RoadNagano · Chino City and Sakuho TownVOL.0 · 2026-W43
Mugikusa Pass (Route 299) before its winter closure
A national-road pass at 2,127 m, with a moss-forest lake a 15-minute walk away.
Mugikusa Pass stands at 2,127 meters. Route 299, nicknamed the Marchen Kaido, climbs from Chino over the northern Yatsugatake and descends from here toward Sakuho. The road's spring reopening ceremony is held at the pass; 2025 marked the 38th, hosted by a council of tourism groups from Chino, Koumi and Sakuho.
From a parking lot along the route, a walk of about 15 minutes brings you to Lake Shirakoma, set in old-growth forest above 2,100 meters. The surrounding woods hold about 500 kinds of moss and have been named one of Japan's valuable moss forests by the Bryological Society of Japan. A path circles the lake in about 40 minutes.
When the Shirakoma lot is full, a free shuttle bus runs from the Yachiho Kogen Ski Area parking lot on the Sakuho side (in 2026 it also runs on October 24 and 25). This season, the stretch from Kitayama-Sendagari in Chino to the pass closes from 11:00 on November 19 until 11:00 on April 15, 2027; dates may change with snow.
Highlights HIGHLIGHTS
- 01
Mugikusa Pass
The Route 299 pass at 2,127 m, where the spring reopening ceremony is held (the 38th in 2025).
Source：Chino City city.chino.lg.jp - 02
Lake Shirakoma
About 15 min on foot from a roadside lot; a lake in old forest above 2,100 m, about 40 min around.
Source：Saku Regional Promotion Bureau, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jp - 03
Moss forest
Home to about 500 kinds of moss, named one of Japan's valuable moss forests.
Source：Saku Regional Promotion Bureau, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jp - 04
Free shuttle bus
Runs from the Yachiho Kogen Ski Area lot when the Shirakoma lot is full, including Oct 24 and 25.
Source：Saku Regional Promotion Bureau, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jp
Sources and official information SOURCES
- OfficialSuwa Construction Office, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jphttps://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/suwaken/doro/
- SourceChino City city.chino.lg.jphttps://www.city.chino.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/37341.pdf
- SourceSaku Regional Promotion Bureau, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jphttps://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/sakuchi/sakuchi-shokan/kanko/card_shirakoma.html
- SourceSaku Regional Promotion Bureau, Nagano Prefecture pref.nagano.lg.jphttps://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/sakuchi/sakuchi-shokan/documents/r8-bus.pdf
Written by the APEX DRIVE editors from facts in the official sources above (not a copy of the official text).Last checked: . Details may change. Please check the official page before you go.