Hachimanyama Ropeway
The Hachimanyama Ropeway is a cable-car lift that climbs the 272-meter Mt. Hachimanyama. The mountain offers commanding views over the surrounding countryside and was the site of Hachimanyama Castle in the late sixteenth century. Ruins of the castle’s stone ramparts can be seen on the mountain, and Zuiryuji Temple is located on the site of the castle’s main citadel.
The ropeway takes passengers from the foot of the mountain to the top in about 4 minutes. The ride affords a sweeping view of the town of Omihachiman to the south. Visible to the northeast are Lake Nishinoko and the wetlands between the town and Lake Biwa. Beyond Lake Nishinoko rise Mt. Azuchi and Mt. Kinugasa, which were also sites of important castles in the sixteenth century. From the station on the mountain, a short walk through the woods leads to an observation point on the summit’s north side with a view over Lake Biwa and the Hira Mountains on its west side.