winding road

・The R18 old road, Usui Pass, has 184 corners over a distance of approximately 11km.
You can turn the steering wheel until you get tired of it.
You can also drive around and enjoy some sightseeing spots, such as Lake Usui and Megane Bridge.

・The R18 bypass is officially Iriyama Pass, but compared to the old road Usui Pass, there are fewer corners at around 40, but you can enjoy the large right and left corners and the deep curves. Masu. The road is wide, and there are long sections with two lanes uphill.
What is surprising is the gradient, which is smaller on the old road, and trucks carrying heavy loads may choose the narrow old road.
Additionally, both Usui Pass and Iriyama Pass are prone to fog, so you need to be careful.

・Wami Pass between Shimonita and Shimonita is characterized by a course that curves up and down.
It was developed when the expressway was constructed, and is now easier to drive than before, but it is narrower.

・If you want to climb the Hokkaido train, the 146 is more interesting to drive than the Shiraito Highway.
There are many sightseeing spots along the Shiraito Highway, such as Old Karuizawa, Mikasa Hotel, and Shiraito Falls.
146 can be congested in the evening with cars and motorcycles getting off the Hokkaido light train.

・From the teahouse on the pass, on a clear day, you will probably see the Onioshi Highway.
Although this is a toll road with few corners, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Asama.

Karuizawa and motorsports

Did you know that Japan's first race was ``Asama Volcano Race''?
That was in 1955. It was held with the cooperation of Kasuke Hoshino III and others. We were unable to obtain permission in Nagano Prefecture, so we ended up in Kita Karuizawa.
Some of the pension owners in Karuizawa are living witnesses to this incident.
Currently, Giro de Karuizawa and Asama Hill Climb and other motor sports events are held here.
Karuizawa has many motorsports fans, whether it's motorcycles or cars.