Hofukuji Pass

Overview

Hofukuji Pass is a Category 1 climb in Japan, running 9.8 km from a start elevation of 693 m to a summit at 1,337 m. The net elevation gain is 644 m, and the average gradient across the full length works out to 6.55%. On paper that puts it in classic long-climb territory: sustained, but not so steep that it reads as a wall.

The paper figure is misleading, though. While the net gain is 644 m, the total ascent is 1,008 m — meaning you climb roughly 364 m more than the elevation profile's endpoints suggest. That extra vertical is spent on rollers and short drops that force you to re-accelerate again and again. The gap between net gain and total ascent is the real story of this climb: your legs pay for every one of those 1,008 metres, not just the 644 that show up between the trailhead and the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 6.55% average hides a lumpy reality. Because 364 m of the total ascent comes from undulation, the road repeatedly kicks up and eases off rather than settling into one steady angle. Expect stretches noticeably steeper than average, separated by brief descents or false flats that tempt you to relax.

• Recovery sections: short descents and flatter false flats where you can spin and eat, but they cost momentum
• Repeated short climbs: punchy ramps stacked through the middle, each demanding a fresh surge of effort
• The steepest ramp: sharp pitches well above the 6.55% average that will spike your power if you attack them

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chasing even speed is a trap — you'll blow up trying to hold pace over the steep ramps and coast wastefully on the descents. Aim instead for even effort. Keep your sustainable power output roughly constant: let speed rise on the flatter sections and let it drop on the ramps without burying yourself.

Cap your steady-state efforts a touch below threshold so the repeated surges don't accumulate into an early bonk. If you don't know your number, run the FTP estimator before your ride and set a ceiling you can defend across all 9.8 km.

Gearing

The steep ramps govern your gearing choice here, not the average. Even a strong rider will want a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — think 34×32 or 34×34 — so you can keep cadence up on the sharpest pitches instead of grinding at low RPM. Check your setup before the ride: confirm the cassette and rear derailleur can actually handle the largest sprocket, and that the chain length is correct for it.

Summary

• Length: 9.8 km
• Average gradient: 6.55%
• Net elevation gain: 644 m
• Total ascent: 1,008 m
• Category: 1

Hofukuji Pass is a Category 1 climb that asks more of you than its 644 m net gain implies. Respect the 1,008 m of total ascent, pace for even effort over the undulation, and gear low enough for the ramps — do that, and the 9.8 km will reward you rather than break you.