Norikura Skyline

Overview

The Norikura Skyline is a mountain sightseeing road connecting Hirayu Pass in Tanigawa-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, to the Tateyama plateau on Mount Norikura. Known as Japan's highest altitude road at 2,702 meters, it's accessible only by bus due to vehicle restrictions. The magnificent scenery visible from the bus windows feels like traveling above the clouds. The impressive array of 3,000-meter-class mountains is truly awe-inspiring. Mount Norikura, located at the southern end of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains), is a famous mountain in central Japan, featuring Kengamine (3,026m) as its highest peak, along with 23 peaks, seven lakes, and eight plains. The Norikura Skyline offers an up-close view of this majestic landscape. Mount Norikura offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for beginners to advanced climbers. The easiest trail leads to Maou-dake (2,763m), a short climb of about 15 minutes one way from the Tateyama bus terminal, allowing even beginners to experience the summit of a 3,000-meter-class mountain. Mount Norikura is also famous as a treasure trove of alpine plants. From mid-July to late August, various flowers such as Hakusan-ichige and Miyamokinpoge bloom in abundance. A roughly 20-minute walking path around the Tateyama bus terminal provides an up-close look at these alpine plants. The Norikura Skyline is a perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. A bus journey allows you to enjoy magnificent views, alpine plants, and hiking opportunities.