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## Northern Japan: Hokkaido’s Rugged Terrain and Winter Drives
### The Unspoiled Charm of Hokkaido
Japan’s Arctic gateway features a panoramic drive connecting coastal villages, cutting across ecological treasures and geothermal wonders. Snowfall morphs the landscape into an icy paradise, though motorists should heed treacherous conditions. https://detourjapan.com/
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## Central Honshu: Alpine Roads and Historic Pathways
### The Hakone Turnpike: Asia’s Answer to the Autobahn
This iconic toll path features numerous switchbacks with dramatic vistas of Japan’s iconic peak. Differing from race tracks, it emphasizes landscape appreciation over velocity.
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## Shikoku: Seaside Marvels and Island Hopping
### The Island Chain Route
Linking mainland Japan with its southern neighbor via six suspension bridges, this scenic corridor delivers cyclists and drivers uninterrupted views of turquoise seas interspersed with architectural oddities like Kōsan-ji’s marble marvel.
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## Urban Adventures: Tokyo’s Expressways
### The Automotive Sanctuary
Beneath the urban shoreline, this legendary meeting spot welcomes customized cars ranging from retro Japanese models to contemporary speed machines, lit up with city radiance.
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## Unique Experiences
### Musical Highways
These innovative routes convert wheel friction into musical compositions when maintaining specific speeds. The Shizuoka sound path renders folk songs, converting mundane trips into audiovisual experiences.
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### Mountain Pass Tradition
These curving highland paths exemplify Japan’s vehicular culture, celebrated in car culture media. Famous trails like Nagano’s mountain passes attract performance drivers year-round.
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## Essential Advice
### Weather Precautions
Snow chains are mandatory for arctic conditions, while monsoon weather demand flexible planning. The Toyama mountain pass only opens during spring thaw, producing impressive icy canyons.
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### Driving Etiquette
Considerate conduct entails rarely honking, patient overtaking, and respecting Japan’s complex toll system. Small cars manage constricted lanes more effectively than larger models.
