ride it the whole way.

From Yunoyama Onsen Station, take a Sanco bus bound for Yunoyama Onsen. When you walk out the gate of the station, the bus will be waiting right there maybe 100m out the ticket gate. They are generally already waiting there when the train arrives. Ride to the last stop which is where the ropeway and onsen village are located, as well as where all the hiking trails start.

By Car

Take Route 477 west from the Yokkaichi (四日市) Interchange on the Higashi Meihan. You'll drive through Komono, and after passing through the town make sure to follow signs for Yunoyama Onsen. There will come a point where you have to get off Route 477 because it will head to a series of tunnels to the other side of the mountain, so watch for signs. If you pass Yunoyama Onsen Station, you're headed in the right direction.

Links

• Gozaisho Ropeway - Official site
• Yunoyama Onsen - Official site