Panoramic Views
From Fujimidai Highlands, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Northern Alps, Mount Ontake, the Southern Alps, and the Central Alps. On clear days, the surrounding scenery includes 23 peaks listed among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, including nearby Mount Ena.
History
The area was once known as Yamabushidake. In the early Meiji period, followers of Fujikō, a religious movement devoted to Mount Fuji, established a place from which to worship the mountain from afar. From that time, the area came to be called Fujimidai, meaning a place from which to view Mount Fuji.
Despite its name, Mount Fuji cannot actually be seen from the highlands. Nearby is Kamisaka Pass, historically regarded as one of the most difficult sections of the ancient Tōsandō route, an important road connecting eastern and central Japan.
Natural Attractions
The highlands are covered with dense stands of Chishima bamboo grass. In July, visitors can enjoy the delicate blossoms of sasa lilies, while autumn brings beautiful foliage across the mountainsides.
Transportation and Access
The Enasan Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway runs directly beneath the highlands, connecting the region through this major highway route.
Hiking and Mountaineering
Mangakuso mountain lodge stands on the southern side of the highlands at an elevation of approximately 1,579 meters. From the lodge, a hiking trail of about 1.8 kilometers leads to the summit of Fujimidai Highlands.
Visitors can also hike toward the summit of Mount Ena to the southwest via the Kamisaka Pass route.
Heavens Sonohara Snow World
Heavens Sonohara Snow World is a ski resort in Achi Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. It operates throughout the year, including the winter season, and visitors can reach the ski area from the base by riding the Fujimidai Highlands Ropeway.
One distinctive feature of the resort is its long-standing policy of welcoming skiers only, which it has maintained since opening.
Starry Sky Night Tour
Since 2012, the resort has offered a paid astronomical observation experience called the Heavenly Paradise: Japan’s Best Starry Sky Night Tour. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the night sky in this mountainous setting. The tour also operates during the ski resort’s winter season.
Ropeway and Lifts
The ski resort has a gondola system, referred to as the Fujimidai Highlands Ropeway outside the winter season, as well as several ski lifts.
Ropeway Specifications
- Inclined length: 2,549 meters
- Vertical difference: 611 meters
- Maximum gradient: 34 degrees 8 minutes
- Operating system: Single-cable, continuously circulating system
- Gondola manufacturer: CWA, the original manufacturer from the resort’s opening
- Capacity: 12 passengers per gondola
- Seating: Standing room only; no seats are provided
Ski Lifts
The resort has one high-speed quad chairlift and three pairs of additional chairlifts, with the following specifications listed for individual lifts:
- Second Quad Lift: 635 meters long, with a vertical difference of 206 meters
- Third Pair Lift: 465 meters long, with a vertical difference of 157 meters
- Fourth Pair Lift: 290 meters long, with a vertical difference of 35 meters
- Sixth Pair Lift: 85 meters long, with a vertical difference of 25 meters
- Seventh Pair Lift: 219 meters long, with a vertical difference of 102 meters
The Fujimidai Highlands Ropeway and some of the lifts operate throughout the year. The First Lift, planned at 558 meters, and the Fifth Lift, planned at 169 meters, were never constructed despite having been included in licensing applications. Their numbers therefore remain unused.
Facilities
Ropeway Base Station
The base station has a parking area with space for approximately 2,000 standard passenger vehicles.
Other Facilities
Facilities include a rental counter, changing rooms, lockers, lift-ticket counters, shops, restrooms, a mountain lodge, restaurants, ski school reception, and a nursing room for parents with infants.
Center House
The center house contains a restaurant with seating for 300 people, a patrol and first-aid room, a lift-ticket counter, lockers, and restrooms.