Japan National Route 2, National highway connecting Osaka to Kitakyushu, Japan
Japan National Route 2 is a highway running 533.2 kilometers from Osaka to Kitakyūshū, passing through six prefectures along the southern coast of Honshū. The road follows the Seto Inland Sea for much of its length, connecting port cities and industrial centers between western and central Japan.
The route largely follows the path of the old Sanyōdō road, a trading corridor during the Edo period that linked western administrative and port cities to central Japan. After World War II, the highway was expanded and modernized to handle growing commercial and passenger traffic between Osaka, Hiroshima, and Kyūshū.
The route passes through regions known for their regional specialties, connecting travelers to local festivals, traditional markets, and numerous historical landmarks.
Several expressway junctions along the highway provide connections to faster toll roads, while rest stops at regular intervals offer toilets, parking, and fuel stations. Signage is clear in both Japanese and English, making it easier for travelers to navigate between major cities.
The western section crosses beneath the Kanmon Straits through an underwater tunnel, linking Honshū to Kyūshū between Shimonoseki and Kitakyūshū. Drivers experience the shift from the main island to the southern island without needing a ferry.
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