Kenashi Pass, Mountain pass between Nagano and Gunma Prefectures, Japan

Kenashi Pass is a mountain pass at 1,823 m on the boundary between Takayama in Nagano Prefecture and Tsumagoi in Gunma Prefecture, at the end of the closed section of Prefectural Route 112. The bare, pale gravel and loose stone of the pass give way to shrub-covered slopes, and six dark metal towers of an old cableway line stand in a row along the ridge.

The pass has long served as a route connecting the Nagano and Gunma regions across the mountains. An old unpaved section once led to the former Ogushi sulfur mining area, reflecting the pass's historical role in regional trade and resource extraction.

The name Kenashi means 'bare' in Japanese, referring to the treeless nature of the surrounding landscape. This open terrain shapes the visual character of the pass and creates an unusual mountain crossing experience.

Drivers need good road skills to handle the narrow roads and blind curves throughout the route. Safety mirrors at key turning points help with navigation, and driving during daylight hours is advisable for better visibility.

The six dark metal towers on the ridge are not power lines but the remains of a ropeway (cableway) that carried sulfur products and supplies from the Ogushi mine, which operated until 1971. The desolate line of towers has appeared in music videos, including LiSA's "oath sign" (2011) and back number's "Velvet no Uta" (2022).