Beyond the autumn foliage, snow covers the peaks of the Northern Japanese Alps. I followed Route 406 up to Shirasawa Pass Viewpoint in Hakuba, Nagano, to see the two seasons meet.
I remember passing very few cars when I used this road years ago. On this visit, people had gathered to look out across the valley. The once quiet pass has become a stop for visitors from Japan and abroad.
Watch the View from Shirasawa Pass
White Ridges Above the Autumn Foliage
The pass sits at about 1,100 meters above sea level. A small gravel pullout by the Hakuba end of Shirasawa Tunnel looks west across the valley toward the Northern Japanese Alps, in the direction of Happo Ridge and Mount Goryu.
On the day I visited, the nearer slopes still held their autumn colors, while the peaks behind them were white with snow. Looking up from the forest to the ridgeline, I could see where autumn gave way to winter.
“It’s Like Canada!”
A visitor from overseas nearby took in the mountains and said, with a note of awe.
“It’s like Canada!”
That remark stayed with me as much as the view. I remembered the days when I would pass few cars on this road. Now people from far away stop at the same pass to look out at those mountains.
Getting to Shirasawa Pass Viewpoint
From central Hakuba, drive about 15 to 20 minutes along Route 406 toward Kinasa. The viewpoint is just before Shirasawa Tunnel on the Hakuba side. If you are coming from Kinasa, look for it after you exit the tunnel.
| Location | Route 406, at the Hakuba end of Shirasawa Tunnel, Hokujo, Hakuba, Nagano |
|---|---|
| Parking | Free gravel pullout for about five cars |
| Facilities | No restrooms or shops at the viewpoint |
The pullout is small. If it is full, come back at a quieter time. For photographs of the slopes, mornings tend to offer better light because the mountains are more likely to be backlit in the afternoon.
Hakuba Village announced that the Route 406 closure for repairs was lifted at 3 p.m. on October 9, 2026. The pass road has bends and narrow stretches, and it can ice over in cold weather. Check road conditions before setting out.
Find Shirasawa Pass Viewpoint on Google Maps
