Japan Alps Highway — Matsumoto to Takayama via AboPass.
Distance
140 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
2,200 m
Japan Alps Highway — Matsumoto to Takayama via Abo Pass.
A two-day crossing of the Northern Japan Alps on National Route 158, linking the castle town of Matsumoto with the Edo merchant streets of Takayama. The road climbs the Azusa valley past the Kamikochi gateway, tunnels beneath the spine of the Alps at Abo Pass, and drops into the Okuhida hot-spring country of Hida. Soak at Hirayu Onsen overnight, then descend to Takayama and Hida beef. A classic alpine touring traverse.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance140 km
Days2
Total climb2,200 m
DifficultyModerate
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 6 waypoints to discover along the way.
Matsumoto CastleStart · Start at Japan's oldest five-tier wooden keep, the black 'Crow Castle'. Fuel up and head west up the Azusa River valley on Route 158.
Sawando — Kamikochi GateScenic Point · The gateway to Kamikochi and the Northern Alps. Private vehicles stop here for Kamikochi, but Route 158 continues west toward the pass. Last easy services before the climb.
Abo Pass / Abo Tunnel (1,790m)Mountain Pass · The crossing of the Northern Alps between Nagano and Gifu. The 4.5km Abo Tunnel bypasses the old pass; the original Abo-toge road sits above at 1,790m. Cool mountain air and Alps walls all around.
Hirayu OnsenOvernight · Overnight in the Okuhida hot-spring village of Hirayu at 1,250m. Open-air rotenburo baths, ryokan, and the hub of the Okuhida onsen district. Soak off the pass.
ShinhotakaScenic Point · Optional morning detour up the dead-end Kamata valley to the Shinhotaka Ropeway, with double-decker cars rising to a deck under the 3,000m Hotaka peaks. Return to Hirayu, then head west.
TakayamaEnd · End in Takayama's preserved Edo merchant old town. Sake breweries, morning markets, and Hida beef. A perfect alpine-traverse finish.
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