We have been to Japan many times but the last two weeks was the first time we drove.
With a very efficient Shinkansen network that will take you to most places in Japan, why drive?
Because only driving will take you to places the high speed rail will be too fast to stop.
There are obviously more reasons.
For a start, Japanese roads are very well-maintained. But more importantly for someone like me who doesn’t even drive in Singapore, drivers in Japan are in general super courteous and safe.
On our way to Izu Peninsula, I drove accidentally into the opposite side of the road and there was no panic. Drivers just slowed down so I could get my act together – back up slowly and resume in the correct course. No honking, no flashing of headlights, no cold stares and certainly no middle finger.
On the same day, while trying to make a right turn, I forgot to yield to straight going vehicles on the opposite side. I was honked politely and only because I totally deserved to be warned.
It is also not unusual for big trucks to let you do the right turns. Don’t panic if they flash the headlights twice at you. It’s to say, “I’m blocking traffic behind, go ahead and turn.”
Roadside stops along the highways were the highlights because the gift shops were waiting for us with local produces. If you even think about buying a bottle of sake to be consumed on the road, forget it. Sale staff will remind you at least twice driving and drinking is bad.
If shopping is your true calling and you have a compact car, don’t panic. The best kept secret traveling in Japan, at least for us, is TA-Q-BIN. Just find a box, dump everything, and look for black, green and yellow sign featuring a friendly cat. As long as you provide the right address, the parcel of your shopping spree will be waiting for you at your next destination. Cost to send a 5kg box from Obuse, Nagano to Tokyo – less than S$15
Booking a car is super easy. Toyota car rental doesn’t even require a credit card to reserve. Reserve online and show up on time. Done.
And please, don’t worry about navigating. The GPS worked perfectly and after two weeks, I kind of missed the voice guiding me although I complained a few times when she told me to turn slightly right when it was a full right turn.
Driving is great also because you can stop and go whenever you want. You won’t be able to sail through the winding Hakusan White Road and be inches away from a waterfall if you had taken a train. You won’t be able to pretend to own kilometers of white sandy beach in Noto Peninsula if you had gone on the Shinkansen.
I hope to write more about driving in Japan soon. Certainly before our next Japan driving holiday in April.
Stay tuned.