Misaka Pass
The pass is accessible by car via a forestry road from the Gifu side; however, due to the danger of falling rocks, the road on the Nagano side of the pass is closed to vehicular traffic.The modern 8600-meter Enayama Tunnel on the Chūō Expressway is located approximately a kilometer north of the pass.It is mentioned in the Nara period Nihon Shoki chronicles as a location where the legendary warrior Yamato Takeru was harassed by mountain kami on his way to conquer eastern Japan, and where he shot and killed a white deer which was an avatar of the kami on his return journey.This legend was a reflection of the evil reputation of the pass, which was steep, isolated, and long, and often plagued by bandits who preyed on travelers.These artifacts dated from the Kofun period through the early Heian period and are presumed to have been ritual offerings from travelers for safety from the malevolent kami and other supernatural forces when attempting to cross the summit of the pass.