Category: Travel

Nara is one of the famous tourist spots in Kansai, Japan, and is often included in the itinerary of many people planning a free trip to Osaka or a tour of Kyoto. Nara is one of Japan’s well-known ancient capitals, like Kyoto, it has many temples and historical monuments, such as the World Heritage Site Todaiji Temple, or Kofukuji Temple in Nara city; or Kasugataisha Shrine, the oldest shrine in Nara… etc.

Japan has an extensive public transportation system, but the country is vast.
Many remote tourist spots are not accessible by public transport, requiring expensive taxis or private hires, or you can rent a car and drive yourself.
Fortunately, Japan’s driving environment is very friendly to beginners, so even those who have never experienced right-hand driving can quickly get the hang of it.
This Japan Car Rental Guide is for those who have never rented or driven a car in Japan.
I will cover preparations before heading to Japan, introduce suitable car rental websites, explain Japan’s car rental system and insurance, and finally share my car rental experience.
Lastly, I will share my years of car rental experience and driving tips in Japan, hoping everyone has a safe and smooth trip.

The Shikoku Rail Pass is a transportation ticket jointly issued by JR Shikoku and various private railways in the Shikoku region. It can be used to travel around the prefectures of Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi. If you are unable to drive, the Shikoku Rail Pass is a good choice for exploring the cities and towns of Shikoku.

However, the convenient HARUKA One-Way Ticket – Discount Ticket is still available.
Why call it a “discount ticket”? Because it’s a special ticket available only to foreigners!
Typically, the fare from Kansai Airport to Kyoto is ¥3640, but foreign tourists can purchase the discount ticket for just ¥2200, about 60% of the regular price, making it a very cost-effective option!
Thus, the HARUKA train remains one of the best transportation options to Kyoto.

The Kansai region is very large and has many attractions, such as Okayama Kurashiki, Amanohashidate, Ine, and Kinosaki Onsen, which are all very attractive attractions. If you want to go to these places, the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass is the best transportation ticket to use. Because the price is not expensive, and you can take the Sanyo Shinkansen and JR limited express trains, and the use days are also long, the CP value is quite high. Suitable for travelers who like to be budget-conscious and want to travel easily.

The famous Juhyo (hoarfrost-covered trees) in Japan’s Tohoku region can be found in three places. One is Mount Hakkoda Juhyo in Aomori Prefecture, followed by Zao Juhyo in Yamagata Prefecture, and then Mount Moriyoshi Juhyo (Ani Juhyo) in Akita Prefecture. Among them, Mount Hakkoda is also featured in the movie “Mount Hakkoda,” adding a touch of mystery.

ICOCA, issued by JR West, can be used throughout Eastern Japan, Tokai, and Hokkaido. It is similar to Taipei’s EasyCard or Tokyo’s Suica card, allowing you to use it for transportation, shopping, and other expenses. It serves as an electronic wallet and a rechargeable card, not a never-ending travel pass!