Yokoteyama, the highest mountain in Japan you can ride a lift to reach. Getting up to the summit’s “Manten View Terrace” is a guaranteed scenic route, riding a moving walkway and a lift in turn. A sea of clouds, a starry sky, and Japan’s first specialty crumpet shop. Here’s a journey into the heavens you can make in half a day.
Have You Heard of “the Highest Mountain in Japan You Can Reach by Lift”?
Rising at the southern edge of Shiga Kogen, on the border with Gunma Prefecture, is Yokoteyama. At 2,307 meters, the Yokoteyama-Shibutoge Ski Area is known as “the highest-altitude ski area in Japan,” but in summer it has another face. As Shiga Kogen Tourism Association’s official media puts it, this is “the highest mountain in Japan you can reach by lift.” No hiking boots or backpack required: it’s a mountain where travelers of all ages, seeking cool air and grand views, can aim for the top of the clouds in their sneakers.
Waiting at the summit is the “Manten View Terrace.” Below you lie the forests and peaks of Shiga Kogen, and in the distance, the Japan Alps. In autumn, a sea of clouds; in winter, the frost-covered “snow trees” said to be the only ones in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region; and at night, the Milky Way. What makes the place worthy of being called “the greatest attraction” is, just as the name suggests, a sky brimming with stars.
The air at 2,307 meters is crisp even at the height of summer. Set off on the trip closest to the sky in all of Shiga Kogen, a round trip you can make from your Ichinose inn in half a day.
The Journey Begins at the Yokoteyama Drive-in, a Famous Sunset Spot
From Ichinose, take National Route 292 toward Kusatsu. Pass Suzurikawa and Kuma-no-Yu and climb higher, and you’ll spot the “Yokoteyama Drive-in,” standing as if clinging to the mountainside. This is the gateway to today’s journey. It’s also a famous sunset spot, chosen as one of “Shinshu’s 100 Best Sunset Points,” and from the moment you step out into the parking lot, the view is already a reward in itself.
Once you’ve parked, look up at the mountain slope. A blue belt stretches toward the sky. That’s the “first leg” of the trip to the summit.
Drifting Skyward on a Moving Walkway Born in 1967
That blue belt is the “Skylator,” a moving walkway installed outdoors. Running 200 meters and climbing 35 meters in elevation, it carries you up in about 5 minutes. It was installed in 1967, giving it a history that vehicle enthusiasts will love as one of the oldest moving walkways in Japan. Under Japanese law it’s classified as an “inclined elevator,” and when you ride it, the slope is steeper than you’d imagine, so you get a bit of a thrill-ride feeling.
Once you step off the Skylator, transfer to the No. 3 Sky Lift. Because this lift, which runs across the highest-altitude spot in Japan, has its cable lowered in summer to adjust the height, even those uneasy with heights are less likely to feel scared, which is a welcome touch. Gazing at the green carpet spreading beneath your feet, you ride the breeze up to the promised summit. It’s “hiking without walking,” with zero minutes of actual climbing.
Arriving at the Summit: A Grand Panorama Above the Clouds from Two Terraces
Once you step off the lift, first head up to the second floor of the summit station building. From the “2307 Manten View Terrace”, a panorama spreads out over the whole of Shiga Kogen and, weather permitting, as far as the distant Japan Alps. And don’t miss the terrace developed in recent years, “Point 2307,” a new spot that official media too recommend for its more open views.
Mountain weather is fickle. Some days bring clear skies and sweeping views, others wrap you in a sea of clouds, and still others leave you in the mist. But that’s precisely the real charm of 2,307 meters: every visit brings a different sky. Here are the highlights by season.
- Summer: Cool breezes and starry skies. The Milky Way arching across the clear sky makes you feel the meaning behind the name “Manten” (a sky full of stars).
- Autumn: A dynamic sea of clouds and fall foliage. A front-row seat looking down on Shiga Kogen ablaze with color from above an ocean of clouds.
- Winter: The frost-covered “snow trees” said to be the only ones in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region. The terrace is accessible by lift in winter too.
The Reward: Japan’s First Specialty Crumpet Shop
The second floor of the summit station building holds another highlight to look forward to: “Crumpet Cafe,” Japan’s first specialty crumpet shop. A crumpet is a type of griddle cake loved in Britain for breakfast or as a snack. Baked fresh every morning, they’re crisp on the outside and chewy within. There’s a rich variety of toppings, too, including the local Yamanouchi-grown apple variety “Shinano Sweet.”
In fact, it’s long been said that “baking bread at 2,307 meters is difficult.” Even so, after much trial and error they arrived at their ideal way of baking, as the official website explains. Freshly baked crumpets to bite into and a warm drink, up here in the low air pressure above the clouds. Beyond the window, nothing but sky. It’s worth the trip up for this alone.
Hours follow the lift’s operating times. It’s open in winter, too. *Temporary closures are sometimes announced, so please check the news section of the official website before you head out.
Not Heading Back Yet: Yokoteyama Shrine and the Full Loop Course
If you have time and energy to spare, head from the lift exit toward Shibutoge. Following the signs, pass through the torii gate and walk about 5 minutes to reach the peak of Yokoteyama, where a small shrine stands. This is “Yokoteyama Shrine,” known as a power spot. From here you can take in the mountains all the way toward the Kanto region (watch your footing, as the area near the peak is steep).
One more idea for the way back. During the summer operating season, you can enjoy a loop course: descend toward the Shibutoge side on the Shibutoge No. 1 Romance Lift and return to the Yokoteyama Drive-in by free shuttle bus. A different slope, a different view from the way up. If you choose the “Super Double round-trip ticket, good for a total of 6 rides,” it covers this ambitious route with ease.
Fares, Access, and Summer 2026 Operating Info
Summer Fares (2026)
- Yokoteyama Summit round trip (Skylator + Sky Lift round trip, or Shibutoge Romance Lift round trip): adults 2,200 yen / elementary school children 1,900 yen
- Super Double round trip (Skylator/Sky Lift ↔ summit ↔ Shibutoge Romance Lift, 6 rides total; may start from either end): adults 2,700 yen / elementary school children 2,500 yen
- One-way: adults 1,600 yen / elementary school children 1,400 yen
- Tickets are sold at the Skylator boarding point. On weekends and busy periods the Skylator may become uphill-only, in which case you can take the lift or the free shuttle bus back down.
Summer 2026 Operation
- July 6 to October 25: all three run, the Skylator, No. 3 Sky Lift, and Shibutoge No. 1 Romance Lift (8:45 to 15:20)
- October 26 to November 3: Shibutoge Romance Lift round trip only
- On July 15 the Shibutoge Romance Lift is closed for construction. Operation may be suspended during thunderstorms or heavy wind and rain. Check the day’s operating status on the official website and live camera.
Access and Inquiries
- From Ichinose, take National Route 292 toward Kusatsu; the Yokoteyama Drive-in is the starting point.
- S&T Kanko Co., Ltd. 0269-34-2600
Spend a leisurely morning on the Ichinose highland, then an afternoon with a crumpet 2,307 meters up in the sky. Try working the closest tea time to the sky in Japan into your Shiga Kogen itinerary.