What other travelers are saying about Kurodake Ropeway
When we were there, the cable car was not in operation. There's a notice saying its temporary halted because the wind blows are too strong. I believed its the safety that's a concerned, and its a very responsible move.
We then, visited nearby spots
Definitely worth a pit stop if you are exploring eastern Hokkaido! Beautiful views of nature + weather in October. Pay extra to take the cable lift - you won’t regret it. Scenery would have been superb if autumn foliage was in full bloom.
Parking spots nearest to the ropeway are gonna be limited especially if tour buses are already there since morning, but there are available spots surrounding the venue.
The cable car brings you up midway to the top and you transfer to a chair lift up higher. To reach the top of the mountain, you will have to walk about half and hour on foot. The mountain
views were lovely.
I stayed in Sounkyo for 2 days at the beginning of March 2024. I took the Mt. Kurodake cable-car around 10am - there were only 3 other people in the gondola! I was lucky that the weather was fantastic - clear, blue sky and little wind. The view from the observation platform on top of the cable-car station was amazing - 360 degree mountains as far as you could see. I was the only one on the observation deck when I arrived!
Skiers and snowboarders can take a chairlift which you can walk to from the top cable-car station - only skiers and snowboarders were allowed to take the chairlift. I saw some skiers that climbed further up Mt. Kurodake from the top of the chairlift.
I saw them coming down from the summit - you would have to hike to get that high! I also saw ski tracks off-piste. You can buy an all-day lift ticket for the cable-car and chairlift if you are a keen skier / snowboarder. There is only one on-piste run down the mountain, so I think the people that are skiing all day are advanced and are going off-piste.
If the weather is good, even if you're not a skier the view from the cable-car and observation deck is breathtaking!
This place boasts stunning natural scenery that transforms with each season. Take a cable car up the mountain to enjoy panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks and the surrounding landscapes. Stroll through the area and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere. If you have the time, be sure to spend some time here to fully appreciate the beauty of Hokkaido.
