Hubby and I visited Mount Gozaisho on 13th October. Mount Gozaisho is located on the border of Higashi Omi in Shiga prefecture and Komono in Mie prefecture. This mountain is the center of Suzuka Quasi National Park, and is the highest mountain in the park. Gozaisho Ropeway connects the top of the mountain to Yunoyama Hot Spring at the base area. Mount Gozaisho is well known for fall colors which begin at the summit in mid-October, and travel down the mountain to the hot spring area at the base over a period of one month. Fall leaves with a blended combination of red, yellow, and green progress gradually over time from the summit to the base of the mountain. We visited the mountain to ride on Gozaisho Ropeway and enjoy the fall colors.
On reaching the base of Mount Gozaisho (400 meters elevation), where Yunoyama Hot Spring is located, we saw the station of Gozaisho Ropeway. We bought tickets for the ropeway and entered a gondola. As we rode the gondola, we saw breathtaking panoramic views all around us. Along the way, we saw unusual rock formations beneath us. We also saw several mountains all around the area. We thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent views and beautiful landscapes. The base and mid mountain regions of Gozaisho were still green and autumn colors had not yet set in. The photo below is of me sitting inside a gondola of Gozaisho Ropeway and enjoying the views.
We enjoyed greenery all around us from the gondola.
Beautiful view as seen from the gondola
A gondola returning to the starting station
We saw Mount Kamagatake adjoining to the south of Mount Gozaisho.
Hubby felt a bit sick as the gondola moved crazily due to the high speed of wind during our ropeway ride.
After about 15 minutes of riding on the ropeway, we reached Summit Park Station. This station is located around the summit area of Mount Gozaisho at an elevation of 1200 meters. At the station we visited a ropeway museum detailing the history of Gozaisho Ropeway. After exiting the station we took a stroll on a paved pathway at the Summit Park and visited several of the five lookout platforms and observatories. It was wonderful to see the outstanding scenes of nature all around us. The stunning views and vistas were so enjoyable. The photo below is a view from one of the lookout platforms.
Next we walked up to Chouyoudai Observatory which is the nearest observatory from the Summit Park Station. It commands a view towards the east of Mount Gozaisho of Suzuka Mountain Range overlooking a wide landscape including Ise Bay. It is an excellent spot for photos. The photo below is of me at Chouyoudai Observatory.
View from Chouyoudai Observatory with wonderful autumn colors
Another view from Chouyoudai Observatory
We strolled up to another lookout area at the Summit Park, where hubby and I took a commemorative photo of us together at a spot where wooden logs were arranged in the form of Mount Gozaisho. We also enjoyed viewing the autumn foliage at this lookout area.
The overlooking landscape, the mountains, and the nature viewed from the above mentioned lookout area at the Summit Park were stunning.
Yet another view from the same lookout area
Next, we walked up to Asahidai lookout spot located just a two-minute walk from Chouyoudai Observatory. Asahidai lookout spot commands a view towards the west of Suzuka Mountain Range. The photo below is the summit of Mount Gozaisho as viewed from Asahidai lookout spot at the Summit Park.
Hubby posing at Asahidai lookout spot
After enjoying the views and sceneries at the Summit Park area, we visited the summit of Mount Gozaisho. We took a sightseeing lift that connects the exit of the ropeway and the summit of the mountain. Although it is possible to walk up to the summit, the lift is a convenient access to the summit. The photo below was taken by hubby of me riding the lift on our way to the summit of Mount Gozaisho.
We had a comfortable lift ride and enjoyed the views around us.
On reaching the summit of Mount Gozaisho, we saw autumn foliage all around us. Here I am standing at the summit enjoying the views and posing.
At the summit, we saw a sign that marks the highest elevation point of 1212 meters of Mount Gozaisho, and the triangulation marker that represents the first-order triangulation point. Here I am sitting next to the sign.
Hubby is standing next to another sign indicating the highest elevation of 1212 meters at the summit of Mount Gozaisho.
The summit is on the border of Mie and Shiga prefectures. I am standing in Mie prefecture in the photo below.
We experienced magnificent views from the summit of Mount Gozaisho.
The photo below is of Ontake Daigongen Shrine as viewed from the summit of Mount Gozaisho. An ascetic monk named Kakujun established this shrine in 1884 and the present building was constructed in 1964. We wanted to walk up to the shrine but I was a bit tired, so we saw it from afar.
Beautiful landscape as viewed from the summit of Mount Gozaisho.
This is the Summit Park as viewed from the summit of Mount Gozaisho.
After enjoying the views at the summit of Mount Gozaisho, we took the sightseeing lift back to the Summit Park. Here I am enjoying the ride on the lift.
Afterwards we took Gozaisho Ropeway from the Summit Park Station and returned to the base of the mountain. We enjoyed our trip to Mount Gozaisho and the ride on the ropeway.
