Sasago Pass - Sasago Pass

This pass is on the border between Koshu City and Otsuki City in Yamanashi Prefecture, that is, it is a pass on the Koshu Kaido road that connected Edo via the Kofu Basin and Gunnai region. It is 1,096 meters above sea level. Geologically, this pass corresponds to the border between the Misaka Mountains in the south and the Kanto Mountains in the north. It was once a difficult spot on the Koshu Kaido road, but lost its importance with the opening of the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Line of the Japanese National Railways (now JR) at the end of the Meiji period. After World War II, Misaka Shindo was often used for automobile traffic, but in 1958 (Showa 33), the Shin Sasago Tunnel (2,953 meters), which is a railway tunnel and a slanting tunnel for automobiles only, was opened, connecting Oiwake and Hatsukano, and the old pass became an important route again. Furthermore, with the opening of the Chuo Expressway, the old pass became a historical existence. From JR Chuo Main Line Otsuki Station, take the bus via Hatsukari Station and Sasago Station to Shinden, then walk for 1 hour.

[Minoru Yoshimura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

山梨県甲州市(こうしゅうし)と大月市の境、すなわち甲府盆地と郡内(ぐんない)地方を経て江戸とを結んだ甲州街道の峠。標高1096メートル。この峠は地質的にも南の御坂(みさか)山地と北の関東山地との境界に相当する。かつては甲州街道上の難所であったが、明治末期に国鉄（現、JR）中央線の笹子トンネルの開通により、その重要性を失った。また、第二次世界大戦後の自動車交通には御坂新道の利用が多かったが、1958年（昭和33）に鉄道トンネルと斜行する自動車専用の新笹子トンネル（2953メートル）が追分(おいわけ)と初鹿野(はじかの)を結び、ふたたび重要路線となった。さらに中央自動車道の開通に伴い旧峠はまったく歴史上の存在となった。JR中央本線大月駅から初狩(はつかり)駅、笹子駅経由で新田(しんでん)までバス、下車後徒歩1時間。

［吉村　稔］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例