Japan from the road, winter vision.
Since getting a car, Japan has opened up to me in ways I never imagined. Winding drives along rural mountain roads, with nothing but wild rivers and endless forests in sight, have become my new normal. Fukushima's roads are a study in contrasts, from fast-moving, tolled expressways to narrow, twisting mountain paths where every bend brings a surprise.
Fukushima is vast, its landscape dominated by rugged peaks and dense woods. Driving has given me front-row seats to the region’s rich wildlife, and I still feel a thrill each time I spot one of Japan’s cutest orange residents, the elusive weasel. Of course, with more time on the road, I’ve also become familiar with a different side of nature: Japanese roadkill. Back in the UK, it was usually badgers, hedgehogs, or the occasional squirrel; here, it’s tanuki, deer, and sometimes, heartbreakingly, my beloved weasels.
Much like the UK, Japan boasts an incredible array of roadside stops, ranging from humble car parks with basic toilets to sprawling, multi-level complexes packed with restaurants, foot baths, and fun arcade machines that always seem to lure me into spending my yen on Pokémon-themed treasures, or something so quirky that I can only shake my head and say, “Only in Japan!”
During my days in Saga, roadside stops were a highlight of every highway bus journey. I’d step into enormous rest areas, wishing the tour would allow for more than the allotted 20-minute break. Now, with my own car, I finally have the freedom to linger, explore, and fully indulge in these uniquely Japanese pit stops.
If you’re a fan of Mokeke, you’re in luck: roadside stops often stock Mokeke from their local prefecture, alongside regional specialities and delicious street food. Every stop promises a discovery, and I can’t wait to see what’s next on the road ahead. Now, with the freedom that four wheels provides, I am hoping to hit up a drive-in-style love hotel in the near future and actually use it as intended.
I want to bring more blogs covering the wilder side of Japan, and I am also excited to experience Japan from the road, away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and the convenience of the Shinkansen lines or buses. My big dream would be to explore Gunma and eventually Hokkaido outside of the snow season. As a huge fan of Golden Kamui, there are numerous places in Hokkaido that are off the beaten track or a bit of a hassle to reach via public transport, such as Wakani, Abarashi and the eastern side of the prefecture.
When I was small, I would fantasise about road tripping in America in an RV, sleeping under the stars and exploring the wilderness of the states. Whilst this has never happened, I have only ever visited LA. Japan is a reality; the ability to glamp and have outside BBQs has become very real now that I have a car. Sadly, we are heading into winter, but the colder months are perfect for allowing me to plan my travels for the warmer months.
As the colder months approach, I hope to be able to explore more of the Fukushima, Miyagi, Tochigi and Niigata prefectures, which all border this one. I plan to write blogs to help you snuggle up with a hot cocoa whilst picturing Japan in the snow. Japan has a lot to offer in all seasons, and this year I will be able to bring you blogs sharing the wonders of winter in a prefecture prone to snowfall!
