Things I'm excited for in autumn: views from above

One of the coolest things about living in the Niigata countryside is all the nature that surrounds us, and enjoying it from above in autumn via ropeway or gondola is such a beautiful way to appreciate the season's colors.

The Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway last year

A few places I'd recommend checking out in Niigata include:

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway

This ropeway is easy to access from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and the fall foliage season here is typically best from mid-October to early November. Round trips for adults are 2400 yen, and for children (elementary-aged and below) it's half that at 1200 yen.

Hakkaisan Ropeway

A little harder to access than the Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway (about 30 minutes by bus from Muikamachi Station or a 20 minute drive from the Muikamachi IC), the Hakkaisan Ropeway is still worth visiting for great autumn views. It's also a little cheaper than Yuzawa Kogen – an adult round trip ticket is 2100 yen, and a child round trip ticket is 1050 yen at the time of writing.

Naeba Dragondola

The Naeba Dragondola is Japan's longest gondola, and the 2024 autumn leaf season here is running from October 5th until November 4th.

It's a little pricier than others, with the adult fare priced at 3800 yen, children (6-12) priced at 2200 yen, and children aged 5 and under free (one child per adult). Pets can also come aboard for 1000 yen, but no large dogs are allowed.