is a mountain pass

Mountain pass

A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...

 in the south-end of the Hidaka Mountains

Hidaka Mountains

Hidaka Mountains is a mountain range in southeastern Hokkaidō, Japan. It runs 150 km from Mount Sahoro or Karikachi Pass in central Hokkaidō south, running into the sea at Cape Erimo. It consists of folded mountains that range from 1500 to 2000 metres in height. Mount Poroshiri is the highest...

 of Hokkaidō

Hokkaido

, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...

, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. The pass is at 1230 metres (4,035 ft), but Japan National Route 236

Japan National Route 236

National Route 236 is a national highway connecting Obihiro, Hokkaidō and Urakawa, Hokkaidō in Japan.-Route data:*Length: *Origin: Obihiro, Hokkaidō*Terminus: Urakawa, Hokkaidō National Route 236 is a national highway connecting Obihiro, Hokkaidō and Urakawa, Hokkaidō in Japan.-Route...

 uses the , which passes 645 metres (2,116.1 ft) below the pass. The pass is 21.4 kilometres (13.3 mi) long. The road is 5.5 metres (18 ft) wide with a maximum grade of 6%. The minimum curve radius is 70 metres (229.7 ft). Snow is possible on the pass from October to April. Japan National Route 236

Japan National Route 236

National Route 236 is a national highway connecting Obihiro, Hokkaidō and Urakawa, Hokkaidō in Japan.-Route data:*Length: *Origin: Obihiro, Hokkaidō*Terminus: Urakawa, Hokkaidō National Route 236 is a national highway connecting Obihiro, Hokkaidō and Urakawa, Hokkaidō in Japan.-Route...

 crosses the pass between Hiroo

Hiroo, Hokkaido

is a town located in Hiroo District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 8,209 and a density of 14.28 persons per km². The total area is 596.14 km²....

 and Urakawa

Urakawa, Hokkaido

is a town located in Urakawa District, Hidaka, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 14,814 and a density of 21.3 persons per km². The total area is 694.24 km².-External links:* in Japanese...

.