How to get to Shin-Hodaka Ropeway from Takayama, Matsumoto and Toyama

shin-hodaka-summitTakayama, Kanazawa and Shirakawago
The second ropeway of Shin-Hodaka is a by-level gondola. This will be replaced in this coming summer but new one will be a by-level one too.

Shin-Hodaka is very popular to see the view of Japan Alps mountains. You can get the top of the mountain by the by-level ropeway. Anyone can get there easily.

You can get there by the bus from Takayama, Matsumoto and Toyama. I will explain about these accesses in this post.

Overview

Shin-Hodaka is located in the middle of Takayama, Toyama and Matsumoto.

Access route map to Shin-Hodaka (click to view large)

You can access from these three cities by the bus.

Access from Takayama

You may catch the bus to Shin-Hodaka at Takayama bus terminal.

The local bus company, Nohi Bus operates the scheduled bus very frequently. You can get Shin-Hodaka directly.

And also there are the express bus running between Takayama and Matsumoto. You may take this bus to get Hirayu Onsen and then transfer to the bus to Shin-Hodaka.

Please see the official site of Nohi bus in the link below:

Nohi Bus official site

Access from Matsumoto

The bus to Takayama and Shin-Hodaka depart from Matsumoto Bus Terminal.

There are a few trips of the express bus running between Matsumoto and Shin-Hodaka. And also you may take the express bus to Takayama from Matsumoto and get off it at Hirayu Onsen. You can catch the bus from Takayama to Shin-Hodaka there.

You may find the timetable in the Nohi Bus official site in the link above.

Access from Toyama

Hirayu Onsen bus terminal

There are the express running between Hirayu Onsen and Toyama. Most trips stop by Shin-Hodaka Ropeway

You may find the timetable in the Nohi Bus official site in the link above.

Shin-Hodaka Ropeway bus stop

In the photo above, the building in right side is the base station of the ropeway.

The bus stop is located just in front of Shin-Hodaka Ropeway station. It is just 30 steps away from the bus stop. You cannot miss it.

Trip time for the summit station

You have to take two ropeways to get the summit station, Nishi-Hodakaguchi station.

Click to view large.

e.g.
If you take 9:00 departure of the first ropeway, you can catch the second ropeway at 9:15 and get Nishi-Hodakaguchi around 9:22.

The operation hours of Shin-Hodaka Ropeway is varied by the season. Usually it is 8:00 to 17:00 in summer time and 9:00 to 16:30 in winter time. But please check the operation hours in the official site.

Shin-Hodaka Ropeway official site

Nishi-Hodakaguchi station is the four stories building. After you get Nishi-Hodakaguchi station by the second ropeway, you have to take the stairs to get the rooftop observation deck. The capacity of the second ropeway is around 120 passengers. When the ropeway arrives there, most of 120 passengers try to go to the observation deck at same time. It is very crowded and you cannot move quickly. It takes at least 5 minutes to get the rooftop observation deck.

By the way, the elevators and the slopes are available at each stations. Please ask a staff how to use the elevators if you cannot find it.

How much you have to spend the time at the summit

When I visited there, I got only 15 minutes at the summit. Though I don’t think I tell you, it was too short. In my opinion, 30 minutes is minimum to stay at the summit.

I traveled from Matsumoto to Takayama and dropped by Shin-Hodaka on the way. You can find my trip in the movie below. You may find the scenery from the bus on the way and how to change the bus at Hirayu Onsen:

If you want to hike there, you have to spend more. You can spend your time as much as you can.

There are restaurants at the summit and Shirakabadaira station. If you have a lunch time there, you have to add one more hour. There are also gift shops and cafe at most stations.

Which place is the best to visit Shin-Hodaka Ropeway

Takayama is the best place to visit because the bus runs from Takayama most frequetly. You can make a day trip to Shin-Hodaka from Takayama easily.

Matsumoto is also nice place to visit there. You can make a day trip from Matsumoto too. And you may visit Shin-Hodaka between Takayama and Matsumoto.

And also this area is also known as Okuhida Onsen. There are lots of onsen towns, such as Hirayu Onsen, Shin-Hirayu Onsen, Tochio Onsen. This is a nice trip plan which include overnight there to visit Shin-Hodaka Onsen.

Recommended deal to visit Shin-Hodaka Ropeway

Takayama & Shin-Hotaka Two-Day Open Ticket

It is sold at 4,190 yen to cover the round trip to Shin-Hodaka Ropeway from Takayama. This ticket is valid for 2 days. The regular round trip fare is 4,400 yen so it is slightly cheaper. You can stay overnight if you like. This deal does not cover the admission of Shin-Hodaka Ropeway.

You may find the detailed information of this ticket at the official site of Nohi Bus.

Alps Odan Route Kippu

This ticket covers Matsumoto to Shin-Hodaka and Shin-Hodaka to Takayama. You can start the trip from Takayama too.

The ticket is valid for 4 days and it is sold at 5,000 yen.

You cannot find the detailed information of this deal in Nohi Bus English website. This information can be found in Japanese website only but anyone can buy this.

Shoryudo Bus Pass, 5-day Pass Wide Course

If you start the travel from Nagoya and visit Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa and Shin-Hodaka within 5 days, this bus pass covers all. Please see the link below to find more information:

Meitetsu Railway and Bus official site

Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass does not work.

Many readers asked that Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers the trip to Shin-Hodaka from Takayama or not. This pass does not cover it. You have to buy a regular fare ticket or Takayama & Shin-Hotaka Two-Day Open Ticket

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