Shiga Kogen’s summer mountain lifts and gondolas have shifted into their summer-holiday schedule. From July 11, the Maeyama Pair Lift runs every day, and the “Golden Line” heading up to Higashi-tateyama at 2,000 meters is running too. Here’s a roundup of the periods, hours, and fares for the lifts you can use around Ichinose.
Shiga Kogen Golden Line (Yama-no-Eki ⇔ Higashi-tateyama Summit)
From Shiga Kogen Yama-no-Eki, ride a series of three gondolas up to the summit of Higashi-tateyama at 2,000 meters.
- Operating period: June 20 to November 1, 2026 (planned). *The Resort Gondola and Buna-daira Gondola are closed for maintenance from September 7 to 11.
- Operating hours: 9:00 to 15:30 (last boarding at Higashi-tateyama Summit Station)
- Fare: Round-trip 1-Day Pass, adults 3,000 yen / children 1,800 yen
- The Higashi-tateyama Alpine Botanical Garden at the summit is free to enter. July and August are the best time for flowers.
- Inquiries: Shiga Kogen Resort Development Co., Ltd. 0269-34-2301
Higashi-tateyama Gondola Lift (Hoppo Onsen ⇔ Higashi-tateyama)
The shortest route, from the Hoppo Onsen side near Ichinose. It runs 1,384 meters in about 7 minutes.
- Operating period: June 20 to November 1, 2026 (planned)
- Operating hours: 9:00 to 15:30 (last boarding at Higashi-tateyama Summit Station)
- Fare: Adults, 1,400 yen one-way / 2,000 yen round-trip. Children, 800 yen one-way / 1,100 yen round-trip.
Maeyama Pair Lift (Suzurikawa ⇔ Maeyama Summit)
The starting point for treks toward Shibu-ike Pond, Shijuhachi-ike Ponds, and Onuma-ike Pond. It runs 305 meters in 5 minutes.
- Operating period: June 20 to October 18, 2026 (open on weekends and holidays, and on reserved days). *Open daily from July 11 to August 16.
- Operating hours: 8:45 to 12:00. *From July 11 to August 16, 8:45 to 16:10.
- Fare: Adults 600 yen one-way / children 400 yen one-way
Even More Convenient During the Obon Period in August
The Takamagahara Summer Lift (adults 900 yen one-way / 1,200 yen round-trip) and the “Higashi-tateyama Skyward Course,” a loop that uses the Higashi-tateyama Gondola one way and the Takamagahara Summer Lift the other (adults 2,000 yen / children 1,100 yen), both run from August 8 to 16. Departing from Takamagahara, which is within walking distance of Ichinose, it’s a course that lets you tour the botanical garden.
In addition, the Yokoteyama Skylator and Sky Lift (round-trip, adults 2,200 yen) and the Shibu-toge Romance Lift are also running. You can check the latest operating status on the Shiga Kogen Ropeway Association’s page.
Be sure to work a lift ride, a stroll through the sky, into your summer stay in Ichinose.