Okushiga Forest Road Drive: Winter Closure, Road Closures, Akiyama-go and Kayanodaira

The Okushiga Forest Road is a mountain road that runs from Okushiga Kogen, at the northern edge of Shiga Kogen in Nagano Prefecture, through old beech forest towards Akiyama-go (Sakae Village), Kayanodaira (Kijimadaira Village) and Nozawa Onsen. Its official name is Prefectural Route 502, the Okushiga Koen–Sakae Line. Large vehicles cannot use it at any time of year.

In 2026 the winter closure begins at 14:00 on 4 November. Separately, the section from Kayanodaira towards Nozawa Onsen is closed for disaster-recovery work, scheduled until 28 November 2027. The dates can change with the work and the weather.

Until the winter closure, you can drive from Okushiga Kogen through to Akiyama-go, or to Kayanodaira and back.

Okushiga Forest Road at a glance

Suggested route and map

From Shinshu-Nakano IC, climb via Hasuike in Shiga Kogen to Okushiga Kogen and join the forest road. At the Akiyama forest road junction, turn right for Kiriake Onsen in Akiyama-go, or continue straight for Kayanodaira.

The map shows the road from Shinshu-Nakano IC to Okushiga Kogen, and the routes from Okushiga Kogen to Kiriake Onsen and Kayanodaira.

Distances are calculated from map data.

Stops and parking, in route order

Walk to the Okushiga Gorge falls from the Ozen entrance car park

The forest road follows the gorge of the Zako River. Okushiga Gorge has two car parks, at the Ozen entrance and the Shimizuguchi Hut entrance. The Ozen entrance is larger and easier to use.

For a visit of about an hour, walk from the Ozen entrance car park to Ozen Falls and back, a distance of 1.4 km. The falls drop 30 m in two tiers. The walk is short but has a large height difference and muddy patches, so wear sturdy shoes.

With more time, follow the 2.3 km Okushiga Gorge course. At an easy pace it takes about 3 hours and passes Sandan Falls, Harmonica Falls, Meguriai Falls and a suspension bridge. The path runs beside the river with little height difference.

Take the Akiyama forest road to Kiriake Onsen for Akiyama-go

Turn right at the Akiyama forest road junction and descend the Akiyama forest road in Sakae to Kiriake Onsen. Autumn colours usually peak from mid to late October on the Akiyama forest road and from mid-October to early November around Kiriake.

This road from Okushiga Kogen to Akiyama-go enters its winter closure at 14:00 on 4 November 2026. On Route 405, the 3.4 km between Kiriake and Wayama also closes, from 11:00 on 12 November to 14:00 on 14 May 2027.

Kayanodaira Kogen: old beech forest and two wetlands

Kayanodaira Kogen, at an elevation of about 1,500 m, has walks through beech forest more than 300 years old. Skunk cabbage and daylilies flower in the Kita-Dobu and Minami-Dobu wetlands. The Buna-no-Mori Kayanodaira Kogen campsite operates from early June to late October.

The Shimizudaira forest road, which climbs from the Kijimadaira village side, closes for winter at 16:00 on 4 November 2026. It is scheduled to reopen around 21 May 2027, depending on snow and other conditions.

Open seasons and restrictions

Winter closure from 14:00 on 4 November 2026

Reopening dates differ by section. The Okushiga Koen Line junction–Akiyama forest road junction (7.5 km), Akiyama forest road junction–Kayanodaira (6.5 km) and former toll gate–Izumidaira (14.7 km) are closed from 14:00 on 4 November 2026 to 14:00 on 21 May 2027.

Kayanodaira–Yamabiko Slope Gate (17.2 km) and Yamabiko Slope Gate–former toll gate (8.1 km) are closed from 14:00 on 4 November to 14:00 on 28 May 2027. Snow can close the road before the closure begins, and reopening dates also depend on the snow.

On the Shiga Kogen side, Prefectural Route 471, the Okushiga Koen Line (4.3 km, ending at the Ichinose treatment-plant entrance), is scheduled to close from 14:00 on 6 November to 11:00 on 28 May 2027. The Shiga-Kusatsu Road between Shibu Pass and Yosaka is scheduled to close from 13:00 on 11 November to 10:00 on 21 April 2027.

Shibu Pass–Tenguyama Gate can also close temporarily outside these dates because of weather or road conditions. It closed for ice from 18:00 on 27 October 2026 and was listed as passable on 1 November.

No way through from Kayanodaira to Nozawa Onsen until November 2027

Yamabiko Slope Gate–Kayanodaira Gate is fully closed for disaster-recovery work from 28 September 2026 to 28 November 2027, scheduled. The period can change with the work and the weather. When the work ends, the section goes straight into its winter closure.

Until the winter closure begins, you can drive from Okushiga Kogen to Kayanodaira but cannot continue through to Nozawa Onsen. To reach Nozawa Onsen, detour by Route 117.

On 1 November 2026 the Shiga Kogen Tourism Association's road page listed the Kayanodaira–Nozawa Onsen direction as passable, while Nagano Prefecture's restriction notice, dated 24 September, lists the closure above. Plan on the detour unless the prefecture announces a change.

Large vehicles banned all year; tunnel work on the Shiga Kogen side until 18 November

Large vehicles cannot use the Okushiga Koen–Sakae Line at any time of year.

Prefectural Route 471, the Okushiga Koen Line climbing to Okushiga Kogen, is fully closed at Shiga No. 3 Tunnel for repairs from 18 May to 18 November 2026, scheduled. The period can change with the work and the weather. A detour runs on town roads, so follow the signs on site.

Best seasons and crowds

The road is narrow and wild animals can appear, so drive slowly. Mobile reception is patchy in the mountains. The nearest public toilets to Okushiga Gorge are at Okushiga Center House. Autumn mornings and evenings can be cold.

Getting there and fuel

From Shinshu-Nakano IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, climb Route 292 to Hasuike in Shiga Kogen, then take Prefectural Route 471, the Okushiga Koen Line, via Ichinose to Okushiga Kogen. The total is about 39 km. On Route 471 you use the detour around the Shiga No. 3 Tunnel work, scheduled until 18 November. The period can change with the work and the weather.

To climb to Kayanodaira from the Kijimadaira side, it is 40 km and about 50 minutes from Toyota-Iiyama IC. The Shimizudaira forest road closes at 16:00 on 4 November.

Refuel in central Nakano or around Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen.

If you don't have a car

In the 2026 summer timetable, the direct bus from Nagano Station to Okushiga Kogen runs from 1 July to 31 August and from 1 November to 4 December.

To drive to the falls along the forest road or to Akiyama-go, use the Nagano rental-car listings to find a pickup location near Nagano Station. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Until when can I drive the Okushiga Forest Road?

In 2026 the winter closure begins at 14:00 on 4 November. Reopening is scheduled for 14:00 on 21 May 2027 (14:00 on 28 May for Kayanodaira–former toll gate) and depends on the snow.

Can I drive through to Nozawa Onsen?

No. Yamabiko Slope Gate–Kayanodaira Gate, on the way from Kayanodaira to Nozawa Onsen, is fully closed for disaster-recovery work until 28 November 2027, scheduled. The period can change with the work and the weather.

Can large vehicles or campervans use it?

Large vehicles are banned all year. The road is narrow, so drive slowly even in an ordinary car.

How do I get to Akiyama-go?

From the Akiyama forest road junction, descend the Akiyama forest road to Kiriake Onsen. This road enters its winter closure at 14:00 on 4 November 2026, and you cannot enter from Okushiga Kogen in winter.

What about toilets and mobile reception?

Use the toilets at Okushiga Center House, the nearest public toilets, before walking in Okushiga Gorge. Mobile reception is patchy in places, so check your map and route in advance.

Related guides

• Shiga-Kusatsu Road drive: Shibu Pass, route map and winter closures
• Marchen Kaido drive: Mugikusa Pass, Shirakoma Pond and winter closures
• Winter road closures in Japan