What is the highest paved road in Japan?
Japan, asia
14.4 km
10 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising through Nagano Prefecture in the heart of Japan? You HAVE to experience the Norikura Skyline! This paved road is a total showstopper, offering views that are out of this world.
Perched on the edge of the Northern Japan Alps, this road climbs to a whopping 2,700m (8,858ft) up Mount Norikura, a massive volcano. Fun fact: it's the highest public road in the whole country! You can't quite reach the summit by car – that's for hikers only.
Heads up: this is a seasonal road! It's usually buried under tons of snow for more than half the year. Seriously, we're talking snow walls over 10 meters high! You can usually drive it from May 15th to October 31st, but double-check the times as they change. Also, private cars are restricted above 1,800m – hop on a bus, taxi, or bike to go higher.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! Since opening in 1973, this road has become a classic. The views of Yarigatake and the Hodaka Mountain Range are incredible, and the Northern Alps will blow your mind. Once you get to the top at Tatamihira, stretch your legs and wander around. You’ll be surrounded by alpine plants, cute Pinus pumila trees, and tons of cool birds.
Okay, details: the Norikura Skyline is 14.4 km (8.94 miles) of pure driving bliss. It’s a toll road that winds its way up to the highest point accessible by road in Japan. Be prepared for some steep sections – we're talking gradients up to 12%! And keep an eye out for the 10 tunnels along the way. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Japan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 14.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 10 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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