Akechidaira Ropeway — Attraction in Nikko

Reaching this ropeway requires surviving the nauseating, winding cliffside bus ride from downtown Nikko, and importantly, you can only access it when traveling toward Lake Chuzenji - the return route takes a different path without this stop, so plan accordingly. Despite expecting free access with the Nikko Pass, I had to pay full price, so don’t count on the pass discount.

The short ropeway ride delivers absolutely spectacular panoramic views of the mountainous landscape below, and most importantly, offers the perfect vantage point to see Kegon Falls together with Lake Chuzenji in one frame. While the falls are impressive up close via elevator, seeing them in context with the lake from this elevated perspective is breathtakingly beautiful and perfect for photography. The scenic payoff makes the challenging access and extra cost...

Nothing too impressive to be honest, ride is short, but it might be due the current season, prob once the Sakura bloom it will be nice, but for those coming in April you might need to know that weather is still cold and fog will prevent to see most of the near beautiful things such as the cascade and lake. Bear in mind also that transport to Chuzenji has a low frequency so if you get down from the bus to get the Ropeway you will be in mid of nothing with no visible choice in maps to proceed to Chuzenji Lake. In that point there are 2km to reach Chuzenji (1km is a tunnel), it would be nice if some sort of transport was added there for people that go down bus here as in car it is just a 4...

I went here twice, with the first bus each day from Tobu-Nikko station. The wait was fine, 15 minutes till I got onto the cable car. I used the Nikko Area Pass, which exempted me from queuing for buying the ticket. The view on the observatory deck was okay, depending on the weather. On the first day, it was cloudy, but it was clear on my second day.

For a better view, you need to take a hiking trail, starting from the smoking area below the deck. The trail will take you over the mountain to Chuzenji Lake, or down to the mountain base on Nikko side. It took me 2h to get to Chuzenji Lake, but that was because I took a wrong turn going down to Nikko, and needed...