讀後心得

The Mirekurayama Observatory is located in Kitakyushu, Japan, and is one of the "Three Great Night Views of New Japan," featuring a spectacular scenery rated as a "billion-dollar night view." Visitors can take the longest cable car in Kyushu to enjoy the beautiful views along the way or choose to hike up the mountain via the trails. The observatory is about a ten-minute drive from JR Yahata Station and offers a free shuttle bus on holidays, with a restaurant for dinner at the summit. The operating hours from April to October are from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, allowing guests to enjoy the romantic views under the night sky, and if lucky, they might even see fireworks.

Going to the Sarakura Mountain Observation Deck in Kitakyushu, Japan, is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy nighttime views, as it has been selected as one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan." Not only can you take the longest cable car in Kyushu to appreciate the brilliant night scenery, but there are also romantic dinner options available. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the value of the night view here has been certified to reach an impressive 'ten billion dollars.'

The Sarakura Mountain Observation Deck is quite close to JR Yahatanishi Station, with free shuttle buses available on weekdays and holidays, reaching the observation deck every ten minutes. If you are departing from Kokura, there is also a free shuttle service on weekends and public holidays, which takes about ten minutes. It is recommended to check the official website for the timetable. Additionally, if you want a personal experience, there is also a hiking trail available for those who prefer to hike to the summit.

Even though it was not my first visit, the weather this time was particularly good, and the distant fireworks display added a romantic touch to the trip, coinciding with the "Moon of Sarakura Mountain," which was truly exhilarating.

The cable car ticket price is set at 1,230 yen for adults and 620 yen for children. The observation deck at the summit is free to enter. The cable car operates from April to October from 10:00 to 22:00 (the last ascent is at 21:20), and from November to March from 10:00 to 20:00 (the last ascent is at 19:20). The entire cable car route is the longest in Kyushu, with a length of 1.1 kilometers, directly reaching the summit at an elevation of 622 meters, offering a spectacular panorama of Kitakyushu.

Although there are some steep slopes during the cable car ride, the speed is not very fast, yet it is quite thrilling. The cable car journey from the mountain base station to the mountain top station is 1,100 meters, with an elevation gain of 440 meters. While riding, you can enjoy the magnificent ten billion dollar night view through the large transparent windows.

While waiting for the transfer to the monorail, you can already enjoy the spectacular night views. Therefore, whether it's summer or other seasons, it's advisable for everyone to bring a light jacket, as it can be quite chilly due to the strong winds on the mountain.

If you are lucky, you might also have the chance to enjoy a romantic fireworks display. To make the most of your visit, you need to transfer once for the ascent and once for the descent, with the total journey time being about ten minutes, although you may have to wait a bit during transfers.

In April 2023, a new restaurant was added to the Sarakura Mountain Observation Deck, where you can enjoy the night view while dining, and there are performances by invited singers or artists in the evening.

This restaurant, named "Tengoku Restaurant," offers delicious food such as baked curry, light meals, and desserts, and you can also order special dishes like grilled meat and pasta, making it a perfect dining choice.

While enjoying your meal, you can also admire the beautiful night view surrounding you at 180 degrees, a unique feeling of happiness.

The overall quality of the meals is average, but combined with the beautiful scenery, it allows you to experience a unique sense of happiness.

At the observation deck, you can appreciate an impressive view of about 200 degrees. The weather today is quite nice, with not only beautiful night views but also the Sarakura Mountain's Moon being selected as one of "Japan's One Hundred Chosen Moons."

On the way back, riding the cable car while overlooking the night view is an unforgettable experience. If you arrive in the early evening, you may be lucky enough to enjoy both the sunset and the night view simultaneously.

Observation Deck Address: 1481-1 Oikura, Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu City
Phone: 093-671-4761

Cable Car Operating Hours:
April to October 10:00 to 22:00 (last ascent at 21:20)
November to March 10:00 to 20:00 (last ascent at 19:20)