From Hokkaido to Okinawa, we picked 100 road sections that are a joy to drive. Move the map, or pick a section from the list.
Move the map to put the crosshair on a road
Hokkaido001–0055 sections
001/100Hokkaido
GT 67
HokkaidoTechnical80974
GT Score
67
Length
24.1 km
Corners
80
Elevation
511 m
The Pearl Skyline, from the shore of Lake Shikaribetsu over Horoshika Pass to Nukabira
Shikaoi Nukabira Line Technical Section is a 24.1 km technical section in Hokkaido, with 80 corners and 511 m of elevation change. A Hokkaido prefectural road from Shikaoi that runs along the shore of Lake Shikaribetsu and crosses Horoshika Pass to Nukabira Onsenkyo in Kamishihoro, also known as the Pearl Skyline. The pass crossing from partway along the lakeshore to Nukabira has many steep grades and 1.5-lane stretches, so drive with plenty of margin. Lake Shikaribetsu is the source of the Shikaribetsu River, which flows through Shikaoi. Northern Shikaoi lies within Daisetsuzan National Park, and the entire town is certified as the Tokachi Shikaoi Geopark. The road is closed in winter.
A road at the foot of Mount Eniwa leading to Lake Okotanpe, one of Hokkaido's three hidden lakes
Shikotsuko Line Technical Section is a 9.1 km technical section in Hokkaido, with 32 corners and 429 m of elevation change. Of the Hokkaido prefectural road running along the west side of Lake Shikotsu, this section runs from Route 453 at Banjiri in Eniwa toward Okotan in Chitose. Along the way is Lake Okotanpe, one of Hokkaido's three hidden lakes, and from an observation deck beside the road you can look down on its surface cradled in virgin forest. During the 1972 Sapporo Olympics, the downhill events were held on Mount Eniwa, and this road served as a key transport route. Today it is open only from Route 453 to the Lake Okotanpe observation deck, and the road beyond remains closed. The entire route is closed in winter.
The “Echo Line,” running from Kutchan through the hot spring country of Niseko
Kutchan Niseko Line is a 18.8 km power section in Hokkaido, with 39 corners and 624 m of elevation change. This Hokkaido prefectural road, commonly called the “Echo Line,” runs from central Kutchan through the Hanazono area and the Niseko mountains, home to Goshiki Onsen, to Yusato in Rankoshi. Along the way are Niseko HANAZONO Resort, Hanazono Onsen, Weiss Ski Area and Goshiki Onsen, as the road heads from the Kutchan basin, ringed by Mount Yotei and the Niseko range, into the mountains. Part of the route (about 14 km) is closed in winter, usually from around December to February, so check the latest road information before you go.
Over Orofure Pass and down to the hot spring towns of Karurusu and Noboribetsu
Toyako Noboribetsu Line Power Section is a 36.9 km power section in Hokkaido, with 65 corners and 882 m of elevation change. Of the Hokkaido prefectural road linking Toyako Onsen with Noboribetsu, this section runs from Sobetsu over Orofure Pass toward Noboribetsu. With the opening of the Orofure Tunnel in 1988, the road became passable all year round. Hot springs abound along the way, including Karurusu Onsen, Shin-Noboribetsu Onsen and Noboribetsu Onsen, and Noboribetsu is also home to the “Flower Tunnel,” an avenue of Sargent's cherry trees. Note that the roughly 17 km stretch from Benkei in Sobetsu to Karurusu-cho in Noboribetsu is closed at night in winter.
A highland route through Shirotai Ranch, overlooking Mount Hakodate and Komagatake
Shirotai Skyline is a 15.4 km power section in Hokkaido, with 42 corners and 425 m of elevation change. A road linking Honcho in Nanae Town with Onuma Park, passing the Shirotai Ranch, where grazing cattle feed on the grass. From the ranch you can see Komagatake to the north, Mount Hakodate to the south, and the Ono Plain spread out below to the southwest; the observation point at about 550 m is also popular at night for Hakodate's “back-side night view” (ura-yakei). An indoor observation deck was added to the ranch's management building in 2012, along with a free rest area.
A highland road from the Kayano Plateau up into Hakkoda's sea of beech forest
Hakkoda Gold Line is a 13.1 km power section in Aomori, with 45 corners and 598 m of elevation change. This section of Route 103 heads south from central Aomori toward the Hakkoda Mountains; the road from Aomori to Lake Towada is called the “Hakkoda-Towada Gold Line.” On the Kayano Plateau, at around 540 m, the road passes through grassland and low shrubs, and beyond it lies a vast beech forest. It is a mountain road of continuous curves, known for the beauty of its fresh spring greenery and autumn foliage. Nearby, the Hakkoda Ropeway climbs to the summit of Mount Tamoyachi, and snow can remain along the roadside even in May.
Switchbacks through beech forest to the Eighth Station of Mount Iwaki, the “Fuji of Tsugaru”
Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline is a 9.4 km technical section in Aomori, with 66 corners and 814 m of elevation change. Opened in 1965 as Aomori Prefecture's first toll road, this sightseeing and mountain-access road runs from the foot of Mount Iwaki, also called Tsugaru Fuji, up to its Eighth Station. It climbs the southwestern slope through virgin beech forest, stacking hairpin upon hairpin, and the views open up as you gain height. From the Eighth Station parking area you can look out over the Tsugaru Plain and the Sea of Japan, Shichiri-Nagahama and Lake Jusan, and on clear days you can sometimes see as far as Hokkaido. It is closed for winter from around early November to late April.
A scenic road across the Hachimantai plateau, dotted with crater ponds
Hachimantai Aspite Line is a 35.1 km technical section spanning Iwate and Akita, with 114 corners and 1115 m of elevation change. Crossing the Hachimantai mountains from east to west, this road goes over the Ou Mountains at Mikaeri Pass, 1,613 m above sea level. The approach gains altitude through sharp curves, and once on the plateau, gentle curves and rolling ups and downs follow. Highlights include untouched nature dotted with ponds in old craters, autumn colors in October, and the snow corridor in spring. Part of the route (about 3 km) is closed in winter, usually from November to March, so check the latest information from Akita Prefecture before you go.
The Rikuchu Kaigan Seaside Line, tracing Sanriku's ria coast
Iwaizumi Hiraiga Fudai Line is a 37.3 km power section in Iwate, with 113 corners and 273 m of elevation change. A prefectural road running from Iwaizumi through Tanohata to Fudai, nicknamed the Rikuchu Kaigan Seaside Line. It serves as a sightseeing road through Kitayamazaki, a scenic spot on the northern Sanriku Coast, and follows the rugged terrain of the ria coastline. At Kitayamazaki, cliffs about 200 m high continue for some 8 km, and observation decks look out over the sweeping coastline. The road ends in front of Fudai Station on the Sanriku Railway Rias Line, where the Michi-no-Eki Ao-no-Kuni Fudai roadside station is attached to the station, making a good stop on the journey.
A road along the spine of the Oshika Peninsula, descending to Ayukawa with views of Kinkasan
Oshika Hanto Koen Line (Cobalt Line) is a 33.5 km technical section in Miyagi, with 155 corners and 291 m of elevation change. This mountain road runs from Onagawa along the central ridgeline of the Oshika Peninsula to Ayukawa in Ishinomaki, once a thriving whaling port. It opened as a toll road in 1971 and became toll-free in 1996. Most of it lies within a special zone of Sanriku Fukko National Park, and in the north it overlooks Onagawa Bay. From the Gobansho Observatory near the tip of the peninsula you can see the Pacific and Kinkasan Island, and the road is also known for its autumn colors. After damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, it reopened along its full length in 2014.
A mountain road on the flanks of Mount Chokai, overlooking the Sea of Japan and the Shonai Plain
Chokai Blue Line is a 22.7 km technical section spanning Akita and Yamagata, with 108 corners and 837 m of elevation change. Weaving along the western foot of Mount Chokai up to Hokodate near the 5th station, this mountain road links Yuza in Yamagata Prefecture with Nikaho in Akita Prefecture. It has many hairpin bends, and once past the 4th station, where the tall trees give way, the view opens out over the Shonai Plain and the Sea of Japan, all the way to Tobishima Island offshore. It became toll-free in 2001. Part of the route (about 8 km) is closed in winter, usually from November to April, so check the latest information from Yamagata Prefecture before you go.
A heavy-snow road crossing the mountains of Gassan and Yudono in the Dewa Sanzan
Gassan Hanagasa Line is a 11.1 km power section in Yamagata, with 11 corners and 219 m of elevation change. The “Gassan Hanagasa Line” is part of the Gassan Road on Route 112, which links inland Yamagata with the Shonai region; the nickname was chosen from public submissions by residents of the prefecture when the road opened. Built as a bypass to replace the Rokujuri-goe Kaido, a zigzagging pass road, it took 12 years to construct amid heavy snow and rugged terrain, and opened along its full length in 1981. Set in the mountains centered on Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono, two of the Dewa Sanzan (Three Mountains of Dewa), it offers scenery that changes with the seasons, from lingering snow and fresh green to autumn colors. It is also listed among Japan's 100 Selected Roads.
A mountain road across the Zao range, over Katta Pass in the Ou Mountains
Zao Echo Line is a 41.5 km technical section spanning Miyagi and Yamagata, with 153 corners and 1428 m of elevation change. This road crosses the Zao mountain range from east to west and opened along its full length in 1962. Its high point, Katta Pass (1,606 m), is the highest pass open to cars in the Ou Mountains. Just after it reopens in spring, it becomes a “snow corridor” lined with walls of snow, and in autumn it is known for its fall foliage. From Komakusadaira on the Miyagi side, views open out toward Sendai. Part of the route (about 6 km) is closed in winter, usually from November to April, so check the latest information from Miyagi Prefecture before you go.
A mountain sightseeing road climbing from Fukushima city to Jododaira in the Azuma range
Fukushima Azuma Urabandai Line Technical Section 1 is a 45.0 km technical section in Fukushima, with 175 corners and 1549 m of elevation change. From central Fukushima, the road crosses an alluvial fan covered with orchards, then switchbacks up the flanks of Mount Azuma to Takayu Onsen and on to the Bandai-Azuma Skyline. Opened in 1959, the Skyline is a mountain sightseeing road named one of Japan's 100 Selected Roads, and at Jododaira a barren volcanic wasteland stretches out where no plants grow. Part of the section (about 28 km) is closed every winter from November to April, so check the latest information from Fukushima Prefecture before you set out.
A highland drive around the three Ura-Bandai lakes born of an eruption
Bandai Azuma Lake Line is a 13.0 km power section in Fukushima, with 45 corners and 256 m of elevation change. Passing between Lake Onogawa and Lake Akimoto, both formed by the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai, this tourist road leads to Lake Hibara and became toll-free in 2013. It is an easy road to drive, with a succession of gentle curves, and from the “Sanko Paradise” viewpoint overlooking all three lakes and from Suzukaze Pass you can look out over the lakes and ponds of Ura-Bandai. The surroundings are wrapped in broadleaf forest. Nakatsugawa Gorge has a rest house and draws crowds for its autumn colors, usually from mid-October to early November. The road is closed in winter, usually from early November to mid-April.
A lakeside road in Urabandai, heading north along the west shore of Lake Hibara
Aizuwakamatsu Urabandai Line Cruise Section is a 11.6 km cruise section in Fukushima, with 33 corners and 43 m of elevation change. After crossing Mount Bandai and sharing its route with Route 459, this section splits off near the Michi-no-Eki Urabandai roadside station and runs north along the western shore of Lake Hibara. Together with the Prefectural Road Yonezawa Inawashiro Line, which it meets at its end, it forms a loop road around the lake. The Hibara Bridge, which spans an inlet of the lake, lies within a special zone of Bandai-Asahi National Park, so it was built as an arch bridge with care for the surrounding tree communities and waterside environment and opened in 1997; even the shape of its girders and its paint were chosen to blend with the surroundings.
A tourist road over a pass, looking out on Mount Bandai's explosion crater and Lake Inawashiro
Bandaisan Gold Line is a 16.6 km technical section in Fukushima, with 68 corners and 695 m of elevation change. On the west side of Mount Bandai, this tourist road crosses Happodai, the saddle between Mount Bandai and Mount Nekoma, linking the town of Bandai with the Lake Hibara area of Ura-Bandai. Its name comes from the folk song “Aizu Bandaisan,” and it became toll-free in 2013. Scenic parking areas dot the roadside, such as Sankodai, overlooking Lake Inawashiro, and Ogondaira, with a close-up view of the explosion crater formed in the 1888 eruption. On the south side the road passes through the slopes of a ski resort, and the forests on either side of the pass are known for their autumn colors. It is closed in winter, usually from early November to late April of the following year.
A loop road through Okutama over Kazahari Pass, the highest road in Tokyo
Okutama Shuyu Road is a 19.6 km technical section in Tokyo, with 115 corners and 597 m of elevation change. This road loops through the deep mountains south of Lake Okutama, from Mito Bridge on the lakeshore to Kazuma in Hinohara Village. It opened in 1973 as Tokyo's first toll road and became toll-free in 1990. The Tsukiyomi Daiichi parking area offers a sweeping view of Lake Okutama and the surrounding mountains, and at the highest point, Kazahari Pass (1146 m), a sign marks the “highest road in Tokyo.” On the Kazuma side is the Hinohara Tomin no Mori forest, with trails leading up Mount Mito. The road is closed by gates at night, and since emergency transport can take a long time here, please drive with care.
A back road from Lake Okutama over Yanagisawa Pass into old Koshu
Ome Kaido Power Section is a 47.3 km power section spanning Tokyo and Yamanashi, with 185 corners and 961 m of elevation change. The Ome Kaido linked Edo and Kofu by a route separate from the Koshu Kaido, which is why it was also called the “Koshu Ura-Kaido” (the Koshu back road). This section follows Route 411 west from the shore of Lake Okutama through the mountains, crossing from Tokyo into Yamanashi Prefecture at Kamosawa Bridge in Tabayama Village. The greatest obstacle was once Daibosatsu Pass, but in 1878 (Meiji 11) Yanagisawa Pass was cut to bypass it, and today's road also crosses this pass before descending toward Koshu City.
A pass road with the Misaka Tunnel, Tenka Chaya and Fuji views tied to Osamu Dazai
Kawaguchiko Misaka Line is a 12.1 km technical section in Yamanashi, with 89 corners and 345 m of elevation change. This is the pass section of a former national road linking the Kofu Basin and Lake Kawaguchi, opened in 1931. At the pass is the Misaka Tunnel, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. After the Shin-Misaka Tunnel opened in 1967, most traffic moved there, and since 1994 this has been a prefectural road. At the Lake Kawaguchi end of the tunnel stands the pass teahouse “Tenka Chaya,” where Osamu Dazai and Masuji Ibuse stayed, and nearby is a literary monument inscribed with the line from “One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji” (Fugaku Hyakkei): “Evening primroses suit Mount Fuji well.” Katsushika Hokusai also painted Mount Fuji as seen from Misaka Pass.
A mountain toll road from Odawara to Mount Taikan, overlooking Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji
Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone is a 13.6 km power section in Kanagawa, with 21 corners and 961 m of elevation change. This mountain toll road climbs from Hayakawa in Odawara to Mount Taikan and Yugawara Pass in Hakone; it is a private road opened in 1965. The minimum curve radius is a gentle 100 m and the gradients are relatively mild, but on the way down there are signs urging drivers to use engine braking, as well as emergency escape ramps. Many viewpoints line the route, looking out over Sagami Bay, Hatsushima and Izu Oshima, and from the “Taikanzan Sky Lounge” near the end of the road you can take in Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. In early spring, a tunnel of cherry blossoms appears about 4 km in from the Hayakawa side.
A mountain pass road from Oku-Yugawara to Mount Taikan, with camellias and sweeping views
Yugawara Hakone Sengoku Line (Tsubaki Line) Technical Section is a 24.6 km technical section in Kanagawa, with 153 corners and 983 m of elevation change. Of the prefectural road linking Yugawara and Hakone, the roughly 18.5 km stretch from Oku-Yugawara to the Hakone Sekisho Minami intersection on the shore of Lake Ashi is known as the “Tsubaki Line” (Camellia Line). From the high point of 1,011 m near Mount Taikan down to Oku-Yugawara, a winding pass road covers an elevation difference of about 750 m. With camellias along the roadside and fine views around Mount Taikan, it has long been a popular route for drives and motorcycle touring. Sights along the way include the Shitodo Cave and Hakuun Falls.
Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from the ridge of Hakone's outer crater rim
Ashinoko Skyline is a 9.0 km technical section spanning Kanagawa and Shizuoka, with 51 corners and 181 m of elevation change. This toll road runs along the outer rim of the Hakone volcano from near Hakone Pass to Kojiri Pass; its main line opened in 1962. Because it follows a ridgeline at around 900 m, the views are open along its entire length, taking in Lake Ashi, Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji. Heading north from near Hakone Pass, there is a stretch where Mount Fuji fills the view ahead, from summit to foothills. The roadside is covered with bamboo grass and deciduous broadleaf trees, and autumn brings colorful foliage. Fog forms easily here, so take care, as visibility can become poor.
Along the spine of the Izu Peninsula, with views over the Sagami Sea and Suruga Bay
Izu Skyline is a 40.6 km power section in Shizuoka, with 124 corners and 553 m of elevation change. This mountain toll road follows the ridgeline on the eastern side of the Izu Peninsula from Atami Pass to the Amagi Highlands, and opened in stages between 1962 and 1964. Along the ridge it passes Atami Pass, Nirayama Pass, Yamabushi Pass and Kameishi Pass, with small rises and dips and a succession of corners large and small. From eight viewpoints along the way you can look out over the Sagami Sea, Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji; the stretch from the Takichisan Observation Deck to Nirayama Pass is said to offer particularly fine views. There are no streetlights at night, and in winter the road may be closed due to snow or ice.
A road across the western foot of Mount Kurodake, leading to the Izu Skyline
Fujimi Parkway is a 10.3 km technical section in Shizuoka, with 50 corners and 636 m of elevation change. In the eastern part of the Nirayama area of Izunokuni, this road crosses the western foothills of Mount Kurodake, linking the Izu Skyline's Nirayama Pass IC with the “Fujimi Parkway Iriguchi” intersection near the former Nirayama Magistrate's Office. It was built by a company affiliated with Nippon Express together with “Izu Fujimi Land” halfway up the mountain, and opened as a toll road in 1966. In 2003 it was transferred to what was then the town of Nirayama and made toll-free, and the name lives on today as its common name. Heading west, it continues onto the “Ichigo Kaido” (Strawberry Road), lined with pick-your-own strawberry farms.
To the Fujinomiya Trail Fifth Station, the highest point in Japan reachable by private car
Fujisan Skyline is a 22.2 km technical section in Shizuoka, with 111 corners and 1098 m of elevation change. This mountain road runs across the southern foot of Mount Fuji. All of it was in service by 1970, and it became toll-free in 1994. The end of the climbing section, the Fujinomiya Trail Fifth Station, stands at about 2,380 m and is the highest point in Japan you can reach in a private car. From the Fifth Station you can look out over Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula, and Mizugatsuka Park along the road serves as a rest stop. It has also been selected as one of the “100 Roads of Japan.” Part of the section (about 13 km) is subject to private vehicle restrictions every year from July to September, so check the latest information from Shizuoka Prefecture before you set out.
Up Mount Fuji's northern slope to the Fifth Station, above the forest and the surrounding peaks
Fuji Subaru Line is a 24.3 km power section in Yamanashi, with 51 corners and 1248 m of elevation change. Opened in 1964 as Yamanashi Prefecture's first prefecturally operated toll road, it climbs from Lake Kawaguchi up the northern slope of Mount Fuji to the Yoshida Trail Fifth Station (2305 m). There are few switchbacks; instead, gentle curves and straights link together. From the Jukaidai parking area at the Second Station you can see the Aokigahara forest, and from the Osawa parking area near the Fourth Station the Southern Alps, the Yatsugatake range and Suruga Bay. It has also been selected as one of the “100 Roads of Japan.” Private vehicles are restricted every year from July to September, so check the latest information from the Yamanashi Prefectural Road Public Corporation before you set out.
Tateyama's coastline, from roadsides of rapeseed blossoms out to the Pacific and Izu Oshima
Boso Flower Line is a 20.3 km cruise section in Chiba, with 18 corners and 36 m of elevation change. Running from the Shitamachi intersection in Tateyama to Aihama along the coast at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula, this is the “First Flower Line.” Roadside flower beds are planted with seasonal flowers, and from winter into spring the rapeseed blossoms are in full bloom. The stretch between Ito and Aihama is listed among Japan's 100 Selected Roads. From the shore you can see the Izu Peninsula and Izu Oshima across the Pacific, and along the route are Susaki Shrine, associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo, and Sunosaki Lighthouse. Every January it also forms part of the course of the Tateyama Wakashio Marathon.
A ridge road along the eastern crest of Mount Tsukuba, overlooking the Kanto Plain
Tsukuba Purple Line is a 10.4 km technical section in Ibaraki, with 68 corners and 192 m of elevation change. This section of the Omote-Tsukuba Skyline follows the eastern ridge of the Tsukuba Mountains from Kazekaeshi Pass to Asahi Pass. It opened as a toll road in 1974 and became toll-free in 2004. Following the ridge means plenty of curves, but also wide views: from roadside spots such as the Asahi Pass parking area, the whole Kanto Plain spreads out below. It is also listed among Japan's 100 Selected Night Views. The nickname “Purple” comes from Shiho (“purple peak”), the poetic name for Mount Tsukuba. Note that motorcycles are banned on this section at all times.
A mountain road crossing the Kanna River and over Tsuchizaka Pass on the Gunma–Saitama border
Takasaki Kanna Chichibu Line Technical Section 1 is a 16.4 km technical section spanning Gunma and Saitama, with 84 corners and 463 m of elevation change. This section runs from the center of the former town of Manba, now part of Kanna in Gunma Prefecture, across the Kanna River, and includes the mountain road up to Tsuchizaka Pass on the Gunma–Saitama border. The pass is crossed by tunnel, beyond which the road becomes a Saitama prefectural road. Even after entering the Chichibu side, it remains a narrow mountain road with a string of sharp curves for some distance. Kanna is known as the town where dinosaur footprint fossils were first found in Japan, and it is home to the Kanna Dinosaur Center.
A mountainside road with close-up views of the rock peaks of Mount Myogi, one of Japan's Three Great Scenic Wonders
Kamiosaka Yotsuya Myogi Line is a 14.5 km technical section in Gunma, with 89 corners and 383 m of elevation change. Running from Kamiosaka in Shimonita along the flanks of Mount Myogi to Myogi-machi in Tomioka, this road is part of the “Jomo Sanzan Panorama Kaido.” It takes you past views of the rugged rock peaks of Mount Myogi, counted among Japan's Three Great Scenic Wonders, and in the fresh green of spring and the autumn foliage season the harmony with the strange rock formations is striking. Along the route are famous sights such as Nakanotake Shrine, Myogi Shrine and Taiho-iwa (Cannon Rock), and Tomioka promotes the road under the nickname “Myogi Momiji Line.” It is the former Myogi Toll Road, made toll-free in 1986.
A Meiji-era road over Usui Pass, climbing on one side only through a string of curves
Route 18 Technical Section is a 15.0 km technical section spanning Gunma and Nagano, with 121 corners and 580 m of elevation change. Usui Pass sits on the Central Divide at the border between Annaka in Gunma Prefecture and Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture. Its defining trait is a one-sided gradient: the road climbs steeply from Yokokawa (387 m elevation) on the Gunma side, while on the Nagano side there is almost no difference in elevation with Karuizawa. This is the old alignment of Route 18, which traces its origins to the Usui New Road opened in the Meiji era, and curves large and small follow one after another without a break. After the Usui Bypass opened in 1971 and the Joshin-etsu Expressway in 1993, it lost its role as a trunk road, but it has long been known as a road for drives and touring.
A forest road of hairpins from Ikaho Onsen to the summit of Mount Haruna
Shibukawa Matsuida Line Technical Section 1 is a 7.5 km technical section in Gunma, with 41 corners and 443 m of elevation change. A winding road through the forest, with one hairpin after another, heading from Ikaho Onsen to the summit of Mount Haruna, one of the Three Mountains of Jomo. This area was once the Japan Highway Public Corporation's “Ikaho-Haruna Road” toll road; the stretch to Mount Haruna opened in 1962 and became toll-free in 1981. It is also part of the Jomo Sanzan Panorama Kaido, and once you cross Yaseone Pass into the inner peaks of Mount Haruna, Lake Haruna spreads out at an elevation of about 1,100 m.
A former toll road climbing the southern face of Mount Akagi to Lake Onuma
Maebashi Akagi Line is a 14.8 km technical section in Gunma, with 61 corners and 967 m of elevation change. Of the prefectural road running from central Maebashi to the summit of Mount Akagi, the stretch from the southern foothills up to Lake Onuma at the summit is called the “Akagi Road,” with sections of back-to-back hairpin bends. The mountain section was once an unpaved road with long steep grades, and there is a story that in 1957 it was used for hill-climb tests of the prototype Subaru 360 kei car. It was completed in 1966 as the Akagi Nanmen Toll Road and became toll-free in 1995. Of the prefectural roads leading up to Mount Akagi, this is the only one open all year round.
Up the flank of Mount Motoshirane from the Tsumagoi Highlands to Manza Onsen
Manza Highway is a 20.3 km technical section in Gunma, with 67 corners and 924 m of elevation change. This highland toll road climbs from the Tsumagoi Highlands up the flank of Mount Motoshirane to Manza Onsen; the Seibu Group opened it in 1973. Together with the Onioshi Highway, it is known as the “Asama-Shirane Volcano Route.” The roadside is highland country above 1000 m, with Tsumagoi Ranch and birch woods spreading out and Mount Asama visible to the south. While Route 292 is closed in winter, it is the only access road to Manza Onsen. From the summit area, you can continue via the Manza Road to the Shiga-Kusatsu Road and head on to Kusatsu Onsen or the Shiga Highlands.
Through the stark volcanic landscape of Mount Shirane to the highest point on Japan's national roads
Shiga-Kusatsu Road is a 20.1 km technical section spanning Gunma and Nagano, with 90 corners and 975 m of elevation change. This mountain stretch of Route 292 runs from Kusatsu Onsen toward Shibu Pass. It opened as a toll road in 1970 and became toll-free in 1992. On the Gunma side, a stark landscape spreads out around Mount Shirane, and at Sesshogawara the smell of sulfur hangs in the air. From the Manza Onsen junction the road turns into switchbacks and climbs onto a ridge above the tree line. Near Shibu Pass stands a monument marking the “Highest Point on Japan's National Roads” at 2172 m. Part of this section (about 18 km) is closed every winter from November to April, so check the latest information from Gunma Prefecture before you set out.
A highland mountain road across Kirifuri Plateau, past Roppozawa Bridge and Ozasa Ranch
Kuriyama Nikko Line is a 25.5 km technical section in Tochigi, with 120 corners and 909 m of elevation change. This prefectural road links the Kuriyama area of Nikko with central Nikko, and the part running north–south across Kirifuri Plateau is called the “Kirifuri Kogen Road.” The former Kirifuri Kogen Toll Road became toll-free in 2006. Compound curves follow one another along the ridges on the eastern slopes of Mount Nyoho, and the highlights keep coming: Roppozawa Bridge, spanning the valley at 1,434 m, Kisuge-daira, where Nikko day lilies bloom from mid-June to early July, and Ozasa Ranch to the north.
One of the Kanto region's leading autumn-foliage roads, linking the Kinugawa and Shiobara hot springs
Momiji Line is a 27.5 km technical section in Tochigi, with 189 corners and 781 m of elevation change. The nickname of the Prefectural Road Fujiwara Shiobara Line, which links the Kinugawa Onsen area in Nikko City with the Shiobara Onsen area in Nasushiobara City. A sightseeing and industrial road built in 1938 was redeveloped and opened as a toll road in 1972, and it became toll-free in December 2020. True to its name, the route is planted with countless maples (momiji) and is one of the Kanto region's foremost places for viewing autumn leaves. Along the way are Taikooroshi Falls, Shirataki Falls, Edelweiss Ski Resort, and Hunter Mountain Shiobara.
The goddess's road linking the highlands of Tateshina, Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara
Venus Line is a 71.9 km technical section in Nagano, with 242 corners and 1125 m of elevation change. From central Chino, this road links the highland resorts of the Tateshina Highlands, Lake Shirakaba, Mount Kuruma, Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara; its name comes from likening the shape of Mount Tateshina, which rises beside the road, to a goddess. Around Mount Kuruma you can see the Yatsugatake range, the Southern Alps and the Northern Alps, and at Kirigamine day lilies (nikko-kisuge) bloom in profusion around July. Along the road lies the Yashimagahara Marsh, a national natural monument. Part of the section (about 17 km) is closed every winter from November to April, so check the latest information from Nagano Prefecture before you set out.
The old national road down from Wada Pass, once the hardest stretch of the Nakasendo
Nakasendo Technical Section is a 11.1 km technical section in Nagano, with 61 corners and 636 m of elevation change. This is the old alignment of Route 142, descending from Wada Pass (elevation 1531 m) on the Nakasendo toward Wada-juku in the town of Nagawa. With long distances between post towns and heavy winter snow, Wada Pass was considered the most difficult point on the entire Nakasendo. Today's road largely follows the new road opened in 1876, and at the pass the Wada Pass Tunnel, opened in 1933, still remains (it is narrow, with traffic alternating under signal control). Since the new road through the Shin-Wada Tunnel was completed in 1978, this road has taken on more of the character of a scenic route linking with the Venus Line.
Over Tsuetsuki Pass, then south from the Ina Valley along the Akiha Kaido, the old “Salt Road”
Route 152 Power Section 1 is a 78.0 km power section in Nagano, with 214 corners and 754 m of elevation change. This long mountain section of Route 152 runs from Chino over Tsuetsuki Pass into Ina, then continues south to the village of Oshika. The crossing of Tsuetsuki Pass is known as the “Tsuetsuki Kaido,” and the road south of Ina as the Akiha Kaido, a “Salt Road” trade route that carried salt from the Pacific into Shinshu; it is also the road along which Takeda Shingen marched in his bid to reach Kyoto. Along the way is the roadside station “Minami Alps Mura Hase.” Around Bunkui Pass the road is narrow, and in places it can be difficult for vehicles to pass each other.
A mountain national route over Nagamine Pass, from Hida to the Kaida Highlands and Kiso
Route 361 Power Section 2 is a 76.1 km power section spanning Nagano and Gifu, with 161 corners and 781 m of elevation change. Part of Route 361, which crosses the mountains of the Chubu region from Takayama City in the west to Ina City in the east, this section runs from Takayama over Nagamine Pass toward Kiso Town. The stretch over Nagamine Pass (1,350 m), between the Hida Mountains and Mount Ontake, is also called the Kiso Kaido, with a succession of tunnels and dam lakes. From the Kyuzo Pass Observatory around the Kaida Highlands there is a clear view of Mount Ontake. Along the route are the roadside stations Hida Asahimura and Hida Takane Kobo.
A road along the Sho River gorge linking the gassho-style villages of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go
Hietsukyo Gassho Line is a 65.5 km power section spanning Toyama and Gifu, with 113 corners and 509 m of elevation change. Part of Route 156, which follows the Sho River valley across the Toyama–Gifu border, this road is a well-loved tourist route linking Gokayama and Shirakawa-go, where World Heritage gassho-zukuri villages survive. Once a narrow, difficult stretch, it was transformed by new tunnels and bridges into a road overlooking clear streams and dam lakes, and was completed as the “Hietsukyo Gassho Line” in 1981. Near the prefectural border, the road crosses the meandering Sho River again and again on the “Hietsu Seven Bridges,” each with a different railing color, crossing the border seven times in about 3 km.
A forest road up to Lake Arimine, built together with the Arimine Dam
Arimine Forest Road Omi Line is a 14.1 km technical section in Toyama, with 57 corners and 738 m of elevation change. One of the routes of the Arimine Forest Road, a toll road, it climbs from Kamegai in Toyama City to Inone on the shore of Lake Arimine. Work was begun in 1951 by the then village of Oyama and Hokuriku Electric Power, with the aims of forest development and building the Arimine Dam, and the road was completed in 1962. Widening to two lanes, begun in 1975, was completed in 2021. In summer, hiker buses heading for Kamegai Onsen, viewpoints and the Arimine Memorial Hall also use this forest road. The Arimine Forest Road is closed along its entire length in winter, and it cannot be used at night (from 20:00 to 6:00 the next morning).
From Takaoka over the border hills to Hakui on the Noto Peninsula
Takaoka Hakui Line is a 28.5 km power section spanning Toyama and Ishikawa, with 93 corners and 238 m of elevation change. Heading west from Route 8 in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, the road crosses the Oyabe River on the Kuniyoshi Bridge, enters the mountains, and passes through western Himi City before crossing into Hodatsushimizu Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. Over the border it runs along the right bank of the Shimoishi Dam and descends beside the Shioura River to the Shinbo intersection (Route 249) in Hakui City. The Akage Tunnel, which bypasses a difficult stretch, opened in 1993, and the entire route has now been widened to two lanes. Along the way are the Sanden Kanaya Kofun, a nationally designated historic site, and Shingu Onsen.
A road along the slopes of Mount Yahiko, looking down on the Sea of Japan and Sado Island
Yahiko Skyline is a 13.4 km technical section in Niigata, with 74 corners and 443 m of elevation change. A sightseeing road that weaves along the slopes of Mount Amagoi, Mount Yahiko, and Mount Taho; it opened as a toll road in 1970 and became toll-free in 1981. From the western slopes of Mount Yahiko you look down on the Sea of Japan, with Sado Island floating on the horizon. Its fresh greenery and autumn colors are among the finest in the prefecture, and the Dairo-zaka, a winding climb of consecutive hairpin curves up and down steep grades, is a famous spot. At the summit parking area stands the Panorama Tower, a rotating observation tower that rises and descends. The road is closed at night (23:00 to 5:00).
A coastal road threading the Sea of Japan cliffs at the western foot of Mount Yahiko and Mount Kakuda
Echigo-Nanaura Seaside Line is a 16.1 km cruise section in Niigata, with 26 corners and 99 m of elevation change. This nicknamed section of Route 402 links Teradomari-Nozumi in Nagaoka with Kakudahama in Nishikan Ward, Niigata, running along rocky cliffs a level above the sea. It opened as a toll road between 1974 and 1975 and became toll-free in 1990. Strange rock formations carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan dot the route, and “Benten-iwa” and “Tate-iwa” are designated natural monuments as exposed pillow lava. Between Maze and Gokahama, the road leaves the coast and detours through the hills, in line with plans to build the Maki Nuclear Power Plant.
The Ogi coast, on the final stretch of Japan's longest principal prefectural road around Sado Island
Sado Isshu Line Cruise Section 3 is a 9.9 km cruise section in Niigata, with 22 corners and 54 m of elevation change. Starting from the Sawata district and circling Sado Island clockwise along its coastline, the Sado Isshu Line is, at 167.2 km, the longest principal prefectural road in Japan. This section is part of its final stretch, extending west from the Ogi district; the route ends at Ezumi on the western edge of Ogi. In 2020 the Sawasaki section opened along its full length, extending the official end of the road to Ezumi. With few curves and gentle undulations, it makes for a relaxed drive along the island's shore.
Over the Suzuka Mountains from Yunoyama Onsen to Buhei Pass
Suzuka Skyline is a 17.6 km technical section spanning Mie and Shiga, with 114 corners and 447 m of elevation change. This mountain stretch of Route 477 runs from near Yunoyama Onsen in Mie Prefecture over the Suzuka Mountains to Koka in Shiga Prefecture. It opened as a toll road in 1972 and became toll-free in 1997. It passes through the Buhei Tunnel just below Buhei Pass, the saddle between Mount Gozaisho and Mount Kamagatake. On the Mie side the road climbs steeply through a series of hairpin bends, and from just before the tunnel you can see the Ise Plain and Ise Bay. There are trailheads here, and hikers may be walking on the road, so stay alert. The road may be closed in winter, so check the latest road information before you set out.
The “Ajisai Line” (Hydrangea Line) up Mount Sangane in Mikawa Bay Quasi-National Park
Sanganesan Skyline is a 9.9 km technical section in Aichi, with 78 corners and 322 m of elevation change. This road crosses Mount Sangane (321 m), part of Mikawa Bay Quasi-National Park, linking Higashihazu in Nishio with Kanehira in Gamagori, and goes by the nickname “Ajisai Line” (Hydrangea Line). It was built for tourism development on Mount Sangane in the 1960s, when Katahara Onsen and Nishiura Onsen were being developed, and opened in 1968. At the summit there are parking and restrooms, and seasonal events are held here as well. It is a toll road managed by the Aichi Prefectural Road Public Corporation and is closed from 20:00 to 8:00 the next morning.
Following the hills of Gamagori, looking down on Mikawa Bay and the city lights
Mikawawan Skyline is a 14.5 km power section in Aichi, with 78 corners and 243 m of elevation change. This skyline runs along the peaks of Mount Kuwagai, Mount Tomine and Mount Goi north of central Gamagori, and opened along its full length in 1973. It was a toll road but became toll-free in 2006, and the name now survives as the nickname of Aichi Prefectural Route 525 (Gamagori Kanjo Line). Rising, falling and curving along the ridge, it offers sweeping views of Mikawa Bay in places, and the night view of Gamagori and Mikawa Bay is especially popular. Since it became toll-free, the pavement is said to be often damaged and debris on the road frequent, so keep an eye on the road surface.
A skyline along the ridge of Mount Hongu, looking out to Mikawa Bay
Hongusan Skyline is a 11.6 km technical section in Aichi, with 57 corners and 299 m of elevation change. This road runs along the ridge of Mount Hongu (789 m) in the Mikawa Mountains. It opened as a toll road in 1973 and became toll-free in 2006. It is now a prefectural road, but the name Hongusan Skyline lives on as a nickname. On clear days you can see Mikawa Bay below and even Mount Fuji in the distance. Near the summit are the Okumiya (inner shrine) of Toga Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Mikawa Province, and Hongusan Prefectural Natural Park, which draw many worshippers and hikers. In winter, chain requirements are in effect along the entire road.
A prefectural road following the Yahagi River from the Mikawa hills to Akechi
Toyota Akechi Line is a 38.5 km power section spanning Gifu and Aichi, with 75 corners and 404 m of elevation change. A prefectural road that heads north from near Hirato Bridge in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, to Akechi-cho in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture. As far as the Kushihara district of Ena it follows the west bank of the Yahagi River, passing Kanpachi Gorge and the Sasado and Odo hot springs along the way. The Sanage Green Road's Shidare IC also lies on the route, making the road easy to reach. In the southernmost part of Ena, the Yahagi River forms the border with Aichi Prefecture. At the Akechi end you'll find Akechi Station on the Akechi Railway and Nihon Taisho Mura (Japan Taisho Village), so there is no shortage of places to stop.
A mountain road up to Mount Ibuki's Ninth Station, overlooking Lake Biwa and Sekigahara
Ibukiyama Driveway is a 15.9 km technical section spanning Gifu and Shiga, with 108 corners and 1070 m of elevation change. This toll road opened along its full length in 1965 and climbs the southern slope of Mount Ibuki — the highest peak in Shiga Prefecture and one of the Nihon Hyakumeizan, Japan's celebrated mountains — following the prefectural border up to the summit parking area at the Ninth Station (1,260 m). Mount Ibuki comes into view around the Joheiji-goe parking area at 900 m; on the stretch that wraps around the east side of the mountain you can see the mountains of Nishi-Mino, and from around the summit parking area, Lake Biwa. From the parking area, walking trails lead to the summit, where flower fields can be enjoyed in summer. The road is not a through route, and it is closed for winter from around late November to early April.
A national route heading south deep into the Kii Mountains along Lake Ikehara
Route 169 Power Section is a 65.0 km power section running from Mie to Wakayama, with 233 corners and 613 m of elevation change. Part of Route 169, which runs the length of the Kii Peninsula from Nara City to Shingu City, this section heads from Kamikitayama Village through Shimokitayama Village toward Kumano City in Mie Prefecture and Kitayama Village, known as an exclave of Wakayama Prefecture. It passes through the rugged mountains of the Kii Peninsula, and in Shimokitayama it runs along Lake Ikehara. The roadside stations Yoshinoji Kamikitayama and Kinari no Sato Shimokitayama along the way make convenient rest stops. From Yoshino Town to Shimokitayama Village, the road can be icy or snow-covered in winter.
The Rokko Sanjo Road, running east–west near the summit of Mount Rokko
Akashi Kobe Takarazuka Line Technical Section is a 30.1 km technical section in Hyogo, with 211 corners and 853 m of elevation change. Of the prefectural road from Akashi to Takarazuka, this is the “Rokko Sanjo Road” section, which runs east to west near the summits of the Rokko range. The stretch from Kobe Pass to Kinenhidai is nicknamed the Nishi-Rokko Driveway, and the stretch from Kinenhidai to the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden the Sunset Driveway. Sights line the route, including Rokko Mountain Pasture, the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden and Rokko Garden Terrace. Near Mount Hachimaki, where the road collapsed in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, it was rerouted through the Hachimakiyama Tunnel in 1997.
A prewar mountain road from central Kobe over Mount Futatabi
Oku-Futatabi Driveway is a 8.0 km technical section in Hyogo, with 84 corners and 387 m of elevation change. The common name of Kobe City Road Kobe Minotani Line: the stretch from Yamamoto-dori to around Futatabi Park is called the Futatabi Driveway, and the part beyond it to the Itsutsuji intersection is the Oku-Futatabi Driveway. It opened in 1935 as the Oku-Futatabi Toll Road and became toll-free in 1974. Along the road are Venus Bridge, Dairyuji Temple, and Futatabi Park. The road is narrow, with sharp curves and ups and downs one after another, and local buses also use it, so take it at a calm, unhurried pace. Private cars may not use the road from 23:00 to 5:00, and motorcycles are prohibited at all times.
Climbing from central Kobe to the “town on the mountaintop” atop Mount Rokko
Omote Rokko Driveway is a 4.8 km technical section in Hyogo, with 44 corners and 440 m of elevation change. This road climbs from Tsurukabuto in Nada Ward, Kobe, up to the summit area of Mount Rokko. It was once a toll road along with the Ura-Rokko Driveway, but became toll-free in 2002. Mount Rokko is a tilted fault-block range with a steep southern face, made mostly of granite formed deep underground about a hundred million years ago. On the summit spreads a “town on the mountaintop,” where modern-era buildings such as the Rokko Cable station building and the old wing of the former Rokko Hotel remain. On some stretches, two-wheeled vehicles are prohibited on weekends and public holidays.
Opened in 1928, a road on the north side of Mount Rokko lined with hydrangeas
Ura Rokko Driveway is a 4.1 km technical section in Hyogo, with 39 corners and 290 m of elevation change. This road links Karato in Arino-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, with the summit area of Mount Rokko in Nada-ku. It opened in 1928 as a gravel toll road, was paved in 1962, and became toll-free in 2002 together with the Omote Rokko Driveway. From June to July, wild and planted hydrangeas bloom along the roadside, peaking about a month later than in the urban areas between Osaka and Kobe. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, motorcycles are banned all day and cars are also prohibited from midnight to 5 a.m., so plan the time of your visit with care.
Over the eastern flank of Mount Rokko, from a night-view lookout down to Arima Onsen
Royu Driveway Power Section is a 6.7 km power section in Hyogo, with 30 corners and 307 m of elevation change. The Royu Driveway is a toll road that crosses the eastern side of Mount Rokko to link central Ashiya with Arima Onsen; it opened in 1961. This section descends toward Arima from around the Higashi-Rokko Observation Deck in Nishinomiya. At 645 m, the Higashi-Rokko Observation Deck is a night-view spot overlooking everything from the Osaka Plain to the Port of Kobe, and it has been selected as a Japan Night View Heritage site and one of the “100 Night Views of Japan.” Motorcycles are not permitted on weekends and public holidays, and in January and February the road is closed from late night to early morning.
A prefectural road crossing several passes through the hills of a Hokusetsu quasi-national park to Nose
Ibaraki Nose Line is a 35.6 km technical section in Osaka, with 208 corners and 556 m of elevation change. This prefectural road runs from Ibaraki through Minoo and Toyono to Nose, and between Minoo and Toyono it passes through the mountains of Meiji no Mori Minoo Quasi-National Park. With few tunnels and many sections that have never been straightened, the curves keep coming. Along the way are Katsuo-ji Temple, busy with worshippers in the autumn foliage season and at New Year, the Minoogawa Dam and the Great Zelkova of Noma, as the road crosses Noma Pass and Meigetsu Pass. Some sections are closed to motorcycles, so it is worth checking in advance.
Along the crest of the Ikoma Mountains, looking down on the night lights of Osaka and Nara
Shigi Ikoma Skyline Technical Section is a 18.4 km technical section spanning Osaka and Nara, with 92 corners and 307 m of elevation change. Run by Kintetsu, this toll road follows the ridgeline of the Ikoma Mountains, which form the border between Osaka and Nara prefectures, linking Mount Ikoma and Mount Shigi. Part of it passes through Kongo-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park, and the alignment is full of variety, from hairpin bends to long straights. Parking areas along the way look out over both Osaka and Nara, and the “Kane no Naru Tenbodai” (Bell-Ringing Observation Deck) in particular is a popular spot where you can see the night views of both at once. In April, cherry trees bloom along the entire route. Motorcycles and bicycles are not permitted.
A mountain road looking down on the old capital of Nara from Mount Wakakusa
Nara Okuyama Driveway is a 6.9 km technical section in Nara, with 64 corners and 316 m of elevation change. This toll driveway runs through the hills of Mount Wakakusa, Mount Kasuga and Mount Takamado in eastern Nara. It opened in 1955 and was completed end to end in 1960. The Shin-Wakakusayama Course, leading to Mount Wakakusa, is a popular drive for its views over the historic townscape of Nara and its rows of cherry trees in spring. On the Mount Takamado side you can visit stone Buddhas such as the Kasugayama and Jigokudani rock-cut Buddhas, and the road also crosses the Takisaka-no-Michi path of the old Yagyu Kaido. Most of the sights have parking space at their entrances.
A mountain road linking Arashiyama and Takao, with views of the Hozu Gorge and the Kyoto Basin
Arashiyama Takao Parkway is a 10.4 km technical section in Kyoto, with 70 corners and 175 m of elevation change. This toll road links Arashiyama and Takao in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, and opened in 1965. It is also known for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and there are four observation decks along the way. From the Hozukyo Observation Deck you look down on the Hozu River enclosed by mountains, where you can watch the sightseeing trolley train and the Hozugawa river boats, and from the Shobugaoka Observation Deck you can see the Kyoto Basin. Free parking for about 1,000 cars is spread along the road, and from the parking areas on the Takao side, walking paths lead to Kozanji and Jingoji temples.
A mountaintop road on Mount Hiei linking Enryakuji's Todo, Saito and Yokawa precincts
Okuhiei Driveway is a 12.2 km technical section spanning Shiga and Kyoto, with 80 corners and 537 m of elevation change. This toll road, opened in 1966, starts at Enryakuji's Todo precinct (Konponchudo), the end point of the Hieizan Driveway, and runs past the Saito precinct (Shakado) and Yokawa Chudo before descending to Ogi in Otsu. Mount Hiei, 848 m high, straddles Shiga Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture and has long been an object of mountain worship; on its slopes stands Enryakuji, the head temple of the Tendai school. Along the way is the “Hieizan Mine-michi Restaurant,” and a shuttle bus runs around both driveways.
A scenic road up Mount Baijo with sweeping views of the Mikata Five Lakes and Wakasa Bay
Mikata Goko Rainbow Line is a 11.2 km technical section in Fukui, with 48 corners and 343 m of elevation change. Opened in 1968, this sightseeing road climbs the slopes of Mount Baijo with the ria coastline of Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park and the Mikata Five Lakes — Lake Kugushi, Lake Hiruga, Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu and Lake Suga — spread out below. Each of the five lakes has a different mix of fresh water and seawater, and a highlight is the subtly different shades of blue on their surfaces. From the first parking area, a lift or cable car takes you up to the summit park. It was a toll road for many years, but became toll-free in 2022 as a prefectural road. It is closed at night.
The only road to the tip of the Tsunekami Peninsula, jutting into Wakasa Bay
Tsunekami Mikata Line is a 13.1 km cruise section in Fukui, with 45 corners and 57 m of elevation change. A prefectural road that heads north from the Mikata side along the west coast of the Tsunekami Peninsula to the Tsunekami settlement at its tip, and the only road that reaches the end of the peninsula. Made of granite, the Tsunekami Peninsula is part of Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park and, together with the Tsuruga Peninsula, juts into Wakasa Bay, setting Mihama Bay apart. The Mikata Five Lakes and the Mikata Five Lakes Rainbow Line are nearby, and the Tsunekami Cape Lighthouse stands at the tip of the peninsula. The road is on the narrow side and a community bus also uses it, so take care when passing oncoming vehicles.
A cherry-lined ridge road overlooking northern Lake Biwa from on high
Tsuzuraozaki Shiozu Line is a 21.2 km power section in Shiga, with 117 corners and 288 m of elevation change. A prefectural road around Cape Tsuzurao (Tsuzuraozaki) in Nishiazai-cho, Nagahama City. Together with the lakeside Tsuzuraozaki Oura Line it is called the Oku-Biwako Parkway, and it was once a toll road. From the Tsuzuraozaki Observatory you can take in Lake Biwa and Mount Ibuki, and from there the road follows the ridge to Tsukide Pass. Lined with cherry trees, it is a well-known blossom spot, with the trees in full bloom in April. Across the water from the descending stretch rises Mount Shizugatake, known as the battlefield where Hashiba Hideyoshi and Shibata Katsuie fought.
From Mount Koya to Mount Gomadan along ridges of around 1000 m in the Kii Mountains
Koya Ryujin Skyline is a 39.5 km power section spanning Nara and Wakayama, with 205 corners and 749 m of elevation change. This road runs from Mount Koya past Mount Gomadan, the second-highest peak in Wakayama Prefecture, toward Ryujin Onsen, following ridges of around 1000 m along the border with Nara Prefecture. It opened as a toll road in 1980 and became toll-free in 2003, when it became part of Route 371. Because it follows the ridge, it crosses the prefectural border many times, and here and there you can look out over the mountains of Kishu. Near the midpoint, the roadside station “Tanabe-shi Ryujin Gomasan Sky Tower” is a rest stop with sweeping views of the Kii Mountains. In winter the road surface often freezes, and chain requirements and nighttime closures are in place.
A fully grade-separated former toll road linking farmland and Seto Inland Sea inlets
Okayama Blue Line is a 31.8 km power section in Okayama, with 5 corners and 115 m of elevation change. This is the nickname of a prefectural road linking Higashi-ku in Okayama with Bizen. It opened in stages from 1974 to 1977 and became toll-free in 2004. Every road it meets crosses it at a different level. The western part runs straight through farmland; past the wooded middle stretch, the Ipponmatsu Tenboen roadside station looks out over Kinkai Bay on the Seto Inland Sea, and the Kuroiyama Green Park roadside station is nearby. The eastern part has more curves and slopes, and crosses near the mouth of Katakami Bay on the Katakami Ohashi Bridge, with views of the Seto Inland Sea.
A road along the Kojima Peninsula ridge with views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and an industrial complex lit up at night
Washuzan Skyline is a 18.5 km power section in Okayama, with 84 corners and 261 m of elevation change. This road runs from Mount Washu, rising at the tip of the Kojima Peninsula, along the peninsula's ridge. It opened in 1970 as Okayama Prefecture's first tourist road and became toll-free in 1995. Below lie the Mizushima industrial complex and the town of Kojima; the night view of the factories from the scenic parking areas is said to be rare even nationwide, and the Mizushima Observatory along the way is also a famous spot for sunsets. Near Washuzan Highland to the south, you can see the Shimotsui-Seto Bridge spanning the Seto Inland Sea.
A seaside prefectural road along the Seto Inland Sea from Tamashima to Yorishima
Kurashiki Nagahama Kasaoka Line Cruise Section 1 is a 24.1 km cruise section in Okayama, with 43 corners and 44 m of elevation change. This is the part of the prefectural road from Tamashima in Kurashiki toward Kasaoka that runs from Tamashima to Yorishima-cho in Asakuchi. Most of the route hugs the Seto Inland Sea and offers fine views, but it narrows in many places, so it is a road to drive with time to spare. Along the route are Entsu-ji Temple in Tamashima, Sami Beach and Yorishima Park. Yorishima-cho is also home to a roundabout that in 2016 became the first to go into operation in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. Because the road runs along the coast, it may be closed by high waves during typhoons and other storms.
A highland road on the prefectural border, overlooking Daisen's south face and the Hiruzen Highlands
Hiruzen Daisen Skyline is a 11.6 km power section spanning Tottori and Okayama, with 26 corners and 463 m of elevation change. A winding road that runs from the Hiruzen Highlands toward Mount Daisen; it opened as a toll road in 1970 and became toll-free in 1993. Passing through peaceful pastures and old-growth beech forest, it climbs to the middle slopes of Daisen through a succession of gentle rises, dips, and corners. At Kimendai on the Tottori–Okayama border there is an observation rest area, with views over Daisen's rugged southern slope of bare rock and the softly rolling hills of the Hiruzen Highlands.
From the Nima coast through Iwami Ginzan and across the Gonokawa River to Onan
Nima Onan Line is a 44.3 km power section in Shimane, with 136 corners and 383 m of elevation change. A principal prefectural road linking Nima in Nima-cho, Oda City, with Takami in Onan Town, Ochi District, and a trunk road connecting Oda City with the Oasa IC on the Hamada Expressway and the Hiroshima area. Near its start is the Michi-no-Eki Goise Nima roadside station, and heading inland it passes through the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine site, where the magistrate's office, mabu (mine tunnels), and old streetscapes remain. The south portal of the Iwami Ginzan Tunnel is shaped like a mabu. Along the route are Rakanji Temple, known for its Gohyaku Rakan (Five Hundred Arhats), and the Gonokawa River. Some unimproved stretches remain, including in central Kawamoto Town.
A prefectural road on Sagishima in the Geiyo Islands, ringed by the islands of the Seto Inland Sea
Sagishima Line is a 10.8 km cruise section in Hiroshima, with 46 corners and 46 m of elevation change. A prefectural road on Sagishima, one of the Geiyo Islands, lying in the sea about 3 km south of Mihara City. The island is surrounded by many others, with Innoshima to the east and Ikuchijima to the south, and two pointed peaks, Mount Ohira and Mount Inu, stand side by side at its center. Citrus, melons, and watermelons are grown on the terraced fields at their feet. In the sea beside Mukaida Port sits the Magai Wareiseki Jizo, a prefectural Important Cultural Property that is submerged up to its neck at high tide. The island is reached by boat from Mihara Port, Sunami Port, and elsewhere.
A prefectural road all the way around Osakikamijima, island of shipbuilding and citrus
Osakikamijima Circular Line is a 31.2 km cruise section in Hiroshima, with 90 corners and 48 m of elevation change. A principal prefectural road that circles Osakikamijima in the Geiyo Islands clockwise. Lying close to the center of the Seto Inland Sea, the island has little flat land and many steep slopes, and citrus growing and shipbuilding thrive here. Shipyards dot its many coves, and the Kinoe district in the south faces Omishima and other islands of Ehime Prefecture. The Higashino district in the northeast is known for its views of scattered islands glowing in the sunset. Ferries reach the island from Takehara Port and Akitsu Port in about 30 minutes. Narrow stretches remain on the east coast north of the former center of Kinoe Town.
A cherry-lined road up Mount Noro in Kure, overlooking the islands of the Seto Inland Sea
Sazanami Skyline is a 10.4 km technical section in Hiroshima, with 61 corners and 737 m of elevation change. A sightseeing road that climbs from Route 185 in Kawajiri-cho, Kure City, to Mount Noro (839 m) in Setonaikai National Park. It opened as a toll road in 1968 and became toll-free in 1983. Sea views from the road itself are few, but from the Kabutoiwa Observatory near the summit you can take in the whole Seto Inland Sea, scattered with islands large and small. It takes about 20 minutes by car from the foot of the mountain to the rotary near the summit. Cherry trees line the road, and it is known for the tunnel of blossoms it becomes in spring.
A farm road looping around the mountainsides of Suo-Oshima, the island of mandarin oranges
Oshima Orange Farm Road Power Section 3 is a 24.7 km power section in Yamaguchi, with 148 corners and 196 m of elevation change. The common name of the Oshima Farm Road through the mountainous interior of Suo-Oshima (Yashiro Island), which links the island's mid-slopes in a loop. Construction began in 1972 to make it easier to transport mandarin oranges, the island's specialty; the road was built in six districts, and all of them were connected in 2009. Its total length is 54.3 km. Yashiro Island is the third-largest island in the Seto Inland Sea after Awaji Island and Shodoshima, and is linked to Honshu by the Oshima Bridge.
A coastal scenic road overlooking the 200 m Senba Cliffs and the Pacific
Minami-Awa Sun Line is a 16.3 km power section in Tokushima, with 72 corners and 160 m of elevation change. Running from Hiwasa in the town of Minami to Mugi, this road looks down on the coastline of Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park. It opened along its full length in 1974 and went from toll road to prefectural road in 1988. Along the way are four scenic parking areas, including the Senba Cliffs Observatory and the Hiwasaura Observatory, from which you can take in the Senba Cliffs, 200 m high and stretching for 2 km, and the vast Pacific. With little light pollution in the area, the observatories are also known as stargazing spots.
Along the Wajiki Line, a gorge of the Naka River lined with strange rocks
Wajiki Line is a 29.1 km power section in Tokushima, with 49 corners and 225 m of elevation change. Route 195 within Naka Town, which follows the middle and lower reaches of the Naka River, is nicknamed the Wajiki Line. The name is taken from the Wajiki Line gorge of the Naka River, a stretch lined with odd-shaped rocks of Shimanto Group sandstone; named after the Nihon Line on the Kiso River, it is a prefecturally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. Sightseeing river boats once ran here, and in recent years it has become known as a venue for canoe competitions. In the former town of Wajiki, the Michi-no-Eki Wajiki roadside station stands beside the route.
Around the dramatic Kankakei gorge on Shodoshima, with views across the Seto Inland Sea
Kankakei Park Line is a 15.7 km technical section in Kagawa, with 75 corners and 707 m of elevation change. A prefectural road climbing from the Kusakabe district on Uchinomi Bay, Shodoshima, to the dramatic rock formations of Kankakei. The northern stretch that loops around Kankakei is called the Kankakei Blue Line; it was a toll road until it was opened free of charge in 1981. The road climbs around Kankakei, counted among Japan's three most beautiful gorges, with views of the Seto Inland Sea along almost its entire length. From the observation decks you can see Uchinomi Bay, the Harima Sea, and as far as the Sanuki Mountains, and the road has been named one of Japan's 100 Selected Roads. Beyond the area around the Kankakei Ropeway summit station, it connects to the Shodoshima Skyline.
A zigzagging road along the ridge of Cape Muroto, looking down on the Pacific
Muroto Skyline is a 9.2 km technical section in Kochi, with 48 corners and 261 m of elevation change. This tourist road in Muroto-Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park runs north–south along the central ridge of Cape Muroto. It opened in 1970 and became toll-free in 1981. Near the tip of the cape, three linked hairpin bends carry it from the sea up to the summit in one continuous climb. Most of the roadside is wooded, but from the observation deck on Mount Tsuro and around the parking area of Hotsumisaki-ji Temple, you can take in the zigzagging road, the town below and the vast Pacific. The parking area along the way also serves as the entrance to Hotsumisaki-ji Temple and Muroto Misaki Lighthouse.
A road of camellias along the Ashizuri Peninsula ridge to Cape Ashizuri, Shikoku's southern tip
Ashizuri Skyline is a 11.8 km technical section in Kochi, with 83 corners and 409 m of elevation change. Following the ridge of the Ashizuri Peninsula, this road links Cape Ashizuri with Koseicho in Tosashimizu. It opened in 1970 and became toll-free in 1995. Passing between Mount Shirao and Mount Shirataki, it brings a steady run of curves and steep grades. Camellias planted along the roadside have also earned it the name “Road of Camellias.” There are no viewpoints along the road itself, but Cape Ashizuri, in Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, has an observation deck, walking trails and Kongofuku-ji Temple, said to have been founded by Kukai. Ashizuri Onsen also lies along the route.
A clifftop ridge road on the Yokonami Peninsula, between the Pacific and Uranouchi Bay
Yokonami Kuroshio Line is a 18.8 km technical section in Kochi, with 92 corners and 163 m of elevation change. This road runs the length of the Yokonami Peninsula, which stretches long and narrow from east to west into Tosa Bay, following the ridge above its southern cliffs. It is the former Yokonami Toll Road, made toll-free in 1998. Though not high in elevation, it winds like a mountain road, with the Pacific to the south and, to the north, the calm Uranouchi Bay known as “Yokonami Sanri.” From the Katabirazaki Observatory you can take in the intricate ria coastline, and there are historic spots too, such as Sunoura Parking with its statue of Takechi Hanpeita.
A seaside road tracing the north shore of Uranouchi Bay from Susaki to Usa
Susaki Nino Line Cruise Section is a 19.9 km cruise section in Kochi, with 80 corners and 69 m of elevation change. From its start in Susaki City, this section passes through the Tosaka Tunnel to reach Uranouchi Bay, follows the bay's north shore eastward, and heads toward Usa in Tosa City. The water of the bay stays close at hand as you drive. Construction of its predecessor, a county road, began in the Meiji era, and after milestones such as the completion of the Uranouchi Tunnel, the whole route opened in 1959 as the former Prefectural Road Nakajima–Usa–Susaki Line. Beyond the intersection where the road branches off to the Usa Bridge, it continues onto the Kuroshio Line along Tosa Bay.
A mountain road winding through forest toward Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan
Ishizuchi Skyline is a 18.1 km technical section in Ehime, with 122 corners and 851 m of elevation change. This section covers almost the entire Ishizuchi Skyline, climbing toward Mount Ishizuchi from Omogo Gorge to Tsuchigoya. It opened in 1970 and became toll-free in 1995. Nearly all of it lies within Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park, and the winding road threads its way through forest. From the Nagao Ridge Observatory along the way you can see Mount Ishizuchi and Goraiko Falls, and Tsuchigoya, at the end of the Skyline, is a main trailhead for climbing Mount Ishizuchi. It is closed in winter, usually from December to March, so check the latest information from Ehime Prefecture before you go.
A farm road of continuous curves heading from western Ozu into the hills
Ozu Nanbu Farm Road Technical Section 3 is a 11.2 km technical section in Ehime, with 86 corners and 405 m of elevation change. A farm road built in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture; this section enters the hills from around Nishi-Ozu, on the west side of the city center. Over a short distance it climbs and drops considerably, and the curves never let up, making it a mountain road that suits taking each bend with care. It is a road to drive with time to spare, watching the satoyama scenery change around you. As it is a farm road, keep an eye out for agricultural vehicles.
Across Hiraodai, a karst plateau dotted with white limestone
Nogata Yukuhashi Line Technical Section 1 is a 16.8 km technical section in Fukuoka, with 74 corners and 404 m of elevation change. This section runs from the mountains of Kokuraminami Ward in Kitakyushu, across the Hiraodai karst plateau, and over a pass toward Yukuhashi City. Where it crosses Hiraodai within Kitakyushu Quasi-National Park, the road is also known as the Hiraodai Road, and it winds through a distinctive landscape of white limestone scattered across a plateau that reaches about 700 m at its highest point. The Senbutsu and Kosui limestone caves lie along the route, and the road also serves as a sightseeing route linking the karst plateau and its caves.
A prefectural road over the mountains via Wakita Onsen and Neko Pass, down to Sasaguri
Munakata Sasaguri Line Technical Section is a 26.8 km technical section in Fukuoka, with 110 corners and 418 m of elevation change. A principal prefectural road from Munakata City through Miyawaka City to Sasaguri Town, with two lanes over nearly its entire length. From southern Munakata it climbs Mount Isobe into Miyawaka, passes under the Kyushu Expressway, heads south through the mountains, and skirts the east side of the Wakita Onsen hot spring town. A previously impassable stretch in Miyawaka was eliminated in 2019. After crossing Neko Pass into Sasaguri, the road turns into a series of switchbacks and descends into the town center, home to many of the temples of the Sasaguri Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
A prefectural road in Tabira, Hirado, leading to the red-brick Tabira Church
Izen Tabirako Line is a 7.3 km cruise section in Nagasaki, with 34 corners and 103 m of elevation change. A prefectural road in Tabira-cho, Hirado City, running from Izen-men to where it joins Route 204 at Kotedamen. The Tabira Church along the route is a red-brick church designed and built by Tetsukawa Yosuke, who worked on many church buildings across northern Kyushu, centered on Nagasaki Prefecture; it was completed in 1918 and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It is said to be the last brick church Tetsukawa built. Close to the Hirado Bridge, it makes an easy stop on a tour of Hirado.
Along the Kitamatsuura coast from Imari via Matsuura and Tabira to Sasebo
Route 204 Cruise Section is a 69.6 km cruise section spanning Saga and Nagasaki, with 74 corners and 119 m of elevation change. Part of Route 204, which runs from Karatsu City to Sasebo City, this section goes from Imari City into Nagasaki Prefecture, through Matsuura City, Tabira-cho in Hirado City, and Saza Town to around Motoyama in Sasebo. Along this stretch it runs roughly parallel to the Matsuura Railway Nishi-Kyushu Line, and from Imari to the Hirado Bridge entrance it shares its route with Route 383. Along the way are the roadside stations Matsuura Umi no Furusato-kan and Konchu no Sato Tabira, as well as Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station.
A mountain national road from Hita via Tsuetate Onsen toward the outer rim of Aso
Route 212 Power Section 1 is a 54.0 km power section spanning Kumamoto and Oita, with 99 corners and 745 m of elevation change. This is the part of Route 212 — which links Nakatsu in Oita Prefecture with Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture — that runs from Hita via Tsuetate Onsen on the prefectural border and the town of Oguni to Aso. Most of it passes through mountainous terrain, and many driving enthusiasts come here for the sweeping views of the Matsubara Dam, the outer rim of Aso and Mount Aso. Between Hita and Oguni it is commonly known as the Hita Kaido. Around Daikanbo, the highest point on the route, traffic restrictions may be imposed in winter due to snow or icy roads.
A loop route around the outer edge of the Kuju Mountains, across the Kuju Highlands
Gurutto Kuju Shuyu Road Power Section 2 is a 75.9 km power section spanning Kumamoto and Oita, with 202 corners and 702 m of elevation change. In contrast to the Yamanami Highway, which runs through the Kuju Mountains, this is part of a ring road that Oita Prefecture designated as a wide-area sightseeing route circling their outer side. It is made up of several roads, including Route 442 and prefectural roads, and because of how the route is laid out it also passes near the Senomoto Plateau in Minamioguni, Kumamoto Prefecture. Along the loop are the Kokonoe “Yume” Grand Suspension Bridge, Kuju Flower Park and Ganji Farm, among others, so you can drive from one highland stop to the next.
A long farm road linking the mountain villages of Bungo, from Shonai in Yufu to Ogi in Taketa
Okubungo Green Road is a 56.2 km technical section in Oita, with 184 corners and 473 m of elevation change. Okubungo Green Road is the nickname of the Onogawa Joryu Farm Road (the Upper Ono River Farm Road) in Oita Prefecture. This section starts around Shonai-machi in Yufu City and extends south to around Ogi-machi in Taketa City. It is long, and its curves and undulations continue without a break, so drive it with time to spare and take breaks along the way. As it is a farm road, keep an eye out for agricultural vehicles while you enjoy the mountain village scenery.
A trunk forest road in the Oita mountains, heading toward the Sobo and Katamuki ranges
Green Resources Trunk Forest Road Ume-Oguni Line Ogata-Taketa Section is a 14.2 km power section in Oita, with 94 corners and 223 m of elevation change. The Ogata–Taketa section of the Ume-Oguni Forest Road, a trunk forest road through the mountains of southern Oita Prefecture. The road threads along the border with Miyazaki Prefecture but runs entirely within Oita, and is divided into six sections, including Ogi–Taketa, Ogata–Taketa, and Kiyokawa–Ogata. It is maintained and managed by the Forest Management Center, with a design width of 6.5 m. Its appeal lies in deep-mountain views as the curves continue toward the ridges of Mount Sobo, Mount Katamuki, and Mount Okue.
A mountain road with views over the Five Peaks of Aso and the grassy caldera floor
Aso Panorama Line is a 17.3 km technical section in Kumamoto, with 60 corners and 667 m of elevation change. The Aso Panorama Line is a group of mountain roads climbing the Five Peaks of Aso, which rise in the center of the Aso Caldera; this route follows Prefectural Route 111, the Aso Yoshida Line. It passes through vast grasslands, Kusasenri-ga-hama among them, with views over the Five Peaks and the caldera floor. On the Minamiaso side it is a mountain road with tighter curves than on the north side, and at the foot, near Ichinoseki and Hakusui Onsen in Minamiaso Village, it meets Route 325. Part of the grassland along the road is ranch land where cattle and horses graze.
A grassland road over Aso's southern outer rim, linking Mashiki and Minamiaso
Aso Nanbu Farm Road is a 23.4 km power section in Kumamoto, with 84 corners and 1039 m of elevation change. A farm road nicknamed the Green Road Minamiaso and the Kenny Road. It links Mashiki Town and Minamiaso Village, crossing the outer rim on Aso's southern side. This section runs from around Oyatsu in Mashiki to around Kuishi in Minamiaso, a mountain crossing with a large difference in elevation that climbs onto the outer rim and then descends to the Minamiaso side. Where it runs through grassland, the open views typical of the outer rim spread out around you.
A road through the Kirishima range linking the Ebino Plateau with the Kirishima Onsen area
Kobayashi Ebino Kogen Makizono Line is a 35.6 km technical section spanning Miyazaki and Kagoshima, with 164 corners and 1049 m of elevation change. This prefectural road passes through the Kirishima volcanoes in Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park. With the Ebino Plateau as the dividing point, it was once a toll road known as the Ebino Skyline on the Miyazaki side and the Kirishima Skyline on the Kagoshima side, until it became toll-free in 1985. Along the way are the Ebino Plateau with views of Mount Karakuni, Fudo Pond, Onami Pond and the Kirishima Onsen area, and autumn colors peak from late October to late November. Because the road passes near the crater of Mount Io, it is closed whenever the volcanic alert level reaches 2 or higher.
Heading south along the ridges of the Satsuma Peninsula above Kinko Bay
Ibusuki Toll Road is a 33.5 km power section in Kagoshima, with 103 corners and 495 m of elevation change. The Ibusuki Skyline is a toll road that heads south toward Ibusuki along the ridgeline of the Satsuma Peninsula, following Kagoshima Bay (Kinko Bay); it is also known as the Ibusuki Toll Road. The stretch from the Osako tollgate to Ei IC opened in 1969, followed by Ei IC to Taniyama IC in 1977. South of Taniyama IC the road has one lane in each direction, with only a center line and no physical separation between opposing lanes. There are three viewing facilities along the route, and the same parking areas can be entered from either direction. Between Kawanabe IC and Chiran IC there is a melody road that plays Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi's song “Kanpai.”
A road through the Yanbaru forest linking the east and west coasts of northern Okinawa Island
Prefectural Route 2 Power Section is a 12.0 km power section in Okinawa, with 65 corners and 343 m of elevation change. In Kunigami, at the northern tip of Okinawa Island, this is part of the Yona–Ada Cross-Island Road linking Yona on the west coast with Ada on the east coast. It runs through the Yanbaru forest, the most heavily wooded area of Okinawa Island. Designated a Ryukyu Government road in 1953, it became a prefectural road in 1972 with Okinawa's return to Japan. Improvements followed, and by the early 1980s it was paved and open along its full length. It is also an important local road linking the west coast, home to the village office, with the communities on the east coast.