Tanigawadake Ropeway 谷川岳ロープウェイ

Ascending toward the summit of Mt. Tanigawa and stopping at Tenjindaira, this ropeway affords breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain range.

It also leads to outdoor pleasures, whether the weather is hot or cold. The Tenjindaira Ski Resort is a major draw for skiers and snowboarders, and in the warmer months, the slopes are popular with climbers and trekkers.

You can reach Tanigawadake Ropeway by train and bus.

The main stations for the ropeway are Jomo-Kogen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen and Minakami and Doai stations on the JR Joetsu Line. Buses from the former two connect you to the ropeway, while you can walk from the latter.

Tenjindaira Ski Resort is small, having just nine runs, but it is a well-kept secret among powderhounds for receiving massive amounts of snow and amazing sidecountry and backcountry. Various ski schools offer beginner and snowboard lessons in English.

If you want more than a day on the slopes, you can stay in the town of Minakami, with various hotels to choose from including Ryokan Tanigawa with traditional Japanese-style rooms, onsen and kaiseki dinners. Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku is not far away.

During the warmer months, Tenjindaira is a popular starting point for backcountry hiking and climbing, favored by day-trippers wanting to enjoy the mountain air and spectacular rugged scenery. From Tenjindaira, a chairlift takes you up a further 1,500 meters to even more spectacular views.