The Northern Alps in the central of Japan is always classified as The Roof Of The Nation. The area features with majestic natural scenery and gorgeous hot springs. Mountain Ranges are accessible by an interesting rope way. The 573 meter long Shinhotaka double decked rope way is the first of its kind and is one of the most unique rope ways in Japan.
The rope way has four stations along the ride. The last Nishi-Hotaka Guchi Station stays at an elevation of nearly 2200 meter.
Heartfelt appreciation to a Japanese young man who gave way to us, to stand right in front of the broad screen window, for us to capture a splendid view of the surrounding sights when the rope way climbs up the side of Hotake mountain ranges.
Falls foliage has brushed a layer of nature paint over mountain ranges and valleys.
The Kita Northern Alps is the most scenic among its four ranges.
Contrast in color creates a remarkably scenic sight.
Nishi-Hotaka Mountain is surrounded by ranges with average height of more than 3000 meters.
The astounding view of Kita Alps.
The double decked Gondola climbs over 1000 meter up the side of Hotake Mountain range including the third highest peak of Japan, Oku-Hotakedake.
The stunning sight of its coniferous trees.
The ever green pines and bamboo leave which are commonly used in Japan for prepare food.
The Observation Deck at Nishi-Hotakaguchi upper station of rope way, offers an excellent view of Okuhida Region of Japan Northern Alps but only in a clear day.
We were at the upper station at an altitude of 2150 meters, but the magnificent view of snow capped mountains were screened up with layers of clouds. The visibility was so poor that we hardly could see even those nearby trees. Thick wood in mountain ranges are home to many protective animals like black bear and Japanese goat-antelope Serow.
The illustration indicated the wonderful sights within its 360 degree angle. The weather did not allow us or give us a chance to admire the spectacular today but we had the experience of its chilled and heavy foggy atmosphere.
Northern Alps is one of the best climbing places in Japan and this is a starting point of hiking trail further into the mountains.
Heaps of mystery stone signal! Can you read it?
There is an open shrine housed with a stone image of a scholar(?), in the wood of Shinhokata Ranges. I wonder, who was him and what he had done to this place?
The foggy situation placed us in an illusion like as if walking in the clouds.
An ancient old log at the exist door of Upper Station and a wooden tablet illustrating the mountain ranges and their heights are placed at outside open space.
We had a simple hot lunch at the restaurant of upper station before coming down from the mountain.
Waiting for the clouds to clear but in vain, we bid goodbye and board on this double decked gondola again to return to its lower station.
Safely arrived Nabedaira Kogen, a place where we have to change the 2nd ride of rope way to go back to the bus station.
The vast Chubu Sangaku National Park is located just around Nabedaira Kogen, with an open onsen (hot spring bath house) at the mountain foot, chargeable at 500 yen.
Enjoy a wonderful foot bath, with no charge, at Nabedaira Kogen before we leave for the 2nd gondola to go down the hill!
Shinhotaka Rope Ways are made up of two trips. The first 200 meters height from the bus station, is by a single storey gondola and changed to double decked gondola at Nabedaira Kogen. We were riding the single storey rope way descending down the hill.
The lower station is connected by hourly bus services to Hirayu Onsen where we can enjoy a relaxing hot-spring bath, complimented in the return rope way ticket.
Hirayu Onsen situated half way of its 90 minutes bus ride back to Takayama Town.
The Lower station with water flowing behind the building, is entirely embraced in the flaming red shaded ranges.
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