2000km Year-End Touring with Porsche Boxster 【Day 4】

Following the previous 2000km Year-End Touring with Porsche Boxster 【Day 3】, my husband has written Day 4. Please enjoy if you like.

Boxster, Day 4

Our journey with the Boxster is now approaching its final stages. Perhaps because we experienced the terrifying narrow, hard-to-drive road R265 yesterday, I think we both slept very well.

Today, we planned to focus on driving around the Satsuma Peninsula and set off from the hotel. Our first destination was the Ibusuki Skyline, commonly called “Ibuska”. I have only vague memories of visiting the Ibusuki Skyline nearly 20 years ago in an Audi TT—maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. That’s why this time, it was one of the must-visit famous roads.

We headed south via Prefectural Route 36 and Route 328. Entering from Kagoshima IC, we proceeded straight onto the Ibusuki Skyline.

From Taniyama IC, we headed south on the Ibusuki Skyline. Traffic suddenly thinned out, and it felt like I was the only one on the road. It was a world just for me and the Boxster. I pressed the accelerator, syncing my breathing with the Boxster’s, and engaged the clutch. First gear, second gear, then third.

Pressing the world’s most wonderfully controllable brakes, I approached the corner with the exact deceleration I imagined in my mind.

I threw the shift into second gear, revved the engine, and engaged the clutch. Here too, my breathing perfectly matched the Boxster’s, and the blip on the throttle was perfectly timed. This is the moment when the Boxster feels like a living creature, a true partner. I’m no longer just driving the Boxster. We are running together.

This is why I can never give up the Boxster.

The Ibusuki Skyline is an even more famous road than I had imagined. If this isn’t a famous road, then what is? The road is wide, and the pavement is in excellent condition. It mainly features medium to high-speed corners with many ups and downs, making it incredibly enjoyable to drive. The Porsche that had been dormant comes alive.

As we headed south along the long Ibusuki Skyline, Mount Kaimondake came into view. It’s a beautifully shaped conical mountain. Since we were nearby, we decided to stop by. Along the way, we visited Lake Ikeda, famous for the “Issie” monster legend, and I realized for the first time that this was the lake I had heard about on the news as a child!

Around here, the temperature was surprisingly high, with the Boxster’s outside temperature gauge showing 18°C to 20°C despite it being year-end. The breeze and scents felt like spring, full of tropical vibes.

Upon arriving at Mount Kaimondake, we found ourselves at Kaimon Sanroku Nature Park. There is a toll road up the mountain that goes as far as about the third station. When I asked the toll booth attendant about driving around the mountain, he warned, “The south side of the mountain is narrow, so it’s better not to go there in such a fine sports car.”

Though it wasn’t planned, we paid the toll and decided to drive up Mount Kaimondake. Beyond the toll booth, Tokara horses were roaming freely here and there. It wasn’t a road to speed on, but the scenery was so beautiful that it felt like the perfect toll road for a relaxed cruise.

We stopped at various lookout spots to rest. We passed a few groups of tourists, but it was mostly quiet and peaceful.

Leaving Mount Kaimondake behind, we drove west along the Nansatsu Panorama Line. This road stretches straight through farmland and feels wonderfully refreshing. The Boxster is more suited to winding roads, but opening the top and cruising slowly on a straight road like this is also a great experience.

This area has many wide-area farm roads, so it’s perfect for those who love mostly straight roads.

I should have made more detours, but I was having such a great time driving at my own pace that I ended up driving too far. Using Prefectural Route 262, I headed north again and drove the Ibusuki Skyline once more.

The road was so enjoyable that I changed my plans and drove it on the return trip as well. It made me want to drive it in a GT3 too. It’s truly a famous road, and the 100 yen toll is way too cheap.

I’d happily pay around 4000 yen to drive it again (laughs). That’s how special the Ibusuki Skyline is.

Stopping at various viewpoints scattered along the way, I caught sight of Sakurajima, which had been cloudy and hazy earlier in the morning. Seeing Sakurajima again after a long time, I felt its sheer power and presence. It has a strength unlike any other mountain. While admiring Sakurajima, I prayed for a safe journey and prosperity in life ahead.

Afterwards, cruising on the highway with Sakurajima to my right, I headed early to the hotel. Having had such a fulfilling day of driving, I made my way to Miyakonojo City, where tonight’s accommodation awaited.