Japan is one of the world's great road trip surprises. While the Shinkansen dominates long-distance travel, hiring a car unlocks a Japan most tourists never see — remote onsen villages on the Izu Peninsula, the volcanic Aso caldera in Kyushu, the cedar forests of Yakushima, and the otherworldly scenery of Hokkaido in autumn. Roads are immaculate, signage increasingly bilingual, and tollway service stations are an experience in themselves.
Best airports & pick-up locations
- Tokyo (NRT/HND) — Narita and Haneda airports. Avoid driving in Tokyo city itself; hire a car for day trips to Nikko, Hakone or Izu.
- Osaka (KIX) — Kansai region: Nara, Kyoto countryside, the Kii Peninsula.
- Sapporo (CTS) — Hokkaido — perfect for autumn leaf drives and lavender fields in summer.
- Fukuoka (FUK) — Kyushu island: Mount Aso, Beppu hot springs, Nagasaki.
Driving in Japan
- Drive on the left. Speed limits: 100 km/h expressway, 60 km/h national roads, 40–50 km/h urban.
- Expressway tolls are significant — the ETC card (electronic toll) is strongly recommended and available from rental companies.
- Japanese sat-nav systems (car navi) are excellent; rental cars almost always include one. Set it to English.
- Parking in cities is expensive and tightly managed — use parking apps like Times Parking. Rural areas have free parking at most attractions.
- Snow tyres or chains are legally required in some areas in winter — rental companies provide these in season.
Local tips & best routes
Hokkaido's Biei Blue Pond and flower fields route is unmissable in summer. The Aso Yamanami Highway in Kyushu crosses dramatic volcanic caldera scenery. In Honshu, the Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa drive passes UNESCO-listed thatched villages. For cherry blossom season, drive the Yoshino Mountain road in Nara — the density of sakura trees is extraordinary.