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[Initial D World]

Let's rewind to Initial D First Stage Episode 22. Itsuki and Iketani were worried and believed Takumi might be suffering from "lovesickness" before the big race with Ryousuke. In an attempt to cheer Takumi up, Itsuki devise a plan to get Takumi to Mt. Myogi to watch the battle between REDSUNS and the NightKids. (And ultimately got themselves into a downhill rain battle with Kenta's orange S14...)

Now that we have our mind refreshed on those scenes. What I want to bring everyone's attention to today is how Takumi tried to avoid highways when driving to Myogi. Why did he do that? Well, because most highways in Japan aren't free to enter. We did some research and found some interesting details.

From 渋川市 (Shibukawa), where Takumi and Itsuki lived, to 妙義山 (Mt. Myogi) it is about 43 km (26.5 miles) if they take the regular road. However, it is 62 km (38.5 miles) if they take the tolled highway. Not only it is longer to take the highway than road, it also costs a whopping ¥1,750 ($17.57 USD) to use the highway for the section from Shibukawa Ikaho to Matsuida Myogi.

But was it really smart for Takumi to avoid the highway? Let's see here. You can drive up to 100 km/h on highways. However, you are limited to 40 km/h on regular road and then you need to stop for lights and traffic conditions might also play a factor on how fast you can drive.

According to NEXCO Central Japan, it would only take 38 minutes using the highway. Driving on the regular road on the other hand? Google says it will take 1 hour and 21 minutes. Boy, what a difference. (43 minutes to be precise) But for high school kids like Takumi and Itsuki, 1750 yen is really expensive. They probably can't afford it. Just look at Itsuki, he didn't even want to drive his 85 out, even though he's so proud to drive his 85 around. Japanese people also seem to be unwilling to drive long distance. So even though 20~30 miles seem like nothing to us stateside folks, it is like a road trip to them.

| Sources |
» Shibukawa to Myogi - Google Maps | http://goo.gl/maps/JJ1bw
» ドライブコンパス｜高速道路料金・ルート検索は | http://goo.gl/FGg1rR
» Screenshots from Initial D First Stage ACT.22「激闘!ヒルクライム」"Fierce Uphill Battle"

Image size reduced, original size: 1198 x 2121. Click here to view the image in its original dimension.

[Spaz]

LOL, 30 miles was a drive to Grappler's old apartment, nbd.