A journey to find a sea of clouds with superb views at Shibu Pass “National Highway High Point”! !

“Shibu Pass” is located on the border between Gunma Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.

And this Pass has the highest point in Japan’s national highway, “National highway highest point”. It used to be a toll road called shigaKusastsu Road, but it was with National Highway 292 in 1965. The elevation is 2172m.

And I went there because it is not known here as a superb view point where you can see the sea of ​​clouds !!

October, but the temperature reached -4 ℃. And when I look up …

We arrived at the border of the prefecture around 5:30, the shooting date is in mid-October. However, the temperature gets lower as I climb the ridge. It reached -4 ℃ and snow was piled up further.

Here I was getting out of the car and looking up at the night sky. Here the altitude is high and the air is clear,
And because there is no influence of light around, the star looks very beautiful.
Here is a good place for astronomical observation.

There is a hotel and the best ski resort in Japan on the border of the prefecture ！！

shibuTouge Hotel is located on the border between Gunma Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. As shown in the picture, the building is just in the middle.

And there is a lift on the other side across the road, and there is a bakery “Yokote Sancho Hutte” with the highest elevation in Japan and “Yokoteyama · shibuTouge ski area” with the highest elevation in Japan. (In a ski resort with a lift)

“Yokote Sancho Hutte” is so popular that bread is sold out during business. “Yokoteyama · shibuTouge ski area” is a place where you can enjoy silky powder snow with 100% natural snow.

To Japan’s highest point on national roads!

When you move a few hundred meters to the Gunma side, you will reach the highest point of the national highway. This is a monument of “National highway highest point 2172m”.
And here is the space for some cars.

And here is called superb view point.

This place is Unkai Superb View Point! !
From here. You can overlook the “Yoshigadaira wetland”.

Here, the altitude is high, and the temperature difference during the day is intense.
And because the four sides are surrounded by mountains, the incidence of the sea of ​​clouds is high.
In addition, in the event of a sea of ​​clouds, you will have a wonderful panoramic view as if the sunrise came from the horizon.

However, unfortunately I could not confirm the sea of ​​clouds at this place when I photographed.

But I thought it was a wonderful view, even if I could not see it! !

The place where the name of Nissan’s famous car “Skyline” was decided.

Shinichiro Sakurai, the developer of Nissan’s famous “Skyline”, visited the Yoshigadaira wetland.

At that time, he named it “Skyline”. The reason is said to have been influenced by the border between the mountain and the blue sky.

A commemorative plate is installed in “Yoshigadaira Hutte”

The sea of ​​clouds at a superb view at Yokote Drive In!

The sea of ​​clouds could not be observed at the national highway highest point, but the beautiful sea of ​​clouds could be observed at Yokote drive-in on the opposite side.

The summit of the mountain range is flying out to the sea of ​​clouds, and I feel like a white sea and island.
I was moved by the sight.

Operation period (2019): April 19-November 4

Opening hours: 9:00 to 16:00

Regular holiday: irregular

As it changes according to the road situation and the amount of snowfall, please confirm on official site.

Summary

It was in the middle of October when I visited
The temperature was around -4 ° C and there was snow around.

Therefore, it is also essential to take measures against colds and against tire slips such as studless and chains. In addition, the road may be closed off, so confirmation is required.

Although the sea of ​​clouds did not occur in the Yoshigadaira wetland this time, I am satisfied because I could observe the beautiful sea of ​​clouds firmly at Yokote drive-in.

The favorable conditions for the sea of ​​clouds to occur

① Early morning of autumn and spring

② The day before the day is warm
(It’s better if it rains and the ground gets wet)

③ The temperature on the observation day is cold and the weather is fine

④ There is not much wind.

If there is such a pattern in the weather forecast, we recommend that you go to observe the sea of ​​clouds by all means. I would also like to challenge this place and visit other Unkai spots. Then I will update the blog immediately ♪

“National highway highest point, Yokote drive in access”

National highway highest point

There is space to put several parking lots.

Yokote drive in

There is a large parking lot, but it may be crowded as it is also famous as a Unkai spot.