Odarumi Pass
Odarumi Pass is located high on a remote ridge between Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures. At 2360 meters it is one of the most challenging climbs in Japan. The course I took traveled 44 km to the pass starting at JR Yamanashishi Station with a 2030m elevation difference from bottom to top.
This climb was a personal challenge for me given that I had failed to accomplish it twice. The first time I ran out of water in the forest less than half way up. I was surprised not to find any vending machines or places for water, which is usually a given here in Japan. The city of Koshu lies in a valley that traps heat and, in the summer, the temperatures are sweltering. That together with the fact that some of the steepest grades of the course are down in the valley, results in using up a lot of water early on. I was so disappointed when I ran out and had to turn back.
I did my second climb in cooler weather but the days were shorter causing me to turn back from lack of daylight. The third time was a charm. I stayed overnight in Koshu and got started early in the morning before the temperatures began to rise.
The climb averages 6.1% with the steepest grades exceeding double digits. The hardest part is about 15 km in just before you reach the forest where it’s both hot and steep. Shortly after you enter the forest where temperatures cool down considerably and the grades become more reasonable. This road, Hwy 219, is called the Crystal Line. It’s a beautiful road that continues all the way over into the northern Kofu region.
The road continues to wind up through the forest steadily gaining elevation until you come over the ridge down into Otome Lake formed by the Kotogawa Dam. The heart-shaped lake lies at just under 1500 meters with only a couple of small houses and a shrine on the eastern shore. If you take the road that leads to the dam, you’ll find a very nice restroom that appears to be attached to the caretaker’s residence. The water there seems safe to drink.
At the end of the lake you come to an intersection to the road that climbs up to Odarumi Pass. The pass is 15 km from the dam with another 900m of climbing remaining. It was here that I gave up on my second attempt to climb the pass. If you turn left and continue around the lake you’ll come to another intersection where, turning left on the Crystal Line will bring you up into the mountains and continuing straight on Hwy 206 loops back down toward Koshu.
Shortly after you enter the forest road leading up to Odarumi you’ll encounter some steep grades; some of the hardest of the climb. But take heart, they don’t last forever. After about 3km the road levels out a bit and gives you some recovery. The road winds through one of the most beautiful sections of the climb. The air is cool and the alpine terrain opens up a bit with nice meadows and alpine plants. You also get a nice view of the long steep mountain ridge that contains Mt. Tetsuzan and Mt. Kinpu.
During the last 8km the grades get steeper but the realization that you will soon be at to the top, provides an energy boost. Soon you will see the gate to the parking lot at the top letting you know you’ve made it. There isn’t a whole lot at the top. Just a small parking lot for cars and restrooms. There is a small mountain lodge a few meters up from the parking lot that services campers and hikers. There’s kind of an interesting looking sign in front of it that makes for a good picture to mark your trip.
I was pretty tired after my climb so I declined the opportunity to hike up to one of the viewpoints. I kind of wish I would have summoned up the energy to climb up to the closest one which, I discovered later, has a nice view and isn’t too much of a climb.
After taking in the view, I headed back down. The descent is a nice reward for the long climb. The road is so curvy with little traffic making it ideal for descending on. Coming down gives you a whole other view of the beautiful terrain. When I arrived at the lake I decided to ride along the western shore and take Hwy 206 back down into town. It was a blessed trip, one that has given me some pleasant memories. If you should decide to take it, please take care to bring plenty of water and nutrition.
Odarumi Pass Gallery
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