Mount Kinka Ropeway - Gifu

Located in 257 Senjojikishita, Gifu City in Gifu Prefecture, Mount Kinka Ropeway (金華山ロープウェーalso called Kinkazan Ropeway is an aerial lift line that brings visitors to the top of Mt. Kinka.

Kinkazan Ropeway
Mount Kinka Ropeway (金華山ロープウェー)

Mount Kinka Ropeway History

Operated by the Gifu Kanko Sakudo, Mt. Kinka Ropeway opened in 1955. The ropeway gate or the station at the foot of the mountain is built in the vicinity of Gifu Park while the summit station was built around 320 meters on top of the mountain. The ropeway line has a distance of 599m or 1966 feet. 

Mt. Kinka Ropeway - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture
Mt. Kinka Ropeway - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture

Welcome to Kinkazan Ropeway

Inside Kinkazan Ropeway Station

Check out that map of Gifu Castle

Riro-chan, Kinkazan's mascot

The gondolas have a passenger capacity of 46 people per cabin. It operates at a speed of 3.6 meters per second which means that a one-way trip takes approximately 3-4 minutes. Riding Mt. Kinka Ropeway is not free though. Check out the 2018 rates below.

Check out the fare matrix for the Mt. Kinka Ropeway

Time to buy our tickets

Kinkazan Ropeway Fare:

Adult (12 years and above): 620 yen (one-way) / 1080 yen (round-trip)
Child (4-11 years old): 280 (yen one-way) / 540 yen (round-trip)
Child (0-3 years old): FREE

However, a 50% discount is given to people with disabilities.  

Got our tickets

Mt. Kinka Ropeway's operation hours vary depending on the seasons, but it is generally open from 9AM to 6PM. It runs every 15 minutes every weekday and every 10 minutes on weekends and holidays.

My wife seems excited to ride Kinkazan Ropeway

Kinkazan Ropeway's gondola

Time to ride the ropeway!

What's great about Mt. Kinka Ropeway is that it gives everyone a chance to get to the top of the mountain. For those who don't know, Mt. Kinka is famous for Gifu Castle which was built at its peak. Aside from that, there are also other attractions on the mountain top that you might want to check out like the Gifu Castle Archives Museum, Squirrel Village, and the Observation Deck Restaurant.

The station at the foot of the mountain

Tip: When riding the gondola, choose the side facing the station at the foot of the mountain

Here's the view if you are facing away from the station at the foot of the mountain

Keep an eye out for this pagoda when riding the ropeway

The view gets better as you get higher

My family and I got to try out Mr. Kinka Ropeway on the 18th day of our 2018 Japan trip. We definitely needed to ride the ropeway to visit Gifu Castle because we brought my 5-year-old daughter along with us on this adventure. Since it was not my first time riding a ropeway, I already know that the best side of the gondola is always the part facing the station at the foot of the mountain as it usually provides a beautiful panoramic view compared to the tree-covered mountainside. In the case of Mt. Kinka Ropeway, you get a panoramic view of Gifu City with the Nagara River at its center. 

The ropeway on the left and the castle on the right + the squirrel

Gifu Castle

Team Nicerio at Kinkazan


Here's a short video of our Mount Kinka Ropeway Ride:

 

 Mt. Kinka Ropeway Operating Hours:

Mar 16 - May 11 - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
May 12 - Oct 16 - 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Oct 17 - Mar 15 - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
New Year's Day - 5:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Why ride Mt. Kinka Ropeway?

Overall, riding Mt. Kinka Ropeway is perfect for those who want to quickly reach the peak of Mt. Kinka and also those who want a quick visit to Gifu Castle. It would definitely reduce travel time hence giving visitors more time to explore Gifu City. 

Getting to Mt. Kinka Ropeway:


From JR Gifu Station, ride a bus N12 and board down at Nagarabashi bus stop. From there the Mt. Kinka Ropeway terminal is just about 3-5 minutes away by foot.
Fare: 220 yen
Travel time: 18 minutes

Ratings:
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Comments

  1. Awesome scene of ropeway. really awesome post.images are so looking beautiful.visit Best adventure travel blog.

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  2. Looks like you had an adventure.

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  3. The photos look fab! I love these methods of travel, so scenic!

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    Replies
    1. I agree Zoe. Riding a ropeway is really a great experience.

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  4. That looks like an amazing view!

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    Replies
    1. It is. =) You should try out the Kinkazan Ropeway.

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  5. Beautiful and bright photos! makes you feel like you are right there too. I love gondola rides! such a fun way to see the sights

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Cendu! You should come visit Japan and experience more of this.

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  6. Wow, really interesting read. I also love to travel but hardly could find time for it. Your adventures refresh my mind and motivate me to travel

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    Replies
    1. I'm happy to hear that my blog motivates you to travel. I do hope you get to explore Japan too in the future.

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  7. I have never been on a vacation where I could ride on a rope-way. This is a very intriguing travel spot. Thank you for sharing the pictures. They are beautiful.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome Janet. Please do visit Mt Kinka in Gifu.

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  8. I have always been a daredevil so this kind of stuff sounds fun but the hubs would never go along with it

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    Replies
    1. I do hope you get to try this one out. However, you won't need your adrenaline for this one. =P

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  9. Really awesome, looks like so much fun

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  10. My kinda place. I like to visit adventerous and greenery places. Ropeway is one of the things I love too because we can capture beautiful views:)

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    Replies
    1. The view while riding the ropeway is amazing. You would surely love it.

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  11. I love ropeways and this surely looks so wonderful.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. =) Please visit Gifu City to expereince this one.

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  12. Looks like a great time with amazing views!

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    Replies
    1. It is. =) Please do include this place in your itinerary when you visit Japan in the future.

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  13. Love the view look so beautiful and perfect for adventure :) awesome photos!

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  14. That looks like so much fun! What a way to travel in style, I’ve never gone on a ropeway before

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    Replies
    1. Please do try Kinkazan Ropeway when you visit Japan. You'd surely love it.

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  15. Wow, I need to check this out. Looks like it is worth the ride with the beautiful views. What a great adventure!

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    Replies
    1. Please do Laura. Riding the Kinkazan Ropeway is something you should try.

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  16. This looks amazing and the photos are stunning! But I have fear of heights- I wish I could do this!

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    Replies
    1. Oh! Don't worry. The ropeway is totally safe to ride. This could probably help you get over your fear of heights. =)

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  17. Mt. Kinka is really one of the most amazing places to visit in the prefecture.

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  18. This looks like a great adventure. I took a ropeway when I traveled in Yokohama a couple of years ago. Maybe this will be on the list of places to visit as I live in Nagoya.

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    Replies
    1. Nice! You're just a train/bus ride away. Please do come visit Gifu City.

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  19. My kids and I took that trip and ride and it was memorable. Your photos are really fantastic.

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    Replies
    1. That's amazing. I'm happy that you got to experience this already. =)

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  20. Some great photos, the gondola looks awesome!

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  21. It must be so exciting to ride on the ropeway..The view from the top is breathtaking.

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    Replies
    1. It was. I highly suggest it. Japan has plenty of ropeways so please include riding one in your itinerary when you visit the country.

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  22. Amazing post you share very valuable knowledge with us thanks.

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  23. Thanks for sharing this amazing content with us

    ReplyDelete

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