Touge Driving: How Japan’s Mountain Roads Became the Birthplace of Drifting

Touge (toe-ghe); the Japanese word for mountain pass

The Call of the Mountains

Hidden deep in the mountains of Japan lie some of the greatest driving roads in the world. These winding, narrow mountain roads, known as touge, were built primarily so that commercial vehicles could navigate their way through the challenging landscape. They were built using a series of 'S' bends to help drivers navigate the steep inclines but also to prevent cars from reaching high speeds. Ironically, the use of hairpin bends made the touge an ideal training ground for what would later evolve into competitive drifting.

Origins of Touge Racing

Touge racing began in the 1960s and 1970s, as Japan’s post-war automotive industry flourished. Enthusiasts sought out ways to push their vehicles to the limit without the restrictions of racetracks. Since access to dedicated circuits was limited and expensive, racers took to the mountains.

Touge races typically followed two main formats:

1. Cat-and-Mouse – A lead car and a chase car start in close succession. If the chase car catches up, it wins. If the lead car maintains or extends its gap, it is the victor.
2. Time Attack – Drivers take turns racing up or down the mountain, with the fastest time determining the winner.

Drifting: The Evolution of Touge Driving

While touge racing initially focused on taking corners as quickly and efficiently as possible—one man would change everything: Keiichi Tsuchiya, later known as the “Drift King.” Inspired by techniques used in rally racing, Tsuchiya began intentionally sliding his car through corners.

His aggressive but controlled technique reduced the need for braking and allowed for faster exits from tight corners. Soon, other drivers began to adopt this drifting style, and it became an integral part of touge battles. The movement gained international attention when Tsuchiya released a now-legendary video titled "Pluspy", showcasing his drifting skills on the touge.

Tsuchiya is also a two time class winner at Le Mans, was a consultant for the popular manga and anime series, Initial D (more on that shortly) and served as a stunt coordinator and stuntman on The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, where he also made a cameo appearance (fair to say he is a bit of a legend). 

Infamous Touge Roads

Mount Haruna (Akina in Initial D) – This road, made famous by the anime Initial D, features hairpin turns that are perfect for drifting.

Hakone Turnpike – Known as Japan’s Nürburgring, it offers smooth tarmac and high-speed sections.

Irohazaka Pass – A famous downhill road with sharp turns, historically used for touge battles.

Usui Pass – Home to the infamous C-121 corner, this route was once a hotspot for illegal street racing.

Touge in Popular Culture

For years, touge racing was an underground obsession—something you’d only hear about in hushed conversations at late-night car meets or whispered about in the back alleys of Japanese tuning shops. But then, touge went mainstream.

The popularity of touge battles skyrocketed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, thanks to Initial D, a manga and anime series that introduced the world to Japan’s underground racing scene. As drifting gained mainstream appeal, video games like Gran Turismo, Need for Speed, and Forza Horizon included touge-style racing, further fuelling interest in the culture, and then of course Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift took everything to another level. 

The Legacy of Touge and Modern Drifting

The legacy of touge racing lives on in professional drifting events like D1 Grand Prix and Formula Drift, which owe their existence to the innovative techniques developed on Japan's mountain roads. Although illegal street racing has decreased, touge battles continue in controlled track environments and closed-road events. The mountain passes that once reverberated with the sounds of high-revving engines are now popular destinations for car enthusiasts eager to experience the birthplace of drifting.

A Culture That Lives On

What began as a way for Japanese drivers to test their skills in the mountains evolved into a global phenomenon, influencing everything from motorsports to media. Whether on the streets of Japan or the circuits of Formula Drift, the spirit of touge lives on.