The trip from Meitetsu Bus Center to Komagane takes about 2.5 hours. Purchase a great-value set ticket that includes both the highway bus and the ropeway, and you’re ready to go! Set tickets that include the highway bus are available not only from Nagoya, but also from Tokyo (Shinjuku) and Osaka (Umeda). For more details, please see the “[Great Value Set Tickets] Highway Bus Tickets” page.
Even better, from July through October, highway buses operate directly to Suganodai Bus Center, where the ticket office is located! Since you need to exchange your set ticket before boarding the ropeway, this makes the process much easier. Once you arrive, simply exchange your ticket at either Suganodai Bus Center or Shirabidaira Station.
To reach Shirabidaira Station, the ropeway boarding station, take the local bus. The journey from Suganodai Bus Center to Shirabidaira Station covers about 10 km and takes approximately 30 minutes through beautiful mountain scenery. Along the way, you may even spot Japanese serows or monkeys! Buses depart every 30 minutes at :15 and :45 past the hour (every 60 minutes at :15 during the winter season). This is the first step on your journey to Senjojiki at an elevation of 2,612 meters! The timetable for this plan is based on the summer schedule. Please note that departure times differ during the winter season.
Board the ropeway. It climbs 950 meters in elevation in just 7 minutes and 30 seconds. The Komagatake Ropeway holds the records for both the highest elevation and the greatest elevation gain of any ropeway in Japan. The mountain scenery as you ascend into the alpine zone offers a breathtaking view unlike any other.
Senjojiki Cirque at an elevation of 2,612 meters! If you’re thinking, “I want to learn more about Senjojiki Cirque and alpine plants,” then please join our tour. We offer guided “SORATOKI Tours” that focus on alpine plants in the summer and provide information on plants and the Central Alps in the fall. Our expert staff will accompany you and provide explanations.
You can enjoy a meal at “2612 Café & Restaurant” at Hotel Senjojiki. This café and restaurant had its soft opening in January 2023. The gift shop at Japan’s highest-altitude hotel offers original merchandise and local specialty souvenirs. Pick up some original souvenirs as a memento of your visit to Senjojiki Cirque!
On your way back, we recommend getting off at a stop along the way to visit a day-trip hot spring in the Komagane Highlands or do some shopping at souvenir shops.
Looking back at Senjojiki Cirque from the foot of the mountain as I reflect on today’s adventures. With happy memories in my heart, I head home. My body is tired, but after a quick nap on the bus, I’ll arrive in Nagoya in no time. A comfortable and affordable trip by highway bus—be sure to give it a try sometime.