RoadTochigi · Nikko City and Nasushiobara CityVOL.0 · 2026-W43
Nichien Momiji Line (Prefectural Route 19)
Every curve tighter than a 20 m radius carries a number, ending at No. 45, Omagari.
Enter from Fujiwara on the Kinugawa side, at a Route 121 junction around 493 m, and the road climbs some 780 m. It began as a narrow road built in 1938; work to rebuild it started in 1970, and it opened in October 1972 as a 27.5 km toll road. It was named the Momiji (maple) Line for the foliage along its length, and several kinds of maple were planted beside it. Between 2000 and 2002, overgrown trees were thinned to bring back the view of the Nikko range.
The road authority's map marks Taiko-oroshi Falls, the Kawaji Dam lookout, Fujimidai, Shirataki Falls, the Yorisoi maple and the Omagari maple as sights, with Hunter Mountain Shiobara along the way. Every curve tighter than a 20 m radius is numbered, and the last, No. 45, is Omagari. Past the high point near 1,271 m, the road descends to its Shiobara-side end at about 686 m.
On Oct 18 the tourism association reported peak color at the summit, early color midway and green at the foot.
Highlights HIGHLIGHTS
- 01
Taiko-oroshi Falls
A waterfall marked as a sight along the road on the road authority's map.
Source：Tochigi Prefecture Road Public Corporation totidoko.or.jp - 02
Kawaji Dam lookout
A lookout from the Momiji Line down to Kawaji Dam.
Source：Tochigi Prefecture Road Public Corporation totidoko.or.jp - 03
High point, about 1,271 m
The highest point of the Momiji Line, about 780 m above the Fujiwara junction.
Source：Tochigi Prefecture Road Public Corporation totidoko.or.jp - 04
Bend No. 45, Omagari
The last of the numbered curves under a 20 m radius; the map marks the Omagari maple here.
Source：Tochigi Prefecture Road Public Corporation totidoko.or.jp
Sources and official information SOURCES
- OfficialNikko City Tourism Association nikko-kankou.orghttps://www.nikko-kankou.org/flowering/autumn-leaves
- SourceKanto Regional Forest Office rinya.maff.go.jphttps://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/kanto/koho/koho_si/pdf/kanntounomorikara65-5.pdf
- SourceTochigi Prefecture Road Public Corporation totidoko.or.jphttps://www.totidoko.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/nitienmuryouka.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.