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Mt. Gozaisho is the closest snow-capped mountain to Nagoya. At the summit of the ropeway you'll find a snowy resort. Here you can enjoy activities in the snow - why not start out with some casual sledding as you take in the magnificent view? You don't have to go all the way to the snowy regions of Japan; you can enjoy a full day of activities atop a snowy mountain just 1 hour from Nagoya.

We first want to introduce you to the popular activity of sledding. We have a dedicated sledding course, and we also rent out sleds. It's popular not only with children but with adults as well. You can frolic to your heart's content in the pristine white snow!

There is a dedicated sledding slope right by the summit station on the ropeway. Hugely popular with both children and adults! You'll feel the speed with your whole body as you sled, making for a thrilling experience.

Sleds can be rented for 600 Yen/day. We also rent snow boots for children. You can certainly have a good time wearing regular clothing, but it might be a good idea to bring a change of clothes if you're going to play in the snow.

The restaurant "Azalea." You can see children digging a tunnel and playing in front of the building.

Once you've worked up an appetite from all that playing in the snow, check out the restaurant "Azalea's" signature dish, "Gozaisho Curry Udon." The springy texture of the udon noodles and the full-bodied curry make for a sublime meal. It's topped with a boiled chunk of pork, and the portions are plentiful.

We also recommend the chashu (pork slice) noodles. The slices of chashu are plenty big, and it's a dish that will satisfy even connoisseurs of ramen. It's a self serve system where you can pick up your item ticket at the vending machine and then pick up your food at the counter.

Children play in the snow outside the restaurant. They're having a great time in the snow.

The icefall next to the restaurant is 10m high and 20m wide, a giant mass of ice. It's made by spraying mist.

To get to the summit of Mt. Gozaisho, you'll get on the Gozaisho ropeway at the base of the mountain. It is among the largest in Japan, and achieves an elevation gain of 780m in a single trip!

You'll have a 15 minute stroll through the air on your way to the summit. Winter operating hours until March 31 are 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. The fee is 2,160 yen round trip.

You'll look down on various mountains as you move along, and after a while you'll see a majestic view. In the distance you can even see the buildings of Nagoya from the ropeway.

As you approach the summit, the scenery will undergo a transformation. The snow-covered trees offer a hint of what's to come at the snowy summit, and you'll start to feel a tingle of excitement. You're almost to the mountain top park station.

Once you get off the ropeway, you'll enter a silvery white world of snow. It's enough to make you think "is this snow country? Am I in Hokkaido?" Mt. Gozaisho is famous for being one of the few locations with frost-covered trees in Japan. It's a spectacle that can only be witnessed on days when the temperature drops below freezing.

Once you step out of the ropeway station, you'll be greeted with snowy scenery as far as the eye can see! The snowy path is quiet, and the only sound you'll hear is the crunch of footsteps on the snow.
※If you're planning on sledding, please head to the slope from the ropeway station.

The view from the observatory is spectacular. On clear days you'll even be able to see Mt. Fuji in the distance, making it a popular observation spot.

You'll get on a lift and pass through frost-covered trees towards the summit of Mt. Gozaisho. It's cold on this snowy mountain so you'll need protective clothing including gloves. The fee for the lift is 600 yen round trip.

The ski area next to the lift is buzzing with skiers. You can rent a complete set of equipment, so you can come empty-handed and still enjoy skiing.

You'll arrive at the summit station in about 8 minutes! The summit point, at an elevation of 1212m, is just ahead of you. Mt. Gozaisho stands at the border of Shiga and Mie prefectures, so when the weather is clear you can see Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan.

A big appeal of Mt. Gozaisho is that it can be accessed from Nagoya in 1 hour. It's possible to get there two ways - by train or by a direct bus - but here are some details on the train method. Go to Yokkaichi using the Kintetsu train; then transfer to the Yunoyama line and ride it to the end. Then transfer to a bus or taxi and you'll be there.

Head towards Yokkaichi from Nagoya. The semi-express and express have frequent departures, making them convenient options. There is a limited express fee if you decide to take the limited express. Once on board you'll arrive at Yokkaichi in about 20 minutes.

At Yokkaichi, transfer to the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line; in about 20 minutes you'll arrive at Kintetsu Yunoyama Onsen station. It's convenient to take a taxi from just outside the station. You'll arrive in about 10 minutes.

You'll arrive at the Mt. Gozaisho ropeway's Yunoyama Onsen station about 1 hour after leaving Nagoya! It's so close! Here you'll get on the ropeway and head for the summit.