Driving

A 15.7km private toll road between Odawara and Yugawara built as a bypass for a congested mountain pass, now one of Japan's best-known driving roads and a testing ground manufacturers use for new cars. A Cherry Blossom Tunnel forms between the 2km and 7km markers in season.

Paired one-way hairpin roads (48 curves named for the old syllabary) climbing to Lake Chuzenji, spectacular in autumn.

Sweeping toll road climbing from near sea level with Sagami Bay and Fuji views, a favourite of car magazines.

High-altitude ridge road across the Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, open spring to autumn.

The real-world Akina downhill of Initial D fame, twisting up to the crater lake of Mt Haruna.

Ridge-top toll road along the western rim above Lake Ashi with panoramic Fuji viewpoints.

Volcanic mountain toll road climbing past steaming vents and the road above the clouds, closed in winter.

Tight Tanzawa mountain pass long popular with touge drivers and cyclists close to Tokyo.

Rolling highland route around the northern rim of the Aso caldera with sweeping grassland panoramas.

Winding prefectural climb from Yugawara up to Daikanzan, connecting to the Turnpike, a classic weekend touge run.

Honda's own circuit, opened 1962 and built to the famous figure-eight layout, one of the only crossover tracks left on the world calendar. Host of the Japanese Grand Prix and a pilgrimage site for anyone who grew up on Japanese motorsport.

Honda-owned figure-eight Grand Prix track hosting the F1 Japanese GP plus year-round club days, Super GT and the Suzuka 8 Hours.

Toyota-owned circuit under Mt Fuji with a 1.5km straight, running Super GT, Super Taikyu, track days and historic events.

Compact 2.0km track that is the benchmark time-attack venue for Japan's tuning scene and regular amateur sports-driving days.

Former Pacific GP F1 venue (TI Circuit Aida) now hosting Super GT, Super Formula and open track days.

Undulating Yamaha-operated Tohoku circuit known for elevation change, running Super GT rounds, bike racing and club events.

Honda's road course and oval complex hosting MotoGP and Super Formula, with the Honda Collection Hall on site.

Mountain circuit in Kyushu now Kawasaki-owned, staging Super GT and Super Formula rounds plus track days.

Multi-track drift mecca with a safari park attached, home of the twice-yearly Drift Matsuri festivals.

Technical 2.8km Kansai circuit popular for regional club racing, drifting and private track days.