What’s the Irohazaka Winding Road?
Japan, asia
N/A
396 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, ready to tackle the legendary Iroha-zaka! These aren't just any roads, they're a pair of winding routes that connect Nikko to the stunning Okunikko region. Think of them as your personal rollercoaster, but with way better views.
Here's the cool part: Each hairpin turn is marked with a letter from the ancient Japanese alphabet, so you're basically driving through a history lesson. We're talking 48 curves in total! The uphill route, built later, is exclusively for ascending, while the original road is for the descent, complete with a pit stop to check out a couple of waterfalls.
The roads climb over 1,300 feet (396 m), and trust me, the higher you go, the more breathtaking the scenery gets. This road has been around for ages and was originally used by Buddhist pilgrims heading to Lake Chuzenji. It opened in the Showa era. The original road opened in 1954 and the uphill only road opened in 1965. Now, they're toll-free, so you can enjoy the ride without breaking the bank! Get ready for an unforgettable drive!
Road Details
- Country
- Japan
- Continent
- asia
- Max Elevation
- 396 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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