Irohazaka Road in fall, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan Nov 15, 2025

Irohazaka Road in fall, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan

If you think the alphabet is straightforward, Japan"s Irohazaka Road in Nikko will twist that belief right out of you. Named after the old Japanese syllabary "Iroha," this mountain pass once had 48 hairpin bends—each curve matched to a character of the alphabet. Today, it"s a pair of separate one-way roads—one goes up, the other comes down, and both make drivers feel as if they"re spelling out a story with every turn.

© oneinchpunch/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Nov 15, 2018‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
Nov 15, 2019Mesmerizing murmuration
Nov 15, 2020What’s blooming in New Zealand?
Nov 15, 2021Manatee Awareness Month
Nov 15, 2022River otters at Acadia National Park, Maine
Nov 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Nov 15, 2024Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day
Oct 2, 2022Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Jun 26, 2021Spectacular views below!
Apr 19, 2021Rays on parade
Nov 13, 2024Sea lion in a kelp forest, Baja California, Mexico
Feb 4, 2021Where is this wintry road?
Sep 14, 2023Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Sep 28, 2021The snows of Fuji
Jun 22, 2025World Rainforest Day
Jul 6, 2023International Kissing Day
May 30, 2024Everglades National Park marks 90 years
Oct 29, 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
Jul 27, 2018Composite image of a lunar eclipse
Jan 1, 2024Happy New Year!
Dec 8, 2022The Cathedral of Florence, Italy
Oct 4, 2019World Space Week begins
Sep 14, 2019I am the walrus
Apr 2, 2019Books for children of all ages
Feb 26, 2022Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Nov 10, 2024Caribbean flamingos, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Jul 13, 2020Welcome to the Hoh
Apr 3, 2023National Find a Rainbow Day
Sep 30, 2021Global commerce in motion
Jan 23, 2023Moai statues on Easter Island, Chile
Dec 6, 2022Everglades National Park turns 75
Feb 13, 2026Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand
Dec 10, 2022Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
May 11, 2018Celebrating Minnesota’s statehood
Dec 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights, and hearts full of joy
Jul 28, 2023San Blas Islands, Panama