Where is Kenashi Pass?
Japan, asia
3 km
1,910 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Gunma-Nagano Prefectural Road 112, right on the border of Gunma and Nagano prefectures in Japan, heading toward Kenashi Pass. This baby tops out at 1,910m (6,266ft), so you know the views are gonna be epic.
"Kenashi" literally means "no hair," because no tall trees grow in this high-altitude location, which also means panoramic views! The road itself? Paved, but seriously narrow. We're talking hairpin bends galore and blind corners that'll keep you on your toes. Make sure to use those handy mirrors on the turns! Because this area is east of Nagano and a gateway to spots like Mt. Hafu and Mt. Omeshi, expect a mix of drivers – not all of them experts on mountain roads.
The climb is pretty consistent, averaging around 8%, but those turns can kick it up to 10%. You'll definitely feel it, with grades hovering around 7% and the occasional burst to 10-11%. The summit has a parking lot and some old transmission towers, but the adventure doesn't have to stop there. You can continue another 3km to the Ogushi sulfur mine ruins, though that last stretch is unpaved and closed to vehicles.
Road Details
- Country
- Japan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,910 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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