Shimoda Ropeway (Shin-Shimoda Station) — Attraction in Shimoda

Shimoda Ropeway (Shin-Shimoda Station) offers a scenic and relaxing ride up Mount Nesugata with a charming souvenir shop and friendly staff. The 15-minute intervals between departures and potential crowding might dampen the view, but time it right and you’ll enjoy a smooth, peaceful ride with rewarding vistas. (3/5)

Full Review Shimoda Ropeway: A Quiet Climb with Caveats Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Japan is a country rich with scenic ropeways, and Shimoda Ropeway—departing from Shin-Shimoda Station and ascending Mount Nesugata—delivers a pleasant, if somewhat understated, experience.

Before even boarding, the atmosphere is warmly set by a quaint souvenir shop at the ropeway base, with two greeters stationed outside to welcome visitors. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way in setting the tone for a laid-back journey. The ropeway cars depart every 15 minutes, giving visitors some buffer time to browse the shop or simply relax before embarking.

The ride itself is smooth and tranquil, accompanied by light commentary that adds a bit of educational texture without overwhelming the senses. The views of Shimoda’s coastal townscape and harbor are lovely—especially if you manage to snag a spot by the window. And this is where things get a bit tricky: positioning matters. If you board mid-crowd, you may find yourself jostling for a proper vantage point, especially during peak hours. The simple solution? Board first or last—doing so drastically improves your chance of enjoying the panorama comfortably.

While I appreciated the relaxing ride, I couldn’t help but compare this with the nearby Mount Omuro chairlift, which offers a different kind of scenic ascent. Omuro’s system is continuous, minimizing waiting, and includes a souvenir photo opportunity mid-ride, making it feel more personal, efficient, and scenic as a tourist experience. Shimoda’s ropeway, by contrast, is more traditional and spaced out in its timing. Still, the mechanics are smooth, the setting is peaceful, and the slower pacing might actually appeal to those looking to escape the hustle of the more commercialized tourist circuits.

In the end, Shimoda Ropeway delivers exactly what it promises—a brief retreat above a coastal town with just enough charm and visual appeal to make it worth the fare. Just go in with realistic expectations, mind the timing, and don't expect the thrills or extras found in other ropewaychairlift attractions.

Verdict: Not a must-see in and of itself, but a pleasant trip (and a necessity if you're heading to Mount Nesugata) if you’re already in Shimoda. Take your time, get in early or late on the ride, and enjoy the...

We visited the Shimoda Ropeway in August 2025 on a cloudy day. We did not expect great views, but it was surprisingly nice! The ropeway runs every 15 minutes between 8:45-17:00. A roundtrip costs 1500円, but if you have the Izu Enjoyment Free Ticket 伊豆満喫フリーきっぷ, it is half price. There are coin lockers in the ropeway station.

The ropeway takes you up the mountain Nesugatayama. There are a few attractions on the top. There are many viewpoints of the bay where Perry’s Black Ships were first spotted, a koi pond with long-finned koi, a lovely garden, lounge chairs, a rest area that sells ice cream, a temple Aizen-do with frog statues dedicated to marriage, a canon, and a camphor tree that has split a huge boulder while growing. It is not very big, but it probably takes at least 45...

Very short ropeway roughly around 3-5 min. Even on a weekend it wasn’t so busy. Wish there was less people inside the actual ropeway cart, it seemed a bit packed but it’s understandable that they fit as much people inside to lessen the wait time. Many great scenic photo spots at the top and a very nice relaxing trail. I wouldn’t go if the...