What other travelers are saying about Usuzan Ropeway
We arrived about 3pm and we're able to buy tickets immediately. A short wait and we were inside the cable car. It was a short and smooth ride. From the station, turn left to go to the crater lookout. Quite a steep climb up with many steps. It was super windy and cold (3 November); about 7° but with the wind, it was likely 4°. Love the smoking craters clearly seen from the observation deck. Hubby walked about 20min to get to the scenic shot spot. It was a very hilly hike.
The observation deck on the right side of the station was a short walk only. The view was of the town and Lake Toya. Very pretty too.
We spent about an hour and enjoyed the view and took many pictures.
I didn't know the station had long puffy (orange) jackets which visitors can borrow before exiting the station. Very practical and useful. If you haven't layered enough, do borrow the jackets.
This place is worth the trouble. It is tranquil unless you happen to arrive on the same time as tour groups. The view is magnificent. I believe they might have close off the walking trail during winter from Nov onwards. When we were there two days ago the trail was off limits. The cable ride took about 6 mins up. When we were there it was not crowded at all. The viewing deck is superb and you can buy drinks and enjoy the view
Tickets are cheaper on klook but have to book a day in advance. We went 10+ on Sunday/Nov2 and had no wait. There is the terrance side and crater side. Both were beautiful. On the crater side, you do need to climb. It was cold with the wind but the view make up for it. Recommended!
The view is breathtaking, we able to see the lake and mountain view at once. To travel from City to The Lake and Usu spent about 2 hours so its recommend to visit this place earlier and check the cable car closing time.
Mt Usu was probably one of the highlights of our trip. It was a very cold day but we were lucky it was also sunny so the view was just stunning. This was our 2nd ropeway during our Hokkaido road trip and as compared to Daisetsuzan, Usuzan is way better. It was newer, faster and felt smaller so we weren’t so squeezed. The views at the top were just amazing anywhere you looked. We decided to go on the crater walk. It was pretty steep at parts but the paths themselves were easy to walk on. We did wish the signs were clearer - we weren’t sure if it was a loop or you had to go back. Turns out it was not a loop.
After the strenuous climb back to the ropeway, we stopped at the Cafe to get a Perilla soft serve, which we enjoyed on sofa seats overlooking the stunning lake view.
The ride from the base station to the upper station takes approximately 6 minutes one way.
From the observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and the surrounding landscape. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.
Yes, the Usuzan Ropeway operates throughout the year. However, operations may be temporarily suspended during severe weather conditions for safety reasons.
Yes, there are several hiking trails around the summit area that offer different perspectives of the crater and surrounding scenery. Always check the trail conditions and weather forecast before setting out.
The Usuzan Ropeway can be reached by car or public transportation from nearby cities like Sapporo. Buses frequently run to the ropeway from Sapporo and other locations around Lake Toya.
