Driving around Japan is an outlier move. Most people opt for the stellar train system, watching the countryside blur past at 300 km/h from a Shinkansen window. It’s fast and efficient, but it leaves you stranded the moment you want to escape the major cities, trading smooth rails for rigid timetables.
Trade the crowded platforms for the total freedom of the open road. With a car, you can find the quieter, hidden corners of the Fuji Five Lakes at your own pace, or ascend the legendary mountain switchbacks of Nikko to wake up near snow monkeys and roaring waterfalls. Seeing Japan on four wheels unlocks a version of the country that remains completely hidden to the average traveler.
This itinerary takes you on an epic, compact loop that starts and ends in the neon heart of Tokyo, diving deep into Japan’s most picturesque natural and sacred landscapes.
- The Route: A spectacular loop from Tokyo through the volcanic peaks of Hakone, the mirror-like waters of the Fuji Five Lakes, and the ancient, sacred forests of Nikko.
- Iconic Detours: Explore the Great Buddha in Kamakura, wander through Kairakuen (one of Japan’s top three gardens), and soak in the “Little Edo” atmosphere of Kawagoe.
So ditch the Shinkansen, double-check that your ETC card is actually inserted, and get ready to experience Japan like few others ever do.
