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## Northern Japan: Hokkaido’s Rugged Terrain and Winter Drives
### The Untamed Beauty of Japan’s Northern Frontier
The frosty prefecture boasts a cross-island highway connecting Rausu to Hakodate, passing through ecological treasures and geothermal wonders. Snowfall morphs the landscape into an icy paradise, though motorists should heed hazardous roads. https://detourjapan.com/
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## Central Honshu: Highland Routes and Cultural Trails
### The Fuji Circuit: A Motorist’s Playground
This celebrated mountain road features 68 hairpin bends with dramatic vistas of Fuji-san. Differing from traditional circuits, it prioritizes visual pleasure over pure speed.
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## Shikoku: Oceanfront Treasures and Island Hopping
### Shimanami Kaidō
Connecting Honshu and Shikoku via six suspension bridges, this 70km route provides cyclists and drivers panoramic scenes of turquoise seas interspersed with surreal temples like the Western-style Buddhist complex.
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## Urban Adventures: Tokyo’s Expressways
### The Underground Car Haven
Beneath the metropolitan waterfront, this legendary meeting spot hosts tuned machines ranging from classic Nissans to contemporary speed machines, bathed in urban glow.
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## Distinctive Encounters
### Musical Highways
These engineered roads transform vehicle movement into familiar melodies when maintaining specific speeds. The Shizuoka sound path plays folk songs, converting routine journeys into audiovisual experiences.
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### Mountain Pass Tradition
These serpentine alpine routes exemplify Japan’s car enthusiasm, celebrated in driving anime. Famous trails like The Hakone Turnpike bring in performance drivers through all seasons.
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## Essential Advice
### Seasonal Challenges
Studded wheels are essential for northern routes, while monsoon weather demand flexible planning. The Tateyama Snow Corridor operates during spring thaw, creating impressive icy canyons.
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### Road Manners
Considerate conduct entails minimal horn use, patient overtaking, and respecting Japan’s complex toll system. Compact vehicles handle constricted lanes more effectively than full-size cars.
