What other travelers are saying about Kurodake Ropeway
A must visit when in the area for the stunning views. The ropeway and chairlift were very old and slow though so manage your expectations (I was disappointed). The rope way got quite crowded so if you end up in the middle, your visit will get obstructed. Luckily for us, we were last to board when coming down so we were not blocked. We attempted to hike up the trail after the chairlift but the path was muddy and icy at some parts and also quite steep. We saw many people slip and fall. So unless you have good proper hiking shoes (we didn’t), don’t bother. We ended up with nothing but muddy shoes and feeling a little foolish. Enjoy the views from the chairlift and ropeway areas. The ropeway views are already stunning enough so if you choose to skip the chairlift, I personally think it’s fine.
The ride from the base to the upper station takes approximately 7 minutes, covering a distance of around 1.6 kilometers (1 mile).
Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Daisetsuzan mountain range, including peaks such as Asahidake, Hokkaido's tallest mountain. During different seasons, the landscape offers a variety of stunning scenes, from vibrant autumn colors to snowy winter vistas.
The ropeway operates most of the year but may close temporarily due to severe weather conditions, especially during the winter months, for maintenance or safety reasons. It's best to check their official website or contact them directly for the latest operational status.
Yes, the top station serves as a starting point for various hiking trails that cater to different skill levels, including the ascent to the summit of Mount Kurodake. In winter, the area becomes a popular spot for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Yes, both the base and top stations offer facilities, including restrooms, souvenir shops, and snack bars. The base station also has a visitor center where guests can learn more about the area's natural environment and history.
Really lovely place and well worth the drive to get here. It started snowing as we were approaching the Ropeway start point. The ride up was simply awesome with the snow-covered trees. We walked around for about half an hour taking photos and playing with the snow.
The experience is super weather dependent — we had the best of both worlds in mid October, autumn leaves on the way up and snow at the 5th station. The blue sky and sun peaked through when we were there, allowing us to play with snow and take fantastic pictures. After 30mins, it started to snow, so we also experienced fresh snow fall on us. The weather is very unpredictable up there but so glad we went!!
It was our lucky day! We arrived around 11 a.m. and queued for tickets. It was a very windy day, and the operators told us it would be the last cable car trip up the hill — so yes, strong winds do affect the operation. After taking the cable car, we continued with the chair lift, which offered beautiful views and a relaxing ride. There’s not much at the top except hiking trails, but it’s definitely worth taking the chair lift to enjoy the scenery and the cable car for the stunning autumn leaves.
Jaw dropping fall colors. Simply magnifiscent. Feels like heaven. We have arrived in the peak color time. 1st October, 2025. There are buses from Asahikawa station.to Sounkyo.
