Renting a car to travel Japan gives you freedom like no other means of transportation, and you can procure yourself an international license and get going at any time! No need to worry about train schedules, or plane ticket reservations, or catching a cold from the stranger sitting next to you… it’s a pretty convenient way to travel. So don’t miss out on the chance just because you don’t know your way around, or don’t want to deal with tolls. It’s all pretty easy, just let us tell you how to get going.

Our Secret to Easy Car Travel: DoRaPuRa (ドラぷら)

Before You Get Going, Get All the Info You Need!

Ever wanted to explore northern Japan? Been looking to get yourself a little pleasantly lost, and just enjoy all the small towns scattered around the Japanese countryside? If you're traveling all the way to Japan, getting stuck in just one or two cities is a shame. That's why renting a car has become an increasingly popular way to get around the country. The freedom it brings is great for everyone from large families with lots of bags, to solo travelers mulling over their options thinking "maybe tomorrow I'll head to Iwate…"

But setting out onto the highways of a new country can be a little intimidating. You're not exactly familiar with this new network of roads, and you have to navigate the tolls. That's why we like to take advantage of a handy little website called DoRaPuRa (Drive Plaza). It has all the information you need, all in English. So let us show you all the tools available to make your trip through Japan super easy, and some of the nicest places to drive!

Put All That Information to Work, and Be on Your Way

Tips for the Perfect Japanese Road Trip

Expressway Routes? Interchanges? Fare Information? Don’t Worry, It’s All a Breeze

When you start exploring a new system of highways, you're bound to be a little unsure about routes and tolls. But it's all pretty easy if you just figure it out a little in advance, which is why we recommend checking DoRaPuRa beforehand.

Type in your destination, and the DoRaPuRa route and toll search will give you the details you need to know, all in seconds. You'll be ready to go in no time.

How to Zip Through the Tolls, and Save Your Money for Something Else

The fees you pay normally just to get on Japan's expressways can be a little crazy. If you're going to dish out 12,970 yen just to go from Tokyo to Kanazawa (564 km, 350 miles), after traveling the country it adds up to more than the price of plane tickets. Don't let that get in the way of your road trip, though! The solution to this problem is to take advantage of the JEP, or Japan Expressway Pass.

Find Out More About the JEP on the DoRaPuRa Website

It's a must-have for your drive through the islands of Japan, so take a second to check out the official details. All the rules and regulations, plus the benefits and usage options, are laid out in clear English.

How to Get Yourself a JEP

① Check in with car rental companies that handle the JEP; there's a list on the official webpage. You can't always return your JEP-system rental car to every single location, so a quick double-check beforehand is a good idea.
② Reserve your car and ETC card (electronic toll collection card). Ask the rental car dealer for information on all the rentals available! (The JEP can only be used with "ordinary vehicles," though, so only regular-sized passenger vehicles.) The ETC cards are simple and easy to use, as you can see here.
③ Simply complete your JEP application the day you rent the car! The whole system and agreement is easily explained at the same time as you get your new rental vehicle. You can also pay in advance, making the whole process a breeze.
④ Pick up your car and ETC card.

⑤ … and go! Enjoy Japan, and all it has to offer! Feel the freedom of the open roads!

⑥ When you're all done, return your car and ETC card. If you did decide to take one of the handful of roads that aren't covered by the pass, this is when you pay any additional toll fees, making it a smooth process. 

Ready to Hit the Road? Don’t Miss Out on Japanese Road Trip Culture

Some Clarification: Japan’s SA and PA Rest Stops

In Japan they tend to use a couple different borrowed English terms to describe rest stops, namely PA (parking areas) and SA (service areas, where you can fill up your tank as well). Both areas share some of the qualities you'd expect from a rest stop anywhere else: places to park, get out of the car, take a break. But they're also much nicer than you might expect from a roadside "parking area," with pretty good restaurants, interesting shops, and fun local souvenirs for sale. Some of them are just on another level, becoming attractions in and of themselves.

In fact, these PAs and SAs can be so impressive, there are even drivers who plan their trips around the rest areas themselves. With all the fun attractions, shops, and tasty treats, the variety of stops around Japan make for an interesting tour. DoRaPuRa has a search function that lets you find rest stops on every expressway in Japan, so you can see if there are any must-see PA/SA attractions on your route, or just check for convenient places to take a break.

Just Touched Down on the Narita or Haneda Tarmac? Where to Go From There:

Don’t Limit Yourself to Tokyo!

Starting from the Tokyo airports, it's easy to hop in a rental car and get yourself anywhere in Japan. Find a region that sparks your interest, and you're ready to go! This time around, we're going to recommend you drive through central Japan, and make your way towards Tohoku, just a few hours away from Tokyo.

The Tohoku region is an area in the northern part of Japan, made up of six prefectures (Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata). Most of northern Japan tends to be a little more rural than, say, the Tokyo area. This means there's lots of really beautiful scenic areas, making it great to relax and recharge your batteries. While you drive along the expressways and towards this northern region, get ready to admire coastal views and rivers, Japan's ubiquitous mountains, and pastoral scenes of farms and rice paddies. If you want to really feel any fatigue or built-up stress float away, stop in at one of the many natural hot springs you'll find scattered across the area, and let the onsen water soak away your aches and pains. On top of all that, with easy access to so many natural resources in the countryside on the way north, and in Tohoku itself, the food is always fresh and delicious; try some of the local seafood!

It's such a lovely area, we've written about Tohoku plenty of times before.

If you want some quick ideas to get you started planning your expressway road trip, we've collected a few of our favorite destinations to stop in at. Our itinerary includes five of the Tohoku prefectures, plus a few surrounding regions (Nagano & Yamanashi) you might find yourself in as you ride the highways. See which places interest you, and customize your own fabulous trip! Then grab your rental car, your ETC card, your Japan Expressway Pass, and let's get going!

1. Tochigi (栃木県): Hot Springs & Cute Animals

We've talked about Tochigi's 16 most entertaining destinations before; it's an area of Japan that just doesn't get enough attention! Most travelers leave it off their itinerary, in favor of a few extra days in Tokyo, but we don't think that's fair. People are missing out! So it's a perfect place to stop in when you've got a convenient car to take you right over.

2. Fukushima (福島県): Snowy Countryside

Tohoku offers travelers great opportunities to see the four seasons that Japan is so proud of. Drive to Fukushima to see some of Japan's top-ranking views of autumn foliage and winter wonderlands, and a glimpse of the Tadami Line train winding its way through the scenery.

There's even a local Tadami natural mineral water well for you to fill up your bottles with the highest quality mineral water. Slowly sip and savor the flavor as you roll through the mountains.

3. Miyagi (宮城県): Playful Foxes & Local Cuisine

Miyagi Prefecture has one of Japan's top mountains, Mt. Zao. One of the reasons for its popularity is the impressive lake formed from a volcanic crater, "Okama" (御釜, literally just a word for volcanic crater). The lake's water reflects different colors depending on the angle of the sun, making it a beautiful and unique experience whatever time of year or day you arrive.

4. Yamagata (山形県): Soba, Hot Springs, Autumn Leaves, and More

For the dramatic view you see below, look no further than Tendo in Yamagata Prefecture. Towards the end of October, the leaves start to turn red, and sometimes frost over, making them glitter in the sunlight. If you're traveling with a romantic partner, make sure to stop in at Wakamatsu-ji Temple. The nearby temple is known for blessing visitors with good luck in their romantic ventures, making it an ideal visit for couples.

5. Akita (秋田県): Watery Views

Akita's Lake Tazawa is a popular destination if you're looking for a lake resort, with the area surrounded by both hot springs and ski runs. Rising from the lake itself, though, is the Tatsuko Statue, which glitters in the light reflecting up from the water. Take a boat out to see this mythical beauty up close: Tatsuko apparently asked the gods to keep her beautiful forever, and she was instead cursed to be a dragon in Lake Tazawa. Perhaps she's still in there… and pretty annoyed about the statue mocking her from above.

Once you've had enough of the lake's fresh water, turn yourself towards the coast!

The disciples of Shakyamuni are carved into the rocks along the seashore, as the Jurokurakaniwa (十六羅漢岩). They're named quite literally, as the 16 rocks of enlightened disciples.

Let the peaceful Buddhist figures lend you some of their wisdom, and enjoy the uniquely Japanese atmosphere.

6. Iwate (岩手県): Koiwai Farm

Koiwai Farm in Iwate is a really great destination for family trips. The private farm has cattle and sheep, in addition to horses for you to ride. If your little ones have never been on a horse before, introduce them to a new experience they'll love! Plus, the farm has some other cool activities available: you can give milking a cow a try, or butter-making with all the fresh milk.

If you're more of a gourmet, enjoy a sweet treat while you're there. The farm makes super-fresh and deliciously sweet desserts from all the dairy they produce.

7. Nagano (長野): Hakuba, Wasabi, and Naraijuku

As the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, you know Nagano has to be an excellent destination for winter travelers in Japan. The many snow-laced mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for Hakuba's many high-quality ski runs, and with snow on the mountains 365 days a year, lots of ski-enthusiasts end up staying for over a week. It also means that you can admire the beautiful snowy view even when the weather starts to warm up.

8. Yamanashi (山梨県): Fuji Shibasakura Festival

Driving into Yamanashi Prefecture, it's hard to miss Mt. Fuji, towering above everything. But miss the chance to check it out and you'll regret it! If you want to actually climb to the top, you can do it from June to September every year.

If you make it to the area from mid-April to the end of May, though, don't miss the Fuji Shibasakura Festival! These pink "sakura" blooms spread across the festival grounds, a wide garden in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, in numbers reaching 80,000 every year.

All Prepared for Your Japanese Road Trip, Now?

Are you ready to hit the road? If you're going on a road trip up to northern Japan, these are the places we recommend, but the great thing about using a rental car with an expressway pass is that it gives you the freedom to go wherever you want!

We've already seen how Japan's expressway tolls can add up if you don't prepare in advance, but also how easy it is to get ready for your trip and avoid all the pitfalls of driving in Japan. You don't have to struggle through confusing pages in Japanese or badly computer-translated English to find your way around! Before you start your engine, take a quick moment to plan your trip using everything DoRaPuRa has to offer, and you'll be ready to go in no time.

Some more road trip itineraries for your consideration:

– Kyushu! Sightsee in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto.
– Explore some of the lesser-known attractions of Kansai.
– Enjoy the natural beauty and excellent udon of Shikoku.