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Mt. Tsukuba and Mt. Hōkyō Sunrise and First Sunrise Times and First Sunrise Spots

Mt. Tsukuba First Sunrise Time: 6:44

Mount Tsukuba Cable Car and Ropeway First Departure AM 4:30


Mount Tsukuba Sunrise, Sunset, and Transit Time Search System

Search system screen for first sunrise locations and times in Tsukuba City, including Mount Tsukuba and Mount Hokyo

《Displaying Sunrise, Sunset, and Transit Times Based on Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude》

The sunrise, sunset, and transit altitude time search system displays the "Sunrise Time", "Sunset Time", "Transit Time", and "Altitude" for that location when you specify any point on the map within Tsukuba City and the target date. Clicking the search system image above will display the search screen.

The image above is an example showing Mount Nyotai summit of Mount Tsukuba, where Mount Nyotai's sunrise time on January 1st is 6:44.
Note that although calculated based on latitude, longitude, and altitude, it may be slightly delayed in inland or mountainous areas due to obstacles such as buildings and forests.
※The altitude displayed in the search system uses elevation data from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan's GSI Maps. It may slightly differ from the triangulation point elevation shown on the map.


List of Recommended First Sunrise Spots on Mount Tsukuba

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There are 8 sunrise spots in Tsukuba City, including Mount Hokyo in the Tsukuba mountain range. Some are not photos of the sunrise, but the approximate center of the photo indicates the sunrise position, a location where the first sunrise can be seen on the horizon. The sunrise on New Year's Day is at an angle of approximately 28 degrees from due east to southeast. You can confirm the sunrise position in a VR scene by clicking on the photo. Additionally, you can also view night view VR scenes from Mount Nantai summit, Koma Observatory night view, Mount Nyotai summit, and Observation Deck 298. You can find Tsukuba City's New Year's shrine visit and worship spots in the Tsukuba City Shrine Guide.

Click the thumbnail photos below to view explanations of the first sunrise, maps, and VR tours.

Mt. Tsukuba Annual Sunrise / First Sunrise Spot VR Tour Map

The Tsukuba City / Mt. Tsukuba First Sunrise Spot VR Tour Map allows you to check the registered locations of all first sunrise spots within Tsukuba City. Clicking on the red-orange (wide-area starting point), blue (aerial), and yellow (ground) points on the map below will display the name of the VR scene point. Clicking on that scene display will allow you to view the VR scene of that location.


Summit of Mt. Nyotai: Famous Spot for First Sunrise at Mt. Tsukuba

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Landscape photo of Mt. Tsukuba / Mt. Nyotai's first sunrise and VR tour link

At Mt. Tsukuba, both the cable car and ropeway operate "first sunrise early morning services" every New Year's Day. In 2025, the first cable car and ropeway services on New Year's Day will start at "4:30 AM". After that, until the peak of the first sunrise is over, they will operate at 10-20 minute intervals, including special services, and will return to the regular schedule (20-minute intervals) after the peak. The photo shows the sunrise landscape on New Year's Day.
The summit of Mt. Nyotai in Tsukuba is a small, rocky area, and it is dangerous during the New Year, so there are entry restrictions near the cliff at the summit, limiting it to about half the usual area. A fence is installed to the east from the summit's reference point, and the area east of the fence is off-limits. Therefore, only about 30 people can witness the moment of sunrise from the horizon. Since there are many hikers, securing a spot can be difficult. If you plan to use the ropeway, we recommend viewing the first sunrise from the observation deck at Nyotaisan Station.

First Sunrise Time 06:44
For sunrise times on days other than New Year's Day, please check the "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".
Location: 〒300-4532 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture


Map of Mt. Tsukuba / Mt. Nyotai


First Sunrise from Sky deck 2983 (Sky Deck) at Mt. Tsukuba's Nyotai-san Station

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Scenic photo of the first sunrise from Sky Deck at Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station and VR tour link

Sky deck 2983 is located below the south side of Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station. The Sky Deck is at an **altitude of 826 meters**, and it takes about 10 minutes to reach **Mt. Nyotai-san's summit (877 meters)**.
Upon arrival at Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station, you will descend a staircase to reach the Sky Deck. You can view the **first sunrise (at 6:44)** from the **eastern and southern sections of the Sky Deck, approximately 50 meters long**.
Mt. Tsukuba's first sunrise is a renowned spot for viewing the first sunrise in Kanto, as it is one of the earliest places to see the sunrise in the Kanto region, excluding Tokyo's remote islands, attracting many visitors annually to witness the first sunrise.
The **first ropeway service on New Year's Day 2025 is at 4:30**. However, if you wish to see the sunrise from Mt. Nyotai-san's summit or the first sunrise rising from the horizon at the Sky Deck, you need to line up early. It is also recommended to go early due to potential traffic jams on Tsukuba Skyline and crowded parking lots. Click on the photo to confirm the direction of the first sunrise in a VR scene.

Location〒300-4352 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Contact Phone: Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway Sanroku Station (Base Station) · Phone: 029-866-0945


Congestion Status of Sky Deck at Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station during the First Sunrise

Photo of congestion status on the Sky Deck at Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station

This is a photo showing the congestion status of the Sky Deck at Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station around 5:30 AM on New Year's Day.
First, approximately 50 people can ride the ropeway. The first service is at 4:30 AM, taking about 6 minutes to Nyotai-san Station, and services run every 10 minutes until sunrise on New Year's Day. On the Sky Deck, the first sunrise can be seen from the area near the eastern restaurant entrance to the south-central part, a section of about 30 meters, where approximately 60 to 100 people can witness the moment the sun rises from the horizon. Therefore, if you want to take photos of the first sunrise from the horizon, you need to take the ropeway by the 3rd service from the start, or around 5 AM, and secure a spot. You either set up a tripod and secure a space for one person, or sit and wait in that spot. However, at an altitude of 826 meters, the temperature is close to freezing, so **winter clothing, thermal gloves, ear muffs, and heat packs** are essential items. Please note that you can also partially view the first sunrise through the glass from inside the restaurant.


First Sunrise Observation Space on the West Side of Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station

Scenic photo of the first sunrise direction from the observation space on the west side of Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway's Nyotai-san Station and VR tour link

After getting off the ropeway, you first exit onto the Sky Deck. To reach the summit of Mt. Nyotai-san, you ascend the stairs on the west side of the Sky Deck. At the top of the stairs, there is the ticket gate for the descending ropeway, and the observation space on the west side of Nyotai-san Station is to its south. The view from here is better than from the observation deck, but due to space limitations, it is estimated that only about 10 people can see the sunrise from the horizon. The first sunrise can be seen near the center of the photo. The observation deck is visible below, and the ropeway arrival point and the stairs leading down are visible on the left. *Click on the photo to view the VR scene.


Map of Sky deck 2983 (Sky Deck 2983)


Mount Tsukuba Koma Observation Deck: A famous spot for the first sunrise of the year on Mount Tsukuba

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Scenic photo near Tsukuba-san Koma Observation Deck and VR tour link

When you exit Mount Tsukuba Cable Car Summit Station, you will find the Mount Tsukuba Koma Observation Deck on your right. The 1st floor is a souvenir shop, the 2nd floor is an observation restaurant, and the 3rd floor is a rooftop observation deck, from which you can view the first sunrise. Admission is usually free, but during sunrise hours, it is paid and limited to the first 50 people. Opening hours are the same as the Mount Tsukuba Cable Car operating hours. Please note that from the Miyukigahara Plaza, trees outside the fence obstruct the view of the sunrise from the horizon. The 1st floor of the Mount Tsukuba Koma Observation Deck has a walkway that circles around, allowing dozens of people to view the sunrise, but there are multiple power lines, making it unsuitable for photography.

First Sunrise Time6:44 For sunrise times other than New Year's Day, please check "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".

Location〒300-4352 Miyukigahara, Tsukuba 1, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Contact Phone: Mount Tsukuba Koma Observation Deck Phone: 029-866-1574


Map of the area around Mount Tsukuba Koma Observation Deck


Nantai-san Main Hall Observation Deck: A famous sunrise spot on Mount Tsukuba

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Scenic photo from the observation deck of Mount Tsukuba / Nantai-san Main Hall and VR tour link

You can view the first sunrise from the observation deck of the Main Hall of Nantai-san. The photo shows the sunrise from the observation deck below the stairs where the Main Hall is located, with the stairs at your back, rising from the center left of this photo. Please note that there are coniferous trees to the north (right side) facing the Main Hall at the summit of Nantai-san, so the first sunrise can only be seen from a portion of the south side of the observation space. The observation space is on two levels and can accommodate approximately 20-30 people. Additionally, there is a scenic spot on the hiking trail just before the summit, from which you can also view the first sunrise.
*Click on the photo to view the VR scene.

First Sunrise Time6:44 For sunrise times other than New Year's Day, please check "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".

Location〒300-4352 Tsukuba 1-1, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture


Map of the area around Mount Tsukuba Nantai-san Main Hall


Hiking trail near the summit of Nantai-san: A famous sunrise spot on Mount Tsukuba

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Scenic spot near the Mount Tsukuba Nantai Peak and Mountaintop Observation Deck

This is a scenic view where you can see the first sunrise of the year from the hiking trail near the summit of Mt. Nantai. The photo is taken from the hiking trail slightly above the observation/rest area, and the sun rises from near the center of this photo. Please note that from the observation/rest area, some trees obstruct the view, so you cannot see the sunrise from the horizon.
*Click on the photo to view the VR scene.

First Sunrise Time6：44 For sunrise times other than New Year's Day, please check the "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".

Location〒300-4352 1-1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture


Map of the Area Around Mount Tsukuba Nantai


Tsutsujigaoka Plateau: Mount Tsukuba's First Sunrise Spot

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Scenic spot for the first sunrise at Tsukuba Mountain's Tsutsujigaoka Plateau

Tsukuba Mountain's Tsutsujigaoka Plateau is a recommended spot for the first sunrise. To see the first sunrise at the summit of Mt. Nyotai, you need to either hike or use the cable car or ropeway. Tsukuba Mountain's Tsutsujigaoka Plateau is located on the "Otatsuishi Course" of the Tsukuba Mountain climb.
Even if you go at the time of the first ropeway departure (4:30), it's likely that there will already be a long queue, and you might not make it in time to secure a spot for the first sunrise at the summit of Mt. Nyotai or at "Sky deck 2983" (observation deck). Furthermore, there's a possibility that you might not be able to see the first sunrise from the summit even if you go, as people start climbing early.
Therefore, if you determine that you won't make it in time, there's also the option of seeing the first sunrise at Gama Daimyojin near Tsutsujigaoka Parking Lot or at Tsutsujigaoka Plateau and then hiking to the summit, or returning to take the ropeway to visit Nyotaiyama Shrine for the first shrine visit of the year and enjoy the summit view.*Click on the photo to view the VR scene.

Tsutsujigaoka Plateau First Sunrise Time 06:45

For sunrise times other than New Year's Day, please check the "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".

Location〒300-4352 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture


Map of the Area Around Tsutsujigaoka Plateau


Gama Daimyojin: Mount Tsukuba's First Sunrise Spot

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Landscape photo of Mt. Tsukuba Gama Daimyojin's first sunrise and VR tour link

You can see the first sunrise from in front of Gama Daimyojin at Gama Land, which is directly in front of the Mt. Tsukuba Tsutsujigaoka parking lot. According to information on its official Instagram, Gama Land itself is currently undergoing maintenance. If you decide that you won't make it to the sunrise at the summit by ropeway (after 6:30 AM), we recommend watching the first sunrise at this location and then taking the ropeway to the summit.

First Sunrise Time6:45 AM For sunrise times other than New Year's Day, please check the "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".

Location〒300-4352 Tsukuba, Ibaraki


Map of the area around Mt. Tsukuba Gama Daimyojin


Hokyosan Summit: First Sunrise Spot in Tsukuba City

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First sunrise spot at Mt. Hokyo in Tsukuba City

Mt. Hokyo is a famous peak that forms part of the Tsukuba Mountains and is popular among hikers. To see the first sunrise from Mt. Hokyo, you need to hike. While there is a way to ascend from the Omote Tsukuba Skyline, it's not highly recommended due to limited parking space and a considerable walking distance.
The sunrise from the summit of Mt. Hokyo will be from the direction of Kasumigaura City and Namegata City.
The view from Mt. Hokyo on a clear winter morning is magnificent. To the southeast, you can see Lake Kasumigaura and the city area of Tsuchiura; to the south, Mt. Fuji and the Tokyo metropolitan area; to the southwest, the Tsukuba Research Academic City; and to the west, Mt. Tsukuba illuminated by the morning glow (Morgenrot), with the Nikko mountain range covered in snow to the left of Mt. Tsukuba.
*Click on the photo to view the VR scene.
Please check the Mt. Hokyo Guide VR Tour.

First Sunrise Time 06:45

For sunrise times other than New Year's Day, please check the "Tsukuba City Sunrise/Sunset Map Search".

LocationYamaguchi, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture


Map of the area around Mt. Hokyo in Tsukuba City


Related Pages for Sunrise/First Sunrise in Tsukuba City, Mt. Tsukuba, and Mt. Hokyo