The Shiga Kogen and Kusatsu area runs from Yudanaka Shibu Onsen-kyo and Shiga Kogen in Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture, over Shibu Pass to Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. National Route 292, the Shiga-Kusatsu Road, links the two hot-spring areas by way of the highest point on any national route in Japan (2,172 m above sea level). This page sets out a one-day route from Yamanouchi Town round the Shiga Kogen ponds, over Shibu Pass and down to Yubatake in Kusatsu, and lists every road and place to stop.
Map of the Shiga Kogen and Kusatsu area
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Michi-no-Eki Kitashinshu Yamanouchi
- 2Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen
- 3Kanman Falls viewpoint
- 4Ichinuma Pond
- 5Maruike and Biwaike Ponds
- 6Hasuike Pond
- 7Kidoike Pond and Tanohara Marsh
- 8Mt. Yokote
- 9Shibu Pass (highest point of Japan's national roads)
- 10Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu Undo Chaya Koen
- 11Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake
- 12Jigokudani Monkey Park
- 13Sainokawara Park
- 14Kusatsu-Shirane (Yugama crater)
Line: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The line on the map is the route described below under "First visit: one day from Yudanaka over Shibu Pass to Kusatsu". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Hover over or tap a number to see its name.
Recommended drives
First visit: one day from Yudanaka over Shibu Pass to Kusatsu
Start at Michi-no-Eki Hokushinshu Yamanouchi and take National Route 292 to Shibu Onsen. Then go round the Shiga Kogen ponds (Mamanotaki Falls viewpoint, Ichinuma, Maruike, Hasuike and Kidoike) and climb to Yokoteyama and Shibu Pass. From Shibu Pass, drive down the Shiga-Kusatsu Road to Yubatake in Kusatsu Onsen. It is about 54 km, or about 50 minutes of driving calculated from map data. Traffic is not included, so add time for the ponds and viewpoints when you plan.
The Shiga-Kusatsu Road is due to close for the winter from 13:00 on 11 November until 10:00 on 21 April. Even before the closure, there are days when it cannot be driven because the road surface is frozen.
Jigokudani Monkey Park: a 35-minute walk from the car park
For Jigokudani Monkey Park, leave the car at the free car park at Kanbayashi Onsen and walk for 35 minutes. From Shinshu-Nakano IC to the Kanbayashi Onsen car park it is 16 km on National Route 292. Admission is ¥800 for adults, rising to ¥1,000 from 1 December. From November to March the park is open 9:00–16:00.
Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane: Yugama cannot be seen at the moment
Entry is restricted within roughly 500 m of the crater, so Yugama, the crater lake of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane, cannot be seen. The Shirane car park has also been unusable since 20 October, and no date has been set for reopening. The volcanic alert level is 1, and the Shiga-Kusatsu Road is open.
Roads you can drive
| Road | What it is | Length and toll | Hours and restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shiga-Kusatsu Road (National Route 292) | From the Tenguyama Gate in Kusatsu through Sessho, the Manza three-way junction, the highest point on a national route and Shibu Pass, to Hisaka in Shiga Kogen | Free | Winter closure from 13:00 on 11 November to 10:00 on 21 April (planned). Apart from the winter closure, open 24 hours |
| National Route 292 (Shinshu-Nakano IC to Shiga Kogen) | From Shinshu-Nakano IC through Yudanaka, Shibu, Kanbayashi and Mamanotaki Falls to Hasuike and Hisaka | Free (the Shiga-Nakano Toll Road became free on 16 March 2025) | Open in winter as far as Hisaka |
| Okushiga Forest Road (Prefectural Route 502) and Prefectural Route 471 | From Okushiga Kogen towards Kayanotaira and Akiyama-go | Free | Closed for the winter from 14:00 on 4 November. There is no through route towards Nozawa Onsen until 28 November 2027. Shiga No. 3 Tunnel is closed until 18 November (planned) |
| The Gunma-side road to Kusatsu | From Shibukawa-Ikaho IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway, National Routes 353 and 145 to Naganohara, then National Route 292 to Kusatsu | Free (ordinary roads) | National Route 145 between Gohara and Iwashima (Higashiagatsuma Town) has restrictions because of a landslide (since 8 September; repairs under way) |
| The Karuizawa-side road to Kusatsu | From Usui-Karuizawa IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, National Routes 18, 146 and 292 to Kusatsu | Free (ordinary roads) | 12 km from Usui-Karuizawa IC to Naka-Karuizawa, then 43 km from there to Kusatsu |
| Manza Highway | From Mihara in Tsumagoi Village to Manza Onsen (about 20 km) | Standard car ¥1,070 (cash only) | May be one-way alternating traffic until 30 November. Open in winter as far as Manza Onsen |
Places to stop
Views and nature
The numbers are the numbers on the map.
| No. | Place | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Yudanaka Shibu Onsen-kyo (Shibu Onsen) | Yumeguri Parking, 100 standard cars (free for 30 minutes, then ¥300 per hour, maximum ¥1,000, open 24 hours) | Car park for the hot-spring town |
| 3 | Mamanotaki Falls viewpoint | Free car park | A waterfall 107 m high. 1 minute on foot from the car park |
| 4 | Ichinuma | Number of spaces not stated | A pond at the entrance to Shiga Kogen (1,400 m above sea level) |
| 5 | Maruike and Biwaike | Number of spaces not stated | Autumn leaves usually peak from around 10 October |
| 6 | Hasuike | Number of spaces not stated | The pond in the middle of Shiga Kogen. There is a live camera at the junction |
| 7 | Kidoike and Tanohara Wetland | Number of spaces not stated | Public toilets open until mid-November |
| 8 | Yokoteyama | Number of spaces not stated | Shibu Pass Romance Lift ¥2,200 return (until 3 November, 9:00–15:20) |
| 9 | Shibu Pass and the highest point on a national route in Japan | Parking space at the highest point | 2,172 m above sea level. Shibu Pass Hotel has the highest petrol station in Japan (spring to autumn) |
| 11 | Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake | Yubatake Tourist Car Park 180 spaces (¥700 for up to 2 hours); Onsenmon 131 spaces and Tenguyama No. 1 300 spaces (free) | Park at an emptier car park such as Tenguyama |
| 12 | Jigokudani Monkey Park | Free car park at Kanbayashi Onsen, 35 minutes on foot | Adults ¥800 (¥1,000 from 1 December) |
| 13 | Nishinokawara Park | Nishinokawara Park car park, 120 spaces (¥550 for up to 2 hours, open 24 hours) | 720 m from Yubatake |
| 14 | Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane (Yugama) | The Shirane car park has been unusable since 20 October | Yugama cannot be seen because of the volcanic entry restriction |
Roadside stations
| No. | Roadside station | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michi-no-Eki Hokushinshu Yamanouchi | 73 standard cars | Shop 8:30–18:00. Closed on Thursdays from December to March |
| 10 | Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu Undo Chaya Koen | 99 standard cars | 9:00–17:00, open every day. Car park and toilets open 24 hours. Electric-car charger. About 5 minutes by car to Kusatsu Onsen |
Best seasons and crowds
As of 26 October, the autumn leaves in Shiga Kogen are nearly over. Mamanotaki Falls is at its best, the leaves at Maruike, Biwaike, Hasuike and Kidoike are starting to fade, and the trees at Yokoteyama, Shibu Pass and Ichinuma have lost their leaves.
| When | What to see and watch for |
|---|---|
| Late April to early November | The Shiga-Kusatsu Road is open (until 13:00 on 11 November in 2026) |
| October (usually until late in the month) | Autumn leaves in Shiga Kogen. In an early year the first snow falls in mid-October |
| Winter | The Shiga-Kusatsu Road is closed. Enter Kusatsu from the Gunma side and Shiga Kogen from the Nagano side |
Busy places and times
- In Kusatsu Onsen, cars waiting for a space to open up cause traffic jams. Park at an emptier car park such as Tenguyama.
- At Jigokudani Monkey Park the wait to enter gets long in winter. Some car parks cannot be used over the New Year, on long weekends and on weekends.
- At the parking space at the highest point on a national route, take care of passing traffic when you stop.
Closed roads and restrictions (as of 26 October)
- The Shiga-Kusatsu Road is open. It is due to close for the winter from 13:00 on 11 November. On the night of 22 October to the morning of 23 October, it was closed between the Tenguyama Gate and Shibu Pass because the road surface froze.
- At high altitude, snow can fall from October, and Gunma Prefecture asks drivers to carry winter tyres and chains.
- Yugama on Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane cannot be seen because of an entry restriction, and the Shirane car park has been unusable since 20 October.
- The Okushiga Forest Road closes for the winter from 14:00 on 4 November.
- National Route 145 between Gohara and Iwashima (Higashiagatsuma Town) is restricted because of a landslide.
Getting there and fuel
| From | Guide |
|---|---|
| Kan-etsu Expressway, Nerima IC | About 240 km and about 3 hours 30 minutes to Shiga Kogen via Shinshu-Nakano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway |
| Joshin-etsu Expressway, Shinshu-Nakano IC | 41 km to Shibu Pass on National Route 292 |
| Kan-etsu Expressway, Shibukawa-Ikaho IC | 50 km to Naganohara on National Routes 353 and 145, then 10 km to Kusatsu on National Route 292 |
| Joshin-etsu Expressway, Usui-Karuizawa IC | 12 km to Naka-Karuizawa on National Route 18, then 43 km to Kusatsu on National Routes 146 and 292 |
On the way back, go down to Shinshu-Nakano IC from the Shiga Kogen side, or to Shibukawa-Ikaho IC or Usui-Karuizawa IC from the Kusatsu side. After the winter closure you cannot drive between Shiga Kogen and Kusatsu.
Shibu Pass Hotel has a petrol station, but it is open only from spring to autumn. Fill up on the Shinshu-Nakano and Yudanaka side, or on the Kusatsu and Naganohara side, before you climb. Electric cars can charge at Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu Undo Chaya Koen.
If you don't have a car
You can rent a car in Nagano or Gunma. Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. For how pickup and return work at an airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I go if I want to see Shiga Kogen and Kusatsu in one day?
Drive from Yudanaka along National Route 292 round the Shiga Kogen ponds, then go down the Shiga-Kusatsu Road from Yokoteyama and Shibu Pass to Yubatake in Kusatsu. It is about 54 km, or about 50 minutes of driving calculated from map data.
Until when can I drive the Shiga-Kusatsu Road?
In 2026 it is due to close for the winter from 13:00 on 11 November until 10:00 on 21 April 2027. Even before the closure, there are days when it cannot be driven because the road surface is frozen.
Can I see Yugama on Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane?
Not at the moment. Entry is restricted within roughly 500 m of the crater, and the Shirane car park has been unusable since 20 October.
Where is the car park for Jigokudani Monkey Park?
Park at the free car park at Kanbayashi Onsen and walk for 35 minutes.
Can I buy petrol in Shiga Kogen?
Shibu Pass Hotel has a petrol station, but it is open only from spring to autumn. Fill up at the foot of the mountain before you climb.
Nearby areas and guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture Land Development Department: disaster prevention information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibu Pass Hotel (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yamanouchi Town Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yamanouchi Town Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Jigokudani Monkey Park (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture Land Development Department: disaster prevention information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Onioshi-Manza Highway (Prince Hotels) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yokoteyama (S&T Kanko Kaihatsu) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Jigokudani Monkey Park (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Jigokudani Monkey Park (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibu Onsen Ryokan Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yamanouchi Town Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Jigokudani Monkey Park (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Jigokudani Monkey Park (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibu Onsen Ryokan Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibu Onsen Ryokan Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yamanouchi Town Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yamanouchi Town Tourism Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kanto Michi-no-Eki Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kanto Michi-no-Eki Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu Undo Chaya Koen (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Yokoteyama (S&T Kanko Kaihatsu) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-26
