Large mountain ropeway cabin passing an observation terrace as the sun rises over the summit of snow-free Mount Fuji

Mt. Minobu Diamond Fuji 2026: Early Ropeway on September 30-October 2

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Travel News Watch

Information checked: August 16, 2026, 8:31 AM JST.

Mt. Minobu Ropeway has announced three days of pre-dawn operation for its 49th Diamond Fuji viewing event. The schedule is designed around a sunrise near 6:05 AM, when clear conditions may place the sun at the summit of Mt. Fuji from the mountain viewpoint.

Short answerThe special early session runs from 5:00 to 7:00 AM on September 30, October 1, and October 2, 2026. The official notice lists 5:50 AM as the final uphill departure from Kuonji Station and 6:50 AM as the final downhill departure from Okunoin Station; normal operation resumes at 9:00 AM.

Key Facts For Travelers

Affected areaMt. Minobu Ropeway between Kuonji Station and Okunoin Station in Minobu Town.
Event datesSeptember 30 through October 2, 2026.
Early operation5:00-7:00 AM, with the expected sunrise around 6:05 AM.
Last early departuresUphill at 5:50 AM and downhill at 6:50 AM; final times may change.

Do Not Arrive for the Normal 9 AM Opening

This is a separate early-morning operating window. Visitors who arrive after the 5:50 AM listed final uphill departure may miss the summit sunrise session even though the ropeway operates again later in the morning.

The operator says regular service restarts at 9:00 AM after the early session ends. Build the journey around the special cutoff rather than the normal daytime timetable.

The View Still Depends on Weather

The event time is planned around the expected sunrise, but the Diamond Fuji alignment is a natural sight. Cloud, mist, wind, and other operating conditions can affect what visitors see and whether the ropeway runs exactly as planned.

The current ordinary round-trip fare is JPY 1,700 for adults and JPY 850 for children aged 4 through elementary school. Confirm event-day operation and any special ticket arrangements on the operator page before making the early journey.

Traveler Actions

  • Reach the lower station well before 5:50 AM; do not treat that time as an arrival target.
  • Check the operator’s live operating notice and local weather again the evening before and before departure.
  • Bring warm layers and a small light because the mountain station and terrace will be cold and dark before sunrise.
  • Keep a later 9:00 AM visit as a backup if the early view is lost to weather or operating changes.
  • Use the published 6:50 AM downhill cutoff when planning breakfast, transport, and the rest of the day.

Official Sources

Update History

  • August 16, 2026: Created from the operator’s August 12 announcement, including the three event dates, 5:00-7:00 AM early session, listed final departures, expected sunrise, regular reopening, and current fares.
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