Japan National Route 142 is a national highway of Japan, entirely within Nagano Prefecture. It connects Karuizawa in the north to Shimosuwa in the south, with a total length of 77.3 km (48.0 mi).
Route Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 77.3 km (48.0 mi) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Start | Karuizawa, Nagano (junction with National Route 18 / National Route 146) |
| End | Shimosuwa, Nagano (junction with National Route 20) |
Route Description
National Route 142 runs in a general north–south direction through eastern Nagano Prefecture. It begins at an intersection with National Route 18 and National Route 146 in Karuizawa, a town known as a mountain resort at the foot of Mount Asama. From there, the highway proceeds southward, passing through Saku city and crossing the Wada Pass (Wada Tōge), a mountain pass that forms part of the route's challenging terrain. The highway terminates in Shimosuwa, where it meets National Route 20 on the shores of Lake Suwa.
History
The route was designated in 1953 as a second-class national highway. It was reclassified as a general national highway in 1965 under the revised Road Act.
Major Junctions
- East end: National Route 18 / National Route 146 in Karuizawa, Nagano
- West end: National Route 20 in Shimosuwa, Nagano
- The route also overlaps with National Route 18 and National Route 141 in the section between Karuizawa and Saku.
Significance
National Route 142 serves as an important regional arterial road within Nagano Prefecture, connecting the eastern Shin'etsu region with central and southern areas of the prefecture. It roughly parallels the historic Nakasendō highway, one of the five routes of the Edo period, and passes through areas of scenic and historical interest, including the Wada Pass.
