What other travelers are saying about Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway is a beautiful experience overall, even though today’s visit came with a few drawbacks. The wait time was around 60 minutes, so be prepared for a fairly long queue before you actually board the cable car. Once on board, the ride itself is short but scenic, gliding smoothly over the trees and giving you a gradual reveal of the surrounding landscape and lakeside area. Unfortunately, Fuji was not visible today due to cloud cover, which can be a real possibility depending on weather conditions.Even without a view of the mountain, the top station still offers a lovely vantage point over the city and Lake Kawaguchiko area. The panorama of the town, water, and hills is genuinely beautiful and makes the climb and wait feel more worthwhile. The observation areas are well laid out, with plenty of spots to pause, take in the scenery, and click photos.The ropeway is a good experience if you enjoy views and don’t mind crowds or queues, but checking the weather beforehand is important, especially if your main goal is to see Mt Fuji. On clear days, this ride can easily become one of the highlights of a Fuji trip.
Day guides that include Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, formerly known as the Kachi Kachi Ropeway, is an aerial lift that takes visitors up to an observation point on Mt. Tenjo, offering stunning views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi.
The ropeway is located in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, near Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes.
The ride to the observation deck takes approximately 3 minutes each way, with gondolas departing every 5-10 minutes.
From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and the surrounding region. On clear days, it offers one of the best vantage points for photographing Mt. Fuji.
Yes, the area around Mt. Tenjo is associated with Japanese folklore, particularly the story 'Kachi Kachi Yama,' a tale about a rabbit and a tanuki (raccoon dog), which adds a cultural dimension to the visit.
It can get very busy, so buy your tickets in advance. Once you buy a ticket, you will receive a number, which serves as your queue number for the ropeway. My number was 1157 and it took about 40 minutes before it was called and I boarded the ropeway.
At the top of Mt. Tenjo, you get a stunning view of Mt. Fuji on one side and Lake Kawaguchiko on the other. It is really worth the waiting time.
If you are adventurous, you can also hike Mt. Tenjo since there is a trail leading to the ropeway. I chose to hike going down to Lake Kawaguchiko. It took me about 30 minutes and the trail is beautiful.
So my recommendation: take the ropeway going up, then hike going down.
The Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway is absolutely worth the visit! The ride up is smooth and quick, and once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and the surrounding landscape. It’s one of the best spots in the area for photos — especially on a clear day.
The observation deck is spacious, and there are plenty of cute spots for photos, snacks, and souvenirs. Everything is well-organized, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to the Fuji Five Lakes area, this ropeway is a must-do experience for the views alone!
Buy your tickets in advance and be prepared for a fairly long queue before you actually board the cable car. Once at the top, the views are magnificent, with Mount Fuji on one side and Lake Kawaguchiko on the other. The observation areas are well laid out, offering plenty of spots to relax, take in the scenery, and snap photos.
At the summit you’ll find a shrine, love bell, swing, several rabbit and tanuki statues, along with a gift shop and snacks and drinks available for purchase. For a nice change of pace, instead of riding the cable car back down, you can enjoy a beautiful 30-minute hike down to Lake Kawaguchiko.
Went during sunset and guess it’s a good decision. 0 waiting time, no crowd and golden hour above there hits different - I was lucky that it became less cloudy when I reached up there. Downside that most shops were already closed and temperature dropped pretty fast. Still highly recommend!
