Hoheikyo Electric Bus & Sapporo Kokusai Autumn Leaves Gondola (Round Trip)

At Jozankei, two very different autumn views come with one ticket: a short electric bus ride to Hoheikyo Dam and a gondola trip above the slopes at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort. The dam gives you a close look at a major piece of local scenery; the gondola lifts you above the forest for a broad view of the hills.

I like the contrast between the two stops, and the chance to see the dam’s water release from the bus route, where a rainbow may appear on a clear day. I also like that the gondola takes about 15 minutes each way, long enough to make the ride itself part of the outing rather than just transport.

The main catch is that autumn color and weather are not guaranteed. Foliage may be past its best, and fog or rain can hide the view. You’ll also need to plan around limited shuttle departures and exchange your voucher at the ski resort before visiting the dam.

Key points before you go

• One set ticket covers two round trips: the Hoheikyo electric bus and Sapporo Kokusai’s autumn gondola.
• The gondola ride lasts about 15 minutes each way, with an aerial view of the forest around the ski resort.
• You must exchange your voucher at Sapporo Kokusai first, even if you plan to visit the dam before the gondola.
• The season runs from early to late October, but the exact timing of peak color can vary.
• Public and local shuttle schedules shape the day: check current departure times before setting out.
• The listed price starts at $21.35, a reasonable rate if you use both included attractions.

Two autumn views, one Jozankei outing

This ticket links two of Jozankei’s best-known autumn viewing spots. At Hoheikyo Dam, the electric bus carries you toward the dam area, where the surrounding hills and water make the trip feel different from a standard lookout stop. At Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, the gondola takes you above the trees for a wider view of the fall color.

The appeal is the change in perspective. The bus brings you into the dam area, while the gondola gives you a higher view across the slopes. If you have limited time in Jozankei and want to visit both places, the combined ticket keeps the admissions simple.

This is not a guided tour with a set commentary or a single vehicle taking you from one attraction to the next. You arrange your own trip to Jozankei, transfer between the local shuttle stops, and use the separate rides included in the package. That independence can be a plus if you like setting your own pace, but it makes transport planning part of the day.

Hoheikyo Dam by electric bus

The electric bus takes you between the Hoheikyo Dam parking area and the dam attraction. The listed ride is a practical way to reach the dam, and its route offers views of the area along the way. On a clear day, a rainbow may appear when water is released from the dam. Treat that as a possible bonus, not a promise: weather and operating conditions affect what you’ll see.

The dam adds variety to an autumn outing focused on foliage. You’re not just looking at trees from above; you also get a stop centered on the dam itself. The bus round trip is included, so you don’t need to buy a separate ticket for that ride when using this set package.

The Hoheikyo bus operates from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last bus going uphill is at 3:30 p.m., and the last downhill bus is at 4 p.m. Those times matter. If you arrive late, you may have little time at the dam, or you could miss the final return ride.

Sapporo Kokusai’s gondola above the trees

At Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, the Koyo Gondola carries you above the autumn forest. The uphill ride takes about 15 minutes, with a similar ride back down. From the gondola, you get a view of the foliage spread across the surrounding slopes, rather than the closer, ground-level perspective at the dam.

The gondola is the centerpiece for anyone coming mainly to see fall color. Its height and ride time give you a chance to take in the hills from above. But a high viewpoint depends on visibility. Fog can reduce the view to very little, and rain can make the ride less appealing. One visitor’s rainy-day trip in October 2024 brought thick fog and no clear view from the gondola. The ticket still felt like decent value to them, but the weather plainly changed the day.

The autumn gondola runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The last uphill ride is at 3 p.m. Do not mistake the closing time for the final time to board uphill. If the gondola is your priority, aim to arrive well before that last ascent.

Plan the route around the voucher exchange

The most important logistical detail is easy to miss: you need to go to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort first to exchange your mobile voucher for two tickets, one for the gondola and one for the Hoheikyo electric bus. The exchange desk is at the gondola ticket office, listed as open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

That requirement affects the order of your day. Even if you want to visit Hoheikyo first, you still need to get to the ski resort to collect the tickets before using the package. A visitor once had to wait while staff checked a reservation that did not appear in their records. The issue was resolved, but it’s sensible to keep your voucher ready and allow a little extra time for the exchange.

The stated meeting point is Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, at 937 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo. The Hoheikyo Dam address is 840 Jozankei, Minami-ku. For local shuttle transfers, use the Jozankei Tourist Information Center at 3-222 Jozankeionsenhigashi.

Getting from Sapporo to the shuttle stops

From JR Sapporo Station, take a Jotetsu Bus on the Jozankei Line or the Kappa Liner, boarding near the station’s South Exit. You can also take a Jotetsu Bus from Makomanai Subway Station. For either route, get off at Jozankei Jinja-mae, then walk about 30 seconds to the Jozankei Tourist Information Center.

From there, transfer to a local shuttle for Sapporo Kokusai or Hoheikyo Dam. These shuttles are separate from the included attraction tickets, and the package does not include transport to Jozankei Shrine, from the shrine to the electric bus, or from the shrine to the ski resort. In other words, the set ticket covers the two attraction rides, not the full journey from Sapporo.

The timetable supplied for the local shuttles is based on the previous season, so confirm current times before travel. The listed departures to Sapporo Kokusai are 9:10 a.m., 11:35 a.m., and 2 p.m., with a trip of about 30 minutes. Departures back from the resort are listed at 10:55 a.m., 1:20 p.m., and 3:45 p.m.

For Hoheikyo Dam, listed shuttle departures from the information center are 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m., then 12:40 and 1:50 p.m. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Return departures from the dam parking lot are listed at 10:50 a.m., 12:10, 1:20, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Those gaps can define your visit more than the attraction hours do. Check the latest timetable and leave room for transfers.

Is the set ticket good value?

At a starting price of $21.35, the package is appealing if you plan to ride both the Hoheikyo bus and the Sapporo Kokusai gondola. It combines two round-trip attraction tickets, which saves you from sorting out two separate admissions. That convenience is useful in a place where transport between stops needs its own planning.

The value drops if weather or foliage conditions make one stop less worthwhile. In October 2024, heavy rain and fog obscured the gondola view for one visitor, who still considered the price fair. In October 2025, another visitor missed the red maples they had hoped to see but still found the package convenient. These are good reminders that the ticket buys access to the rides, not a guarantee of peak color or clear skies.

There are only three ratings available for the package, all five stars, so the score is too small a sample to treat as a firm measure of what every outing will be like. The practical picture is clearer: the package can be a good deal and makes the two attraction tickets easy to handle, but timing and weather remain decisive.

Choosing your date and pace

The operating period is early October to late October. That is a short window, and the best color can shift from year to year. A date within the season means the rides are scheduled to operate, not that every hillside will be at peak color. If the leaves are your main reason for going, keep your expectations flexible.

The day can feel rushed if you try to fit in both stops without checking the shuttle schedule. The trip to Sapporo Kokusai takes about 30 minutes from the tourist information center, while the Hoheikyo shuttle takes about 15 minutes. Add your journey from Sapporo, the voucher exchange, waiting time, and the two rides. The attraction ticket itself does not solve the connections between them.

Consider which stop matters most to you. If the gondola is the priority, get to the resort in time for an uphill ride before 3 p.m. If you’re more interested in the dam, keep an eye on the last uphill and downhill bus times. Building your plan around the return transport is more useful than trying to squeeze in every possible departure.

Booking, weather, and family details

Book at least two days before your intended visit, by 4 p.m. The voucher is valid only on the date you select, so you can’t simply use it on another day if the weather changes. If extreme weather forces cancellation, Klook will send notice and issue a full refund. The stated notification timing depends on when the cancellation is made: by 12:59 p.m. the day before, or on the activity day if it is decided after 1 p.m. the day before.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 72 hours before the activity date, using local destination time. Changes are also allowed up to 72 hours before the activity, with some exceptions for bookings made through certain passes, presales, freebies, or specified cultural payment programs. Check your booking terms before relying on a change.

Children aged five and under can enter free. The adult rate applies from age 13, and the child rate is for ages six to 12. One adult may accompany up to two children under six. The ticket information does not provide a group size or a guide, so treat this as a set of independent rides and shuttle transfers rather than a hosted group excursion.

Who should book this outing?

I’d consider this ticket if you want two distinct views of Jozankei’s autumn scenery and are comfortable arranging your own bus connections. It suits visitors who can work with a timetable, want a gondola ride as well as a dam visit, and are happy to treat fall color as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

I’d hesitate if you have only a narrow time window, dislike coordinating multiple transfers, or would be disappointed by a foggy gondola ride. The package is strongest when you can give the day enough breathing room and when the weather cooperates.

If that sounds like your kind of outing, the combination is a sensible way to pair Hoheikyo Dam with Sapporo Kokusai’s autumn gondola. Confirm the latest shuttle schedule, exchange your voucher at the ski resort first, and plan around the final uphill departures. Those small steps give you the best chance of enjoying both stops without turning a scenic day into a race against the clock.

FAQ

What does the set ticket include?

It includes one round-trip Hoheikyo electric bus ticket and one round-trip Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort Koyo Gondola ticket.

Where do I exchange the mobile voucher?

Exchange it at the gondola ticket office at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort. You’ll receive two tickets, one for the gondola and one for the Hoheikyo Dam electric bus.

Do I need to visit Sapporo Kokusai first?

Yes. The voucher exchange takes place at the ski resort, so you need to go there first to collect both tickets.

How long is the gondola ride?

The ride takes about 15 minutes one way.

When does the autumn foliage service operate?

The operating period is from early October to late October. The exact timing of autumn color can vary.

What are the gondola’s operating hours?

The autumn leaves gondola operates from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The last uphill gondola is at 3 p.m.

What are the Hoheikyo electric bus hours?

The electric bus operates from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last uphill bus is at 3:30 p.m., and the last downhill bus is at 4 p.m.

Is transport from Sapporo included?

No. The package includes the Hoheikyo electric bus and the gondola, but not transport to Jozankei Shrine or between the shrine and either attraction.

Can children use the ticket?

Children aged five and under can enter free. Ages six to 12 are classed as children, and ages 13 and older are classed as adults. One adult may accompany up to two children under six.