While the Hakone Turnpike is usually enjoyed by slow-driving families catching a glimpse of the natural beauty of the area’s mountainous landscape, some Japanese drifting enthusiasts last month turned a portion of the public toll road into a white-knuckle race to the top.
Shutting down the two-lane road, the drivers zoomed through the windy (and thankfully empty) roads, reaching speeds that would land normal citizens a pretty hefty fine. It may not be the first time a high-performance car has been seen on Japanese roads, but it’s pretty amazing that the Ministry of Transportation would approve this flashy display of speed, horsepower and roaring engines.
Motorhead, a Japanese magazine for automotive addicts, held the event called “MH Hill Climb” in mid-November, right in the middle of peak fall foliage season in Hakone. The magazine worked with turnpike authorities to shut down a 14 km stretch of the road for the day-long race. Besides having sole access to the turnpike for the day, the drivers would also apparently be exempt from speed limits and other Japanese road laws.
▼ This driver is taking full advantage of being able to disregard the 80 km/h speed limit on Japanese highways
Image: YouTube (japanmotorhead)
▼ Drivers would, however, still be required to pay all tolls
Image: YouTube (japanmotorhead)
The race itself was 7.5 km long and the start and finish lines had an elevation difference of 516 meters (1,693 feet). The expert Japanese drivers who took part in the race told the magazine that while they may have briefly considered the twisty Hakone road a “dangerous” place to drift and reach speeds several times the legal limit, they all said it was one of the most fun and thrilling experiences of their lives.
▼ Drifting through a closed-off public road that winds up one of Japan’s most beautiful mountains? Of course that’s going to be fun.
Image: YouTube (japanmotorhead)
The details of the race, such as top speeds, times and the g-force each driver endured, were published in the magazine’s most recent issue, released on December 26. The editor-in-chief of the magazine said that the inspiration behind the event was the fact that Japan has some fantastic roads and drivers should be able to take advantage of them. The magazine is hoping to organize more – legal and well-organised – races in the future using some of the “amazing” Japanese public roads.
Check out the video below of the government-sanctioned hill climb!
Video: YouTube (japanmotorhead)
Source: livedoor news
Feature Image: YouTube (japanmotorhead)
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Super-detailed cherry blossom forecast maps for 2025 show warm winter doesn’t mean early sakura
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Super-detailed cherry blossom forecast maps for 2025 show warm winter doesn’t mean early sakura
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
J-horror classic Ring 2 airing on Japanese TV with Zen monk offering prayers every time someone dies
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
Would you date a girl dressed head to toe in Uniqlo? 76% of men say “of course!”
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
These 7-Elevens are gettin’ fancy! We try their pate and terrine【Taste Test】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
J-horror classic Ring 2 airing on Japanese TV with Zen monk offering prayers every time someone dies
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
Would you date a girl dressed head to toe in Uniqlo? 76% of men say “of course!”
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
These 7-Elevens are gettin’ fancy! We try their pate and terrine【Taste Test】
Japan’s last two pandas leaving for China next month, Ueno Zoo announces final day for twins
We found a popular Japanese ramen chain in South Korea!…or so we thought
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
We tried making edible jewels: One recipe gives you three delicious versions!
The cheapest place to stay in Kyoto cost us just 1,800 yen for the night, and it was awesome
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Japan’s favorite ramen chain is vanishing from Tokyo, but its ramen sauce ice cream is a must-try
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Leave a Reply