Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley
2Lake Hibara, Kitashiobara, Fukushima to Shirabu Onsen, Yonezawa, Yamagata · Fukushima / Yamagata Prefecture
Hairpin mountain crossing from Lake Hibara over Shirabu Pass into Yamagata
This 17.8km former toll road, now part of Prefectural Route 2, climbs from the north shore of Lake Hibara in Urabandai over Shirabu Pass and drops into Shirabu Onsen near Yonezawa, with about 600m of height change. The famous Higashi-Hachiyama seven bends offer a much-photographed view over Lake Hibara and Mt Bandai, and it ranks among Tohoku's best autumn drives. It is open roughly late April to mid November only. Mind the tight stacked hairpins, leaf-peeping congestion in autumn, and early-season residual snow.
Where it runs
Character
Elevation
1130 m rangeKnow before you go
- Tight stacked hairpins
- Autumn congestion
- Early-season snow
Sources
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley.
