So I’ll finally be returning to Japan later this year. i went for 3 weeks back in 2019. I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. I’m looking to vastly expand that this time. Visiting a few main spots and driving throughout the country. I already have my International Drivers Permit. If any have opinions on my itinerary and where is best way to book my car rental, it is appreciated. I often drive hours away here in the states, so most of the long drives wont be an issue. I know driving is very rarely recommended, but i really want to get off the beaten path and see various areas.
I’m also brining my mini drone for some great shots. I also plan on getting lots of great souvenirs i can ship back, so a car will help with storage.
Tips on what kind of car to rent? something small i figured for cramped road’s. but big enough to get speed on those highways and steep mountain roads.
September 25 – Fly into Osaka with 4 friends
Osaka for 10 days.
This portion is being worked out as there are a few of us. No concrete plans yet. Universal Studios Nintendo for sure.
October 5 – Leave Kyoto early on Shinkansen to Tokyo. Rent car in (Tachikawa?)
Drive to Sendai. 4 1/2 hr drive
Oct 5 – 8 — Sendai. Basically 2 full days in Sendai. Want to see Matsushima Bay, Zuihoden Temple, Sendai Castle, Sendai Dai Kannon. Anything else?
Oct 8 – Leave Sendai for Toyama. 6hr drive. Bit of a drive, but it’s more of a rest point. Long day tomorrow. Any good dinner food in Toyama?
Oct 9 – leave Toyama. driving to near the Kyogamisaki Lighthouse, Airbnb. but lots to do before that. wake up early. 5 1/2 hr drive total
Visiting Shirakawa-go, i’ll be there maybe 3/4 hours. (Should be enough for solo pacing). Any specific things to do here? Then visit the Tojinbo cliffs and a bite to eat before continuing the drive.
Oct 10 – Drive to Hiroshima. 5 hr drive
Dinner at a restaurant called Guttsuri-ann. i ate there last time and it was a wondeful meal and atmostphere.
October 11 – Drive to Fukuoka 3 1/2 hr drive
Fukuoka Oct 11-13 – Should get to Fukuoka early. so maybe 2 days here. A few food places I wanted to try. Some night ramen stalls. Also want to wake up early to eat at Imaya Hamburger in NishiPark. Saw a great video about the old dude there. Hope he’d be open that day.
Oct 13 – Drive to Kumamoto short 1 1/2 drive. This is basically my end point before heading back to Tokyo.
Kumamoto Oct 13-16. I’ll be visiting the One Piece statues (i’m a massive fan) scattered through the region on these days and doing random stuff inbetween. Visit Mt Aso hopefully. Kumamoto Castle. Sakuranobaba Josaien. see the Nagabeta Seabed Road. Maybe drive back to Fukuoka for fun (only an hour away lol)
Oct 16 Leave for Tokushima. Technically 6 hours of driving, but I’ll be taking a ferry with the car as well. I’ll be getting up early to take the Saganoseki Ferry with the car across the water to Misaki port. Then drive to Tokushima. More of a sightseeing travel day.
Oct 17 – Tokushima to Nagoya. Short 3 1/2 drive.Nagoya Oct 17-20 Ok. So I’ll be in Nagoya for 3 nights. The hope is that I can get tickets to the Studio Ghibl park for the 2 full days I’m there. Still working out and learning how to get the tickets on the site. Nagoya Recommendations welcome.
Oct 20 – More of a Nature day. Driving to Taki Shrine early and then to Shirakoma Pond/forrest. about 5 hours total driving. Still looking for a hotel. Might sleep in car lol. I don’t mind.
Oct 21 – Drive to Fujiyoshida. About 2 hours drive.
Oct 21-24 . Ok, last stop before back to Tokyo. So i’ll have a few days to drive around the are and seeFuji-san (hopefully depending on cloud cover). Any and all recommendations in this area are welcome. it’s a pretty big area.
Oct 24 – early wake up drive to Tokyo car rental.
Oct 24-Nov 5. Plenty of places I want to visit again and eat at. I’ll be staying in Shinjuku again. Nearthe red light area. places to go again like Skytree, Nakano Broadway, etc.
Anyway, that’s the basics. I know it’s a bit of driving, but I think I did a good job spacing a chunk of it out over the 19 day driving trip. Any tips on the rental is appreciated. Not sure if i should early book on booking.com now or wait till closer and use a different site. thanks again for tips!
P.S. Any tips on booking some stuff on japanese sights? having issues booking a the car ferry. i need to write my name in japanese script i guess?
