Shirabiso Kogen & Shimoguri no Sato — Iida Southern AlpsSkyline.
Distance
120 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
2,200 m
Shirabiso Kogen & Shimoguri no Sato — Iida Southern Alps Skyline.
One of the most spectacular and least-known mountain roads in central Japan. From Iida you climb narrow, lightly-trafficked forest roads to the Shirabiso plateau at over 1,800m, with a panorama that takes in the Southern, Central and Northern Alps at once. The descent threads the switchbacks of Shimoguri no Sato, a village of 38-degree terraced fields nicknamed the Japanese Tirol. Narrow and steep in sections — ride it with care.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance120 km
Days1
Total climb2,200 m
DifficultyChallenging
Loading map...
The route.
IidaStart · Southern Nagano hub and the easiest gateway to the pass. Fuel up here — there are no reliable services once you start climbing.
Shirabiso Pass (1833m)Mountain Pass · The saddle at roughly 1,833m. The northern approach is narrow with minimal traffic; the payoff is a full sweep of the Minami (Southern) Alps.
Shirabiso Kogen ViewpointScenic Point · The highland just past the pass has a lodge and a sunset viewpoint at about 1,900m — a rare spot where three Alpine ranges are visible together.
Shimoguri no SatoPhoto Spot · Descend the tight switchbacks into the Japanese Tirol: houses and fields clinging to 38-degree slopes. Soba at Hanbatei; use the Sky Village viewpoint for the classic shot.
IidaEnd · Follow the Tenryu river valley back down to Iida to finish.
More routes in Japan
Saba Kaido — Kyoto to Obama over the Mackerel RoadJP 26 · 220 kmShigisan-Ikoma Skyline — Osaka & Nara Night-View RidgeJP 29 · 50 kmMount Ibuki Driveway — Lake Biwa & the Alps PanoramaJP 25 · 55 kmMatsuhime Pass — Otsuki to Okutama over Route 139JP 19 · 65 kmNihondaira & Kunozan — Shizuoka Fuji BalconyJP 22 · 55 kmShikoku Karst — Tengu Kogen Skyline (Route 383)JP 38 · 92 km
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS