Usui Pass, Mountain pass between Nagano and Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Usui Pass is a mountain crossing between Nagano and Gunma prefectures that sits at an elevation of 956 meters (3136 feet) and links the resort area of Karuizawa with the Kanto plain. The road winds through forested slopes with curves that define the character of the route and open views across the surrounding landscape.
The crossing was part of the ancient Tosando road system that carried travelers between regions for centuries. It appears in the Nihon Shoki chronicles in connection with the legend of Yamato Takeru, who traversed the area on a mythical journey.
The Kumano Kotai Shrine near the summit consists of three buildings that span the prefectural boundary, marking the point where two administrative regions meet. Visitors can walk among the structures and symbolically cross the invisible line between Nagano and Gunma as they explore.
From April through November, a red retro bus runs hourly from several points in Karuizawa to the observation platform. The road remains accessible to pedestrians and cyclists outside these months, though visitors should bring warmer clothing during cooler weather.
The road counts 180 tight hairpin bends along its route, making it popular with cyclists who seek technical challenges. On weekends, groups of cyclists can be seen tackling the curves section by section.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
