Hakone Turnpike

Japan's 'Nurburgring': private toll climb to the Daikanzan Mt Fuji vista

The Hakone Turnpike is a privately owned 15.75km toll road opened in 1955, climbing roughly 1,000m from near Odawara to the Daikanzan observation deck overlooking Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. Often nicknamed 'Japan's Nurburgring', it is regularly used by Japanese manufacturers for press drives and has well-maintained, smoothly cambered two-lane asphalt. As a fast mountain toll road it sees enthusiast and motorcycle traffic, sudden fog and crosswinds near the summit, and the toll must be paid.