Odarumitoge Pass Hill Climb

Departure from Kubodaira Intersection. Following the signs for “Crystal Line,” bear left at this Y-shaped intersection and then turn right.

Go straight ahead and you will pass Yamanashi City Fuegawa Junior High School and Makioka Daiichi Elementary School on your right. Cross over Karisaka Road (Route 140), and a straight steep slope will start with expansive grape fields on both sides. At the top of this slope, there is the last vending machine for the rest of the course.

The straight section will end and you will enter a forest. There will be a series of ridges with a mix of straight and winding sections.

Proceed upward along Kotogawa River. Once you get higher and your field of vision has increased, there will be large Japanese horse chestnut trees on the right. Otomeko Lake will soon come into view.

You will see Otomeko Lake, which is the location Kotogawa Dam, to the left. This is a good spot for a taking a break. If you do not break here, it is best to try to go nonstop down the hill toward the lake and then up the steep slope.

There will once again be a series of winding ridges. If you are looking to improve your time, try to adeptly increase your speed on the gently sloped section that starts after around 10 km from the finish line. If competing with other cyclists, you will find that maintaining an aerodynamic form makes a difference in terms of your speed.

Your field of vision will become unobstructed ahead and the peak of Mt. Kinpu will come into view. As the elevation increases, the surrounding landscape will change and it will be possible to see alpine plants, boulders, and large trees, etc.

There will be several hairpin curves, and then you will enter the last section, with 3 km left before the finish line.

The peak of Odarumitoge Pass, where Odarumi-goya Hut is located, is the finish line. There is an exceptional feeling of accomplishment when arriving at Japan’s highest peak that has a roadway!