Road-trip guides
Everything you need to drive Japan with confidence
Can you drive on your license? What does a rental car really cost? And how do you make the most of Japan's 1,100+ michi-no-eki roadside stations? Start here.
Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country International Driving Permits, official translations, and which nationalities cannot drive — checked country by country. Read the guide →
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Is driving in Japan hard? Road rules & signs explained Nervous about driving in Japan? Illustrated road signs, the rules that differ from home, expressways and ETC — everything you need to drive with confidence. Read the guide →
Renting a car in Japan: the complete guide What it costs, which insurance you actually need, ETC cards and expressway passes, and how to book in English. Read the guide →
What is a michi-no-eki? Japan’s roadside stations explained Free parking, 24-hour restrooms, farmers markets, onsen — how roadside stations work and how to use them. Read the guide →
Can you sleep overnight at a michi-no-eki? The real rules for car camping and campervans at roadside stations — what’s allowed, etiquette, and RV Parks. Read the guide →
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Hotels near a michi-no-eki: where to stay on a road trip Roadside stations don’t have hotel rooms — how to find and book hotels, ryokan and inns near any michi-no-eki, plus the stations you can actually sleep at. Read the guide →
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The best road trips in Japan, region by region Japan’s classic self-drive routes by region — Hokkaido, Mt Fuji, the Shimanami Kaido, the Kansai golden route, Okinawa and more, with driving times and michi-no-eki. Read the guide →
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Kansai road trip from Osaka: Kyoto, Nara, Awaji & Lake Biwa Most visitors land at Osaka. A car opens the region the trains miss — the Kyoto–Nara golden route, Awaji Island, Lake Biwa and the Kumano coast, with a 4-day itinerary. Read the guide →
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Is renting a car in Japan worth it? Car vs train When a rental car beats the train — and when the JR Pass wins. Costs compared, where driving unlocks the countryside, and how to decide. Read the guide →
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Japan expressways, tolls & ETC cards explained How tolls work, what an ETC card is, whether a visitor expressway pass saves money, and how to avoid tolls entirely on the best michi-no-eki drives. Read the guide →
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