Search

Seven Daikoku PA and JDM car tours from Tokyo, booked on the operators' own sites and grouped as passenger rides, self-drive tours and a van tour, with per-car or per-person prices, cars, start points, durations and what each operator says if Daikoku is closed.

Can you drive in Japan on a US, UK or Australian license? Only with a 1949 Geneva international driving permit. Licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead. How long each lasts, where to get it and what to carry.

Seven companies that let visitors drive a Japanese performance car in or near Tokyo, from day rentals to lead-car tours, with published prices, age limits, deposits, pickup points and what your license needs.

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.

Daikoku Parking Area in Yokohama can only be entered by car from the Shutoko expressway. You cannot walk in, there is no taxi stand or bus stop, and it can close at times that are not announced. Access, facilities, tolls and ETC, closures and enforcement, from official sources.

Closing and planned reopening dates for Japan's mountain roads in winter 2026–27, earliest first: Mt. Norikura, Shiga-Kusatsu Road, Zao Echo Line, Bandai-Azuma Skyline, Kamikochi, Venus Line and more, with roads whose dates are not yet announced.

Where the Toyota, Nippon, ORIX, Times and Nissan counters are at Haneda, Narita and Kansai airports, how long the shuttle to the store takes, closing times, documents, ETC cards, child seats and how early to return the car.

How to drive around Hakone: a one-day loop of Lake Ashi, Owakudani and Sengokuhara, tolls and hours of the Hakone Turnpike and Ashinoko Skyline (no ETC), parking at each stop, autumn leaf and pampas grass seasons, crowds and how to get there.

How to drive around Nikko: a one-day route from the shrines and temples to Yumoto, autumn leaf traffic on Irohazaka and temporary car parks, roads and parking at each stop, winter closures, how to get there and where to buy fuel.

How to drive around the Fuji Five Lakes: a one-day loop of the four western lakes from Lake Kawaguchi to Lake Motosu, Mt. Myojin Panorama-dai and Oshino Hakkai, Fuji Subaru Line tolls and hours (no ETC), parking at each stop, autumn leaf crowds and how to get there.

How to drive around Karuizawa: a one-day route from Kyu-Karuizawa to Shiraito Falls and Onioshidashi, Megane-bashi on Usui Pass, how to avoid holiday traffic, roads and parking at each stop, autumn leaves and winter tyre rules, and how to get there.

How to drive East Izu: a one-day route from Ito down to Kawazu and back over Amagi Pass, the Izu Skyline (no ETC), pampas grass at Inatori Hosono Kogen and the Kawazu cherry blossom season, roads and parking at each stop, roadworks and rules, and how to get there.

How to drive West Izu: a one-day route from the Nishi-Izu Skyline down to Toda and south along the coast to Kumomi, the best sunset spots, rain closures, parking at each stop, how to get there and where to fill up.

How to drive the Hida-Takayama area: a one-day route from Takayama to Shinhotaka in Okuhida, the road to Shirakawa-go, changing buses for Kamikochi and Norikura, the Route 158 closure and detour, parking at each stop, and winter rules.

How to drive the Ise-Shima area: a one-day route from Ise Jingu to Toba, Ago Bay and Daiozaki Lighthouse, parking and avoiding the queues at Naiku, the Ise-Shima Skyline and Pearl Road, parking at each stop, and the closures at New Year and in November.

How to drive the Shikoku Karst area: a one-day route from the Kochi side along the plateau to Himetsuru-daira and Onogahara, narrow roads and the closure near Jiyoshi Pass, the winter closure, parking at each stop, pampas grass and sea of clouds, and fuel.

How to drive the Shimanami Kaido area: a one-day route from Onomichi through six islands to Imabari, tolls and which interchanges work in which direction, parking at each stop, sunset spots, roadworks and wind closures, and fuel.

How to drive the Aso area (seven municipalities): a one-day loop and a half-day route, roads such as the Milk Road and Yamanami Highway, parking and fees at Daikanbo, Kusasenri and more, the seasons, and current closures.

How to drive the Shiga Kogen and Kusatsu area: a one-day route from Yudanaka round the Shiga Kogen ponds, over Shibu Pass and down to Yubatake in Kusatsu, the winter closure of the Shiga-Kusatsu Road, Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane restrictions, roads, parking at each stop, how to get there and fuel.

How to drive the Kamikochi and Norikura area: the private-car ban and changing to a bus at Sawando or Akandana, a route round Norikura Kogen, buses to Tatamidaira and the winter closures, roads and parking at each stop, how to get there and fuel.

How to drive the Tateyama and Kurobe area: the private-car ban on the Alpine Route and the car parks at Tateyama Station and Ogizawa, changing to transport for Murodo and Kurobe Dam, getting to Shomyo Falls and Kurobe Gorge, the end of the 2026 season, how to get there and fuel.

How to drive around Chichibu: a one-day route from Yokoze through central Chichibu and its hilltop parks to Nagatoro, the road to Mitsumine Shrine and its car park jam, roads and parking at each stop, autumn leaves, the Night Festival and icicles, and how to get there and fuel up.

Nine Japanese rental companies compared on compact-car rates for 12 and 24 hours and the total with cover that removes the excess and NOC, with the best pick for the cheapest rental, full cover, airport pickup and new drivers, plus IDP, English booking and ETC notes for visitors.

How to drive around Urabandai and Bandai: a one-day route from Inawashiro by the Lake Line round the Urabandai lakes and down by the Gold Line, how to reach Jododaira, the winter and night closures of the three sightseeing roads, roads and parking at each stop, and how to get there and fuel up.

Plan a day from Miyakojima through Kurima, Irabu and Shimoji, with a separate northern drive. Compare bridges, parking at 12 stops, typhoon restrictions, airport access and fuel.

Drive from Miyazu through Amanohashidate and Ine to Cape Kyogamisaki and Kyotango. Compare routes, parking, tolls and seasonal restrictions with a map of 18 stops.

A day drive from Lake Akan through Mashu and Kussharo to Bihoro Pass, with a route map, November road closures, parking charges, deer precautions, airport access and fuel.

Explore western Ishigaki in a day, with a separate northern route to Tamatorizaki and Hirakubozaki. Find parking at 10 stops, cashless payments at Kabira, swimming dates, airport access and fuel.

Drive from the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge along Awaji’s west coast to Fukura and Sumoto. Compare bridge tolls, parking, seasonal flowers, holiday traffic, road restrictions and fuel stops.

Plan a Shodoshima drive from Angel Road through rice terraces and Kankakei to Olive Park. Find 10 scenic and cultural stops, 3 roadside stations, parking details, ferry reservation rules and tide advice.

Drive from Koboke through Oboke to Iya Kazurabashi. Find 10 scenic and cultural stops, 3 roadside stations, parking fees, boat times and seasonal closures in Oku-Iya.

Plan a day drive through Biei's hills, the Blue Pond and Bogakudai to Furano. Find parking details, farm-road rules, seasonal closures, volcanic restrictions and fuel advice.

Plan a coastal drive from Chigasaki to Enoshima, Kamakura, Hayama and Misaki Port, with a route map, parking prices, opening hours and current road restrictions.

Drive from Odawara to Taikanzan: the ¥900 Hakone Turnpike toll, opening hours, cash and ETCX payment, vehicle restrictions, Sky Lounge hours, cherry blossoms and fog.

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

Compare seven rental branches at Odawara Station for Hakone and Izu, with west- and east-exit pickup directions, Toyota counter details, closing times and reference rates.

Compare five rental branches at Yokohama Station: west- and east-exit access, opening hours, car-park height limits, return MAPCODEs and branch-specific One's rates.

Drive from Azumino to Hakuba through Omachi and the Nishina lakes, with a route map, parking, Happo lift access, roadworks and winter closure dates.

Plan a day driving from Nasu Kogen to Nasu Ropeway and Shiobara Onsen, with a route map, parking, attraction fees, autumn traffic and winter road closures.

Plan an Okutama drive from Mitake Gorge through Lake Okutama to Hinohara, with a map, parking, gate hours, walking stops and Mt Mitake cable-car information.

Plan a Shiretoko drive from Shari to Utoro and the Five Lakes, with a route map, parking, bear safety and the winter detour to Rausu.

Plan a full-day Venus Line circuit or a half day around Lake Suwa, with parking, a route map, seasonal stops, winter closures and expressway roadworks.

Plan a day from Kobuchizawa to Kiyosato and Nobeyama, with a route map, parking, scenic stops, Higashizawa Bridge repairs and winter chain requirements.

Drive from Miyagi across the Zao Echo Line to Okama and Zao Onsen, with a route map, tolls, parking and winter road closures on both sides of the mountains.

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.

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.

Plan the Irohazaka drive in Nikko: uphill and downhill roads, autumn traffic, Akechidaira parking, the ropeway closure, 2026 leaf reports and winter precautions.

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.

Plan a night drive to Umihotaru on the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line: viewing deck, late-night shops, parking, ETC tolls, U-turns and wind or PA closure notices.

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.

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

Compare CDW, NOC waivers and protection fees at nine Japanese rental companies, including exclusions, driver eligibility and Japanese personal motor insurance.

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

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

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.

Compare full-tank return rules, receipts and fuel charges at nine Japanese rental companies, including Times’ formula, Toyota hybrid settlement and Guts’ fixed fees.

Compare luggage estimates at Times, Orix, JR Eki and Nippon, with carry-on dimensions, seating assumptions, child-seat limits and 10-seat vehicle requirements.

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.

Pickup location · Tokyo Station Yaesu South ticket gate; counter on B2 in Yaesu West Parking.

Pickup location · B2 of the Shin-Marunouchi Building, connected to Tokyo Station by an underground passage.

Pickup location · About 5 minutes on foot from Shinagawa Station east exit; 1F of the Intercity S&R building.

Pickup location · About 5 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station south exit, along Koshu Kaido.

Pickup location · About 5 minutes on foot via Shibuya Station south ticket gate and west exit, near Cerulean Tower.

Pickup location · About 4 minutes on foot from Anamori-inari Station east exit. Airport shuttle service is available; the vehicle pickup point is outside the terminal.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from Yokohama Station north-west exit, across Tsuruya Bridge.

Pickup location · About 2 minutes on foot from Shin-Yokohama Station.

Pickup location · About 2 minutes on foot from Keikyu Kawasaki Station central exit.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from JR Sakuragicho east exit or subway North Exit 2, opposite the Washington Hotel.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from the new south gate on the Yokosuka Line side of Musashi-Kosugi Station.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from Odawara Station west exit.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from Mishima Station south exit, beside the station terminal.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from Atami Station, in the Atami No. 2 Building.

Pickup location · About 2 minutes on foot from Izu-Kogen Station north exit, beside the Izukyu headquarters.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from the station forecourt at Ito Station.

Pickup location · About 1 minute on foot from Shin-Fuji Shinkansen Station south exit.

Pickup location · About 6 minutes on foot from Shizuoka Station south exit.

Pickup location · About 5 minutes on foot from Shinagawa Station Takanawa exit toward Tamachi, behind Lexus.

Pickup location · The return location is about 1 minute on foot from Odawara Station west exit. For departure, first visit the separate Odawara Shinkansen Exit reception counter by the station.

Pickup location · Walk straight through the Ito Station forecourt; turn left at the first T-junction and continue about 50 metres.

Pickup location · About 15 minutes on foot from Otorii Station. Located in Omori-minami, outside Haneda Airport terminals.

Pickup location · About 10 minutes on foot from Rokucho Station on the Tsukuba Express.

Pickup location · About 6 minutes on foot via Ueno Station Iriya gate and exit, or about 9 minutes via the central gate and Asakusa exit.

Pickup location · About 7 minutes on foot from Hakuraku Station or 16 minutes from Kishine-koen Station. Rokkakubashi-Nakamachi bus stop is another access option.

Pickup location · Inside Bikers Paradise, opposite Yugawara Pass bus stop. The official guide estimates about 30 minutes by car from Mishima or Atami.