{
  "id": "asahidake-ropeway",
  "name": "Asahidake Ropeway and Sugatami Pond",
  "area": "Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa, Daisetsuzan National Park",
  "status": "conditional",
  "priority": "high",
  "tags": [
    "Flowers",
    "Scenery",
    "Walking",
    "Mountains",
    "Lake"
  ],
  "summary": "A rewarding alpine day trip when visibility, trail conditions and walking ability align. Recommend the Sugatami nature loop, not the separate summit climb. [S1]",
  "why_go": "Mountain ponds, steaming volcanic scenery and alpine flowers offer a striking contrast to Furano's cultivated landscapes without requiring a summit ascent. [S1][S2]",
  "season": {
    "late_june": "Expect possible snow crossings, not an assured summer footpath. On June 25, 2026, staff reported slippery snow, snow bridges over streams, possible breakthrough and substantial snow at Sugatami Pond; early flowers were blooming. [S2]",
    "july": "A strong flowers-and-walking choice, but early-July snow remains possible. On July 23, 2026, the loop was snow-free but partly muddy, with chinguruma both flowering and forming feathery seedheads. These are historical observations, not 2027 predictions. [S1][S3]",
    "early_august": "Prefer this over late June if avoiding lingering snow is important, subject to current reports. The operator describes alpine flowering into approximately mid-August; do not expect every species or patch to peak together. [S1][S3]",
    "best_window": "Recommend a clear, low-wind day in mid-to-late July or early August, chosen using current trail reports rather than a fixed bloom date."
  },
  "visit_duration": "Allow approximately 2.5-4 hours onsite and 6-8 hours overall from Furano. The operator's 1.7 km loop estimate is about one hour walking; allow longer for photographs, footing and queues. [S1]",
  "drive_from_furano": "Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes each way from central Furano in normal summer traffic, a planning estimate based on the operator's Furano estimate, not live routing. Add 30-45 minutes for peak-season delays and parking. Walking is additional. [S1]",
  "best_time_of_day": "Aim for a weekday morning after confirmed opening. If seeking visitor-center advice before ascending, plan around its published 09:00 opening. [S4]",
  "visit_plan": [
    "Before leaving Furano, check ropeway operation, mountain visibility, trail snow, bear notices and the Daisetsuzan volcanic bulletin. [S1][S5][S6]",
    "Park at the base, confirm the day's last descent, obtain current route advice and purchase a return ticket.",
    "If conditions suit, follow the signed clockwise nature loop through the numbered viewpoints, Meoto ponds and Sugatami Pond; shorten the walk if necessary. [S2][S3]",
    "Return with a generous descent buffer, then consider the base-station restaurant before driving back. [S4]"
  ],
  "practicalities": [
    {
      "label": "Hours and season",
      "text": "The published July-August 2026 calendar shows first ascent at 06:30 on most dates, 06:00 on selected dates, and last descent at 17:30. Summer departures are approximately every 15 minutes; travel takes about 10 minutes each way. June dates and all 2027 schedules require confirmation. [S1]"
    },
    {
      "label": "Costs",
      "text": "Published fares, year not specified: summer adult return JPY 3,500, child return JPY 1,750; ordinary-car parking JPY 500 per daily entry. Adult pricing starts at junior-high-school age. Not confirmed for 2027. [S1]"
    },
    {
      "label": "Parking and access",
      "text": "Operator parking has 150 ordinary-car spaces. Gates close after ropeway business hours; sleeping in vehicles is prohibited. Separate public parking exists, but its charges were not verified. [S1]"
    },
    {
      "label": "Facilities and accessibility",
      "text": "Toilets are available at both ropeway stations and the visitor center. The base has a shop and upstairs restaurant; food-service hours need checking. The loop includes steep stairs and mud, so do not assume step-free access; boarding accessibility needs separate confirmation. [S3][S4]"
    },
    {
      "label": "Reservations",
      "text": "Ropeway boarding is not reservation-based, including groups. Confirm any optional guided walk separately. [S1]"
    }
  ],
  "recommendations": [
    "Keep the date flexible within your Furano stay instead of committing to a poor mountain forecast.",
    "Bring waterproof footwear with good grip, a warm layer and rain protection; ordinary shoes can become soaked on melting snow. [S1][S2]",
    "Ask specifically whether the complete loop is suitable today, not merely whether the ropeway is running.",
    "Enjoy flowers from the path and leave time at the pond viewpoints rather than adding a summit attempt. [S3][S7]",
    "Carry water and a snack; treat the base restaurant as an optional lunch rather than relying on unverified opening hours. [S4]"
  ],
  "weather_plan": "Strong wind or lightning risk can suspend operation. Postpone in dense cloud, storms or unsafe footing; do not substitute a mountain hike when the ropeway stops. If already upstairs, follow staff instructions promptly. [S1][S7]",
  "safety_and_etiquette": [
    "The summit route is a separate mountain climb requiring appropriate fitness, planning and equipment; it is not the default continuation of this visit. [S1][S7]",
    "Late snow can conceal streams or collapse underfoot. Staff advise staying near the station if footing is concerning. Conditions can be cold despite warm lowland weather. [S2]",
    "JMA showed Daisetsuzan at volcanic alert Level 1 when researched, not a guarantee of safety. Sudden ash, steam or volcanic-gas release remains possible; obey barriers and updated restrictions. [S5]",
    "Bear sightings included the road near the ropeway base on June 21, 2026. Check fresh notices, never approach or feed wildlife, and carry out food and rubbish. [S6][S7]",
    "Do not plan around catching the final cabin or assume an easy walking descent if you miss it. The operator records missed-last-descent incidents becoming mountain emergencies. [S1]"
  ],
  "pair_with": [
    "Furano Marche"
  ],
  "skip_if": "Visibility is poor, snow crossings exceed your comfort, or steep uneven walking is unsuitable. A clear-day visit is more worthwhile than forcing this into a crowded itinerary.",
  "recheck_for_2027": [
    "Date-specific first ascent, last descent, maintenance closures, fares and parking.",
    "Complete-loop snow clearance, snow bridges, muddy sections and repairs.",
    "Current bear notices, road restrictions and Daisetsuzan volcanic advice.",
    "Visitor-center hours, restaurant hours and any required accessibility arrangements."
  ],
  "confidence_notes": [
    "Operating attraction verified through current operator information; summer 2027 operation is not yet confirmed.",
    "Dated snow and flower reports demonstrate variability, not guaranteed opening or bloom dates.",
    "The downloadable trail-map PDF could not be decoded; no step-free route was verified."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "S1",
      "title": "Asahidake Ropeway: schedules, fares, walking course and access",
      "publisher": "Asahidake Ropeway",
      "url": "https://asahidake.hokkaido.jp/ja/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "2026 timetable, cancellations, fares, parking, journey times, flowers and loop."
    },
    {
      "id": "S2",
      "title": "Sugatami Pond conditions, June 25, 2026",
      "publisher": "Asahidake Visitor Center",
      "url": "https://www.asahidake-vc-2291.jp/6-25%e3%80%80%e5%a7%bf%e8%a6%8b%e3%81%ae%e6%b1%a0%e5%9c%92%e5%9c%b0%e5%86%85%e3%81%ae%e7%8a%b6%e6%b3%81/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "Lingering snow, snow bridges, footwear, flowers and cold."
    },
    {
      "id": "S3",
      "title": "Sugatami Pond conditions, July 23, 2026",
      "publisher": "Asahidake Visitor Center",
      "url": "https://www.asahidake-vc-2291.jp/7-23%e3%80%80%e5%a7%bf%e8%a6%8b%e3%81%ae%e6%b1%a0%e5%9c%92%e5%9c%b0%e3%81%ae%e7%8a%b6%e6%b3%81/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "Snow-free historical conditions, mud, steep steps and flowers."
    },
    {
      "id": "S4",
      "title": "Visitor frequently asked questions",
      "publisher": "Asahidake Visitor Center",
      "url": "https://www.asahidake-vc-2291.jp/q%ef%bc%86a/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "Toilets, visitor-center hours, shops and restaurant."
    },
    {
      "id": "S5",
      "title": "Volcanic activity: Daisetsuzan",
      "publisher": "Japan Meteorological Agency",
      "url": "https://www.data.jma.go.jp/vois/data/report/activity_info/107.html",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "Level 1 status and ash, steam and volcanic-gas warning."
    },
    {
      "id": "S6",
      "title": "2026 brown bear information",
      "publisher": "Asahidake Visitor Center",
      "url": "https://www.asahidake-vc-2291.jp/2026-brownbear/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "Dated sightings around the mountain, roads and ropeway base."
    },
    {
      "id": "S7",
      "title": "Field manners",
      "publisher": "Asahidake Visitor Center",
      "url": "https://www.asahidake-vc-2291.jp/fieldmanners/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-26",
      "supports": "Fitness-based planning, weather precautions and wildlife protection."
    }
  ]
}