Many of Japan's mountain roads close for snow every winter. This calendar lists the main mountain roads that close in winter 2026–27, in the order they close. Dates come from the prefectures and road operators that run each road. Reopening dates are planned dates and can move with the snow; roads can also close earlier for snow or ice.
Winter 2026 at a glance
- 31 October: the roads up to Tatamidaira on Mt. Norikura (Norikura Echo Line above Sanbondaki, Norikura Skyline)
- 4 November: Okushiga Forest Road, Zao Echo Line, Zao Highline, Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley
- 11 November: Shiga-Kusatsu Road (Route 292)
- 13 November: Bandai-Azuma Skyline, Lake Line and Mt. Bandai Gold Line
- 15 November: the road into Kamikochi
- 18–19 November: Venus Line (Wada Pass side) and Marchen Kaido (Mugikusa Pass)
- 1–14 December: mountain roads around Nasu and Shiobara, Prefectural Road 13 near Zao
Roads with announced closing dates
Earliest first. Where a time is given, the road is closed from that time.
| Closes | Road and section | Planned reopening |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Oct 18:00 | Norikura Echo Line, Sanbondaki–Tatamidaira (no private cars at any time) | 2027 (date not announced) |
| 31 Oct | Norikura Skyline, Hirayu Pass–Tatamidaira (no private cars) | 15 May 2027 |
| 4 Nov 14:00 | Okushiga Forest Road (Prefectural Road 502) | 21 May 2027 14:00 (part on 28 May) |
| 4 Nov 14:00 | Old Route 158, Curve 11–Abo Pass | late May 2027 |
| 4 Nov 15:00 | Old Route 286 over Sasaya Pass (Yamagata side) | 23 Apr 2027 11:00 |
| 4 Nov 16:00 | Zao Highline (season ends) | late Apr 2027 |
| 4 Nov 17:00 | Zao Echo Line (Prefectural Road 12) | 23 Apr 2027 11:00 |
| 4 Nov 17:00 | Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley (Prefectural Road 2) | late Apr 2027 |
| 11 Nov 13:00 | Shiga-Kusatsu Road (Route 292), Tengu-yama gate–Shibu Pass–Hizaka | 21 Apr 2027 10:00 |
| 13 Nov 15:00 | Old Route 158 (Nakanoyu side) | 9 Apr 2027 9:00 |
| 13 Nov 17:00 | Bandai-Azuma Skyline, Bandai-Azuma Lake Line, Mt. Bandai Gold Line | late Apr 2027 |
| 13 Nov 18:00 | Norikura Echo Line, Kyukamura–Sanbondaki | 9 Apr 2027 |
| 15 Nov 19:00 | Prefectural Road 24 into Kamikochi (Kama Tunnel–Kamikochi) | 17 Apr 2027 7:00 |
| 18 Nov 11:00 | Venus Line, Yashima Plateau–Wada Pass and the Utsukushigahara side | 20 Apr 2027 11:00 |
| 19 Nov 11:00 | Marchen Kaido (Route 299) on both sides of Mugikusa Pass | 15 Apr 2027 11:00 |
| 27 Nov 11:00 | Shiona Road (Shiobara and Itamuro sides) | 9 Apr 2027 11:00 |
| 1 Dec 11:00 | Prefectural Road 13, Kaminoyama–Shichikashuku (Yamagata side) | 23 Apr 2027 15:00 |
| 1 Dec 11:00 | Shiobara–Yaita Road, Shionoyu–Gakkodaira | 26 Mar 2027 11:00 |
| 14 Dec 11:00 | Prefectural Road 17 (Nasu Kogen Line), Omaru–Toge-no-Chaya (open to the ropeway base from 12 March) | 26 Mar 2027 11:00 |
| 14 Dec 11:00 | Kuroiso–Tajima Road, Onigamen Bridge–Miyama Bridge | 26 Mar 2027 11:00 |
Roads without a 2026 date yet
As of 26 October these roads had no 2026 date. Last winter's dates are a guide.
| Road | Last winter |
|---|---|
| Lake Chuzenji Skyline (Prefectural Road 250) | 28 Nov 2025 – 10 Apr 2026 |
| Konsei Road (Route 120) | 25 Dec 2025 – 24 Apr 2026 |
| Shikoku Karst Park Road (Prefectural Road 383) | Fully closed in winter; in the last seven years the closure started between 24 Nov and 27 Dec |
Roads that stay open but need care
- Fuji Subaru Line: from January to mid-March you can rarely reach the 5th Station.
- Hakone Skyline: shorter opening hours from 1 December to 31 March.
- Irohazaka, Kirifuri Kogen Road, Nichien Momiji Line, Shiraito Highland Way and the road up to Lake Haruna: no winter closure, but winter tyres are needed.
- Aso Park Road: shorter opening hours from 1 December to 19 March.
Before you go
- Roads can close before their winter date because of snow or ice. Check the prefecture's road information on the morning you drive.
- Reopening dates are planned and depend on the spring snow.
- High roads can get snow from October. Carry winter tyres and chains.
Frequently asked questions
Which road closes first?
In 2026 the roads up to Tatamidaira on Mt. Norikura close first, on 31 October. Okushiga Forest Road and the Zao Echo Line follow on 4 November.
When does the Shiga-Kusatsu Road close?
From 13:00 on 11 November 2026. It is planned to reopen at 10:00 on 21 April 2027.
Until when can I visit Kamikochi?
Until 15 November 2026. The road into Kamikochi closes at 19:00 that day. Private cars are never allowed into Kamikochi; you park at Sawando or Akandana and take a bus.
Related guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (Matsumoto): winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Norikura Skyline (official): winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (Hokushin): winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Shiga Kogen Tourism Association: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Zao Town Tourism Association: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Miyagi Kotsu: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Yamagata Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Fukushima Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Fukushima Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (Suwa): winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Nagano Prefecture (Ueda): winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (Otawara): winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
- Ehime Prefecture: winter closure · 2026-10-26
