Irohazaka road near Nikkō, Japan
© LightRecords/Shutterstoc
Info. Irohazaka road
These bends in our photo are just eight of the 48 curves you'll navigate on your way up and down Irohazaka, a pair of winding mountain roads outside the city of Nikkō in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. That's one switchback for each of the 48 hiragana symbols in an ancient Japanese writing system, with each turn marked by a sign showing one symbol. This is how the scenic loop got its name – “i-ro-ha” are the first three syllables of the old Japanese alphabet and “zaka” means “slope”.
Related Images
Wildflowers in bloom at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona
Sunset at Counts Point in West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia
Grapes on the vine in Mendoza, Argentina, for the National Grape Harvest Festival
Shoreline near Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
The village of Aguerd Oudad and the larger town of Tafraout in Morocco
Lake Dobson in Mount Field National Park of Tasmania
Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival, which begins today
Circular agricultural fields in Morgan County, Colorado
Bing Today Images
Monte Sirente, Abruzzo, Italy
Nov 22, 2025
Castle of Zafra, Guadalajara province, Spain
Nov 22, 2024
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Nov 22, 2023
Old Town of Bern, Switzerland
Nov 22, 2020
For Fibonacci Day, an agave plant
Nov 22, 2019
Varenna, Italy, on the shore of Lake Como
Nov 22, 2018
A cricket ball striking the wicket
Nov 22, 2017
Chile's Calbuco volcano erupting in April 2015
Nov 22, 2016
