Irohazaka, driving ecstasy

Again oweing up to its Initial D fame, Irohazaka (いろは坂) WAS one of the best known drifting hot spots. Two weeks ago I had the chance to drive it. Here are some facts:

• "i,ro,ha" is an old Japanese counting method;
• the curves are labeled in that order;
• it's a section of the national road #120 (AKA "Nikko douro");
• it connects the city of Nikko (日光市馬返) and Chuzenjiko (中禅寺湖) in Tochigi-ken (栃木県);
• the climb (known as irohazaka #2) and downhill (#1) are two seperate one-way roads;
• the climb section has 20 turns; the downhill has 28; nearly all of them hairpin;
• it used to be a toll road;
• it's known to kill, last fatal accident on 8/26;
  

And here are the pics:

An illustrated map showing both roads.

More pics (not mine)
Japan Wiki page here
(warning: open roads are for driving; racing belongs at the racetrack)