Hakone Ropeway, operated by Odakyu Hakone, will operate the windowless open-air gondola “ROPESTER” from May 11 to June 7. Reservations for the ride will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from 16:00 on February 18 via Hakone Navi or Hakone Ropeway’s official Instagram (@hakone_ropeway) link.
This is the first gondola on a regular cableway in Japan that removes the window glass, allowing visitors to experience the wind, smells, and sounds with a realistic sensation. The ride is a one-way trip from Togendai Station to Owakudani Station or a round trip to Togendai Station (no intermediate stops), and costs 4,000 yen for adults and 2,000 yen for children (1,000 yen is available with a Hakone Free Pass or other special ticket).
This year, the bus will operate on Saturdays and holidays, and the minimum age for passengers is 6 years old, so that the whole family can enjoy the ride. The bus will run four times a day at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00, with a seating capacity of 8 passengers. Children must be accompanied by at least the same number of adults (junior high school students or older) to ride the bus.
In addition, passengers under 5 years old (less than elementary school students), pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and those with an abdominal circumference of 130 cm or more who cannot wear a seat belt are not allowed to ride.
© Source travel watch