Crossing Shikoku on Route 194

Morning in Saijo City marked the final day of our road trip.

The snow clouds that had brought a cold snap to Japan had eased a little, but snow was still forecast in the mountains of Shikoku. I checked the weather and reviewed the route.

The 911 was filthy, and the road salt had left the bodywork grimy. Washing it now would be pointless—it was bound to get dirty again—so I gave the taillights a quick wipe and set off.

First, I decided to head south toward Kochi on one of my favorite roads, Route 194.

From Saijo City, Route 194 climbs steadily into the mountains. It was early, and the road was empty. The occasional heavy truck appeared ahead, but when an overtaking lane opened up, I had no hesitation about passing.

I dropped straight from sixth to third and pressed the throttle.

A thunderous blend of intake and exhaust noise filled the cabin. The sound becomes especially thrilling from around 3,000 rpm. That’s one of the joys of the 991.1 GTS: it delivers the kind of dramatic soundtrack you might expect from a GT3 at high revs, but you can enjoy it even in the everyday rev range.

The road is wide and well paved, with a steady climb and a series of sweeping bends. The 911 puts its displacement and power to work, charging uphill as if the road were flat. That, to me, is what makes Route 194 so much fun.

As I neared the summit, snow began to gather along the roadside. A few flakes started drifting through the air, and the temperature dropped sharply.

I eased off the pace a little and enjoyed the drive through the snow.

The PTM (Porsche Traction Management) display showed the car maintaining an almost even front-to-rear torque split, fluctuating between roughly 50:50 and 40:60. As a result, the car felt stable under acceleration and through the corners, with no hint of nervousness.

I stopped for a break at Michi-no-Eki Konoka roadside station along the way and took in the snowy scenery.

Once over the pass, it was time for the downhill run. The snow had almost disappeared on the south-facing slope. Traffic picked up a little, but I was able to descend smoothly without having to disrupt my pace.

Route 439: A Legendary Drive

I spotted a Route 439 sign along the way and turned left. Route 439 is often known as a narrow, hard-to-drive road—or a “koku-dō,” the Japanese nickname for notoriously difficult national routes—but it also has plenty of wide-open, fast sections. Some stretches are remarkably easy to drive.

The section of Route 439 near Agawa District is a real highlight. The road is in excellent condition and traffic is light. It’s like a long, sweeping mountain road with just the right mix of bends—so tempting that you have to remind yourself not to pick up too much speed.

After a restroom break at Michi-no-Eki Tosa Sameura, I planned to head south on Route 32 and then continue on to Route 195.

Looking at the map, Prefectural Route 253 seemed like a shortcut to Route 195, so I decided to take a chance. That turned out to be a big mistake. The road was a succession of tight, twisty bends—like a miniature Usui Pass—and littered with stones and branches. It was hardly a comfortable drive.

I kept going for a while, but eventually reached a narrow section with barely enough room for the car to fit. Deciding it was too risky to continue, I turned around and headed back.

Route 195 Has Everything You Want in a Road Trip

After returning to Route 32, I continued on to Route 195 in the 911.

I’ve featured Route 195 on the blog many times. Stretching for more than 100 kilometers, this is a magnificent road linking Kochi and Tokushima. It offers a bit of everything, from riverside bends and challenging mountain passes to gentle cruising sections. That variety makes it a hugely enjoyable drive.

As the road climbed into the mountains, the traffic gradually thinned out.

I switched the 911 to Sport mode and set the chassis to Sport as well. The PDK held the engine in just the right rev range, striking a wonderful balance between sound, power delivery, and responsiveness.

What is it about a Porsche that still manages to thrill me every time, even after driving the same roads again and again over the past few days? (Laughs.)

The higher we climbed, the more snow began to accumulate. Shikoku may have a reputation for mild weather, but mountain roads can be hazardous during a cold snap.

Route 195 had become completely snow-covered as we entered the mountain-pass section, where the inclines grew steeper. I started seeing cars whose tires were spinning and that couldn’t make it up the hills. Feeling a little concerned, I pressed the 911’s accelerator. All-wheel drive really is reassuring. The car cleared the steep, challenging sections without difficulty and continued on its way.

After crossing the pass, the snow thinned out considerably on the descent. I picked up the pace and swept downhill.

I stopped for a break at Michi-no-Eki Momiji-gawa Onsen. In spring, the contrast between the cherry blossoms and the lake here is beautiful. It was still cold, but down at this elevation, the air somehow felt warmer than on Honshu, Japan’s main island.

I tried Prefectural Route 19 as a shortcut toward Tokushima, but the road alternated dramatically between narrow stretches and easy-flowing sections. One moment, it was barely wide enough for one to one-and-a-half lanes; the next, it opened up into a broad two-lane road. The route follows the river, and it’s a shame it hasn’t been improved further—it could be a fantastic drive.

From Tokushima, I took the expressway and headed straight for home.

Treating the 911 to a gentle cooldown after its long journey, I cruised along the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway and crossed into Hyogo Prefecture, bringing my final road trip of 2021 to a close.

The trip covered 1,617 km in total, with fuel economy of 10.4 km/L and an average speed of 50 km/h.

Route Map