- The 400-Year-Old Weeping Cherry Tree: A Spectacular Sight at Minobusan Kuonji Temple
- Experience the magnificence of a 400-year-old weeping cherry tree at Minobusan Kuonji Temple, the head temple of Nichiren Buddhism in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
Mt. Minobu Ropeway
Minobu Ropeway is a ropeway located in Minobu Town, southern Yamanashi Prefecture. It is located behind Minobuzan Kuonji, the head temple of the Nichiren sect, and connects Kuonji Station at the foot of the mountain and Okunoin Station at the summit. With a total length of 1,665m and a height difference of 763m, it is the ropeway with the longest height difference in the Kanto region.
- Operating hours
- [Up] 9:00 AM - 14:00 PM
- [Down] 9:00 AM - 14:40 PM
- Departs every 20 minutes, travel time 7 minutes
- Regular holidays
- Open all year round
- Fees
- [Adults (junior high school students and above)] Round trip: 1,600 yen, one-way: 960 yen
- [Children (4 years old to elementary school students)] Round trip: 800 yen, one way: 500 yen
- Telephone number
- +81-556-62-1081
- Parking lot
- Seishin Parking Lot (130 spaces, 300 yen for up to 1 hour) , thereafter 100 yen / 30 minutes)
- Location
- 4226-2 Minobu, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture 409-2524
Mt. Minobu Ropeway - Official Website
In the anime “Laid-Back Camp”, in the second episode of season 2, “New Year’s Eve Solo Camp Girl”, the characters Chiaki Ogaki, Aoi Inuyama, Akari Inuyama, and Minami Toba use the Mt. Minobu Ropeway to watch the sunrise on New Year’s Day. It is also famous that he went to Mt. Minobu Ropeway and the view from the top of Mt. Minobu are sacred places for Laid-Back Camp.
Spectacular views from the ropeway! 7 minutes to the top.
It would take him 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the top by mountain climbing, but by ropeway he could reach the top in 7 minutes.
The appeal of Mt. Minobu Ropeway is, above all, its spectacular view. From the gondola, you can see the world heritage site Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Yatsugatake Mountain Range, and Suruga Bay.
When the cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April, you can see them in full bloom at Kuonji Temple from the ropeway.
Spectacular view! View from the top overlooking Mt. Fuji
There are three observation decks at the top of Mt. Minobu: East Observation Deck, South Observation Deck, and North Observation Deck.
East side observation deck
This is an observation deck right next to the ropeway platform. You can see Mt. Fuji and the city of Minobu Town.
It was from this east observation deck that everyone at Laid-Back Camp watched the sunrise.
South observation deck
This observation deck is about a 2-3 minute walk from the ropeway platform.
The scenery is not much different from the east observation deck, but there is more space here.
North observation deck
From the north observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Shichimen, the Hayakawa Valley, the Southern Alps, the Yatsugatake Mountain Range, and the Kofu Basin with the Oku-Chichibu Mountains in the background.
Okunoin Shishinkaku
As you go up the mountain path, you will find Okunoin Shishinkaku.
Okunoin Shishinkaku is a temple of the Nichiren sect. It is known as a sacred place where Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren sect, often climbed during the nine years he spent on Mt. Minobu to remember and adore his parents in his hometown of Kominato, Chiba Prefecture.
Shishinkaku was built by Nichiren’s disciple Nichiro the year after his death. A wooden statue of Nichiren is enshrined in the main hall. In addition, there are four cedar trees in the precincts that are said to have been planted by Nichiren, and are believed to be a power spot for longevity.
Famous “Kushikiri Dango”
There is a shop area as soon as you get off the ropeway.
There is a shop at Okunoin Station, the station on the summit side of the ropeway, where they sell “Kushikiri Dango”, a specialty of Mt. Minobu.
Kushikiri Dango has the meaning of “cutting the skewer (a painful death) to wish for good luck”, so the bottom part of the skewer will be cut off when you purchase it.
Dumplings are served with miso sauce. The sweet miso sauce and the chewy texture of the dango go very well together and are delicious, so I highly recommend it.
Full of souvenir shops
The souvenir shop is well-stocked with many specialty items, including Laid-Back Camp goods.
Collaboration with Laid-Back Camp held regularly
The Minobu Ropeway regularly collaborates with Laid-Back Camp, and in the past they have produced stamps and ropeway ride commemorative cards.
Minobu Ropeway frequently updates its SNS, so you can get the latest information on collaborations with Laid-Back Camp, various events, and operation information by checking his SNS.
X - Mt. Minobu Ropeway Official
Enjoy the spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and Mt. Minobu on the Mt. Minobu Ropeway
The Mt. Minobu Ropeway is an essential part of sightseeing in Minobu Town.
If you visit early in the morning, the air will be clearer and the view of Mt. Fuji will be even more beautiful. We also recommend the famous wedge-cut dango.
In addition, Kuonji Station, which is the station at the foot of the ropeway, is just a stone’s throw from Kuonji, so if you park your car at the nearest Seishin parking lot, you can enjoy the ropeway and Kuonji as a set. .
The Minobu Ropeway is one of the must-see tourist spots when visiting Yamanashi Prefecture. Please come and enjoy the spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and Mt. Minobu.
