A Japan travel blog · 日本
ChasingCherry Blossoms
Japan by car — the roads, the onsen towns,
and the food worth the detour.
Why we drive
The Japan the trains don’t reach
Most Japan travel writing assumes you’ll take the train. For Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, that’s the right advice — and we’d give it too.
But the Japan we keep coming back for isn’t on the Golden Route. It’s the Aso caldera at dawn, a roadside station selling produce picked that morning, an onsen town two hours from the nearest station. You need a car to reach any of it, and almost nobody writes in English about what that actually involves.
That’s what this site is for. We drive in Japan, we work out the licence paperwork and the toll systems and the parking so you don’t have to, and we write down what things really cost.
- 47+
- Prefectures, all drivable
- 14,125
- Islands make up Japan
- 1200+
- Roadside stations (michi-no-eki)
- 27%
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Start here · 始めよう
Planning your first drive in Japan?
Read these four in order — they are the paperwork, the tolls and the honest maths that stop most people before they ever leave home.
Renting a Car in Japan
The licence rules that stop most people before they leave home — IDPs, translations and the documents rental desks actually ask for.
Read the guideETC Card in Japan
Why declining the toll card in 2026 can leave you stuck at a toll barrier — and how to get one with a foreign credit card.
Read the guideExpressway Passes Compared
Two of the passes everyone still recommends no longer exist. Here is what replaced them, region by region, with real prices.
Read the guideJR Pass vs Renting a Car
The honest break-even maths, updated for the October 2026 price rise — when the train wins, and when the car pays for itself.
Read the guide
Not sure when to go? Start with the best time to visit Japan, month by month.
From the road
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Remembering Kobe’s Quake: Port Memorial Park
Japan’s energetic city of Kobe is well-known for its thriving port, gorgeous architecture, and extensive history. The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995,…
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8 reasons why there are no rubbish bins in Japan
Cleaning and effective waste management are two of Japan’s best-known traits. The lack of public trash cans is one unusual feature of…
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Is Kurashiki’s Kojima district the jeans capital of the Japan?
Japanese denim originated in a district called Kojima in the city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Kojima has become known as…
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Slurping Summer Fun: Experience the Thrill of Nagashi Somen!
Nagashi Somen is a traditional Japanese dish that has gained popularity not only in Japan but also around the world. It is…
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Experience Luxury Shopping at Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets: A Shopper’s Paradise
Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets is a shopper’s paradise located in the city of Kobe, Japan. It is a luxury outlet mall that…
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Discovering the Best Hotels in Kyoto, Japan: A Guide to Unforgettable Accommodations
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Discovering Serenity: A Journey Through Kyoto’s Most Authentic Ryokans
Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, is renowned for its rich history, traditional architecture, and serene atmosphere. One of the best ways…
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Discovering the Charm of Kyoto: Top Attractions to Visit in Japan’s Cultural Capital
Kyoto, located in the Kansai region of Japan, is a city steeped in history and culture. It served as the capital of…
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Discover the Serenity of Kyoto’s Enchanting Bamboo Forest
Kyoto’s Bamboo Forest is a breathtaking natural wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world. Located in the Arashiyama district of…
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Kyoto Tower: A Spectacular Landmark Offering Breathtaking Views of the City
Kyoto Tower is an iconic landmark in the city of Kyoto, Japan. Standing at a height of 131 meters, it is the…
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Discovering the Hidden Gems of Shikoku: A Journey Through Japan’s Fourth Largest Island
Shikoku is a captivating island located in the southwestern part of Japan. It is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, but…
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Lost in Translation: How a Japanese Translator Can Bridge the Language Barrier
In today’s globalized world, the importance of Japanese translation cannot be overstated. With Japan being one of the world’s largest economies and…
“Under the cherry blossoms,
— Kobayashi Issa · 小林一茶Find the best time to visit Japan
there are no strangers.”
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