Grand Touring in a Boxster GTS Vol.5 (End): From the Hachinohe-Kawauchi Main Forest Road to Mount Hakkouda

Boxster GTS
touring journal

Article on Tohoku Grand TouringThis will be the last installment of the "The Last of the Sisters". Please take a look if you like.

Hachinohe Kawauchi Large Forest Road in Boxster

Finally, the touring was coming to an end. The weather was fine and sunny, although the wind was a little strong. We prepared early in the morning and left the hotel at 7:00.

He stepped on the accelerator of the Boxster and escaped Morioka city.The first step is to go east on R106.R106 has a beautiful bypass, and most cars flow to the bypass, so the old road is truly free to drive. R106 in the early morning when there is really no one around is a painful experience itself.

It is like the R55 parallel to the Hiyosa Road in Shikoku.

In Sport mode and with PASM set to Sport, the car clears a medium to high speed corner. The feeling of the tires firmly on the ground and the information from the steering wheel gives me an immense sense of security.

Hachinohe Kawauchi Large South Course

On the way.Around the Kawauchi area, turn left and drive the Boxster to the Hachinohe-Kawauchi large-scale forest road.It is no exaggeration to say that we came here to run this touring route. It is such a large, easy-to-ride, and empty S-class pleasant road.

Hachinohe Kawauchi Large Forest Road

Hachinohe Kawauchi Large Forest Road

As a matter of fact, thisThe Hachinohe-Kawauchi large-scale forest road is said to be as long as 100 km if you drive the full course.However, it is not possible to run 100 km at a stretch, and the full course requires a detour through ordinary roads along the way.

The last time I came here, I could not run the full course, so I decided to run the full course only this time.

Broadly speaking, the Hachinohe River Naihe Large Scale Forest Road is divided into three areas. For the sake of convenience, we will name them the South Course, the Middle Course, and the North Course, and we will begin by heading north on the South Course.

The south course is also a mountain winding course, but it is wide and has a variety of curves, from moderately tight to mid-speed corners. It is truly a "mountain winding course.large-scaleThe distance is also perfect, as it is named "the best of the best".

Boxster running through the streets

."If you don't use the Sport Plus mode here, where would you use it?The car was taking corners that were like "I'm going to go to the corner," and the driver had to shift gears to keep the needle on the tachometer stuck right of center. The needle on the tachometer remained stuck to the right of center. We hill-climbed at a stretch and tried to take a break at a teahouse on the way, but it was closed. We continued to enjoy the ride and crossed a mountain pass. From here, it is a gentle downhill course.

Hachinohe Kawauchi Large scale From the middle course to the north course

When you reach R340, turn left, go ahead for a while, and then turn right again. From here, you will be on the middle course of the Hachinohe-Kawauchi Grand Forest Road. To be honest, this middle course is not as fun as the other courses. The road is somewhat narrow, and it is too small to drive a car on.

However, it is not a bad road, so there is no problem in driving.

The middle course ended when we reached K202. It seems that it is possible to continue onward by forcing one's way through the mountains, but once there, we decided to take a major detour and head for the Pacific Ocean in order to reach the North Course.

Continue east on K202.The road is quite narrow at times, but not impassable. The road runs along the Anke River, which is not popular. There is little traffic, and although there are villages like satoyama in places, it is not a road that should be driven aggressively.

As we exit onto R45, the beautiful Pacific Ocean spreads out to the right. This is the first time I have been to this area of Tohoku since the earthquake. The remains of the reconstruction can be seen in places, and a large breakwater has been built on the coast, indicating the magnitude of the tsunami.

From R45, return west to R281 and turn right onto K5 on the way. This area becomes the northern course of the Hachinohe Kawauchi Large Forest Road.

Although the road is not as wide as the south course, it is a fairly easy winding road. The course winds through numerous low and mid-speed corners as it gains elevation.

This road is quite fun.Personally, I like the dynamic feel of the South Course, but I may prefer the North Course.This is about the right amount of road for the Boxster. The distance is long and there are no other cars on the road. We have the complete private car for the Boxster. It was a pleasure.

A large forest road leads to K11, which literally leads to Hachinohe City. Around here, the road becomes straighter and more comfortable for cruising.

Next page→Finish the trip from Mt. Hakkouda to Mt.

Hiro

I am Mina's husband. We don't drive cars for fashion or status symbols. We like cars that are fun to drive, are good industrial products, and have a sense of the maker's intention...

Profile

Follow me if you like this blog!

Close Comment
  • Comment ( 10 )

  • Trackbacks are closed.

  1. Akasaka

    Hello, this is my first time commenting.

    I bought a 996 last year and like Hiro, I love to drive, so I go touring to places like Hakone and Izu, but I keep getting dead insects and stepping stone scratches.

    So I am considering installing a protection film on the front alone, but I am wondering if I should because the price is very expensive and I was forced to purchase the 996.

    I would like to know how Hiro deals with dirt and scratches and your opinion on the protection film installation.

    • Mina.Mina.

      Akasaka.
      Hello, thank you for your comment!
      Hakone and Izu, the roads are so beautiful, and I for one would love to go running again!

      I asked my husband about the protection film.
      I put it on my GT3, but not on my Boxster and 992. If the body color is light, the protection film will gradually turn yellow.
      I don't want to put it on the wall because it stands out.
      Also, protection film is quite expensive, and when you think about it, and the price of repairing scratches caused by flying rocks, etc., it's not worth it.
      I'm wondering if it's going to be much different, so I don't think I'll be hungry."
      He said.

      As for the minor scratches on my husband's Boxster, I'm sure they are there, but they are not noticeable and are quite clean.
      They don't seem to be too concerned about the insects, as they seem to think that they can just wash them off;

  2. WATA

    Good night!
    I love large forest roads that are not too large, but the connection from the "middle" to the "north" is something I ponder every time.
    I have never been out to sea like Hiro, so I thought I would give it a try next time.
    I think the great thing about Tohoku is that there are many great roads, not just large forest roads, that you can drive on as much as you want.
    I am an easygoing tourer, so I often go out for soba noodles and ramen and soak in hot springs.
    I really should run more stoically like Hiro-san, but as I get older, my pace slows down, hi (sweat).

    • Mina.Mina.

      WATA.
      Thank you!
      My husband said, "WATA-san, despite eating delicious food, relaxing in hot springs, and taking drone photos, etc.
      It's really amazing that you run that far every time. !!!!!" (laughs).

      My husband has a longing for touring like wata-san.
      Maybe next time I will be touring while eating soft ice cream.

  3. boy (sometimes derog.)

    Good evening.
    I always enjoy looking at your site.
    We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the Tohoku region in the Boxster GTS.
    There are many challenging and enjoyable roads to drive in Tohoku, but I feel that the level is especially high in Iwate Prefecture.
    I am still amazed that you have run the full course of the Hachinohe-Kawauchi large-scale forest road. Usually people end up on the southern course as you call it (laughs).
    Thanks to you, I want to go out to Tohoku again.
    Please tell the master.

    • Mina.Mina.

      Mr. M.
      Thank you for visiting my blog!
      Tohoku is amazing in scale and everything...!
      I don't know anything about the roads in the Northeast, but my husband goes touring and takes pictures for me.
      Somehow I get an image of the roads of Tohoku, and I always wish I could go there.

      >Thanks to you, I want to go out to Tohoku again.
      Please tell the master.

      Yes! I'll tell you ^^^!
      Thank you!

  4. nob

    This is my first time to comment. I enjoy and admire your work every time I visit your site.

    I too like cars (Porsche), like to drive, and like the road! I really understand the article that your husband wrote and

    You will be energized.

    It has been my dream to drive from Germany to Italy via Switzerland for several years. However, the new coronavirus from last year

    The impact will be severe and may take several more years.

    A few years down the road, I will be getting older and older, and I am no longer confident that I will be able to make it to Europe and drive myself around in good health (sweat).

    Then I thought I would go looking for a place in Japan with a good driving environment, and I came across "A Porsche Came to My Home".

    I was amazed at the scope of your husband's activities, and envied him so much that I tried to imitate him, even if only a little...

    I am currently in Hiroshima City. I think your husband once wrote that the roads in Okayama are wonderful.

    I was wondering if I could go there if it was a distance.

    If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me about National Route 00 or Prefectural Route 00?

    I am writing this for the first time and I am very brazen, but if it is too much for you, please let me go through.

    The car is currently a 981GTS manual.

    • Mina.Mina.

      nob.
      Thank you!

      >I would like to know if you can tell me about National Highway 00 or Prefectural Highway 00.
      He said it's a really nice road.
      The touring map at the bottom of this article says that the Oku-Kibi Kaido to Mimasaka Yamanami Kaido, from J to H, is the Ascension Kaido.
      https://www.panamera-life.com/entry/porsche-911-964-touring-final-202104/

  5. Life Nine One One

    Good evening! It is a black 997 4S that I encountered a little in the mountains of Shiga Kusatsu Road a year ago. There is a time lag from this article, but
    I knew about 100 kilometers of forest roads in Iwate and was always aware of it. Considering my age and the future of my car, I decided to take the plunge and go to the latter half of this year's Golden Week.
    By the way, my place of residence is Kanagawa. I will enjoy Iwate, Akita, and Miyagi.

    • HiroHiro

      Answer Hello Life Nine One One!

      Long time no see! I remember it well.
      Please try running on the large-scale forest road in Iwate! You can't enjoy the scenery, but the road is great. Especially the south course is recommended.
      But is it Tohoku in GW! It's good ~ I envy you!

      1