Matsuhime Pass Explained

Matsuhime Pass
Other Name:松姫峠
Elevation M:1,250
Elevation Ref:[1]
Traversed:Japan National Route 139
Map:Japan Yamanashi Prefecture#Japan
Label:Matsuhime Pass
Coords:35.7275°N 138.95°W
Location:Kosuge/Kitatsuru and Otsuki, Yamanashi, Japan
Range:Okuchichibu Mountains

Matsuhime Pass (1,250 m) is a mountain pass in-between Otsuki and Kosuge, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

Outline

The mountain pass is named Matsuhime Tōge, because Matsuhime, who was a daughter of Shingen Takeda, passed through the mountain pass when she got away from an army of Nobunaga Oda in the Sengoku period.[2]

At present, Japan National Route 139 which is an old road is passed through the mountain pass. The old road has been narrow (one lane going each way) and winding, because the area is a steep topo. But, got rid of rough road because Matsuhime Tunnel (3066m) which belongs to Matsuhime Bypass (3800m) opened in 2014.[3] [4]

Furthermore, as the Matsuhime Bypass (3800m) was open to traffic as a new road of Japan National Route 139 in 2014, the old road was closed due to reconstruction from March to September 2015. The old road had been accessible from October 2015, but has been closed due to danger of falling rocks and landslides since 2019. The safety of one section of the old road was confirmed in 2020.[5] For the above reason, the mountain pass has been accessible by car only from Kosuge, Yamanashi since 2020.[6]

Surrounding area

Transportation

Access to the mountain pass, is only a bus route.Matsuhime Bus stop

NoViaDestinationCompanyNote
Uenohara LineKosuge no Yu, Tsuru PassUenohara StationFujikyu BusRuns on holidays only from April through November.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.yamareco.com/modules/yamainfo/ptinfo.php?ptid=9699 Matsuhime Pass
  2. https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/shingen/yukari/kosuge/matsuhimetoge.html Website in Yamanashi
  3. https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/ft-kensetsu/documents/maruhimepanhu_2.pdf Matsuhime Tunnel
  4. http://www.senmonshi.com/archive/02/027EHLA4RBPUPB.asp plan of construct
  5. http://www.vill.kosuge.yamanashi.jp/tourism/news/2019/11/post-100.php partly suspension of traffic
  6. http://www.vill.kosuge.yamanashi.jp/tourism/news/2020/10/post-118.php about suspension of traffic canceled