Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hakone Pass and National Route 1 Into the mist, one calm bend at a time
One morning in late May, I drove up National Route 1 through the mist in my red convertible, eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel as I took one bend at a time. After the drive, the first thing I remembered wasn't the view. It was that big sigh I let out.
Read the story and highlights, then take in the view with me.
SpringA morning in late May
Each time the road came into view, I found myself a little deeper in the mountains
One morning in late May, I was driving up National Route 1 in my red convertible. As I went deeper into the mountains, mist hung over the road ahead. The curve I'd just been able to see faded into the fog. I gripped the wheel with both hands again and refocused on the road just ahead.
I checked the stretch I could see and eased into the next bend. When I eased the wheel back, a little more of the road came into view. Today, it felt much more important to know the road continued just ahead than to see far into the distance.
I'd put the top down, so the air against my cheeks was chilly too. I'd been looking forward to a spring morning, but I hadn't expected it to be this cold, and I couldn't help giving a little shrug. When I got home, I'd tell my friend that just because it was spring didn't mean I should dress so lightly. She'd probably laugh, but I learned my lesson that morning.
With that thought still on my mind, I kept my eyes on the road ahead. I noticed I was gripping the wheel too tightly and took a moment to steady my breathing. I wasn't in a hurry; getting up this road calmly was enough. As I came out of each bend, my shoulders relaxed a little more.
After the climb, I parked and let out a long breath. I'd been concentrating much harder than I realized. I meant to take one breath before opening the door, but then I wanted another. I was glad I'd made it up the road, and I found myself smiling a little as I looked at my hands still resting on the wheel.
Then I got out of the car and took a slow breath of the cold air. Unlike when I was driving through the mist, I finally had a moment to take in the mountains around me. I think I'll remember this moment when I get home. I'll remember the road I climbed one bend at a time, and the way I finally relaxed after parking.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialties
Hakone Pass soba
It's one of the specialties listed at Hakone Pass Roadside Station. After the mountain drive and a chance to catch my breath, a warm bowl of soba would be my choice. I'd want to linger over the meal and the view.
Highlights
Into the Hakone Mountains on National Route 1
Ashinoyu is a hot-spring area along the Old Hakone Road, now National Route 1. That spring morning, the climb through the mist became part of the journey I remember, one bend at a time.
Take a break at Hakone Pass Roadside Station
This roadside station sits between Hakone and Mishima on National Route 1. You can rest while looking out over Lake Ashi and the Hakone mountains. Once I park and have a moment to take in the view, I find myself wanting to talk about the road I just drove.
Getting there and enjoying the drive
National Route 1 and Hakone Pass Roadside Station
- Route
- National Route 1
- Rest stop
- Hakone Pass Roadside Station
Hakone Pass Roadside Station is between Hakone and Mishima on National Route 1. After keeping my eyes on the road and making the climb calmly, I looked forward to parking and taking a break.
Use the map to look up Hakone Pass and start planning a drive along National Route 1. I still remember the feeling of arriving in the mountains and finally having time to take it all in after driving through the mist.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
