About the Circuit
The legendary Mount Akina is the main setting of Initial D and is based on the real Mount Haruna in Gunma Prefecture. This 1,449-meter mountain is famous for its winding roads descending from Lake Haruna to Shibukawa city. This is where Takumi Fujiwara perfected his drift technique during years of late-night tofu deliveries, and where Keiichi Tsuchiya (the real Drift King) developed his skills in his youth.
Track Layout
Real name: Monte Haruna (榛名山)
Technical Specifications
Length
5.2 km
Elevation
500 meters
Corners
Over 50 technical corners
Surface
Well-maintained asphalt
Difficulty
Very High
Type
Technical downhill
History
Mount Haruna has been a tourist destination since the Meiji era, known for its hot springs and the beautiful lake at its summit. In the 80s and 90s, it became a hotspot for illegal touge racing, attracting drivers from across the Kanto region. The road was originally designed to access Haruna Shrine and the lake, never imagining it would become the birthplace of modern drifting.
Key Points of the Route
The Five Consecutive Curves - Technical section where Takumi dominated
The C-Curve - Famous blind corner where the gutter technique is used
The Tunnel - Marks the start of the most technical section
The Final Hairpins - Series of tight corners before the finish
The Lake Viewpoint - Starting point for many races
Skills to Master
Akina Speed Stars Drivers
Koichiro Iketani
Líder del Equipo
Vehicle
Nissan Silvia K's
140 CV
Kenji
Piloto Principal
Vehicle
Nissan 180SX Type II
180 CV
Itsuki Takeuchi
Miembro del Equipo
Vehicle
Toyota Corolla Levin SR
75 CV
Circuit Dangers
Blind corners with oncoming traffic
Limited guardrails
Frequent fog
Slippery surface in rain
Extreme elevation change
Trivia
- Keiichi Tsuchiya perfected his drift technique here
- The Fujiwara tofu shop is based on a real one
- Takumi's record was never beaten in the series
- Thousands of fans visit the mountain each year
- The real road has signs warning about illegal racing