292 Asama Shirane Sawayaka Line

Length approx: 50km
Road Condition: Alpine route

Road Closed: Mid-November to Late April

Welcome to Japan’s highest national road, where the air gets thinner, the views get better, and your motorcycle feels like it’s climbing toward the moon. Route 292 climbs to a lung-clearing 2,172 meters between Kusatsu Onsen and Shiga Kogen, winding through volcanic vents and alpine meadows like someone spilled spaghetti on a topographic map.

Ride it in late April or early May and you'll find yourself flanked by towering snow walls, like you’re in some kind of arctic canyon carved for two wheels. Come back in early October and the same route is on fire—with autumn leaves, not actual flames. It’s stunning, smooth, and just the right amount of twisty.

The pavement’s good, the corners are satisfying, and the scenery could sell postcards. But don’t get too confident. This road closes completely in winter, and even in warmer months the weather can change its mind faster than a teenager.

18 Old Usui Touge

Length Approx:

Road condition:

If Japan had its own Tail of the Dragon, this would be it. Old Usui Tōge is a tightly coiled stretch of road that seems to have been designed by someone who thought straight lines were boring and brakes were optional. The curves come at you fast, but once you settle into a rhythm and stop overthinking it, the whole thing flows like a well-poured pint.

Riding it early is key. Not just because traffic builds up, but because there’s something magical about carving through hairpins in the crisp morning air while everyone else is still brushing their teeth.

And if that wasn’t enough, this pass once hosted a stage of the Japanese Rally Championship—the Yuji Kase Cup Montre. So if you ever feel like you're riding it a bit too enthusiastically, just tell yourself you're paying tribute to rally legends. Then carry on, preferably without flying off the edge.

• Length: 19.7 km

• Conditions: Smooth, twisty

• Gate Hours:
  Apr–Sep: 8:00–19:00
  Oct–Mar: 9:00–18:00

• Nearby Sightseeing: Nippara Limestone Cave, Mugiyama Pontoon Bridge, Kobayashi Family Residence, Kanoto Rock

• Safety Notes: Regular police patrols; remote area means help is a long way off if things go pear-shaped.

Description:
Widely considered Tokyoites' unofficial mountain racetrack, Route 206 (affectionately dubbed "Fun-Loop-Road") is a ribbon of tarmac tailor-made for those who think speed limits are merely polite suggestions. On weekends, you'll find it bustling with riders trying desperately to shave milliseconds off imaginary lap times. If you enjoy scraping knee sliders, swapping exaggerated stories, or just pretending you're Valentino Rossi for a day, this is your road. Just remember—ambition here can quickly surpass talent, so try not to run out of skill midway through a hairpin.

Hakone Turnpike

Start at Odawara, pay your 650 yen, and within minutes you’ll be gliding up one of Japan’s most iconic stretches of tarmac. Hakone Turnpike isn’t just a road—it’s a red carpet for anyone with an engine and a sense of drama. Wide, sweeping curves, buttery-smooth asphalt, and views of Sagami Bay that might make you forget you're supposed to be looking at the road.

Back in the day, this was a playground for drifters. Nowadays, it’s more of a weekend parade for high-end sports cars, big touring bikes, and the occasional caffeine-fueled rider pretending they’re in a Fast & Furious spinoff. The climb ends at the Mt. Daikan Observation Deck, where on a clear day, Mt. Fuji shows up like the final boss in a postcard.

At the southern end, there’s a second toll gate. You can skip it by veering off on Route 75 toward Lake Ashi—yes, it’s on the map, and yes, we’ve all done it.

Ashinoko Skyline & Hakone Skyline

Think of these two as Hakone Turnpike’s scenic sidekicks. Ashinoko Skyline hugs the ridgeline above Lake Ashi with smooth curves, rolling elevation, and Mt. Fuji popping up like it’s trying to photobomb your ride. Hakone Skyline picks up where Ashinoko leaves off, stretching toward Gotemba with coastal views and just enough twist to keep your tires honest.

Both roads serve up a perfect mix of pace and panorama. Ride them on a clear day for postcard-worthy views, or on a misty one if you like your corners with a touch of mystery.

Toll: Around 260–360 yen per road
Hours: Early morning to evening (weather dependent)
Vibe: Ridge-riding with a view.

A List of Initial D Roads

• Enna Skyline

• Happogahara

• Hakone Turnpike

• Irohazaka 120

• Maze Pass

• Momiji Line 19

• Mt Akagi 4

• Mt Haruna 33

• Mt Myogi 196

• Nagao 401

• Nanamagari 732

• Sadamine 11

• Shomaru Pass

• Tsuchisaka Touge 71

• Tsubaki Line 75

• Old Usui 18

• Yabitsu Touge 70