Starry Night Lift on Mt. Sanbe
MT. SANBE · SHIMANE · JAPAN
Starry Night Lift on Mt. Sanbe
Take a night chairlift up Mt. Sanbe for the sunset glow and a sky full of stars. The Sanbe area is known for some of the darkest night skies in Japan. 15 minutes by lift, then a 5-minute walk.
Book online →The booking site is in Japanese. Your browser’s translate feature works well on it.
Highlights
- Twilight: the mountainside glows rose, then the sky fades through orange and violet to deep blue
- Starry Night: real darkness, a sky full of stars, and a guided star talk by local star guide Mr. Ota (in Japanese)
- Lie back on the grass and wait for shooting stars
Details
| Dates (2026) | October 3, October 10, November 7, November 14 (Saturdays) — the 1st and 2nd Saturdays of October and November |
|---|---|
| Twilight plan | Go up any time between 17:30 and 19:00 and stay as long as you like. Last lift down: 19:30. Adult ¥1,500 / Children (elementary and under) ¥1,000 / Under 2 free |
| Starry Night plan | Go up at 20:00. Star talk from 20:30 (about 30 min). Last lift down: 21:15. Adult ¥2,000 / Children ¥1,000 / Under 2 free |
| Set plan (recommended) | Enjoy both. Ride up once and stay from twilight until the last lift down — no need to come down in between (you may, if you like). Adult ¥2,500 / Children ¥1,000 / Under 2 free |
| Cloudy nights | The star talk is decided at 17:00 on the day. If it is cancelled, the lift runs on a special schedule (from 17:30, last up 19:30, last down 20:00) at the Twilight price, and adults on the Starry Night or Set plan are refunded the difference (¥500 / ¥1,000). In strong wind or thunderstorms the event is cancelled with a full refund. |
| Meeting point | Sanbe Kanko Lift station Shigaku, Sanbe-cho, Oda City, Shimane 694-0222 Same-day tickets are also sold here. Parking: Higashi-no-hara car park (free). |
What to bring & good to know
- Warm clothes — the summit is chilly even in summer
- Walking shoes such as sneakers
- A flashlight or phone light (it is completely dark after sunset) and a picnic mat for lying on the grass
- The chairlift seats 1–2 people; even small children cannot ride three to a chair
- There are no toilets at the summit — please use the ones by the lift station first
Cancellation
- If you contact us, cancellation is free — even on the day
- No-show without contact: 100%
How to book
Reservations are made online only (no phone reservations). Open the booking site, choose your date on the calendar, select the plan and number of people, and enter your details. A confirmation email will be sent automatically.
Book online →Getting there
- About 60 min by car from Izumo Taisha Shrine
- About 40 min by car from Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (World Heritage)
- About 80 min by car from Izumo Enmusubi Airport
- Right off the San’in Expressway “Ota-Chuo / Sanbesan IC”
- By bus: about 50 min from JR Ota-shi Station (Iwami Kotsu bus, Sanbe line)
A car is the easiest way to get here. Times are approximate.
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