A road trip magazine
Explore Japan by Car
Deep Japan, at your own pace.Hidden onsen towns, mountain roads and slow stays — and how to get there by car.
TrendingJapan Road Trip Cost GuideJapan Road Trip: 7 DaysCherry Blossom Road Trip
01Featured
Stories worth the drive
Routes and places that deserve a few extra days — and a car.
Best Road Trips from Tokyo
The best road trips from Tokyo by car: Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Izu, Nikko, Kusatsu, Karuizawa and Boso compared by distance, drive time and best season.
Read the story
Road TripJapan Road Trip GuideHow to plan a Japan road trip: licence and IDP rules, renting a car, road rules…
Mt. Fuji & YamanashiTokyo to Mt. Fuji by CarDrive from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and the Five Lakes: the best expressway route, tolls, 5th…
Ski & SnowJapan Winter Road TripWinter road trips in Japan: winter tyre and chain rules, how to drive on snow, choosing…
02Trip types
Find your kind of trip
Hot springs, mountain roads, family weekends and long stays — the trips that are simply easier with your own car.
Road TripClassic routes with drive times, tolls and stops worth making.
OnsenHot-spring towns and mountain inns.
Scenic DriveRoads worth driving for the view alone.
NatureLakes, coastlines and national parks.
Long StayA week in one place, a month on the road.
FamilyRoom for kids, luggage and naps.
Ski & SnowWinter driving to the slopes.
CampingCampsites and outdoor stays.
03Destinations
Explore by area
Start from Tokyo, then go as far as the road takes you.
05Why by car · Why longer
The best of Japan starts where the train stops.
Go past the last station
Mountain onsen, coastal villages and valley towns are often a long bus ride from the nearest station — and a short drive.
Stay a week, not a night
With your own car you can base yourself in one place and explore at the pace of someone who lives there.
Bring the luggage, keep the freedom
Families, ski gear and long trips are easier when your bags stay in the car between inns.
Monthly GO · Long-term car rental
Staying a month or more? A monthly rental can be simpler than booking a new car every few days.
06Seasons
Japan through the seasons
Blossom, foliage and snow — when to go, and which roads to take.
WinterJapan Winter Road TripWinter road trips in Japan: winter tyre and chain rules, how to drive on snow, choosing a 4WD,…
AutumnJapan Autumn Road TripPlan an autumn road trip in Japan: when the leaves peak from Hokkaido to Kyoto, the best autumn…
SpringCherry Blossom Road TripPlan a cherry blossom road trip in Japan: bloom dates from Izu to Hokkaido, two driving itineraries, traffic…
07Plan your trip
Plan your Japan road trip
How long to go, what it costs, and how to pace a trip that lasts weeks rather than days.
Before you drive — permits, ETC and tolls, parking and road rules in one guide.
Read the Driving Guide
