【Yokoteyama Panorama Course】
This Yokoteyama Panorama Course is an easy walking trail that begins at the Nozoki bus stop, where an 11-minute ski lift takes hikers effortlessly to the trailhead. From there, the course crosses a distance of 1.5 kilometers, with a change in elevation of about 307 meters. The course finishes at another lift, which descends 10 minutes to the Shibutōge bus stop. It takes about an hour to complete the course.
At 2,307 meters in elevation, Mt. Yokote is the highest mountain in Japan reachable by ski lift. Located near the center of the Japanese archipelago, it is also a key watershed: precipitation on the eastern face flows down to the Pacific Ocean, while the snowmelt and rainwater on the western side makes its way to the Sea of Japan.
This course offers excellent views of the Northern Japanese Alps and all five of the key peaks of northern Nagano—Iizuna, Togakushi, Kurohime, Myōkō, Madarao—collectively known as the Hokushin-Gogaku. On clear days, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of iconic Mt. Fuji, nearly 150 kilometers away. Even if Mt. Fuji is not visible, hikers to the summit can enjoy freshly baked crumpets at a café serving baked goods and fresh coffee.