My husband visits the Royu Driveway at least twice a week. I recently made my debut at the Royu Driveway lookout and have started to truly feel the charm of Royu. So today, I’d like to share an article my husband wrote about how to drive the Royu Driveway.

Royu Driveway

The Royu Driveway is a toll road about 10 km long, featuring roughly 37 corners of various sizes. It’s pronounced “Royu.” Some people tend to elongate the pronunciation slightly, saying “ro-yuu” or “ro-yu-.”

Opened in 1962, it’s a rare toll road that also has residential areas within its boundaries. In the past, it was popular with street racers at night, and you can still find videos of those times on YouTube. However, such activity has greatly diminished, and traffic volume is low, making it an easy-to-access driveway from Osaka or Kobe.

Note that motorcycles are not allowed on weekends and public holidays, so riders should be aware. This restriction is common on other roads in the Rokko mountain range as well. Frankly, it’s about time these rules were reconsidered.

Having been driving Royu for about 20 years now, and recently visiting even before work on weekdays, I’ve put together this guide and some important points for first-timers on the Royu Driveway.

Toll Fees

The toll system might be a bit confusing for first-timers. A regular car pays 930 yen if you travel the entire route, but if you exit at the Hodono Gate midway, it’s 420 yen.
For example, if you enter from the Ashiya Gate, drive up to the car enthusiasts’ favorite Higashi-Rokko Lookout, then turn back and exit again from Ashiya Gate, the fee is 420 yen. This can be a bit tricky, so let’s clarify.

Also, ETC and credit cards are not accepted, so don’t forget to bring cash.

Toll fees for a round trip to Higashi-Rokko Lookout:

Section	Fee
① Ashiya Gate ⇔ ⑨ Higashi-Rokko Lookout	420 yen
⑪ Hodono Gate ⇔ ⑨ Higashi-Rokko Lookout	420 yen
⑳ Arima Gate ⇔ ⑨ Higashi-Rokko Lookout	530 yen

Course Map

For those planning to drive the Royu Driveway, I created a course map. While preparing this, I tried to find official names for each curve but couldn’t find any, so I took the liberty of naming each area and corner myself. (No particular attachment to these names, so if you know better names or official ones, please leave a comment!)

① Royu Gate (Toll Booth)

This is the entrance from Ashiya city. The roads leading here from the city are winding but narrow, with many cat’s eyes, so they’re not very fun to drive. The gate works fine for both right- and left-hand drive cars. There’s no barrier, so you might pass through without noticing, but don’t forget to take your toll ticket.

Right after the toll booth is a parking lot where hikers often park. There are also restrooms and vending machines. If there’s a slow car ahead, take a short break here and wait for a clear lap before proceeding.

② Akaike Corner

This is a gentle corner located on a small bridge over a stream flowing from Akaike. Be cautious in winter as the bridge can be icy.

③ Okuike S-Curve

After passing Akaike Corner, you’ll encounter an S-curve, which also includes a bridge section. Watch out for icy road surfaces in winter. Beyond this is a residential area, so reduce your speed.

④ Okuike Straight

⑤ Shakegou Corner

This is where the main course of the Royu Driveway truly begins. It’s a mid-speed, almost 90-degree left turn that feels fantastic in a well-sorted car. The name comes from the Shakegou mountain area in Nishinomiya city.

⑥ Shakegou Straight

After Shakegou Corner, a long uphill straight with a gentle right curve appears. There’s a pull-off area where you can stop and take photos, especially beautiful during autumn foliage.

⑦ Shakegou Hairpin

As you gain elevation, there’s a large, gentle hairpin curve with great views. It’s one of the most enjoyable corners on the route.

⑧ Royu Loop

A roughly 90-meter radius circular curve. The Kanai Tunnel runs through the loop, and just after exiting is the lookout entrance, so please keep your speed down.

⑨ Higashi-Rokko Lookout (“Oyama”)

Also known as “Oyama”. Saying “I’m going up to Oyama today” means heading to the Royu Driveway’s Higashi-Rokko Lookout. Every Sunday from around 8:00 to 11:00 AM, car enthusiasts from Kansai gather here spontaneously.
On weekends and holidays, the Ashiya Route Cafe operates here, offering coffee and light meals.

The night view from here is famous as a filming location for the drama “Hanzawa Naoki.” You get a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain, and on clear days, you can see Kansai Airport, the mountains of Wakayama, and Abeno Harukas. The nighttime view stretching from Osaka Plain to parts of Kobe is stunning.

⑩ Hodono S-Curve

A series of gentle S-curves. How smoothly and enjoyably you can drive here reflects the car’s “fun” factor to some extent. It’s pleasant to cruise lightly through this section.

⑪ Hodono Gate (Toll Booth)

Exiting here, turn left for Mount Rokko, or right for Nishinomiya city or Takarazuka city. Entering from Ashiya Gate and exiting here costs 420 yen for a regular car.

⑫ Royu Tunnel

The longest tunnel on Royu. Even on sunny days, the road inside is often wet, so be cautious. Also, your car’s fenders will almost certainly get splashed with water here.

⑬ Royu Esses

Named after the mountain section “The Esses” at Mount Panorama Circuit (I couldn’t resist). This section has narrow, undulating tight curves with cat’s eyes, requiring careful steering. Don’t push too hard here.

⑭ Juhaccho Corner

Two nearly 90-degree corners along Juhaccho Mountain leading into the Arima Tunnel.

⑮ Arima Corner

From above, this forms a large C-shape. It’s a smooth, enjoyable curve. There’s a small Arima Lookout here where you can view Arima Onsen town and Sanda city. Vending machines are available, and this spot often attracts drivers who want to enjoy spirited driving. Nearby is a smaller pull-off called “Hokusetsu Lookout,” a mini version of Arima Lookout.

⑯ Arima Hairpin

This is a reverse-banked hairpin that can feel intimidating when climbing from Arima. It’s a technical corner where car performance and driver skill really matter.

⑰ Arima Square

Named because its shape resembles a square from above, somewhat like the mini-carousel at the Nürburgring. At the corner’s entrance is a larger pull-off called “Kinsenji Lake Lookout,” which I often use as a photo spot. It’s like the “Goshonoi Parking” on the Hakone Turnpike.

⑱ Kinkeibashi S-Curve

An S-curve near the Kinkeibashi road bridge. It has elevation changes and is very fun to drive. The Kinkeibashi bridge’s atmosphere is similar to the Hoozuki Bridge on the Hakone Turnpike but much smaller. You could call it a “mini Hoozuki Bridge.” It’s a rare road bridge in Japan constructed using aluminum alloy as a structural strength material.

⑲ Zuihoji Curve

Several gentle curves leading toward Arima Gate. Very easy and pleasant to drive. There’s a pull-off near a blue sign that says “Toll Booth 200m Ahead.”

⑳ Arima Gate (Toll Booth)

Exiting here puts you close to Arima Onsen. Traveling from Ashiya Gate to here costs 930 yen one way for a regular car.

Rules to Follow

While the Royu Driveway is a road where you can enjoy driving, it is obviously not a race track. It’s a public road used by tourists, buses, and locals. Needless to say, a single mistake could cause a serious accident. Always maintain a safe margin and drive without inconveniencing others. Those with track experience understand well how dangerous it is to drive recklessly on public roads.

Also, as mentioned above, under no circumstances should you speed on the Okuike Straight (④). It disturbs the neighbors, so please drive quietly and slowly.

The Royu Driveway is truly a “sacred place” for car enthusiasts in Kansai. I hope this sanctuary continues as a social hub for car lovers for many years to come, with everyone respecting the rules and manners.

Google Map version is here: