Nishina Pass

Overview

Nishina Pass is an HC-category climb in Japan that runs 9.7 km from near sea level to a summit high above it. The road starts at just 3 m of elevation and tops out at 909 m, giving a net elevation gain of 906 m across the ascent. At an average gradient of 9.38%, this is a sustained, uncompromising effort that earns its Hors Catégorie rating on gradient alone.

The gap between the numbers is where the real story sits. The net elevation gain is 906 m, but the total ascent is 1,164 m — a difference of 258 m. That means roughly a quarter of your climbing is repeated after you have already given it back on descents or false flats. The climb undulates rather than rising cleanly, so your legs pay for more vertical metres than the summit height suggests. Plan for the effort of 1,164 m of climbing, not 906 m.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 9.38% average is a blend, not a constant. With 258 m of extra ascent baked into the profile, the road repeatedly kicks up and eases off rather than holding one steady pitch. The steepest ramp reaches 36.94%, far above the average, so there are short sections where the gradient more than triples what the headline number implies.

• Flatter or downhill recovery sections that give elevation back before you reclaim it
• Repeated short climbs stacked through the middle of the profile
• A punishing maximum ramp near 36.94% that demands your lowest gear and a standing effort

Pacing Notes

On a smooth climb you can hold even watts and let speed vary. Nishina Pass is not smooth. Chasing an even speed here will spike your power on every one of those steep pitches and blow your legs before the summit. Anchor your effort to your sustainable power output and accept that your speed will swing wildly as the road pitches and dips.

Let the gradient set the pace: ease slightly on the ramps toward the max, and use the flatter recovery sections to spin rather than surge. If you do not know your ceiling, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target for the day.

Gearing

A maximum gradient near 36.94% governs your setup, not the average. Come with a compact or sub-compact chainset and a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you the range to keep cadence up when the road stands on end. On pitches this steep, undergearing forces you to grind or dismount. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; the summit is not the place to discover you are one cog short.

Summary

• Length: 9.7 km
• Average gradient: 9.38%
• Maximum gradient: 36.94%
• Net elevation gain: 906 m
• Total ascent: 1,164 m
• Category: HC

Nishina Pass is a short but brutal HC climb where the undulation, not just the height, defines the day. Respect the 258 m of repeated climbing, pace to your power, and gear low — then it rewards you with a clean run from the coast to 909 m.