【Initial D Pilgrimage】 Project D's first battle in Tochigi Prefecture "Momiji Line" downhill is a driving course where you can also enjoy hot springs.

Heading south from Shiobara Onsen in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture, toward Momiji Line. This course is the stage of the first battle of Project D in "Initial D," the Seven Star Leaf battle. It is the location of the "gutter crossing" maneuver executed by Takumi.

The Momiji Line is a "ditch crossing" spot connecting Kinugawa Onsen and Shiobara Onsen

The Momiji Line is a former paid road connecting Kinugawa Onsen and Shiobara Onsen, and the course appearing in the work is near the foot closer to Kinugawa. It is the stage for Project D's first battle, the Seventh Star Leaf battle, and is also famous among anime fans as the place where Takumi's signature technique using the side ditch, "ditch crossing," is unleashed.

First, head to the parking lot where the pit is set up. We arrived here from Shiobara Onsen, but the journey had few corners and felt like a tourist road. Looking at the map, it seems that the course layout becomes complicated from the downhill beyond this point. We traced the course from here.

Discovered the sign for wildfire caution

The "Wildfire Caution" sign that appears in the anime. It may be one of the symbolic points of the Momiji Line. On a mountain pass with few landmarks, such clear signs and structures are not to be overlooked during a pilgrimage to the holy sites.

You can see the Kawaji Dam from the chain removal area along the way. It wasn't a designated photography spot, but as I happened to stop there, a stylish Roadster with retractable headlights raised and illuminated passed right in front of me, and I had a captivating moment. The rival character "Toru Suetsugu" in the story drives a Eunos Roadster, so I was truly impressed by how attractive the car looks in real life. Those retro-style headlights are really cool.

Standing in front of the side ditch that's been excavated, I get goosebumps.

One of the techniques using the gutter, which is synonymous with Takumi, is the "gutter jump" that was executed at this point. It's a famous scene where he drives on the inside, which shouldn't have any space, and overtakes. The moment you see the gutter where this technique was performed during a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Initial D is when the excitement peaks. It's truly spine-tingling and unforgettable.

At the chain removal area near the goal, there were many tire marks left behind. It's easy to imagine that many car enthusiasts have visited this place and raced through the mountain pass. While it is a tourist road, it is loved by driving enthusiasts, making it a wonderful route.

Drop by the Yubatake near the Momiji Line.

Before visiting this pilgrimage course, I actually stopped by the hot springs at Shinyu Onsen on the Momiji Line while sightseeing. It’s a small hot spring town with a quiet atmosphere filled with the scent of sulfur. Steam rises from the slopes, allowing one to feel the unique travel情 of a hot spring area.

It seems there are public baths in addition to the ryokan, but they were unavailable on this day. There are several ryokan in the area, so using the indoor baths at a ryokan seems like a good option. Staying at a ryokan and leisurely making a pilgrimage to these sites is also nice. In this warming season, those looking for a pleasant driving course should definitely reference and explore this area.

Facility Name: Shinyu Onsen Yubatake
Location: 14 Yumoto Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture

Interview/Text: Kazuma Tanaka

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