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:

Mar 15, 2025Ides of March
Nov 14, 2021First Cliff Walk
Oct 16, 2021Unearthing a queen s lost tale
May 6, 2022Bluebells in Hertfordshire, England
Mar 2, 2026Harbor and longtail boats at Ko Samui, Thailand
Feb 14, 2022Maldives
Apr 14, 2018It’s National Dolphin Day!
Dec 18, 2025Celebrating 54 years of Capitol Reef National Park
Mar 25, 2023Cecil Brewer Staircase, London
Nov 16, 2020A temple, preserved
Mar 22, 2025World Water Day
Jun 14, 2021A Flag Day tradition
Feb 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day
Feb 4, 2022Winter Olympics in Beijing
Jul 3, 2024World Meerkat Day
Mar 13, 2026Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-dOlonne, France
Apr 29, 2025Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Jul 7, 2023World Chocolate Day
Oct 19, 2025Apples ready for harvest in Minnesota
Mar 14, 2021Perfect timing
Feb 12, 2024Darwin Day
May 20, 2019The island fox’s incredible comeback
Sep 15, 2024National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sep 15, 2018A Latino art exhibition in Denver
Sep 14, 2019I am the walrus
Nov 22, 2018Tom Turkey takes Manhattan
Jul 17, 2023Cloughoughter Castle, County Cavan, Ireland
Apr 7, 2026International Beaver Day
Sep 20, 2019Fall comes to Pando
Oct 6, 2024Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy