Hi there!

 

So you’re thinking about making a day trip to the Shinhotaka ropeway during your winter visit to the Japanese Alps!

 

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter weather. Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. ropeway cable car ride. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

And… you’ve checked the weather forecast to see that there’s a chance that it’s going to be cloudy at the top.

Now, while weather forecast aren’t always accurate, especially with mountain weather as things can change quickly, if you’re looking for some sort of clue, it might be able to tell you your chances.

The live camera might be another clue to check right before you leave for the ropeway! (If the live cam is pitch black when you look at it, consider what time it is right now in Japan!)

 

A day trip to Shinhotaka from Takayama is a perfect part of a winter trip to Japan! See more of how to spend 10 days in Japan in the winter.

 

 

So…

If there’s bad weather in the forecast at Shinhotaka ropeway, or if there’s no visibility on the live cam… Is it worth making the trip?!

Shinhotaka ropeway winter weather forecast. Japan alps and Hida Valley. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway winter weather forecast. Japan alps. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

The ropeway up to the main observatory is actually 2 rides.

Then once you get to the top of the second ropeway, there’s an observatory platform.

And it’s as you get closer to the top that bad weather can REALLY make a difference.

If there’s no visibility… well, there’s NO visibility! You can’t see snow-capped mountains in the distance.

 

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. ropeway timings cable car ride. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

 

So the REAL question is…

If the observatory is a disappointment, is the whole trip going to be a disappointment?!

It depends. 😉

I know, how annoying.

But it really depends on what makes it worth it to you.

So then…

What is there to do that CAN make it worth it?!

 

 

Things to do on a trip to Shinhotaka ropeway on a cloudy day

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. ropeway timings cable car ride. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. ropeway timings cable car ride. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

 

Winter scenes from the ropeway

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. ropeway cable car ride. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

You’ll see winter landscape as you take both of the ropeways up. Even if it’s cloudy, you’ll see snow-covered trees.

 

 

Foot onsen hot springs bath

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. foot bath onsen hot springs from shinhotaka ropeway. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

You can spend some time soaking your feet in the foot onsen hot springs bath.

That can be done no matter the weather.

Bring a towel to wipe your feet dry if you plan on doing this!

You’ll come across this when you make the “transfer” between the 2 ropeway rides.

 

 

Eat with winter views

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. restaurant places to eat. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

You can also spend some time at the restaurant at the top level, and enjoy a meal (and a beer) with the winter landscape in front of you.

 

 

Short winter hike

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. easy short winter hikes from shinhotaka ropeway. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

You can also go for a short winter hike!

There are many people who are fully decked out in winter hiking gear before embarking upon the winter hiking trails from the top level.

 

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. winter backpacking hiking trails and snowshoeing from shinhotaka ropeway. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. winter backpacking hiking trails and snowshoeing from shinhotaka ropeway. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

But if you want to experience a winter hike without the full commitment of all the winter hiking gear, then you can also walk on one of the trails for like 15 minutes and then turn around, going back the same way you came.

 

 

So if it’s cloudy weather, while you won’t get the snow-covered mountain landscape at the observatory, and while that might be disappointing, these other things could possibly still make it worth it for some people… including you!

It can be a low key fun winter day if these things sound good to you!

 

 

 

 

Now…

More photos from a cloudy day to Shinhotaka ropeway!

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. bus stop entry in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. ropeway ride in Japanese alps in bad weather, cloudy weather. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. ropeway ride in Japanese alps in bad weather, cloudy weather. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. ropeway ride in Japanese alps in bad weather, cloudy weather. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. ropeway ride in Japanese alps in bad weather, cloudy weather. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. walk to transfer to another ropeway in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. walk to transfer to another ropeway in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. walk to transfer to another ropeway in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. foot onsen hot springs foot bath in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter. foot onsen hot springs foot bath in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway observatory in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway observatory in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway observatory in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway observatory in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway observatory in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? snowman at top observatory. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway observatory in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather? snowman at top observatory. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. winter backpacking trip. snowshoeing trail. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. winter backpacking trip. snowshoeing trail. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. winter backpacking trip. snowshoeing trail. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. winter backpacking trip. snowshoeing trail. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. winter backpacking trip. snowshoeing trail. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. winter backpacking trip. snowshoeing trail. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Best winter hiking trails from Shinhotaka ropeway. short easy hikes. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

 

So that’s a bit of what a cloudy day in the Japanese Alps might look like!

 

What’s it like when it’s sunny?!

 

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather, or only sunny good weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather, or only sunny good weather? Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Is Shinhotaka ropeway in winter worth it in cloudy weather or bad weather, or only sunny good weather? snowman at top observatory. Day trip from Takayama. Best things to do in Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

HAPPY CLOUDY DAY AT THE SHINHOTAKA ROPEWAY!

 

Shinhotaka ropeway in winter weather. Best things to do in Japanese alps in winter in cloudy weather or bad weather. ropeway cable car ride. Day trip from Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

 

 


How to spend winter in Japan


If you're looking for a route for winter in Japan, here are some ideas!
Hokkaido winter itinerary (train to get around - there are JR Hokkaido passes available, and you can use a regular JR pass too)
Traveling around Japan and can't read Japanese? No problem! Just use the camera on the google translate app!









Is a JR pass worth it?!

  • Google maps can make it easy to figure out whether or not you should get a JR pass!
  • In google maps, type in your departure and arrival city, and choose the transit icon. The route will come up, and so will the estimated cost at the bottom!
  • Here is an example of a train route with cost on google maps.
  • So do that for all of your long distance routes to figure out how much it might cost.
  • Next, go here to see how much a JR pass costs from an official JR pass vendor (and partner of this website).
  • And compare!
  • Not all forms of public transportation are JR, but long distance shinkansen bullet trains are, and that's where the most cost savings will come.




Best of Kyoto (and Japan!)



👇 Explore the best places to visit in Japan!
best places to visit in japan for first trip to japan. famous things to do in japan



There are affiliate links on this page.