Japan Driving Experience

After breakfast, we set off to explore the city. We visit one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines, Meiji Jingu, before heading into the never-sleeping heart of Shibuya, where we of course experience the world’s most famous intersection. In the evening, we arrive in Shinjuku’s buzzing entertainment district, where the warm, lively atmosphere of traditional izakayas awaits.

After breakfast, we pick up our cars, say farewell to the world’s most populous metropolis, and head north. Along the way, we stop at the Honda Museum, home to an exhibition of nearly 350 cars and motorcycles showcasing the legendary brand’s most iconic machines. By evening, we arrive in a resort town set in a river valley, famous for its natural hot springs, where we leave the city noise behind and ease into the calm rhythm of the countryside.

Our first stop is Nikko, where we explore the famous shrine complex made up of 103 buildings, including the richly ornamented Toshogu Shrine – one of Japan’s most spectacular religious sites. Continuing along scenic mountain switchbacks, we head toward the volcanic peaks of the Japanese Alps, with river valleys, alpine lakes, and waterfalls unfolding along the way. By evening, we arrive in Kusatsu, a uniquely atmospheric spa town, where dinner awaits us at our accommodation, followed by a well-earned soak in the onsen after a long and rewarding day.

After breakfast, we head toward Nagano to visit the famous Zenko-ji Temple, before turning onto one of Japan’s most spectacular scenic roads: the Venus Line. The route winds through stunning mountain ranges and open highlands, past rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, eventually leading us to Lake Suwa.

Lake Suwa is not only the largest lake in Nagano Prefecture and a popular retreat, but also a place deeply woven into Japanese pop culture, appearing in films, anime, and video games. In the evening, we enjoy dinner at our lakeside hotel, unwind in the onsen, and take in the peaceful views over the water.

After breakfast, we get back behind the wheel and head northwest through volcano-shaped mountains toward the Sea of Japan. In the highlands, we arrive in Takayama, often regarded as the crown jewel of Gifu Prefecture, before continuing on to the mountain village of Ainokura, famous for its traditional gassho-style houses. By nightfall, we reach the coast and spend the night by the shores of the Sea of Japan.

We have breakfast at the market next to our accommodation and take a stroll around the harbor town, often called the Venice of Japan, with its unique atmosphere. We visit a 300-year-old home of an Edo-period seafaring family and a ceramic artist’s gallery. From here, we take a scenic drive out to the Noto Peninsula, then continue south along the west coast on Japan’s only stretch of shoreline where driving is possible directly beside the water on firm, sandy shore. We spend the evening in downtown Kanazawa, with our accommodation just a short walk from the historic district once home to samurai families.

In the morning, we continue our journey along the Sea of Japan, making stops at the most scenic parts of the coastline. From there, we turn inland and wind through mountains, valleys, forests, and towns until we reach Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. Following the shoreline, castles, villages, cities, rivers, and dense forests pass by as we continue south, before crossing to the opposite side and arriving in Kyoto.

In Japan’s cultural capital, we check into our hotel and set out to begin exploring the city.

We take a rest day in Kyoto and visit the city’s key landmarks – at least those we can fit into one day. In the northern part of the city, we visit the famous Zen Buddhist Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and the beautiful bamboo forest. In the afternoon, we head to the eastern side of the city. We visit the Imperial Palace, a symbol of Kyoto’s history, along with its expansive surrounding park. We also visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its striking orange torii gates made of cedar wood, which lead us through scenic walking paths. We wrap up this long sightseeing day with a visit to a downtown izakaya, where we relax and enjoy some local food.

After breakfast, we head to the ancient city of Nara, which was Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century and boasts some of the country’s oldest temples. At Todai-ji Temple, we see the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, standing at 15 meters high, and of course, we also visit the free-roaming deers in Nara Park. Next, we visit the nearby Horyuji Temple, built in 607. It is not only one of Japan’s oldest temples but also the world’s oldest surviving wooden structure. In the afternoon, we head east, circling around the Ise Bay, passing through Nagoya, and finally reaching Lake Hamana. We end the day by relaxing in the onsen at our lakeside hotel.

We start the day at the Yamaha Museum, exploring iconic pieces of Japanese car and motorcycle history, then continue to drive toward one of the country’s greatest symbols: Mount Fuji. We spend the evening in the famous lake district, just a few kilometers from the volcano, surrounded by a breathtaking natural landscape.

On our final driving day, we explore the area around Mount Fuji, including the region of the Five Lakes and nearby Hakone—one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes, where steaming hot springs, historic trails, and crystal-clear lakes accompany us along the way. Before returning to the metropolis, we wind along the rims of ancient volcanic craters, taking in breathtaking panoramas of Mount Fuji, Mount Komagatake, and the surrounding lakes. In the afternoon, we arrive back in Tokyo, return the cars, and toast together in celebration of the incredible adventure we’ve shared.

We head to the airport by private transfer, with everyone departing according to their flight schedules. After two weeks of unforgettable adventures, we leave feeling pleasantly tired and with memories that will last a lifetime as we fly back home.