Izu Peninsula to Hakone

Trip.

Best road trip for variety, from sea level to Mount Fuji highs

The epic route from the Izu Peninsula to Hakone is a favourite among enthusiasts.

Beginning at the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula, the coastal highway winds its way through Shimoda, a historic port town and popular destination for surfers, before reaching Higashiizu. Here lies the famed “Moon Road,” named for its enchanting view of waxing moons casting a luminous path of light across the Pacific Ocean—an ethereal sight that is said to bestow a divine energy upon all who behold it.

Continuing northward, the road traces the tranquil shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone, offering spectacular vistas of Mt. Fuji when the skies are clear, with the majestic peak rising elegantly above the surrounding landscape.

Conclude your journey in style along the Hakone Skyline, a renowned and winding tōge (mountain pass) celebrated for its dramatic curves and breathtaking vistas. This iconic route is reputed to have inspired the Hollywood film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, although the actual mountain drift-racing sequences featured in the movie were filmed in Los Angeles.

Local tip: The driftway is one of 30-plus “Melody Roads” in Japan. The name derives from the tactile grooves that produce a range of notes as they send vibrations up from your tyres.