Japan's Legendary Roads

Over the World-Heritage Shiretoko Peninsula amid lingering snow and sulphur peaks.

A dead-straight run along the Japan Sea — wind turbines one side, endless coast the other.

A pole-free arrow through the Soya grasslands, straight to the horizon.

Hokkaido's highest pass, over the green forest sea of the Daisetsu range.

Climb Japan's largest ranch for a sweep over the Tokachi plain.

Up to Jododaira through a smoking volcanic wasteland.

A highland crossing to the Okama crater lake.

Alpine marshes and above-the-clouds views.

Climbs to Mt. Chokai's 5th station where sea meets sky.

Along a stream and lakeshore famed for autumn colour.

Anime-legend hairpins, one after another.

Another manga-famous climb of long sweeping bends.

The classic old highway of 184 corners.

48 stacked hairpins up into the Nikko highlands.

A toll blast with Fuji above and Sagami Bay below.

The Hakone caldera rim, Fuji and Lake Ashi in one frame.

A sky-high ridge road across the Kirigamine highlands.

One of Japan's highest national roads, past Mt. Shirane.

The spine of the Izu Peninsula, sea and Fuji throughout.

A free ridge road with sunset views over Suruga Bay.

Ride right on the beach along the Japan Sea.

A mountain road above Lake Biwa and the Kyoto basin.

A toll climb to Kansai's highest peak.

A sacred Koyasan ridge along Mt. Gomadanzan.

Winding over the Suzuka range — the name behind the circuit.

Chasing the Seto Inland Sea sunset down Awaji's west coast.

A postcard bridge across emerald water.

Grassland riding over Japan's largest karst plateau.

A highland cruise facing Mt. Daisen.

Island-hopping sea bridges, great by bike or motorcycle.

A ridge of pastures and wind turbines — the 'road in the sky'.

A slim cloud-top ridge road, a car-ad favourite.

A highland run through the Kuju range and grasslands.

A pastoral 'milk road' on the Aso outer rim.

A rider-nicknamed farm road on Aso's north rim.

Straight up to the Nakadake crater and Kusasenri.

A Satsuma ridge facing Mt. Kaimon and Kinko Bay.

A sea-level causeway linking the outer islands.