HokkaidoLeisure

Take the Ropeway to the Summit for an Up-Close Encounter with Brown Bears Begging for Snacks

About this spot

About 7 minutes by ropeway from Noboribetsu Onsen Town, at the summit of Shihogane Mountain at approximately 550 meters elevation, lies a bear ranch. You can observe Hokkaido's king of beasts, the brown bear, up close; when you throw snacks, the bears stand up and wave their paws in begging gestures that delight children. In the first bear field's "human cage," you can face brown bears at close range through glass, and their size and power will take your breath away. During times when you can observe young bears' growth, you'll see their adorable appearances, and an affiliated museum teaches about bear ecology. From the summit, you can overlook Kutcharo Lake, a mysterious lake surrounded by primeval forest of Shikotsu-Toyo National Park, and with the ropeway's aerial walk included, it's like a complete amusement park attraction.

Tips

The ropeway base station is only a few minutes' walk from the hot spring town and has free parking. The entrance fee (approximately 3,000 yen for adults, with discounts for children) includes round-trip ropeway fare. Bear snacks can be purchased in the park. The summit is cooler than the base, so it's reassuring to bring a light layer.