Hakone is a popular draw for motorists from Tokyo looking to give their cars or motorcycles a little bit of freedom. The Anest Iwata Turnpike is one of the most famous roads in the area for the beautiful roadside seasonal blooms of flowers and trees. In spring the road is lined with cherry blossoms blooming, summer welcomes the colorful hydrangea, and the changing colors of the trees in fall are an attraction. The Turnpike starts near Odawara City at the base of the Hakone mountains and leads to the top of Mt. Daikan.

This is one of the most iconic “touge” mountain roads in Japan and often used by JDM enthusiasts. The turnpike is about 13kms in length and features long curves and few tight corners. This is a toll road (¥730 for a normal car, one way) and be mindful that the speed limit is 50kph for most of this road.