RENT & RIDE JAPANJōshū, Kanna Lake & Deep Nishi-Jōshū (Gunma)
Kanna Lake to Deep Nishi-Jōshū
Autumn Gorge Ride
From Hachioji via the Kan-Etsu and Jōshin-Etsu expressways to Kanna Lake, then deep into the mountains of Kanna Town and Ueno Village. A one-day loop of quiet, sweeping winding roads and colorful autumn gorges.
- DISTANCE
- 320 km
- DURATION
- 11 h
- LEVEL
- Intermediate
Starting from TASHILOG GARAGE in Hachioji, the Kan-Etsu and Jōshin-Etsu expressways carry you quickly to the gateway of western Gunma. From there, lightly trafficked national routes 462 and 299 and narrow mountain prefectural roads let you enjoy a quiet ride where only your engine echoes through the gorges.
Route Highlights
- Kanna Lake (Shimokubo Dam) — a blue reservoir cradled by mountains; its lakeside road is the entrance to deep Nishi-Jōshū.
- Kanna-machi Dinosaur Center — the heart of "Dinosaur Kingdom Nakasato," where Japan's first dinosaur footprint fossils were found.
- Michi-no-Eki Ueno & wild boar-pig cuisine — Gunma's very first roadside station, famous for its local inobuta (boar-pig) dishes.
- Ueno Sky Bridge & Fujido Cave — a 225 m suspension bridge over a gorge and one of the Kantō region's largest limestone caves.
Riding Notes
The roads threading the Manba and Nakasato valleys string together tight and medium-speed corners. Surfaces can be wet from fallen leaves or spring water, so keep a relaxed pace and don't let the autumn colors distract you. Because daylight is short in autumn, plan to start your return by mid-afternoon.
- 1START
Tashilog Garage
Start point in Miyashitacho, Hachioji.
TIPSFuel up and check tires/chain before departure. Use the Ken-O Expressway to reach the Kan-Etsu.
- 2VIEW~20 min
Kanna Lake (Shimokubo Dam)
A blue reservoir straddling the Gunma–Saitama border, the gateway into Nishi-Jōshū.
HISTORYFormed by the Shimokubo Dam, the lake is dotted with sights such as Mt. Jōmine of the Taira no Masakado legend and the Sanbaseki Gorge.
TIPSRoute 462 along the lake is beautiful in autumn. Pause at a pull-off with lake views.
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Photo: 河川一等兵 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain - 3SPOT~20 min
Michi-no-Eki Manyo no Sato
A roadside station along Route 462 beside the Kanna River, a good quick break.
TIPSKnown for mountain vegetables, konjac and river fish. A good spot to pick up Kanna Town travel info.
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Photo: Filler / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 - 4SPOT~50 min
Kanna-machi Dinosaur Center
The core facility of "Dinosaur Kingdom Nakasato," displaying many dinosaur skeletons and fossils.
HISTORYEstablished to commemorate Japan's first dinosaur footprint fossils, found here in 1985. It exhibits local fossils alongside dinosaur specimens from around the world.
TIPSOpen in Google MapsOpen 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Mondays (next day if a holiday). The 'Serabayashi ripple marks (dinosaur footprints)' are nearby on Route 299. Check current hours before visiting.
- 5FOOD~60 min
Michi-no-Eki Ueno Restaurant (Inobuta Cuisine)
Gunma's first registered roadside station; lunch of the local inobuta (boar-pig).
TIPSRestaurant open 11:00–15:00, closed Thursdays. Signature dishes include the inobuta rice bowl and boar-pig hotpot; the Jukkoku-miso soft serve at the shop is also popular. Arrive near opening to beat crowds.
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Image - 6VIEW~30 min
Ueno Sky Bridge
A 225 m pedestrian suspension bridge spanning a gorge.
TIPSThe autumn foliage seen from the bridge is spectacular. The Mahoba-no-Mori forest park is right beside it with restrooms and rest areas.
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Photo: S. Shino / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 - 7SPOT~40 min
Fujido Cave
One of the Kantō region's largest limestone caves, with a roughly 600 m viewing course.
HISTORYThe cave stretches about 2.2 km, with roughly 600 m open to visitors. Cool even in summer, it is filled with countless stalactites and stalagmites.
TIPSWalk in from the Ueno Sky Bridge side. The cave floor is slippery, so watch your step. It closes relatively early, so allow time.
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Photo: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 - 8ONSEN~50 min
Hamadaira Onsen Shioji no Yu
A day-use hot spring in the headwaters of the Kanna River, perfect before the ride home.
TIPSA day-use spa named after the village tree 'shioji,' with open-air baths overlooking the Kanna River and mountains. Check opening hours and closing days in advance.
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Image - 9GOAL
Tashilog Garage
Return to Miyashitacho, Hachioji.
TIPSFor the return, Route 299 to the Jōshin-Etsu Expressway (Shimonita IC) is the smoothest. Start back early given the short autumn daylight.
