We will first go to Shibukawa, follow signs for Ikaho Onsen and then Mount Haruna/Lake Haruna (榛名湖).

Initial D Spot: We'll be on Prefectural Route 33, which is the real-life "Akina Downhill" course. Even on the ascent, you'll get a feel for the winding nature of the road.

Lake Haruna (榛名湖): This beautiful caldera lake is at the top of Mount Haruna and is the "Akina Lake" from the anime.

Initial D Spot: Haruna Fuji (榛名富士): The distinctive cone-shaped peak rising from the lake is instantly recognizable from the anime.

Activity: Park your car and take some time to walk around Lake Haruna. You can rent pedal boats (including swan-shaped ones!) if you're feeling whimsical.

Haruna Ropeway: For stunning panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains, take the Haruna Ropeway up Mount Haruna Fuji. It's a short but scenic ride. You can walk around the summit a bit at the top. You can see Skytree from there. It's a must see site!

The Akina Downhill Experience

Initial D Spot: The Real Akina Downhill Course: This is the highlight for Initial D fans! Drive the winding Prefectural Route 33 downhill from Lake Haruna towards Shibukawa.

The Five Hairpins: Pay attention to the series of tight turns, the famous "five hairpins" that Takumi mastered. While they aren't as extreme as in the anime, you'll definitely feel the spirit of the race.

Photo Options: We will pull over safely at Takane Observatory (高根展望台) to take photos of the road and the scenery.

The Ikaho Toy, Doll and Car Museum is a private museum in Gunma Prefecture known for its massive and eclectic collection of retro toys, classic cars, and nostalgic Showa-era memorabilia. It is a major pilgrimage site for fans because it houses the original relocated storefront of the Fujiwara Tofu Shop.

Initial D Highlights

The museum is particularly famous for preserving the legacy of the real-life tofu shop that inspired the series.

Fujiwara Tofu Shop Storefront: The original "Fujino-ya Tofu Shop" in Shibukawa, which served as the model for Takumi’s home, was demolished in 2010. Its iconic signage, storefront materials, and even some internal equipment were relocated and reconstructed inside the museum.

Takumi’s AE86: Next to the tofu shop display is a high-fidelity replica of the "Panda" Sprinter Trueno AE86, complete with the "Fujiwara Tofu Shop (Private Use)" door decal and the famous paper cup holder inside.

Ryosuke’s RX-7: The museum also displays a white Mazda Savanna RX-7 (FC3S) that was actually owned by the series' creator, Shuichi Shigeno.

Interactive Photo Op: There is an outdoor "Initial D" photo spot where visitors are allowed to park their own vehicles in front of a replica storefront. The museum even provides a "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" magnetic sticker for you to temporarily place on your car for the perfect photo.

Lake Haruna is a popular tourist destination, and there are several restaurants and cafes right around the lake itself, catering to visitors. They often specialize in local Gunma cuisine, especially dishes featuring wakasagi (smelt fish) from the lake, and local mountain vegetables.

Mizusawa Udon

Mizusawa Udon is a renowned, high-quality udon variety from Gunma Prefecture, Japan, recognized as one of the country's top three udon types. These noodles are celebrated for their glossy appearance, firm, chewy texture, and smooth, translucent, semi-white appearance. Traditionally, they are served cold with savory dipping sauces (soy or sesame) near the historic Mizusawa Kannon Temple

Key Features of Mizusawa Udon:

Origin: Produced in the Mizusawa region of Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, with over 400 years of history.

Method: Historically made by monks for worshippers, the process involves kneading and kneading again over multiple days to create high elasticity.

Ingredients: Made with premium domestic wheat flour, sea salt, and pure water from Mt. Mizusawa.

Serving Style: Usually served as zaru udon (cold noodles served on a sieve) to highlight their texture and firm "bite".

Welcome to Racing Cafe D'z-garage:

This isn't just any cafe; it's a vibrant tribute to the world of Initial D, created by Shuichi Shigeno.

When you arrive, you'll feel like you've stepped right into the anime! You'll often see awesome real-life Japanese sports cars on display, like the iconic AE86 Sprinter Trueno and the RX-7s, just like the ones Takumi and his rivals drove. These cars bring the anime's exciting races to life right before your eyes.

Step inside, and you'll find a treasure chest of Initial D goodies. The cafe is decorated perfectly to make you feel part of the story. You can browse tons of official merchandise, from cool clothes and accessories to model cars and unique souvenirs. Don't miss their famous Initial D-themed pudding! It comes in cute bottles that look like the "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" delivery car, with flavors named after characters like Takumi and Keisuke.

Beyond the cool cars and souvenirs, D'z-garage is a lively spot for car lovers. They often host events and car meet-ups, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all over Japan and beyond. You might even catch live shows or see professional drivers, and sometimes can even their own amazing cars.

Basically, Racing Cafe D'z-garage is a must-see spot that perfectly blends the excitement of car culture with the amazing world of Initial D. It's your chance to truly connect with the series, right in the heart of the mountain roads that inspired all those thrilling, high-speed adventures!

Shibukawa City - initial D manhole search

Shibukawa City is a prime spot for Initial D fans, and they've gone all out with Initial D-themed manhole covers!

Here's what you need to know for your manhole cover hunt in Shibukawa:

How many? There are seven unique Initial D manhole covers scattered around Shibukawa City. They feature various characters and scenes from the series.

Where are they located?

Ikaho Onsen Area: The majority of the manhole covers (five of them) are located within the charming Ikaho Onsen town, particularly around the famous 365 stone steps. You'll be doing some walking to find these!

Shibukawa Station: At least one manhole cover is situated outside Shibukawa Station.

Mount Haruna Road: One cover is placed on the road heading up Mount Haruna itself.

Manhole Cards: To make the hunt even more fun, Shibukawa City distributes "manhole cards" for these special covers. You can usually pick these up at Shibukawa Ekimae Plaza (Shibusan), which is right in front of Shibukawa Station. Note: They typically limit it to one card per person.

Anime Tourism Initiative: These manhole covers are part of Shibukawa City's efforts to promote "anime tourism," encouraging fans to visit the real-life locations of their favorite shows.

Keep your eyes peeled: Manhole covers are on the ground, so make sure you're looking down as you explore.

Happy hunting! Finding all seven will be a great way to experience Shibukawa's dedication to Initial D.

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.