Mount Akina Is Real: Mount Haruna in Gunma

Mount Akina (秋名山) from Initial D and MF Ghost is based on the real Mount Haruna (榛名山) in Gunma Prefecture. The mountain's winding roads, five consecutive hairpin turns, and the downhill section that Takumi Fujiwara masters in his AE86 are all faithfully reproduced from this real location.

For fans of Initial D, visiting Mt. Akina (Haruna) is the ultimate pilgrimage — you can drive the actual roads where the anime's most legendary races take place.

How to Get to Mount Haruna (Mt. Akina)

By Car (Recommended)

A rental car is strongly recommended — this is a driving anime pilgrimage, after all. From Tokyo:

  1. Take the Kan-Etsu Expressway north from Nerima IC
  2. Exit at Shibukawa-Ikaho IC (about 1.5 hours from Tokyo)
  3. Take Route 33 towards Lake Haruna — the touge section starts about 20 minutes up the mountain

Rental cars: Available from Toyota Rent-a-Car, Times Car Rental, or Nippon Rent-a-Car at major Tokyo stations. Book in advance. An economy car is fine — you don't need an AE86.

By Public Transport

From Tokyo, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki Station (about 50 minutes from Tokyo Station). From Takasaki, take the Gunma Bus bound for Lake Haruna (about 90 minutes). Note: bus service is infrequent, so check schedules carefully.

The Touge Route: What to Expect

The Five Consecutive Hairpins

The most famous section of Mt. Akina in Initial D is the five consecutive hairpin turns on the downhill. On real Mount Haruna, this corresponds to the series of tight switchbacks on Route 33 between the lakeside area and the lower slopes. The road is well-maintained and has guardrails, but the turns are genuinely tight.

Road Conditions

  • Surface: Asphalt in good condition year-round (plowed in winter)
  • Width: Two lanes, with some narrow sections on the older road
  • Traffic: Light on weekdays, moderate on weekends. Tourist buses use the road to reach Lake Haruna.
  • Speed: Posted limits are 30-40 km/h on the mountain sections. Drive at legal speeds.

Safety Warning

These are public roads used by locals, tourists, and commercial vehicles. Unlike in the anime:

  • Do NOT attempt to drift or race
  • Stay in your lane at all times
  • Use headlights in tunnels and shaded sections
  • Watch for cyclists, especially on weekends
  • Winter (December–March): chains or snow tires may be required

Illegal street racing on Japanese mountain roads carries severe penalties including license revocation and criminal charges. Enjoy the scenery at safe speeds.

Lake Haruna (榛名湖)

At the top of the mountain sits Lake Haruna, a caldera lake surrounded by forests. In Initial D, this is where Takumi's delivery route ends (the Fujiwara Tofu Shop delivers to a hotel here). The lake area offers:

  • Restaurants with lake views — try the local okkirikomi (Gunma's flat noodle dish)
  • Boat rentals on the lake (seasonal)
  • Haruna Shrine — a beautiful lakeside shrine worth visiting
  • Free parking at several lots around the lake

Other Initial D Mountains in Gunma

Gunma Prefecture has all three of Initial D's main mountains:

  • Mt. Akagi (赤城山) — RedSuns' home course. About 30 minutes east of Haruna by car.
  • Mt. Myogi (妙義山) — NightKids' territory. About 40 minutes south.

A dedicated Initial D fan could visit all three in a single (long) day by car.

Practical Information

  • Best season: Late spring (May) through autumn (November). Winter is possible but requires snow preparation.
  • Time needed: Half day for Haruna alone; full day to include Akagi or Myogi.
  • Budget: Expressway tolls ¥3,000-4,000 round trip from Tokyo + rental car ¥5,000-8,000/day + fuel.
  • Nearby onsen: Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉) is 20 minutes from Haruna and has excellent hot springs. Perfect after a day of mountain driving.