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Initial D tour in Usui Pass

Initial D tour in Usui Pass

Art, Culture, & Historical

Car Tour (driver & guide)

Joined 2025

Andy L.

5.00 / 5

(9 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Gunma

Chinese (Simplified) (Native), Chinese (Traditional) (Native), English (Native), Japanese

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Andy L.)

Up to 4 people

This primary Initial D itinerary in the Nagano area is the Usui Pass (碓氷峠), located on the border of Nagano and Gunma Prefectures. It is famous as the home course of Impact Blue (Mako and Sayuki) and their Nissan Sil80. The pass is noted for its challenging hairpin turns and the prominent brick Megane Bridge.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or train station - I will contact you on mobile.

- At your hotel in Utsunomiya area or Utsunomiya train station - I will contact you on mobile.

11:00 AM

Usui Pass (碓氷峠)

Featured in First Stage, this pass is easily accessible from Karuizawa, Nagano. It is known for its consecutive hairpins and a "C-121" corner.

01:30 PM

Ogino-ya Restaurant

Near the Usui Pass, this is a real-life location often associated with the series, particularly the Sil80 battle.

02:30 AM

Old Maruyama Substation

A valuable historical site with the history of Japan's first main-line railway electrification." This facility for railway electrification was constructed in 1912 by the "Railway Board" (a national organization established in December 1908 to develop and maintain all railways throughout Japan under unified national management, which was upgraded to the "Ministry of Railways" in 1920). The Usui Pass railway line, connecting Yokokawa in Gunma Prefecture to Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture.

Hardoff treasure hunting - Takasaki. (if time)

Hard Off is one of Japan's most recognizable second-hand retail chains, specializing primarily in electronics and "hardware." While many visitors often confuse it with Book Off, they are actually separate companies that frequently collaborate to share retail space.

1. What Each "Off" Store Sells

The Hard Off Group operates several specialized sub-brands. You will often see multiple versions in a single building (sometimes called an "Eco Town"):Hard Off: The main brand. Focuses on electronics, computers, audio equipment (amplifiers, turntables), musical instruments (guitars, keyboards), cameras, and watches.

Hobby Off: Dedicated to toys, figurines, plastic models (Gundam), trading cards, and collectibles.

Off House: Focuses on household goods, including furniture, kitchenware, appliances, and high-end brand bags or accessories.

Mode Off: Specializes in clothing, shoes, and fashion accessories.

Garage Off: Deals with automotive parts, car stereos, tires, and bicycle accessories.

Liquor Off: Buy and sells alcohol, including rare whiskeys and vintage wines.

The term "treasure searching" (or "treasure hunting") is commonly used at stores like Hard Off because of the unpredictable nature of their inventory. Unlike a standard retail store where you know exactly what will be on the shelf, these shops rely on what locals have recently sold to them, making every visit a unique experience.

Ending Point

At your hotel in Utsunomiya area or Utsunomiya train station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Drive & Guide fee

Hotel pick-up

I can pick up in Tokyo area, please message me for details

Fuel cost

Toll cost

Transportation vehicle via K-car - Suzuki Alto Works

A creative video album of the tour upon request

What‘s not included

Please prepare some cash before tour as some shops or restaurants may not accept credit card payment.

Example: Lunch (around 2000-3000 yen per person, for you and the guide)

The cost of any purchases made locally is not included

Tour Important Information

This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.

This tour is wheelchair accessible.

Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Important message from the supplier

My schedule can be flexible, up to my deadline of works.

I can guide you in any area of Japan, please contact me in advance!

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2025

Andy L.

5.00 / 5

(9 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Andy L.

Hello! I’m Your Friendly Guide to Japan’s Kanto Region

I’m based in the beautiful Tochigi Prefecture and absolutely love sharing Japan’s amazing culture, history, and hidden spots with visitors like you. Before doing tour guiding, I was a public school teacher, so I’m great at making stories come alive and helping you really connect with the places we visit.

I speak Japanese at an advanced level (N2), and I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Japan—from living a year in the peaceful town of Kamishihoro in Hokkaido to wandering the bustling streets of Tokyo. This means I can give you insider tips and deep insights that go beyond the usual tourist trails.

*What I Offer*

I mainly guide around the Kanto area, which includes Tokyo, Yokohama, Saitama, Ibaraki, Gunma, and of course, Tochigi. Here are some of the fun tours I can take you on:

- **Utsunomiya Cultural Immersion:** Spend a day discovering the unique charm and tasty eats of Utsunomiya.

- **Tokyo All-in-One:** Explore both East and West Tokyo in a single day for a full city experience.

- **Anime & Pop Culture Tours:** Tailor-made adventures based on your favorite shows, games, and characters.

- **Kanto Day Trips:** Visit iconic spots like Nikko’s stunning temples or Kamakura’s historic sites.

I also love guiding in other parts of Japan, especially Kyoto—I’ve seen every World Heritage Site there! Plus, I often run tours in Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Hikone, and more, all easy to reach by train.

*Customize Your Journey*

Every tour is flexible and designed just for you. To make your trip even more memorable, I’ll create a free, beautifully crafted photo album with music from your tour—perfect for sharing or keeping as a souvenir.

Ready to explore Japan in a fun, relaxed way with someone who’s passionate about showing you the real stories behind every place? Let’s chat and start planning your perfect adventure!

Reviews

Pham S.

5 / 5

May 21, 2026

Initial D tour on Mountain Haruna Gunma

May 21, 2026

Gunma

12 hours

“A great Initial D experience!”

Andy was a pleasure to be with and was very knowledgeable about the tour, taking the time to drive us to the fictional delivery driver's home course along with the other loactions they feature on the show. He was also very communicative prior to the tour to ensure we knew when and where to meet up with him. I highly recommend taking this tour for the diehard Initial D fan.

Andy L.

Hi Pham, Thank you so much for the fantastic review! It was an absolute pleasure showing Danny and his brother around the classic courses and checking out those iconic locations from the show together. I’m really glad the communication ahead of time helped make everything smooth. Safe travels, and hope to see you on the mountains again someday!

Jesse F.

5 / 5

May 19, 2026

Initial D tour on Mountain Haruna Gunma

May 19, 2026

Gunma

8 hours

“Initial D tour”

Excellent tour from start to finish. Andy was a very thoughtful and attentive guide, making sure I was comfortable and enjoying the experience. I was travelling solo, and Andy was great company throughout the day - friendly, engaging, and very knowledgeable, he let me bring my luggage with us and made sure I made my train at the end of the day. The whole tour felt relaxed, well organised, and personal. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable experience!

Andy L.

Hi Jesse, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind review! It was an absolute pleasure showing you around and hanging out for the day. Being a fellow enthusiast, I always want to make sure the trip feels relaxed and tailored just right, so I’m thrilled to hear you felt comfortable and well taken care of—luggage tetris and train schedules included! Hope you have a wonderful journey in Japan, and one day , our paths will cross again for another memorable drive. Cheers, Andy

Kyle B.

5 / 5

May 18, 2026

Initial D tour on Mountain Haruna Gunma

May 18, 2026

Gunma

8 hours

“Best part of my trip!”

My day visiting Mt. Haruna and Shibukawa could not have went better. I had such an excellent time hanging out with Andy, stopping by all the cool Initial D and JDM spots. Andy is a fantastic tour guide and had a lot of great information at every stop of the way. This has been the highlight of my trip so far and I can't thank Andy enough for being such an awesome guide! Highly recommend this trip if you like Initial D or JDM cars in general. Thanks again, Andy!

Andy L.

Hey Kyle, Wow, thank you so much for the incredible review! It was absolute blast hanging out with you and hitting up all those legendary Initial D and JDM spots around Shibukawa and Mt. Haruna. Showing fellow enthusiasts around the real-life locations we all grew up watching is exactly why I love doing this. Hearing that this was the highlight of your trip means the world to me. You were an awesome guest, and navigating those mountain roads with someone who truly appreciates the culture made the day even better. Thanks again for booking with me, Kyle! Safest of travels on the rest of your journey, and whenever you find yourself back in Japan, you know who to call for another run. Peace out! — Andy