Royu<\/strong>.\u201d Some people tend to elongate the pronunciation slightly, saying \u201cro-yuu\u201d or \u201cro-yu-.\u201d<\/p>\nOpened in 1962, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/IMG_0336-800x600-800x600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Note that motorcycles are not allowed on weekends and public holidays<\/strong>, so riders should be aware. This restriction is common on other roads in the Rokko mountain range as well. Frankly, it\u2019s about time these rules were reconsidered.<\/p>\nHaving been driving Royu for about 20 years now, and recently visiting even before work on weekdays, I\u2019ve put together this guide and some important points for first-timers on the Royu Driveway.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Toll Fees<\/span><\/h4>\nThe 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\u2019s 420 yen.
\nFor example, if you enter from the Ashiya Gate, drive up to the car enthusiasts\u2019 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\u2019s clarify.<\/p>\n
Also, ETC and credit cards are not accepted, so don\u2019t forget to bring cash<\/strong>.<\/p>\nToll fees for a round trip to Higashi-Rokko Lookout:<\/p>\n
\n\n\n| Section<\/td>\n | Fee<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \u2460 Ashiya Gate \u21d4 \u2468 Higashi-Rokko Lookout<\/td>\n | 420 yen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \u246a Hodono Gate \u21d4 \u2468 Higashi-Rokko Lookout<\/td>\n | 420 yen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \u2473 Arima Gate \u21d4 \u2468 Higashi-Rokko Lookout<\/td>\n | 530 yen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/span>Course Map<\/span><\/h4>\nFor 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\u2019t find any, so I took the liberty of naming each area and corner myself<\/strong>. (No particular attachment to these names, so if you know better names or official ones, please leave a comment!)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Royu](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/royu_map-e1659530413588.jpg\") Royu Driveway Course Map<\/p><\/div>\n <\/span>\u2460 Royu Gate (Toll Booth)<\/span><\/h5>\nThis is the entrance from Ashiya city. The roads leading here from the city are winding but narrow, with many cat\u2019s eyes, so they\u2019re not very fun to drive.<\/strong> The gate works fine for both right- and left-hand drive cars. There\u2019s no barrier, so you might pass through without noticing, but don\u2019t forget to take your toll ticket<\/strong>.<\/p>\nRight after the toll booth is a parking lot where hikers often park. There are also restrooms and vending machines. If there\u2019s a slow car ahead, take a short break here and wait for a clear lap before proceeding.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2461 Akaike Corner<\/span><\/h5>\nThis 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Royu](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/akaike.jpg\") <\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2462 Okuike S-Curve<\/span><\/h5>\nAfter passing Akaike Corner, you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2463 Okuike Straight<\/span><\/h5>\nThis section should be treated like a pit lane<\/strong>. It passes through the Okuike residential area, with many crosswalks and hikers. Speeding here, especially early in the morning, is a major nuisance. Complaints are still common, and police sometimes patrol the lookout due to reports from neighbors.<\/strong> Always slow down, use a higher gear, and avoid revving the engine<\/strong> here. Owners of the 991 GT3RS can use the \u201cpit speed switch\u201d speed limiter feature. Also, speed traps and police motorcycles sometimes hide here<\/strong>, so please drive safely and slowly.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u2464 Shakegou Corner<\/span><\/h5>\nThis is where the main course of the Royu Driveway truly begins.<\/strong> It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u2465 Shakegou Straight<\/span><\/h5>\nAfter Shakegou Corner, a long uphill straight with a gentle right curve appears. There\u2019s a pull-off area where you can stop and take photos, especially beautiful during autumn foliage.<\/p>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0029-800x533.jpg\") <\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2466 Shakegou Hairpin<\/span><\/h5>\nAs you gain elevation, there\u2019s a large, gentle hairpin curve with great views. It\u2019s one of the most enjoyable corners on the route.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2467 Royu Loop<\/span><\/h5>\nA 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.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2468 Higashi-Rokko Lookout (\u201cOyama\u201d)<\/span><\/h5>\nAlso known as \u201cOyama\u201d<\/strong>. Saying \u201cI\u2019m going up to Oyama today\u201d means heading to the Royu Driveway\u2019s Higashi-Rokko Lookout. Every Sunday from around 8:00 to 11:00 AM, car enthusiasts from Kansai gather here spontaneously.
\nOn weekends and holidays, the Ashiya Route Cafe operates here, offering coffee and light meals.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1751-800x600.jpg\") <\/p>\n
The night view from here is famous as a filming location for the drama \u201cHanzawa Naoki.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n ![\"Royu](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/IMG_7505-800x533.jpg\") <\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2469 Hodono S-Curve<\/span><\/h5>\nA series of gentle S-curves. How smoothly and enjoyably you can drive here reflects the car\u2019s \u201cfun\u201d factor to some extent.<\/strong> It\u2019s pleasant to cruise lightly through this section.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u246a Hodono Gate (Toll Booth)<\/span><\/h5>\nExiting here, turn left for Mount Rokko, or right for Nishinomiya city or Takarazuka city<\/strong>. Entering from Ashiya Gate and exiting here costs 420 yen for a regular car.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u246b Royu Tunnel<\/span><\/h5>\nThe longest tunnel on Royu. Even on sunny days, the road inside is often wet, so be cautious. Also, your car\u2019s fenders will almost certainly get splashed with water here.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u246c Royu Esses<\/span><\/h5>\nNamed after the mountain section \u201cThe Esses\u201d at Mount Panorama Circuit (I couldn\u2019t resist). This section has narrow, undulating tight curves with cat\u2019s eyes, requiring careful steering. Don\u2019t push too hard here.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u246d Juhaccho Corner<\/span><\/h5>\nTwo nearly 90-degree corners along Juhaccho Mountain leading into the Arima Tunnel.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u246e Arima Corner<\/span><\/h5>\nFrom above, this forms a large C-shape. It\u2019s a smooth, enjoyable curve. There\u2019s a small Arima Lookout here where you can view Arima Onsen town and Sanda city.<\/strong> Vending machines are available, and this spot often attracts drivers who want to enjoy spirited driving. Nearby is a smaller pull-off called \u201cHokusetsu Lookout,\u201d a mini version of Arima Lookout.<\/p>\n<\/span>\u246f Arima Hairpin<\/span><\/h5>\nThis is a reverse-banked hairpin that can feel intimidating when climbing from Arima. It\u2019s a technical corner where car performance and driver skill really matter.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2470 Arima Square<\/span><\/h5>\nNamed because its shape resembles a square from above, somewhat like the mini-carousel at the N\u00fcrburgring. At the corner\u2019s entrance is a larger pull-off called \u201cKinsenji Lake Lookout,\u201d which I often use as a photo spot. It\u2019s like the \u201cGoshonoi Parking\u201d on the Hakone Turnpike.<\/p>\n ![\"Porsche](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_6108-e1530662296702-800x533.jpg\") <\/p>\n
<\/span>\u2471 Kinkeibashi S-Curve<\/span><\/h5>\nAn S-curve near the Kinkeibashi road bridge. It has elevation changes and is very fun to drive. The Kinkeibashi bridge\u2019s atmosphere is similar to the Hoozuki Bridge on the Hakone Turnpike but much smaller. You could call it a \u201cmini Hoozuki Bridge.\u201d It\u2019s a rare road bridge in Japan constructed using aluminum alloy as a structural strength material.<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2472 Zuihoji Curve<\/span><\/h5>\nSeveral gentle curves leading toward Arima Gate. Very easy and pleasant to drive. There\u2019s a pull-off near a blue sign that says \u201cToll Booth 200m Ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span>\u2473 Arima Gate (Toll Booth)<\/span><\/h5>\nExiting here puts you close to Arima Onsen. Traveling from Ashiya Gate to here costs 930 yen one way for a regular car.<\/p>\n <\/span>Rules to Follow<\/span><\/h4>\nWhile the Royu Driveway is a road where you can enjoy driving, it is obviously not a race track.<\/strong> It\u2019s 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.<\/strong> Those with track experience understand well how dangerous it is to drive recklessly on public roads.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/IMG_3534-800x600-800x600.jpeg\") <\/p>\n
Also, as mentioned above, under no circumstances should you speed on the Okuike Straight (\u2463).<\/strong> It disturbs the neighbors, so please drive quietly and slowly.<\/p>\nThe Royu Driveway is truly a \u201csacred place\u201d for car enthusiasts in Kansai.<\/strong> I hope this sanctuary continues as a social hub for car lovers for many years to come, with everyone respecting the rules and manners.<\/p>\nGoogle Map version is here:<\/p>\n |