HAKONE, Kanagawa -- The Hakone Ropeway resumed operations along its full 4-kilometer length from Togendai to Sounzan stations on Saturday, after service had been suspended due to a volcanic activity warning for Mt. Hakone.
Even so, there were fewer ropeway users than usual, as Hakone Tozan Railway, which is connected to the ropeway, has been suspended due to Typhoon No. 19, according to the operating company.
All the sections of the ropeway halted operations on May 19 in line with a volcanic activity warning issued around the crater. As the volcanic activity subsided and entry restrictions were relaxed, the ropeway service was resumed on Sept. 21 between Togendai and Ubako stations, a distance of about 1.3 kilometers.
On Saturday, the portion of the route between Ubako and Sounzan stations, stretching about 2.7 kilometers, restarted. When a cable car passed over Owakudani, an area where volcano-heated springs send up plumes of vapor, passengers said, "Wonderful!"
Due to the influence of Typhoon No. 19, however, a decision on whether to open the Owakudani area to the public on the ground has been postponed. Passengers who were not allowed to go outside the Owakudani station building took pictures of the vapors from inside.
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