Gunma Boarder 14 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 I was thinking of using one of these roads to get from my house to the ski resorts north of Nagano city and was wondering what they are like in the winter. I went to Madarao a couple of weekends ago, but having the fam with me, I decided to drive the long way around towards Tokyo and back up. I have a 4WD K-car with snow tires and am experienced in snow driving. Would these roads be crazilly slow going? or are they OK? Any info would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Both are mostly just fine. I have never had any problems using either in winter when I go over to Nozawa or beyond* (353) or over to Tokamachi. Lots of people use that road from Muikamachi to Tokamachi every day. They can get dodgy on the few full on blizzard days in a season, especially the Tokamachi road when taking a few hours is not unheard of, but I seriously doubt we'll be seeing any more of those this season! Both are quite windy, lots of turns, and don't really have many chances of overtaking and so if you get stuck behind a truck it can be annoying. I live very close to 253 but even from here in Muimakachi, if I'm going over to Nagano I'll usually drive down to Ishiuchi and use the 353. If you are coming from Gunma, then you should definitely use the 353. It's clearly signposted on Route 17 near Ishiuchi. From that junction in decent conditions you can be at Nozawa in about an hour. * remember I don't go skiing in a blizzard Link to post Share on other sites
Gunma Boarder 14 Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Both are mostly just fine. I have never had any problems using either in winter when I go over to Nozawa or beyond* (353) or over to Tokamachi. Lots of people use that road from Muikamachi to Tokamachi every day. They can get dodgy on the few full on blizzard days in a season, especially the Tokamachi road when taking a few hours is not unheard of, but I seriously doubt we'll be seeing any more of those this season! Both are quite windy, lots of turns, and don't really have many chances of overtaking and so if you get stuck behind a truck it can be annoying. I live very close to 253 but even from here in Muimakachi, if I'm going over to Nagano I'll usually drive down to Ishiuchi and use the 353. If you are coming from Gunma, then you should definitely use the 353. It's clearly signposted on Route 17 near Ishiuchi. From that junction in decent conditions you can be at Nozawa in about an hour. * remember I don't go skiing in a blizzard I had a feeling you would be the one answering my question. Thank you very much! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 You're welcome. If you are coming by the expressway just get off at Shiozawa Ishiuchi and head towards Route 17, turn left onto Route 17 and look for the turn right onto 353. It's only about 2km from the IC exit. Or you could get off at Yuzawa to save a few extra yen. That's probably only a few extra km on R17. In fact if I were you, if the roads are clear I'd do that and get off at Yuzawa IC. Link to post Share on other sites
griller 9 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I've done that road from Ishiuchi to Tsunan the 353. No worries. Nice road actually and out of snow season the Kiyotsukyo gorge is quite interesting. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Good timing to post this. I have to do a Naeba - Hakuba this weekend. Any time predictions? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hakuba to Nozawa - I'm sure you know Nozawa to Ishiuchi - 1 hour Ishiuchi to Naeba - 40 minutes Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thanks Muika, Hakuba to Nozawa about 90mins Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 They're building a new road/tunnel to get rid of 253, or at least make it a backup. It can get very bad in mid winter, but usually it's not a problem just lots of turning. You might remember the explosion they had in the tunnel on the Muikamachi side last year which has delayed it a bit. When that opens though it should make Muikamachi to Tokamachi about 20 minutes. Link to post Share on other sites
oblivion 5 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 The few times I have used 353 it has had road works on there. But a decent road. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 There almost always seems to be some kind of road works going on either side of the tunnel separating Ishiuchi from Kiyotsu. I can't remember when it has ever delayed beyone a minute or two though. Link to post Share on other sites
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