Yokoyama Viewpoint - Most stunning view of the Ago Bay

Firstly

Yokoyama Viewoint is a observation deck locate on the mount Yokoyama (horizontal mountain) which offer a spectacular scenic view of the Ago Bay and the Shima Peninsula. As the most famous touristic spot of the area, it is oftenly featured in brochures and guides, such as the Green Michelin Guide.

Features of the Viewpoint

An observation deck in the forest

Yokoyama Observatory

Near the mountain top of Yokoyama, five wooden decks give their own panorama of the Ise-shima national park. You can easily enjoy a walk between the closest one, or be bold enough to reach them all.
All of the angles as a whole have been awarded one star by the Michelin Green Guide Japon.

Tenku Cafe Terrace (XNUMXm)

Sky Cafe Terrace - Yokoyama Observatory

The main part of the Viewpoint is called Yokoyama Tenku Café Terrace, located 140 meters high. The wooden deck stretching over the Ise-shima National park let you feel like inside the forest with a refreshing breeze. From there, the whole of the Ago Bay is in front of you, from its capes, its islands, to its pearl rafts for the most well-sighted eyes.

At the top of the main deck of Tenku Cafe Terrace, a café administrated by the Shima Mediterranean Village called "Cafe Mirador" serves drinks and snacks using local ingredients (Wi- fi available).

Yokoyama Observatory Cafe “Mirador Shima”

Komorebi Terrace (XNUMXm)

Komorehi Terrace - Yokoyama Observation Deck

Located a few steps away from the main Tenku Café Terrace, the Komorebi Terrace gives a seated view in the shadow of the surrounding forest. We highly recommend sipping a drink from the Cafe Mirrador here to appreciate both fully !

Soyokaze Terrace (168m)

Breeze Terrace - Yokoyama Observation Deck

At a 170 meters high, a more comfortable bench lets you enjoy the view on the Ago Bay with gentle constant breeze, as its name implies (from japanese: fresh wind terrace).

Miharashi Viewpoint (180m)

Miharashi Observatory - Yokoyama Observatory

Highest point of the Yokoyama Viewpoint trail, the Miharashi Viewpoint gives a XNUMX view on the Ise-Shima National Park, from the Ise shrine forest, Mount Asama, the Izonoura Bay, the Matoya Bay, up to the Shima Peninsula and the Ago Bay. A must- see we highly recommend for its rewarding stunning view.

Ago Bay Viewpoint (177m)

Ago Bay Observatory - Yokoyama Observatory

The Ago Bay Viewpoint gives a perfect view of the Ago Bay, as its names implies. A panel provides information about the formation of this geolical feature, and a bit of history about the region. Ideal to get a better picture of the Kashikojima Island !

Recommendations

A four season show

Visiting the Yokoyama Viewpoint is an experience that changes as nature does. In Spring, the Cherry blossom catches hearts; in Summer, the a cold ice with a fresh breeze will make you forget the heat; in Autumn, the red leaved of the surrounding maple trees give the view a unique taint; in Winter, the low humidity and abscence of clouds let see far away, maybe far enought to let you see Mount Fuji in the rising sun.

Accessibility

The first two observations deck "Tenku Cafe Terrace" and "Komebi Terrace" are wheelchair accesible using the wooden ramp from the highest parking, where a wheelchair accessible toilets are also available.

How to get to Yokoyama Viewpoint ?

How to get to Yokoyama Viewpoint ?

Access by car

By car

It takes about 25 minutes by car from the Shiroki IC of the Daini Ise road. Coming with your own car can be very convinient, but look for parkings capacities and busy hours.

Renting a car

Rental cars are available at Kintetsu Ugata station at Orix rent-a- car.
From there it is only a 10 minute ride to the Yokoyama Viewpoint.

Parking Lot

If you go up the slope next to the Yokoyama Visitor Center at the foot of the mountain for about a minute, you will find yourself near the observation deck.P2 Observation Deck Parking Lot(28 units) available. If the car is fullP1・Sozo-no-Mori Yokoyama Parking LotPlease use the 83 parking spaces.

*Tourist busesP1・Sozo-no-Mori Yokoyama Parking Lotplease use.

Get there on a taxi !

Riding a cab from the closest taxi stand Kintetsu Ugata station, it takes only XNUMX minutes to get to the highest parking.

About Yokoyama View Taxi

Yokoyama View Taxi

During weekdays, and only if you came by Kintestu train, you can ask for a reduction coupon to change the ride price from 2023 jpy to 500 jpy only at the Shima City Tourist Information Center (located inside the station XNUMXF). For more information click below !

How to get to the observatory by electric bicycles!

Make 90% of the trip on an electric bike ! Feel the wind while climbing effortlessly your way to the Yokoyama Visitor Center. From there, grab a drink and walk the 400 meter long well- maintained stone staircase to the highest parking. Along the way, fun quizzes and encounters will challenge your motivation ! Making your way to the top yourself will definitely let you feel your drink at the Cafe Mirrador and the view way more rewarding ! On the way back, wind down in nature as you wouldn't feel it in a car. The view when climbing up and down is also unique and has Cherry trees so don't fortget to take pictures on the way !

Bikes and other two-wheeled vehicules cannot access the highest parking as it is sloping.

Events & News

News

Wooden ramp renovation

From September 2023 and until January 9, the wooden ramp will be under renovation (making the main site unaccessible to wheelchair during the renovation period).
As the slope is not available, the only other access to the Yokoyama Viewpoint decks are a 79 stone stairs.
Visit with care.

Events

Way of reading

freeヨコヤマテンボウダイ よこやまてんぼうだい
Romanized JapaneseYokoyama tenboudai
EnglishYokoyama View Point

To conclude,

Yokoyama Viewpoint is a charming touristic spot where you can enjoy a panorama of the Ise-shima National Park. Whether the season or way you're coming, you're sure to spend a wonderful time surrounded by nature here in Shima City !

Useful links

Information

Address
517-0501 Agocho Ugata, Shima, Mie 875-20
Phone
0599-44-0567 (Yokoyama Visitor Center)
FAX
0599-46-0701
Opening hours
Accessible anytime but no lighting on any of the decks, so act with much care after dark.
Time taken
30 minutes
WEB SITE
http://chubu.env.go.jp/nature/yokoyama/
Closing days
During very bad weather
Parking Lot
yes: 28 parking spaces
Access
Public transportation: - Get off at Kintetsu Ugata Station and take a cab for about 8 minutes. Arrive at Yokoyama Observation Deck.
- Take a bus and get off at Yokoyama Trailhead. Walk about 45 minutes (2.2 km).
- Take the Kintetsu Line to "Shima-Yokoyama Station" (only local trains stop there) and walk about 45 minutes (2.2 km).
By car: Approximately 167 minutes from the Shiroki IC of the Daini-Ise Road via Route 25.
Remarks
There are three parking lots in the vicinity of the Yokoyama Observatory. The parking lot immediately adjacent to the observatory has space for 28 cars, but fills up quickly on weekends and holidays. The parking lots past the Yokoyama Visitor Center have capacity for 36 and 21 cars, respectively. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the observation deck. *Large- and medium-sized buses and motorcycles (including bicycles) are not allowed in the Yokoyama Observation Deck upper parking lot. Please use the Yokoyama Visitor Center parking lot and the Forest of Creation Yokoyama parking lot below the walking trail.
Other spots

Nearby spots

Enjoy Shima