The road you dream of. The guide you need.

Enoshima view from Kugenuma beach — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Quercus acuta · Source and date in article

Local rental guide ·

Car Rental in Kanagawa: Odawara and Yokohama Compared

Compare 12 rental branches at Odawara and Yokohama stations: pickup access, opening hours, one-way returns and reference rates for Hakone, Shonan and Miura.

Modern child car seat closeup — CC BY 2.0 · Shixart1985 · Source and date in article

Child Seats in Japanese Rental Cars: Fees, Sizes and Booking Rules

Compare child-seat fees at nine Japanese rental companies, size guidelines, passenger limits, advance reservations and the checks to make before departure.

Seta-nishi IC 202502 toll gate - ETC — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 運動会プロテインパワー · Source and date in article

ETC Cards for Rental Cars in Japan: Fees, Booking and Toll Payments

Compare ETC card fees at nine rental companies, distinguish the card from the reader, and check overseas booking rules, toll payments, passes and one-way returns.

BMW Car Key — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adder3824 · Source and date in article

Japan Car Rental Documents: ID and Payment Rules at Nine Companies

Compare pickup documents, credit cards, cash and identity checks at nine Japanese rental companies, with overseas booking rules and requirements for every driver.

A warning triangle set up on a paved car park, with its storage case — CC BY 3.0 · tanohei · Source and date in article

Japan Rental Car Accidents and Breakdowns: Contacts, NOC and Costs

What to do after a rental-car accident or breakdown in Japan, with contacts at nine companies, NOC, punctures, lost keys, parking violations and damage checks.

Working on a planning session with stationery items, notebook, and colorful pencils on a wooden desk — CC BY 2.0 · Shixart1985 · Source and date in article

Japan Rental Car Cancellation Fees: Nine Companies, Deadlines and Refunds

Compare cancellation deadlines, percentages and caps at nine Japanese rental companies, with booking-channel differences, worked examples, no-shows and early-return refunds.

FIRST DRIVE GUIDE

Your first driving trip, in three steps.

Start with a place you want to see. Then find your wheels and work through the details before you leave.

Areas to explore

Mt.Fuji from Mt.Taikanzan 大観山 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Quercus acuta · Source and date in article

Hakone Driving Guide: Lake Ashi, Owakudani and Sengokuhara Route with Map

Irohazaka in Nikko curving along autumn-coloured mountainsides — CC BY 2.0 · Raita Futo · Source and date in article

Nikko Driving Guide: Irohazaka, Lake Chuzenji and Oku-Nikko Route with Map

Mount Fuji across Lake Kawaguchi, seen over flowers and grasses at Oishi Park — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alpsdake · Source and date in article

Fuji Five Lakes Driving Guide: Lake Kawaguchi to Lake Motosu Route, Fuji Subaru Line and Map

Usui Bridge No. 3 (Megane Bridge), a brick arch bridge surrounded by autumn leaves — CC BY 4.0 · くろふね · Source and date in article

Karuizawa Driving Guide: Kyu-Karuizawa, Shiraito Falls and Onioshidashi Route with Map

Jogasaki Coast 20111016 b — Public domain · Batholith · Source and date in article

East Izu Driving Guide: Ito, Izu Kogen and Kawazu Route with Map

The Dogashima coast with Sanshiro Island offshore — Public domain · Batholith · Source and date in article

West Izu Driving Guide: Toda, Koganezaki, Dogashima and Matsuzaki Route with Map

Thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses among flooded rice paddies in Shirakawa-go — CC BY 2.0 · Emran Kassim · Source and date in article

Hida-Takayama Driving Guide: Okuhida and Shirakawa-go Routes with Map

Ago Bay seen from the Yokoyama Viewpoint, with its winding inlets and islands — CC0 · Saigen Jiro · Source and date in article

Ise-Shima Driving Guide: Ise Jingu, Toba and Ago Bay Route with Map

Limestone outcrops on the grassland of Godan Kogen on the Shikoku Karst, with a road running along the ridge — CC0 · Araiyasushige · Source and date in article

Shikoku Karst Driving Guide: Tengu-kogen, Himetsuru-daira and Onogahara with Map

Tatara Bridge on the Shimanami Kaido, spanning the strait — CC BY 2.0 · nimame · Source and date in article

Shimanami Kaido Driving Guide: Onomichi to Imabari Island by Island, with Map

The five peaks of Aso and the farmland inside the caldera, seen from Daikanbo — CC BY-SA 3.0 · STA3816 · Source and date in article

Aso Driving Guide: Recommended Routes, Map, Roads, Places to Stop and Crater Restrictions

Route 292 at Shibu Pass, with the pass sign, ski slopes and buildings ahead — CC BY 2.5 · 663highland · Source and date in article

Shiga Kogen and Kusatsu Driving Guide: Shibu Pass, Shiga-Kusatsu Road and Yubatake Route with Map

Dead trees standing in Taisho Pond with green forest on the far shore — CC BY 2.5 · 663highland · Source and date in article

Kamikochi and Norikura Driving Guide: Sawando Bus Transfer, Norikura Kogen and Shirahone Onsen with Map

Scenery & driving creative

Tateyama and Kurobe Driving Guide: Tateyama Station, Shomyo Falls, Ogizawa and Unazuki with Map

Scenery & driving creative

Chichibu Driving Guide: Nagatoro, Mitsumine Shrine and Chichibu Muse Park Route with Map

Scenery & driving creative

Urabandai Driving Guide: Goshikinuma, Lake Hibara and Jododaira Route with Map

Scenery & driving creative

Miyakojima driving guide: Irabu, Kurima and Ikema bridges, routes and map

Scenery & driving creative

Amanohashidate and Ine driving guide: viewpoints, boathouses and the Tango coast

Scenery & driving creative

Akan–Mashu driving guide: Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo and Bihoro Pass

Scenery & driving creative

Ishigaki driving guide: Kabira Bay, Cape Oganzaki and Hirakubozaki routes and map

Scenery & driving creative

Awaji Island driving guide: the west coast, Fukura whirlpools and Sumoto

Scenery & driving creative

Shodoshima driving guide: ferries, Kankakei and Olive Park

Scenery & driving creative

Iya and Oboke driving guide: vine bridges, gorges and road restrictions

Scenery & driving creative

Biei and Furano driving guide: Blue Pond, flower fields and winter roads

The Shichirigahama shoreline and the coastal Route 134 seen from Inamuragasaki, with Enoshima in the distance — Public domain · Urashimataro · Source and date in article

Shonan and Miura coastal drive: Enoshima, Kamakura, Hayama and Jogashima

Scenery & driving creative

Hakuba and Azumino driving guide: lakes, mountain views and autumn routes

Scenery & driving creative

Nasu driving guide: Nasu Kogen, Mount Chausu and Shiobara

The blue-green water of Lake Okutama surrounded by autumn-colored mountains — CC BY 2.0 · Guilhem Vellut · Source and date in article

Okutama driving guide: lake, mountain road and Hossawa Falls

Scenery & driving creative

Shiretoko driving guide: Five Lakes, Shiretoko Pass and Rausu

Lake Suwa and the lakeside towns at sunset, seen from Tateishi Park — CC BY 4.0 · Irvin · Source and date in article

Suwa driving guide: Venus Line, Lake Shirakaba and Tateshina

Scenery & driving creative

Yatsugatake and Kiyosato driving guide: bridges, highlands and Nobeyama

Okama, the blue-green crater lake of Mount Zao, with the crater walls around it — CC BY 4.0 · Σ64 · Source and date in article

Zao driving guide: Echo Line, Okama and winter routes

Journeys to consider

Kamikochi by Car: Sawando and Hirayu Parking, Bus Fares and Access Rules

Drive to Sawando or Hirayu Akandana, then change to a bus or taxi for Kamikochi. Compare parking, fares, walking times, busy dates and the 2026–27 winter closure.

Moss-covered rocks and trees in the moss forest around Shirakoma Pond — CC BY 4.0 · TAKAO_Tsushima · Source and date in article

Marchen Kaido Drive: Mugikusa Pass, Shirakoma Pond and Winter Closures

Cross Nagano’s 2,127 m Mugikusa Pass on Route 299. Plan Yokoya Gorge, Shirakoma Pond, parking and roadside stops around winter closures and seasonal bus services.

Shiga-Kusatsu Road Drive: Shibu Pass, Route Map and Winter Closures

Cross Shibu Pass on Route 292 between Kusatsu and Shiga Kogen. Plan the viewpoints, parking, lifts and pond walks around current volcanic rules and winter closures.

The Venus Line crossing the Kirigamine plateau among silver grass — CC BY 4.0 · Douglaspperkins · Source and date in article

Venus Line Day Drive: Route Map, Stops, Parking and Winter Closures

Drive Nagano’s free 75.2 km Venus Line from Chino: a day-trip route, parking, walks, lift times, current approach-road restrictions and 2026–27 winter closures.

Tokyo's skyline at night with Tokyo Tower lit in orange — Unsplash License · maxine guo · Source and date in article

About DSJ →Our editorial approach →

Shutoko Night Drive: A 2-Hour Loop from Ueno

A two-hour night loop on Tokyo's Shutoko expressway from Ueno and back: Rainbow Bridge, Haneda Airport, Yokohama Bay Bridge, Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower. Five highlights, junction-by-junction directions, and what visitors need: an IDP, an ETC card, tolls and where to stop.

ABOUT DRIVE SCAPE JAPAN

Find your view. Make the journey yours.

Beautiful Japanese scenery. The pleasure of exploring by road.

Drive Scape Japan helps people plan driving trips in Japan. Our guides are primarily in Japanese, with selected rental guidance and pickup locations also available in English. Compare providers and prepare for your journey using dated official sources.

The Bandai-Azuma Skyline winding up volcanic slopes in evening light — Photo: clef · CC BY 4.0

RENTAL DIRECTORY

Find where your journey begins.

View all providers →

Compare pickup areas and vehicle types. Explore the options available at each listed location.

18 listed locations

Nippon Rent-A-Car

Pickup areas & vehicle types

Tokyo
Standard
Kanagawa
Standard
Shizuoka
Standard

3 listed locations

Toyota Rent a Car

Pickup areas & vehicle types

Tokyo
Standard
Kanagawa
Standard
Shizuoka
Standard

2 listed locations

ONLY JDM

Pickup areas & vehicle types

Tokyo
JDM

3 listed locations

Rental819

Pickup areas & vehicle types

Tokyo
Motorcycles
Kanagawa
Motorcycles
Shizuoka
Motorcycles

Plan and prepare your journey

Local rental guide ·

Car Rental in Kanagawa: Odawara and Yokohama Compared

Compare 12 rental branches at Odawara and Yokohama stations: pickup access, opening hours, one-way returns and reference rates for Hakone, Shonan and Miura.

Child Seats in Japanese Rental Cars: Fees, Sizes and Booking Rules

Compare child-seat fees at nine Japanese rental companies, size guidelines, passenger limits, advance reservations and the checks to make before departure.

ETC Cards for Rental Cars in Japan: Fees, Booking and Toll Payments

Compare ETC card fees at nine rental companies, distinguish the card from the reader, and check overseas booking rules, toll payments, passes and one-way returns.

Japan Car Rental Documents: ID and Payment Rules at Nine Companies

Compare pickup documents, credit cards, cash and identity checks at nine Japanese rental companies, with overseas booking rules and requirements for every driver.

Japan Rental Car Accidents and Breakdowns: Contacts, NOC and Costs

What to do after a rental-car accident or breakdown in Japan, with contacts at nine companies, NOC, punctures, lost keys, parking violations and damage checks.