Beppu Ropeway

Beppu Ropeway (Mount Tsurumi Ropeway) Location / Starting point: Beppu Kogen Station (approximately 500 meters above sea level) and ascending to Tsurumi Sanjo Station at ~1,300 meters. Distance / Elevation / Travel Time: The ropeway is approximately 1.8 kilometers long, with an elevation difference of approximately 800 meters. The ropeway takes approximately 10 minutes. Capacity / Ropeway: The ropeway can carry up to 101 people (larger than many other ropeways). Operating Hours: Summer (mid-March–mid-November): 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (last ascent until 5:00 PM). Winter (mid-November–mid-March): 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last ascent until 4:30 PM). Fare: Adults: Round-trip: Approximately 1,600 yen/one-way. ~1,000 yen ✅ Highlights / Things to do if you go on your own 1. Panoramic Views Once you reach the top, you'll be greeted by panoramic views of Beppu City, Beppu Bay, and the surrounding mountains. These views are especially beautiful on clear days or during the autumn foliage season (mid- to late autumn). 2. Seasonal Changes • Spring: Cherry blossoms, azaleas (Kyushu azalea) • Autumn Leaves: Late October to November. The gradual color gradient from top to bottom is stunning. • Winter: If the weather permits, you'll see hoarfrost, a silvery frost covering the trees. This is a rare sight in other parts of Kyushu. 3. Convenience of Facilities The base station (Beppu Kogen Station) has souvenir shops and a Shochu-kan (Japanese liquor store) that offers over 500 brands of Shochu from all over Kyushu. Ample parking is available at the lower station. Accessible facilities for the disabled include escalators, ramps, and designated restrooms. 4. Additional Strolling / Shrines / Observation Decks at the Summit At the summit (Sanjo Station), there are walking paths / trails leading to the observation deck, the shrine (Sanjo Gongen Shrine), and the "Seven Lucky Gods" pilgrimage route, making the summit experience less boring than just taking the cable car and then going back down. ⚠️ What to Bring / Disadvantages • Weather conditions can be a major factor: fog, cold, rain, and strong winds may prevent access to the ropeway, or if you do, the view may not be clear. • Allow extra time for your trip: Although the ropeway ride is short (~10 minutes), But if you plan on walking, taking in the views, taking photos, and walking up and down from the observation deck, etc., you should allow at least 1-2 hours if you want to relax. • The entrance fee isn't incredibly cheap, but it's worth it if you're more interested in the scenery/nature than just passing through. • Winter Closures/Time Limits: The final section of the park may close earlier than the summer garden, and some sections may be closed during the day due to strong winds or maintenance. Morning... I left JR Beppu Station and got off at the West Exit. Then I took the Kamenoi Bus to the Beppu Ropeway (about 20 minutes). Arrived at Beppu Kogen Station around 9:30-10:00 AM. The station is new and clean. There's a small cafe, souvenir shop, and the famous Shochu-kan (if you're a fan of Japanese sake). I bought a hot drink to warm myself up before boarding the cable car. The cable car ride was exciting—I felt the view of the city and sea gradually blurring with fog, then gradually opening up. I reached the top in about 10 minutes. The feeling was... "Up the mountain" is a great way to enjoy the view. At the top, take a scenic walk to the Observation Deck for panoramic photos. If the weather is good, you can see all the way to the Beppu Bay coastal road, and if you're lucky, you can even see Shikoku across the river. Walk to Sanjo Gongen Shrine and follow the "Seven Lucky Gods" trail. It's not too difficult, with some stairs and some flat terrain, giving you a change of scenery. The nature is beautiful during the day, and the weather is cool. We returned in the late afternoon. I felt the best time to visit was in the afternoon or evening. It can be a bit hot during the day, with strong sunlight, and the autumn leaves are especially beautiful. 🌟 Summary If I were to rate my "self-guided" experience: • Overall impression: ★★★★☆ (4/5) — The view is stunning when the weather is good. The light and autumn leaves are even more spectacular. • Value for money: ★★★★☆ — The fare isn't cheap, but the experience and views are hard to find. • Convenience: ★★★★☆ — Good facilities, and the journey is easy if you understand the schedule and bus/transportation options. #TravelFukuoka #HighQualityContent