Quick Answer
Yes — Tokyo is a great road trip base. Hakone, Mt. Fuji, and the Izu coast are all within a two-to-three-hour drive, making them ideal for short getaways without a long-term rental commitment.
Tokyo’s location makes it a convenient starting point for a wide range of road trips. Within a few hours’ drive you can reach mountain scenery, hot spring towns, coastal roads, and national parks, which is why many first-time self-drive visitors choose to base themselves in or near the city before heading out. Here are a few of the most popular routes to consider.
Tokyo to Mt. Fuji
The area around Mt. Fuji, including the Fuji Five Lakes, is one of the most rewarding short drives from Tokyo, with classic mountain views, lakeside towns, and access to hiking trails. See our full Tokyo to Mt. Fuji by Car guide for route notes and things to see along the way.
Tokyo to Hakone
Hakone is a favorite weekend destination thanks to its onsen (hot spring) ryokan, mountain scenery, and views of Mt. Fuji across Lake Ashi on clear days. It also works well as a slower-paced alternative to a packed sightseeing schedule. Read more in our Tokyo to Hakone by Car guide.
Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula offers a coastal alternative, with ocean views, seafood, and its own hot spring towns along a more relaxed driving route south of Tokyo. It’s a good choice if you’d rather see the coastline than the mountains. Details are in our Izu Peninsula Road Trip guide.
Tokyo to Nagano
Nagano prefecture takes a bit longer to reach but rewards the drive with alpine scenery, historic towns, and, depending on the season, ski resorts or hiking trails. It’s a solid choice if you want to get further from the city and into the mountains. See our Tokyo to Nagano by Car guide for more.
Combining Routes Into a Longer Trip
Several of these areas can be linked together if you have more time. For example, Mt. Fuji and Hakone are close enough to combine into a single loop, and a longer itinerary could extend from Izu up through Fuji and into Nagano. Our 7-day and 14-day itinerary guides show how routes like these can fit together.
Before You Go
Whichever route you choose, it’s worth reviewing the basics of driving in Japan, including licensing requirements and expressway tolls, before you set off. Our driving in Japan guide and general road trip guide are good places to start.
Related: Driving in Japan Guide
Planning a longer road trip in Japan?
For stays of several weeks or more, a monthly rental can be simpler than booking a new car every few days.
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