Irohazaka has a wonderful view thanks to its location at an altitude of 440m
Irohazaka is located in the city of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, and is represented by a section of National Route 120 between Umagaeshi in the city and the shores of Lake Chuzenji. No. 2 Irohazaka is the road climbing up to Lake Chuzenji from Umagaeshi while No. 1 Irohazaka is the road going down. The two roads together have 48 curves, and the name originated from the former Japanese alphabet consisting of 48 syllables and the Iroha Poem which was used to help remember the Japanese hiragana. There are signs displaying hiragana letters for every curve on Irohazaka. It is a tourist highway that links Nikko and Lake Chuzenji, and thanks to its 440m-altitude location, it has the distinct feature of tourists being able to view some truly wonderful scenery.
A national route which can be thoroughly enjoyed for its beautiful view
Irohazaka connects the city of Nikko with tourist sites like Lake Chuzenji in Oku-Nikko, and it will always be used by visitors for that purpose. However, the charm of Irohazaka comes with the beautiful view that can be seen from there. First off, there are 2 parking areas on No. 2 Irohazaka on the way up to the shores of Lake Chuzenji. The first area, Kurokamidaira, is a small place so it is easy to be overlooked, but a fine view can be seen there. The second area is the famous Akechidaira where it is recommended to try out the Akechidaira Ropeway. By the ropeway, you can reach the Akechidaira Observatory within 3 minutes. Known as the No. 1 observation point in Nikko, from there you can see Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls which is one of the Three Famous Waterfalls of Oku-Nikko and Mt. Nantai which is the highest peak in Nikko. Furthermore, the autumn foliage of Irohazaka is famous for its beauty, so it’s also recommended to visit during the fall season.