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## Northern Japan: Hokkaido’s Untamed Landscapes and Snowy Road Trips
### The Untamed Beauty of The Snow Country
The frosty prefecture boasts a cross-island highway connecting coastal villages, traversing ecological treasures and volcanic calderas. Cold months convert the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, though motorists should heed challenging terrain. https://detourjapan.com/
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## Central Honshu: Highland Routes and Historic Pathways
### The Hakone Turnpike: A Motorist’s Playground
This iconic toll path features 68 hairpin bends with dramatic vistas of Japan’s iconic peak. Differing from traditional circuits, it focuses on scenic enjoyment over velocity.
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## Shikoku: Oceanfront Treasures and Inter-Island Travel
### The Island Chain Route
Linking Honshu and Shikoku via engineering wonders, this extended pathway provides road trippers uninterrupted views of azure waters interspersed with surreal temples like the Italian-inspired sanctuary.
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## Urban Adventures: Metropolitan Highways
### The Automotive Sanctuary
Below the urban shoreline, this legendary meeting spot hosts customized cars ranging from retro Japanese models to cutting-edge supercars, lit up with city radiance.
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## Distinctive Encounters
### Musical Highways
These creative pathways change tire vibrations into familiar melodies when traveled using exact velocities. The Hakone musical road renders local ballads, converting routine journeys into musical voyages.
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### Touge Culture
These serpentine alpine routes epitomize Japan’s car enthusiasm, immortalized in initial D manga. Iconic routes like Nagano’s mountain passes bring in performance drivers through all seasons.
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## Key Considerations
### Weather Precautions
Studded wheels are crucial for Hokkaido’s snowy roads, while monsoon weather require adaptable itineraries. The Toyama mountain pass only opens during April-June, producing 15-meter white walls.
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### Driving Etiquette
Cultural awareness involves rarely honking, methodical lane changes, and acknowledging Japan’s ETC card requirements. Compact vehicles handle tight roads more efficiently than larger models.
