【Driving with Jimny】Went to Lake Miyagase ~ Yabitsu Pass! Popular Spot "Yabitsu Pass Edition"

I took a drive in a Jimny to Lake Miyagase in Kiyokawa Village, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Yabitsu Pass in Hadano City. Although I had planned the driving route in advance, it didn't go as planned most of the time... This time it's the Yabitsu Pass edition featured in Initial D.

The plan was to run the "Ura-Yabitsu" to Yabitsu Pass from Lake Miyagase

but it was discovered that access was closed due to construction near Lake Miyagase from Shio Mizubashi, so I will run the "Oura-Yabitsu" heading towards the summit from the Hadano area.

As I turned right from National Route 246 onto Route 70, a chill typical of the mountainous area flowed in, making me feel that the pass was near.

Yabitsu Pass is also known as a sacred place for Initial D, with crumpled guardrails and black tire marks visible everywhere, showing traces of drivers challenging the pass. After passing several corners, I could see the townscape of Hadano sprawling in the distance, realizing the altitude was increasing. It was a thrilling and very enjoyable course that I liked a lot.

When I reached the summit, I felt the clear air, and could see a shop and a rest house. Yabitsu Pass is also famous as a hill climb course for cyclists and is a hiking spot. On that day, I noticed several cyclists pedaling towards the summit.

Although the rest house at the summit was closed that day, a food truck was operating in a parking lot a little lower down. I was hungry, but since I had planned to go to a roadside station, I had to settle for just the scenery here.

I headed towards the roadside station with the aim of getting a pork bowl...

The pork bowl made with “Keshimizu pork,” a specialty of Kiyokawa Village, was reputed to be delicious, but when I arrived at Roadside Station Kiyokawa, the restaurant had a sign saying it was closed... Due to the route change, it took too much time.

I thought about buying Keshimizu pork that was sold at the roadside station and making it myself, but it would take several hours to get back, so I gave up. There were many souvenirs and appealing products, so I regrouped and decided to look for something to eat in the car.

I bought Shonan Gold jelly and a baked curry bread from a local bakery. Since the curry bread was not fried, it had a light flavor. The spicy curry was very delicious. The jelly made with Shonan Gold was also refreshing, providing a good boost of sugar.

Although the trip did not go as planned and revealed a lack of research, I am satisfied as I was able to visit the destinations. I have added another favorite driving course to my list.

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