Iroha-zaka

Iroha-zaka refers to a pair of sightseeing roads that connect central Nikko to the higher elevations of Lake Chuzenji and the mountainous Okunikko region. The First Iroha-zaka is used to come down while the Second Iroha-zaka is used to go up. Altogether there are 48 curves on the two roads, and each corner has been named with a letter of the ancient Japanese alphabet, which began with “I,” “Ro,” and “Ha.” There is a spectacular view from the Akechidaira observatory on the Second Iroha-zaka, and in the autumn it is such a popular spot to drive along and see the colorful leaves that traffic can become congested.