Mt. Usu Ropeway & Noboribetsu Day Trip with Lunch

Four Hokkaido landmarks in one morning-to-evening loop, with lunch and ropeway access as you choose.

A 10-hour day trip from Noboribetsu visits Lake Shikotsu, Silo Observatory, Mt. Usu Ropeway and Hell Valley with a live guide in English, Chinese or Japanese. You pick your own package at checkout: ropeway ticket and Genghis Khan lamb BBQ lunch are optional add-ons, so travelers with dietary restrictions or budget limits can skip either one. The tour runs year-round, though Lake Shikotsu's ice museum opens only from late January through mid-February.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Lake Shikotsu and Noboribetsu

• Visit Lake Shikotsu
• Explore Silo Observatory
• Enjoy free treat at Wakasaimo Honpo
• Ride Mt. Usu Ropeway
• Walk Noboribetsu Hell Valley

The experience

The day starts at Lake Shikotsu, where you walk the lakeside paths and photograph the water. From there the route moves to Silo Observatory for a 60-minute stop where the optional Genghis Khan lunch (Hokkaido lamb BBQ) happens. The shop also stocks local souvenirs. A 20-minute detour to Wakasaimo Honpo brings a free manju pastry before the ropeway station. Mt. Usu Ropeway takes you 360 degrees across the landscape if you've added the ticket to your booking. Without it, you stay at the base. The day closes at Noboribetsu Hell Valley, a 30-minute walk through sulfur vents and volcanic ground.

The tour runs 10 hours total and includes an air-conditioned vehicle and a guide who speaks English, Chinese or Japanese. Lunch and ropeway access are separate choices, not bundled: pick both, one or neither depending on your appetite and budget. If you have food allergies or follow a vegetarian diet, the operator cannot substitute for the Genghis Khan set, so the "no lunch" option is the right fit. Public transportation is available near the meeting point if you prefer to arrange your own way there.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full 10 hours.
• live guide in English, Chinese or Japanese.
• free manju pastry at Wakasaimo Honpo.
• Mt. Usu Ropeway ticket if you choose that option at checkout.
• authentic Genghis Khan lamb BBQ lunch at Silo Observatory if you choose that option at checkout.

Options for this experience

4 options

Option 1Guide in English, Japanese or Chinese · Available from 14 Nov · 09:00Ropeway ticket is not included; lunch is not included

Option 2Guide in English, Japanese or Chinese · Available from 14 Nov · 09:00Lunch is included, Genghis Khan set; Ropeway ticket is not included

Option 3Guide in English, Japanese or Chinese · Available from 14 Nov · 09:00Ropeway ticket is included: Mt. Usu Ropeway ticket; lunch is not included

Option 4Guide in English, Japanese or Chinese · Available from 14 Nov · 09:00Ropeway ticket is included: Mt. Usu Ropeway ticket; lunch is included: Genghis Khan set

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 44

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by H.I.S.Co., Ltd.

Is this one for you?Pick the ropeway ticket if you want the 360-degree views from the summit. Skip it if you're watching your budget or prefer to stay at ground level. Choose the Genghis Khan lunch to sample Hokkaido's signature lamb BBQ, or pick the no-lunch option if you have food allergies, follow a vegetarian diet, or want to eat at a local cafe instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Lake Shikotsu like when we get there?

Lake Shikotsu is known for crystal-clear water and lakeside walking paths. From late January through mid-February, an ice museum called Hyoto Festival opens on the frozen surface, though entry tickets for that are separate from the tour price.

Can I skip the ropeway and still do the full day trip?

Yes. Mt. Usu Ropeway is an optional add-on at checkout. If you don't book the ticket, you visit the base station but don't ride up. The rest of the four stops stay the same.

What is Genghis Khan and can I get a vegetarian version?

Genghis Khan is an authentic Hokkaido lamb BBQ set served at Silo Observatory. The operator cannot provide vegetarian or allergy-friendly substitutes, so if you have dietary restrictions, select the "no lunch" package instead.

How long do we spend at each stop?

Lake Shikotsu takes 40 minutes; Silo Observatory 60 minutes (where lunch happens if you've booked it); Wakasaimo Honpo 20 minutes; Mt. Usu Ropeway 60 minutes; and Noboribetsu Hell Valley 30 minutes, with travel time between them filling the 10-hour day.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the starting point?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the full day. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer to meet the group at the departure point rather than arrange hotel pickup.