There’s by no means a foul time for a Japan highway journey. The seven jaunts I’m about to explain (which, by the best way, merely scratch the floor of Japan highway journeys) will certainly make you wish to get behind the wheel.
I’d wish to assume I cowl all of the bases, too, from beautiful seashores and verdant mountains, and from the sunny summer season to the rosy haze of the cherry blossom spring. Essentially the most troublesome half might be selecting only one Japan highway journey route, or possibly two! (Renting a automotive in Japan is simple although—don’t fear.)
The Fact About Driving in Japan
Earlier than I get into the specifics of my favourite Japan highway journeys, I wish to communicate extra usually in regards to the subject of driving in Japan. Fairly frankly, it may be depressing. Japan’s velocity limits are frustratingly low—on many “highways,” the utmost velocity is 70 km/h. Furthermore, most Japanese don’t velocity, law-abiding folks that they’re. It will possibly simply take hours to journey a distance inside Japan that may take minutes overseas!
There are additionally some intricacies to renting a automotive in Japan, specifically the need for a world driving allow or IDP. I’ve defined all of them absolutely on this article, which I’d extremely encourage earlier than getting behind the wheel of a car in Japan. It’s a cynical learn, however that’s deliberate. Slightly than discouraging you from driving in Japan outright, I merely wish to make you assume twice (or thrice or 4 instances) earlier than doing so.
My Favourite Highway Journeys in Japan
Hokkaido in Summer time
A Hokkaido summer season highway journey is likely one of the most satisfying methods to discover Japan’s northernmost island. From the lavender fields of Naka-Furano to the “blue pond” of Biei, and from the shores of volcanic Lake Toya to the Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido is at its most accessible in summer season. (Wish to plan a Japan highway journey itinerary round Hokkaido in winter? Good luck! Many corporations gained’t hire to foreigners throughout this time as a consequence of harmful highway circumstances.)
Tokyo to Shimoda
One other considered one of my favourite Japan highway journeys takes you from Tokyo to Shimoda, a historic city on the Izu Peninsula that’s additionally close to a few of Japan’s finest seashores. Though the straight shot takes just a few hours, I like to recommend making the journey over a full day. By the point you attain Shimoda, having stopped en route in historical Kamakura, the recent springs capital of Hakone and underrated Atami, you’ll be watching the solar set into the water—and also you’ll be good and drained for a full day of enjoyable within the solar.
Yoshino’s Sakura Kingdom
Is there a greater concept for a Japan highway journey than by way of the center of cherry blossom nation in the center of sakura season? I actually don’t assume so. In case you occur to be within the Kansai area in early April, journey the Kintetsu Railway to Yamato-Yagi Station, the place you may decide up your automotive and start exploring Yoshino, the place actually lots of of hundreds of cherry timber might be in full bloom. From right here, your choices are limitless. The most effective hanami viewpoints are at Hanayagura Observatory above Yoshinoyama city, and at Takami-no-Sato Sky Backyard. Different worthwhile locations embody Tsubosaka Temple, and the traditional city of Asuka, which—for those who can imagine it—was ever-so-briefly the capital of Japan.
The Noto Peninsula
The Noto Peninsula options among the most subtly epic surroundings in all of Japan, from pastoral inland intersections that look straight out of Ghibli, to coastal vistas that seem like classical Japanese work (Ganmon and Hagoto Iwa), with jagged rocks and twisted pine timber. Add to this a smattering of distinctive tradition and delicacies—I hope you want beef!—and Noto-hantō is likely one of the most original Japan highway journeys you may take. It’s splendid to start out in both Kanazawa or Toyama; it’s finest to take two days, though you are able to do it in a single.
Ishigaki: Adventures in Paradise
You wouldn’t comprehend it primarily based on the variety of Japanese who flock to Hawaii every year, however Japan has some really beautiful seashores. That is particularly evident on Ishigaki island, situated on the middle of the Yaeyama archipelago in Okinawa. To take a Japan highway journey in Ishigaki, decide your automotive up earlier than you allow the airport, driving north alongside the east coast and circumnavigating the island in a counter-clockwise vogue. Whether or not you relish in views of fluorescent Kabira Bay, or the panorama on supply from Hirakubozaki Lighthouse, it is a journey you gained’t quickly neglect.
Yamaguchi Loop
A key benefit of Japan highway journeys, versus touring by prepare, is the liberty to go the place you need—and to go by yourself schedule. Yamaguchi prefecture offers fertile floor for testing this idea, as you drive first from Shin-Yamaguchi Station to Beppu Benten “blue pond,” after which onward to beautiful Kanmon Bridge. From right here, you’ll proceed to iconic Motonosumi Inari Shrine, watching sundown over Yuya Terraced Rice Fields earlier than ending in Shimonoseki.
To Mt. Fuji and Again
This may simply be essentially the most picturesque highway journey Japan has to supply, though I’ve to start with a caveat. Particularly, if the climate forecast just isn’t excellent (or near-perfect), don’t hassle. That’s as a result of whether or not you’re at Churei-to pagoda within the Fuji 5 Lakes area, amid the tea fields of Obuchi Sasaba, on the “Fuji Shinkansen” tracks in Higashitaganoura or at Miho Seaside in Shimizu metropolis, this highway journey is nothing with out sweeping views of Mt. Fuji. Be aware that winter offers a excessive probability of clear skies, as can “shoulder” intervals in early Might or late October. So far as the place you start and finish? Whereas you are able to do this journey from and again to Tokyo, I personally love renting my automotive in Shizuoka metropolis.
Kunisaki to Satsuma
That is considered one of my favourite Kyushu highway journeys. Lease your automotive within the sizzling springs metropolis of Beppu, the place you may drive northward to the Kunisaki Peninsula, specifically the fort city of Kitusuki and Usa Shrine. Drive again by way of Beppu to Mt. Aso, the place you’ll spend an evening en path to Kumamoto. Leaving Kumamoto, cease at Takachicho Gorge and/or sacred Amakusa after which, after an evening in Kagoshima, spend a day on the beautiful Satsuma Peninsula.
The Superlative Sanriku Coast
In search of essentially the most genuine highway journey vacation spot in Japan? Look no additional than the Sanriku Coast, situated alongside the japanese flank of the nation’s northeastern Tohoku area. Though this a part of Japan is related most carefully with the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, exploring it feels extra triumphant than tragic. That is true whether or not you’re basking within the pure splendor of Jodogahama Seaside or the Matsushima islands, consuming your means by way of the Miyako Fish Market, petting native felines on Tashirojima and even touring websites instantly associated to the wave.
Superior Climbing Journeys in Japan
The one factor higher than taking a Japan highway journey? Getting round by yourself two ft! Listed here are my favourite hikes in Japan:
FAQs About Japan Highway Journeys
Can vacationers drive in Japan?
Vacationers can drive in Japan, as long as they’ve a sound IDP, or worldwide driving allow. Past this, particular person automotive rental corporations could have their very own insurance policies, which you must analysis and confirm earlier than you flip as much as gather your car.
Is it straightforward to drive round Japan?
Whether or not inside cities or on Japan highway journeys, it’s straightforward to drive in Japan, at the very least ostensibly. It will also be irritating, nevertheless, given extraordinarily low velocity limits and the unwillingness of most Japanese drivers to go even a couple of km/h sooner than them. Your highway journey in Japan might be memorable, however it gained’t all the time be pleasurable within the second!
Is it price driving in Japan?
Driving in Japan is worth it primarily in rural areas, the place the frequency and gradual velocity of trains makes the Japan Rail Go an un-advantageous funding. Value-wise, nevertheless, driving is an costly proposition, particularly for solo vacationers. After all if you wish to take a highway journey, Japan is an superior nation for it, value however.
The Backside Line
I hope you’re feeling impressed by these concepts for the most effective highway journeys in Japan. From straightforward weekend jaunts just like the one from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji or the Izu peninsula, to extra concerned highway journeys on secondary islands like Kyushu and Hokkaido, Japan is much more pleasurable if you’re capable of discover with out adhering to a prepare schedule. This isn’t to say, in fact, that driving in Japan doesn’t have its downsides—it does, specifically the low velocity limits on Japanese highways and the gradual driving of Japanese motorists. No matter the place in Japan you wish to drive or if you resolve you’re able to go, I hope you’ll take into account hiring me to plan your highway journey for you.