During Golden Week, I went on a 6-night, 7-day grand touring trip. Of course, it was a solo journey—or rather, a two-person trip with my Porsche—a trip spent every day chasing out great roads and driving hard.

This year I toured Shikoku and Kyushu, and I’ll share a detailed report on that in another article. But this time, while driving, I was thinking about which roads I’d want to drive with my wife someday when our kids have grown up and it’s just the two of us touring.

I’d like to write an article about that.

I picked roads I’ve driven before that aren’t just fun to drive but also offer beautiful scenery and could serve as great date routes.

Kagoshima Prefecture – Ibusuki Skyline

A legendary road, well known to all. If you come to Kyushu, this is definitely one of the roads you want to drive. It’s affectionately called the “Ibuska.” This is more than just a “drive” course; it’s a perfect road for car enthusiasts to really enjoy driving. On top of that, the views are stunning. From various viewpoints along the way, you can see the majestic Sakurajima, and towards the end, the distant Kaimondake mountain.

The road is wide and the pavement is excellent, so you can enjoy it fully even at a relaxed pace.

Ishikawa Prefecture – Chirihama Nagisa Driveway

This is a famous road where you can actually drive right along the beach. It’s the perfect route for a date drive. You can slowly cruise along the shoreline or park and just gaze at the sea.

There are quite a few cars on weekends, but the road is wide enough that it never feels crowded. I recommend visiting early in the morning or late afternoon to catch the beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Nagano Prefecture – Venus Line

Japan’s pride: a superb highland winding road. Weekends tend to be busy with tourists, so weekdays—especially mornings—are best. On clear days with crisp air, you can even see Mount Fuji.

The section from Kurumayama Highlands to Kirigamine is especially recommended. Take your time and enjoy the scenery without rushing. Then, if you have time, extend your drive all the way to Utsukushigahara.

My old R171 SLK350

From Utsukushigahara

Aomori Prefecture – Tatsudomari Line

Personally, I consider this Japan’s Stelvio Pass. A stunning winding road with hairpin turns leading to Cape Tappi, and breathtaking views. It’s the climax of any Tohoku drive. The wind is often strong, but I’d deliberately drive with the top down or windows open.

Nagasaki Prefecture – Ikitsuki Island Sunset Way

This was my first time visiting during this Golden Week tour, and I was deeply moved by the breathtaking scenery. It’s a coastal road that hardly feels like it’s in Japan, with very little traffic, allowing you to drive at your own pace. There are few roads better suited for an evening drive on a clear day. This is truly the perfect date drive course.

Route Map for This Selection

These are my personal top 5 picks. Of course, if you choose purely as a car enthusiast or driving lover, there are other roads with more challenging driving. But this time, I focused on routes that most people would consider “drives.” I’m sure there are many other great roads I don’t know yet, so I plan to keep touring as a grand reconnaissance for a relaxed future tour with my wife.