Imagine this: it’s mid-afternoon in summertime Japan. You’re at the summit of a mountain road with a lineup of JDM hero machines cooling down after a spirited touge run. It might sound like a dream, but a couple of months ago this was my reality.

Located near Hakone and Mount Fuji, Fun2Drive offers a unique experience for car enthusiasts visiting Japan – a chance to drive JDM icons on iconic Japanese roads.

As long as I dreamed of visiting Japan, a day out with Fun2Drive was near the top of my ‘must-do’ list. So, when planning a two-week visit to this extraordinary country, it was one of the first bookings I made.

I chose the ‘Ultimate Hakone Tour,’ a five-hour guided drive from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, covering some of Japan’s most famous roads, including Hakone Skyline, Tsubaki Line, Ashinoko Skyline, and the famed Hakone Turnpike. The tour is a highlights reel of famous routes featured in Dino’s stories, grainy videos from Japan’s golden era of performance tuning, and of course, Initial D.

The day began with a briefing, outlining the route and showcasing videos of potential mishaps. The sight of an R32 Skyline GT-R spinning out into a guard rail was met with a collective wince from the tour group.

Fun2Drive’s dedication to safety is crucial. The cars at the heart of this operation are becoming increasingly valuable, and repairing or replacing them due to accidents is a significant concern for the company.

To mitigate the risk, the tour is conducted in English and guides in cars are positioned at the front and back of the convoy. They manage the pace and provide commentary on hazards to keep everyone safe.

Safety briefing over, it was time for the group to fire up our cars for the the day. As a keen rally enthusiast, I booked Fun2Drive’s 2000 Subaru Impreza Type R STI Version 6 Limited – in Sonic Blue Mica with gold wheels, of course.

Despite growing up at rally events surrounded by Subarus, I’d previously only driven a couple of Imprezas for very short periods. Yet, slipping into this GC8 STI coupe felt like a perfect choice, and the first blip of the throttle to bring the boxer burble alive confirmed it. With my girlfriend beside me and our bags loaded, we set off.

Starting at the back of the convoy allowed me to familiarise myself with the car and driving in Japan. Coming from Ireland, where we also drive on the left, made things much easier, but there’s still adventure in taking to the roads of a new country. Especially Japan, for someone who gets giddy at the constant sight of kei cars and Toyota Crown taxis.

After a short two-kilometre drive, our convoy pulled off to the side of the road while the lead guide raced ahead to ensure the way was clear. It was the stuff of JDM fantasies, the tree-lined roadway silent except for the idle of the assembled cars.

At the front was a Nissan R35 GT-R. This was meant to be a BNR34 Skyline GT-R, however, the renter’s lack of manual gearbox experience necessitated a late swap. Behind was a Canadian couple in a Datsun Fairlady Z. I struggled to keep up with flame-spitting S30 later in the day, so it was no surprise to find a retrofitted RB25DET under this classic’s hood.

Maximum Initial D points went to the AE86 Toyota Trueno, and behind that, a Porsche 911 Turbo – one of only two non-Japanese cars in the Fun2Drive fleet – looking beautiful on split BBS RS wheels. The black 964 was a lovely contrast to the immaculate NA1 Honda NSX that followed it, with a wide-body FD3S Mazda RX-7 filling our view ahead.

Other cars available to rent include Nissan C10 Hakosuka and C110 Kenmeri GT-R replicas, a new NC1 Honda NSX, A80 and A90 Toyota Supras, a Tommi Mäkinen Edition Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, and a modified AP1 Honda S2000 among others.

The pace was balanced perfectly between leisurely cruising and spirited driving when the opportunity and road allowed. Agile and responsive, the Impreza was an absolute joy to drive on the twisty sections. The Dunlop Direzza tyres gripped well, and the 280PS turbocharged 2.0L boxer engine delivered some proper kick.

Following a midday break at a small diner on the Hakone Skyline, decorated with automotive memorabilia, the road order was adjusted. Opportunities to swap positions at every other stop meant everyone could enjoy the cars how they wished.

The breaks also allowed the cars to cool down from the hot June temperatures and provided a chance to chat.

Cruising through Hakone, it was surreal to see the bright blue reflection of the Impreza reflecting off shop windows. The final fuel stop, where all the car cars converged on a small forecourt, capped off the day in the best way possible. What a sight!

I had mixed emotions on our return to Fun2Drive HQ after an incredible day of driving. The Subaru and the tour had been exceptional – I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It was just a little sad to think that Japanese cars like this are now out of reach for many enthusiasts. Thankfully though, Fun2Drive exists to make driving experiences in these cars – in the JDM motherland – accessible.

As new guests prepared for a single-hour taster tour in many of the same cars, our group said our goodbyes. While most were returning to Tokyo – that journey taking roughly two hours by train and bus – we opted to stay in Gotemba, a 20-minute bus ride away.

Not only did that position us near Gotemba Premium Outlets – a large outlet mall – this location afforded spectacular views of Mt. Fuji when it wasn’t shrouded in cloud. Oh, and Fuji Speedway is on the outskirts of town.

Fun2Drive has a tour that visits the legendary track – with the opportunity to do a few laps – but I used the spare few hours before our trip back to Tokyo to visit the museum.

The two-storey Fuji Motorsports Museum houses some of Japan’s most iconic race cars. It’s been a while since I’ve let out an expletive, but when I rounded a corner to see a Mazda 787B and a Toyota GT-One, I couldn’t help it. You can check out more on the museum in Jaden Low’s IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER post.

Looking back on my time in Japan, the day with Fun2Drive stands out as a highlight. Driving a legendary car on Japan’s most iconic roads, surrounded by fellow car enthusiasts, was a unique experience. It seems JDM dreams can come true.

Cian Donnellan
Instagram: ciandon