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Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Read on how we walked through the highland marsh pond. A short walk in the Midagahara wetlands rewarded with a beautiful view in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Midagahara (弥陀ヶ原) is a popular hiking spot for its natural scenery, lies at an altitude of 1900 m. It is located halfway along the bus ride between Bijodaira and Murodo along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Being one of the largest alpine wetlands in Japan, Midagahara wetlands is surrounded by a variety of alpine plants. There are few popular hiking trail available if you spend some time to walk through the vast wetland area. Moreover, Autumn is the best time to visit when the alpine plants change colors.

Midagahara Walking Trail

There are two popular trail in Midagahara that covers the marshland and surroundings. Both are centered at the Midagahara bus stop. The easy 1-km short loop takes about 40 minutes. While the longer 2-km loop required about 80 minutes to pass by all the marsh’s pond and viewpoint. Additionally, there is another 40 minutes trail leads from Midagahara Hotel up the slope to the Tateyama Caldera Observatory.

Midagahara Walking Trail

Boardwalk short loop (1 km, 40 minutes)
Boardwalk long loop (2 km, 80 minutes)
Tateyama caldera viewpoint (600 meter, 20 minutes)

Short Hike in Midagahara Short Loop

Due to the bad weather, we decided to go for the Midagahara Boardwalk short loop. Once get off from the bus, we proceeded to book our next departure bus from Midagahara to Murodo. As we will only go for the short loop, one hour is sufficient for us to complete the trail.

There were umbrella can be borrowed at the bus stop. Please return after the walk. Added, there were trail maps available at the bus stop.

The central attraction of Midagahara is the wetlands with 2 walking paths and also caldera. Follow the anti-clockwise direction, we slowly walk through the marshland’s trails.

Although the weather was not good, the view was still very breathtaking. Wooden boardwalks are built to protect the wetland environment.

Added, there was information on walking trail in Midagahara along the journey.

Midagahara Hotel is located nearby the bus stop. It is a Western-style hotel, situated at Midagahara wetland. Many visitors choose to stay one night in Midagahara Hotel to explore Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route leisurely. The price is much cheaper and reasonable compare with Tateyama Hotel. Don’t forget to book the half board stay as it is difficult to find food in the Tateyama area. (Check Midagahara Hotel rate)

Enjoy the beautiful views of the marsh set against the backdrop of the Tateyama Mountains range.

All in all, we had a great time with a short walk in the Midagahara wetland. Within one hour, we reached the Midagahara bus stop. Next, we boarded the coming bus and proceed to our Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route one day itinerary.

How To Get to Midagahara Wetland

Board the Togen bus which runs between Bijodaira Station and Murodo. Next, get off at Midagahara Station.

Continue Read on Tateyama Kuroe Route Travel Blog

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Read on how to plan on your half-day trip to Shinhotaka ropeway. The best way to admire the magnificent Japanese Alps landscape with a gondola ride.

Takayama is a perfect base to plan on your travel itinerary for sightseeing attraction nearby. There are few renowned attractions to visit such as UNESCO Heritage Site Shirakawa-go or go for a day hike to Japan Alps in Kamikochi.

One of the popular activities when visiting Takayama region is ascending into mountain peaks via the Shinhotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ). This two-storied gondola ride on Shinhotaka Ropeway is the best way to admire the magnificent Japanese Alps landscape.

How To Get To Shinhotaka Ropeway

Getting to Shinhotaka ropeway by public bus is very convenient. It takes about 100 minutes of bus ride from Takayama to Shinhotaka ropeway. While the Nohi bus is the company running for this route. The bus departed from Takayama Bus Terminal to Shinhotaka Ropeway Station with one bus per hour.

The bus fare is outrageously expensive. Luckily, there is a discounted bus ticket (Okuhida 2-Days or 3 Days round trip set ticket) provide unlimited bus ride between Takayama, Hirayu Onsen, Kamikochi with Shinhotaka ropeway included.

If you are planning for self-driving, consider renting your rental car from RentalCars.com. It provides a wide range of car rental with cheapest price and high reputation from customers.

Travel Tips: One-way bus ticket cost about 2,200 yen and 2,900 yen for a round trip for ropeway. Do your smart calculation to purchase the Okuhida set ticket! So it will greatly save on money even you using the combo ticket for one day. We fully utilized the combo ticket by spending our visit to Kamikochi and spend one night stay in onsen ryokan.

Related article:

Our Ride on Shinhotaka Ropeway

Round journey ride on Shinhotaka Ropeway will require about half-day trip which climbs over 1000 meters up the side of the Hotake Mountain Range. Depend on your itinerary, it takes about four to five hours including the transport time. It is highly recommended to coupled up the ride and book an overnight ryokan stay in Hirayu onsen nearby to experience the hot spring bath.

After an amazing one night stay in Suimeikan Karukaya Sanso, we proceed our Chubu travel itinerary to Shinhotaka ropeway. However, we were unfortunately as it was raining cats and dogs. There was no opportunity to see the gorgeous mountain range. We even though about skipping it. But we had the combo ticket and paid for it. So we decided to proceed for the Shinhotaka ropeway ride.

The ropeway station was just 5 minutes from Suimeikan Karukaya Ryokan. And we get a free ride from friendly staff. Thanks again to Suimeikan.

From Shinhotaka Ropeway Station To Nabedairakogen station

We drop off at the entrance of Shinhotaka Ropeway station building (新穂高温泉駅). It is the two-story building where you can get some souvenirs and snack at the first floor. We proceed to the second floor and redeem our ropeway ticket. It was a very simple and easy process. There were not many people for our day and we got our ticket for less than 5 minutes.

The entire ropeway consists of 2 sections of cable car ride. The first is the usual single deck cabin gondola for the short 200-meter climb. It will goes from base to the halfway of the mountain at Nabedairakogen station.

The ride took about 4 minutes.

From there, you need to transfer for second ride to the summit. Take a short walk from Nabedairakogen station (鍋平高原駅) to Shirakabadaira station (しらかば平駅). Alternatively, you can also spend time wandering around before proceed to the summit. There is a cafeteria if you would like to take some rest here. The first floor allows you to walk out onto the open to enjoy the scenery.

Natural walking path nearby Shirakabadaira station

Moreover, there is a natural walking path where you can fully enjoy nature. Too bad the weather was not so good and we had to cancel the little trek.

Alternatively, you can soak into Kamitakara-no-Yu, a natural open-air bath with entry fees at 600 yen.

Ascend To The Summit

Panorama 360-degree Observation Deck at Nishihotakaguchi Station

The second ride is Japan’s only double-decker gondola for the 800-meter ride. It took about seven minutes to the summit, which is 2,156 meters above sea level.

We arrived in Nishihotakaguchi Station (西穂高口駅). There is a large panorama 360-degree observation deck where you will be greeted by the magnificent view of the Northern Alps on a cloudless day. We wish to spend more time on top. However, it was cold on top of the mountain due to rain. We took some photos and decided back to the ground.

Back To Takayama by Bus

Boiled Egg While Waiting Bus Back To Takayama

Back at the bottom of the ropeway, we relax our foot at the footbath while waiting for the bus back to Takayama station. It is a nice option to warm yourself with a footbath if you don’t have time to enter the hot spring.

Added, there is a food kiosk in front of the bus station. You can get some hot spring soft-boiled eggs, steamed Hida beef buns or snack if you’re feeling a little hungry.

Although we did not get a very good picture for the entire journey. We still highly recommended to enjoy the gondola ride with a magnificent view of the Northern Alps. Do visit the official Shinhotaka Ropeway website to check out the weather conditions.

Lastly, this Shinhotaka ropeway blog is part of our Chubu Japan travel itinerary. Read on our travel post if you need some ideas to plan on your itinerary.

Travel Guide and Itinerary:

Local and Best Food in Takayama:

Midagahara Wetland: Short Walk in Alpine Route