Sixteen Motorcycle Roads
2014-06-27
Years ago, the BikeJin motorcycle magazine published a list of the top roads in Japan. That was later posted to Motorcycle Paradise, where I found it. Here is a list of the roads, along with information on or pictures of each of them.
- Shiretoko Odan Road (知床横断道路) 2011 ✓
- Zao Echoline (蔵王エコーライン) 2013 ✓
- Chokai Blue Line (鳥海ブルーライン) 2013 ✓
- Izu Skyline (伊豆スカイライン) 2014 ✓
- Bandai-Azuma Skyline (磐梯吾妻スカイライン) 2014 ✓
- Hachimantai Aspite Line (八幡平アスピーテライン) 2014 ✓
- Venus Skyline (ビーナスライン) 2014 ✓
- Shiga Kusatsu Road (志賀草津道路) 2015 ✓
- Tatsudomari Line (竜泊ライン) 2018 ✓
- Tsunoshima Big Bridge (角島大橋) 2020 ✓
- Chirihama Nagisa Driveway (千里浜なぎさドライブウェイ) 2020 ✓
- Shimanami Expressway (しまなみ海道) 2023 ✓
- Koya Ryujin Skyline (高野龍神スカイライン) 2024 ✓
- Aso Panorama Line (阿蘇パノラマライン) 2024 ✓
- Yamanami Highway (やまなみハイウェイ) 2024 ✓
- Mikata Goko Rainbow Line (三方五湖レインボーライン) 2025 ✓
The above roads are all amazing. I was particularly blown away by the splendor of the Bandai-Azuma Skyline, the natural beauty of Shiretoko, and the views of Mt. Fuji from the Izu Skyline. In the spring or autumn, the Venus Line is well worth your time. Finally, if you're a bicycle rider, the Shimanami Expressway as well as the Aso Panorama Line combined with the Yamanami Highway are necessary trips, although many of the other roads prohibit bicycle access. Anyway, Japan is a great place to ride, and if you're looking for a weekend trip, why not check out one of the above?
