Hokkaido lavender, Hakone Skyline, Shirakawa-go, Cape Manzamo, Tateyama Snow Wall — 5 once-in-a-lifetime drives.
Loop around Biei and Furano from mid-June to late July for lavender, sunflowers and rapeseed in concentric bands. Park at Shikisai-no-Oka (¥500) and Ken & Mary's Tree. Pair with Blue Pond (Aoike) and return to Asahikawa via Route 237. Road surface is excellent; avoid early morning fog in July.
A paid scenic road (¥750 one-way) from Odawara to Hakone-tōge with sweeping Mt. Fuji views and hairpin sections loved by car enthusiasts. Combine with Lake Ashi, Ōwakudani, and onsen-hopping in Gōra. Closed overnight and in heavy snow.
The Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway links two UNESCO gasshō villages. Park at Shiramizu-no-Yu or the village P-lot (¥1,000) and walk — cars not allowed in the old quarter. Best light at sunrise or the winter light-up events (reservations essential).
Snow walls of 10-20 m line the pass between Murodō and Daikanbō every spring. Self-drive ends at Tateyama Station — the snow corridor itself is traversed by bus + cablecar. Budget a full day and park at Tateyama Station P ¥1,000/day.
Start at Cape Manzamo's elephant-trunk cliff, drive Route 58 north past Onna beaches, cross the 4.75 km Kaichū-dōro causeway to Henza-jima. Kei car is plenty for Okinawa — fuel is ¥5-8/L cheaper than Tokyo. Watch for 'habu' snake warnings in long grass when parking.
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