Mount Aso Ropeway

Mount Aso Ropeway is an aerial tramway that carried passengers across the volcano's rocky slopes in two separate cabins. Each cabin had room for about 40 people, making it a shared experience across the terrain.

The tramway opened in 1958 as the first aerial cable system ever built on an active volcano. Its construction showed that such transport could work safely in extreme geological conditions.

The ropeway station housed educational exhibits, including a 3D projection system that displayed seasonal changes and geological information about Mount Aso to visitors.

Operations depend on the volcano's activity level, so access may be limited or unavailable on certain days. Check current conditions before visiting, as volcanic alerts can affect whether the tramway is running.

The facility was damaged by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and volcanic ash, leading to its closure and removal in 2019. This makes it a historical landmark rather than an operating attraction today.

Location: Aso

Inception: 1958

Official opening: April 10, 1958

GPS coordinates: 32.88025,131.07967

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43