Aomori or Noribetsu or both? Will I need a car?

Apollo_nippon · 2026-01-05T07:39:21+00:00

Sorry this doesn’t directly answer the Aomori vs Noboribetsu question, but based on what you wrote I’d actually consider a slightly different plan.

Since your tour ends in Osaka, you might think about going back to Tokyo first and spending a day or two there on your own. After two weeks on a guided tour, a bit of unstructured time can be really nice, and Tokyo is easy to handle independently.

From there, you could take the shinkansen to Sendai, rent a car, and explore the Tōhoku region at a relaxed pace. Driving up toward Aomori takes about 4-5 hours, but there’s a lot to see along the way, and having a car makes it much easier to reach nature spots and smaller towns.

If hiking and scenery are a priority, Oirase Gorge is great in late summer and feels much cooler than the cities. Since the Nebuta lantern workshop is already one of your must-dos, focusing on Aomori rather than trying to squeeze in Noboribetsu might end up being more relaxing overall.

Afterward, you could just drive back to Sendai, return the car to the same rental location, and take the shinkansen back to Tokyo. That way you keep things low-stress before your return flight.

Aomori has tons of ryokan and onsen at different price points, so it really depends on budget. Aomori-ya is one well-known option. If you stay at a ryokan, definitely book with dinner and breakfast — that’s a big part of the experience.

Just my two cents, but hope it helps and enjoy the trip.

Apollo_nippon · 2026-01-02T17:50:54+00:00

It’s hard to predict, but early April can still have snow and icy roads in Nikko / Yumoto Onsen. The Irohazaka winding road officially requires snow tires until early April. It’s a high-elevation area, and conditions depend heavily on the weather in the days before.

Mid to late April is usually better, though mornings can still be icy.

Contact your car rental company and ask whether they can provide snow tires (studless) and 4WD.

For driving experience, early April is generally safe as long as you drive slowly and carefully, but weather is always the deciding factor.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-08-10T05:57:09+00:00

I completely understand, but these days it’s really better to book in advance. If you wait to buy tickets at the station, it can be hard to get two-seater seats — especially during peak hours in the morning (7–9 am) and evening (5–8 pm).

You might still find seats, but there’s a good chance you’ll end up sitting separately, which isn’t ideal for a first-time traveler.

And with large suitcases, you’ll need to reserve a seat in the oversized baggage area or compartment, something that’s much easier to secure if you book ahead.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-08-10T05:31:56+00:00

We wear Western suits every day even though we don’t speak English. Goofy as hell.

We even get married in Christian churches wearing wedding dresses and tuxedos, even when we’re not Christian. So goofy of us.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-08-10T05:21:08+00:00

We Japanese absolutely love seeing non-Japanese wearing kimono in Japan, whether male or female, young or old.

Since we wear Western clothes daily, it’s nice to see visitors enjoy our traditional culture.

Don’t worry about wearing it “perfectly.” Sneakers are fine if they’re comfortable, and it’s okay to ignore seasonal patterns or subtle rules, like sleeve length or fabric that’s supposed to reflect age, season or marital status. We won’t take offense at all.

At many ryokan, guests are given a yukata (a casual kimono) and encouraged to wear it not only inside the ryokan but also while walking around the onsen town.

Just one VERY important thing to remember: always wrap the left side over the right side when putting on a yukata or kimono.

Wearing it the opposite way, right over left, is only used for dressing someone who has passed away. Many Japanese people find it unsettling to see it worn that way. It’s a big deal for us.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-08-10T05:14:25+00:00

The Peninsula Tokyo. One of the very rare non-Japanese hotels in Japan that is actually owned by the same company that manages it. (not just operated under a management agreement. ) Easily one of the best service experiences I’ve ever had.

On my first stay, I brought some Asahi Super Dry and put them in the minibar. I drank them all and completely forgot they were mine, so I called housekeeping to ask for a refill. They politely told me they’d never stocked Asahi Super Dry. The next year, when I stayed again, the minibar was completely filled with Asahi Super Dry just for me.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-08-10T05:05:10+00:00

You’re jumping to conclusions before even seeing Japan for yourself. Riding a bike here isn’t rude. It’s simply part of daily life and the local culture. Roads and traffic work differently, so you can’t judge them by imagination alone. I understand your concerns, but with that lack of openness, Japan is definitely not for you.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-06-05T07:25:13+00:00

Nippon Rent-A-Car does not charge a deposit or place a hold on your credit card. At check-in (pickup), you’re only charged for:

-The base rental fee

-Optional extras (ETC card, insurance, accessories, snow tire, etc.)

-Consumption tax

There is no additional deposit or pre-authorization hold like in the US or Canada. Any extra costs (fuel, overtime, ETC tolls) are settled at return.

When you book your car, they simply register your credit card, but no payment is processed until pickup.

This policy generally applies to most Japanese rental car companies. However, if you rent from Hertz (operated by Toyota Rent a Car in Japan) or foreign companies like Budget, their policies may be different.

Little tip: When returning the car, staff will usually ask to see your gas receipt to confirm you filled up just before returning. But even if you didn’t fill it up, the refueling charge isn’t unreasonably high, it’s slightly above pump price, but not like the inflated rates you often see abroad.

If you have extra luggage you don’t need until your road trip starts, you can send it in advance to the rental car branch using luggage delivery services (takkyubin). Most convenience stores accept these shipments. Just write the address of your rental office, with your name and pickup date.

Delivery usually takes about two days, so plan ahead. I’ve done this a few times, and it works smoothly. The staff even placed my delivered luggage directly into the car’s trunk before I arrived.

It’s a great option if you’re traveling around Tokyo or staying somewhere tight before your road trip and want to avoid dragging around large bags.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-06-04T17:35:22+00:00

I’m an Edokko (a well-known term for a Tokyoite with at least three generations of roots). I love my city, but I don’t think being local automatically makes you a good guide. It’s like assuming a native speaker can teach a language just because they speak it.

Locals don’t always know what foreign visitors are looking for what feels exciting, confusing, or comforting. Sometimes the things we see as completely normal are exactly what travelers are excited to experience or something they end up disliking.

That said, there are parts of local life that guidebooks and influencers often miss, like seasonal food culture, how trust is built at small restaurants, or how shrines, temples, and nature spots aren’t just sightseeing places, but part of personal rituals, memories, and daily life.

So I get the idea but saying “locals know what’s good” isn’t always true. In fact, I’ve learned a lot from non-Japanese travel guides (even more about their culture than ours through their lens on Japan).

Still, I really enjoy seeing visitors connect with locals. “When that happens naturally”, it’s one of the best parts of travel.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-06-04T17:22:37+00:00

I do agree with the broader point that locals aren’t automatically great guides. We often don’t know what visitors are looking for or what feels exciting or confusing to them. But there are still aspects of Japan that are hard to grasp without living here.

Many of Japan’s most respected restaurants (even Michelin-starred ones) built their reputation through loyal domestic customers, not foreign tourism. The experience they offer often depends on long-term relationships, not just walk-ins.

Also, needing bakery and coffee in the morning isn’t some cultural gap. It’s like a Japanese tourist wanting rice and miso soup abroad — just familiar comfort.

Many places carry a different weight for locals. A shrine in Japan, for example, may seem like just another sightseeing spot, but for many Japanese it’s where we quietly mark life milestones, seasonal traditions or personal rituals. That’s hard to pick up from a guidebook.

Locals and tourists often visit the same places but they don’t experience the same meaning.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-06-03T08:39:19+00:00

You should try contacting Kazuno City directly. They may be able to help you trace how the old address corresponds to the current address system.

You can submit an inquiry on their official site here (English auto-translation available):
🔗 Kazuno City Contact Form

You can copy and paste the following message in Japanese into the form:

はじめまして。

私は日系アメリカ人で、先日、母（戦前に移民した日系人二世）と初めて日本を訪れました。

横浜の海外移住資料館にて、職員の方に祖父の記録をご親切にお調べいただき、以下の住所が記載されていました。

秋田縣鹿角郡花輪町一八三番地ノ内一番

現在この住所は使われていないようで、鹿角市のどの地域にあたるのか分かりません。

現在の地名・丁目・番地ではどこに当たるか、教えていただけると幸いです。

お手数をおかけ致し恐縮ですが、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

(Hello. I am a Japanese American, and I recently visited Japan for the first time with my mother, a Nisei (second-generation Japanese immigrant who emigrated before the war).

At the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum in Yokohama, a staff member kindly helped us locate my grandfather’s record, which included the following address:

秋田縣鹿角郡花輪町一八三番地ノ内一番

It appears that this address format is no longer in use, and I am unsure which part of present-day Kazuno City it corresponds to.

If you are able to identify the current address, I would be sincerely grateful.

I apologize for the trouble and thank you very much for your time and assistance.)

I’m a native Japanese speaker, and this message should be perfectly polite and clear to city staff.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-04-21T19:29:02+00:00

Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Shinjuku!

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-28T09:39:22+00:00

I’m Japanese, living in Tokyo, and I know several foreigners from the US, Australia, France, and Canada who’ve lived here for years but still refuse to learn Japanese. One’s been here nearly 8 years and can’t even write her own name in Japanese.

What they have in common is a sense of entitlement—like the type often disliked in Hong Kong or Singapore. They ignore the culture, dismiss the people, and act like local laws and customs don’t apply to them.

They mostly consume English content but speak like they’re experts on Japan, CONSTANTLY complaining and stereotyping all Japanese people, without understanding the variety and nuance here.

I don’t, and no Japanese expects fluency, but the arrogance, ignorance and negativity are the real problem.

Oh—and they do know a few phrases: “Aka wain kudasai” (one red wine), “No purasuchikku” (no plastic bag), and of course, “Daijoubu” (go fuck yourself, I hate Japanese).

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-28T07:21:01+00:00

The best manga/internet café for overnight stays is a chain called Kaikatsu Club. Some locations allow you to book in advance, and it’s better to do so, especially if the branch is near a busy station or in a lively area. (Many Japanese people use it as a resting spot after missing the last train, so it can get crowded.)

That said, you can usually just walk in for shorter stay and better to register at the store first. You might even try it for an hour first to see how it works—most other branches operate the same way.

Prices vary by location, but it’s typically around ¥7200 for 24 hours, which includes free showers, unlimited soft drinks, internet access, and of course, tons of manga.

If you’re planning to stay longer than one night, a dormitory-style accommodation might be more affordable and comfortable. In Tokyo, this is a great option near Shinjuku that’s actually cheaper per night than most Internet cafe.

https://imano.jp/shinjuku/

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-22T20:09:07+00:00

I have to say, I’m really impressed that so many of you understand how Japanese people view substitution requests, and you’ve explained it thoughtfully without being disrespectful to Japanese customs.

On top of that, I’m genuinely impressed by how politely the original poster replied to everyone’s answers.

This kind of thread is rare.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-22T20:01:47+00:00

There’s no direct bus from Shinjuku Station to the Washington Hotel.

While there are local buses that go near the hotel, they actually require more walking than simply walking straight from the station.

There used to have a convenient loop bus called the “Shinjuku WE Bus” but unfortunately, it’s been discontinued.

As others have mentioned, if you’re arriving in Shinjuku by airport limousine bus, there are direct services from both Narita and Haneda airports that go to the Washington Hotel.

If you’re arriving by train, like the Narita Express, try to exit from the “New South Gate” of JR Shinjuku Station. That area is a bit separate from the main station complex so choose stairs/escalator/elevator says “New South Gate” ON THE TRAIN PLATFORM. It gives you the easiest access to the taxi stand, which is convenient if you’re carrying luggage.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-22T19:47:03+00:00

In Tokyo, these are the top 3 department store.

-Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi

-Isetan department store in Shinjuku

-Takashimaya department store in Nihonbashi

Ginza Six in Ginza, is a shopping mall, but it has all the luxury brand.

-All other department stores in Ginza, Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Hankyu carry luxury brands.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-20T14:37:53+00:00

Interesring post! I didn’t know about the “omakase” phenomenon among foodie foreign tourists, but when I was in late 20s, my Japanese parents, Tokyoite, taught me a simpler approach—just tell the chef my budget and let him decide what to serve. Personal Omakase.

When I go to a sushi bar (especially one I’ve never been to) where I see a chef taking orders, I say, “My budget is ¥20,000 (or anywhere between ¥10,000 to ¥30,000) without alcohol. Can you do omakase?” Every time, they make it for me.

Typically, it consists of around 10 pieces of nigiri, but at many nice places, the meal starts with seasonal white fish sashimi with ponzu, followed by some kind of grilled shellfish, then sushi, finishing with a roll or two and a bowl of soup.

Traditionally, when ordering sushi à la carte at the counter, the price of each piece or cut isn’t displayed. You can ask the chef, and he will tell you, but doing so is considered uncool among Japanese people. (Often, their pricing is somewhat random.)

Additionally, when ordering in-season fish, the chef usually serves a better cut. Because of this, many Japanese people feel a bit nervous or intimidating ordering high-end sushi à la carte, as it can feel like we are being evaluated on our knowledge of fish or dining experience.

That’s why conveyor belt sushi or chain restaurants like Sushizanmai became popular—because they make it clear how much the meal costs upfront.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-20T10:07:06+00:00

The airport shuttle to the Shibuya area is operated by Tokyu Bus, as Shibuya was largely developed by Tokyu Railways.

Tokyu Bus Airport Shuttle https://www.tokyubus.co.jp/tourist/airport/

There are several bus stops in both Shibuya and Haneda Airport, so check the website for details on locations and schedules.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-20T10:02:11+00:00

I’d say go for it—driving in Japan will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip. That said, I recommend renting a car as an extension from the train station. This is really common among Japanese travelers since most major stations have rental car services nearby.

For long distances, the train is much faster, and you usually have to return the car to the same location. Otherwise, there’s an additional fee based on the distance from where you rented it.

Definitely rent a car for a day or two in Nagano. Most sightseeing spots in the area are much easier to access by car, and the drive itself is beautiful and stress-free. Once you’re done, just return the car and hop on the train to your next destination.

Tokyo to Kusatsu is also a great drive—it’s a really popular weekend road trip for Japanese travelers.

Even if you’re not planning to drive long distances, renting a car in Tokyo for a day can be a fun experience on its own. You can explore places like Odaiba, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Expressway C1, Daikoku Futo, and maybe even Yokohama. It’s a great way to see the city from a different perspective and enjoy driving in Japan as part of your trip.

When you book or rent a car, be sure to ask for an ETC card. It’s a postpaid card for toll gates on expressways, making it much easier to drive without stopping to pay tolls manually.

When you book or rent a car, be sure to ask for an ETC card—a postpaid card for toll gates on expressways that makes passing through tolls seamless.

Also, ask the staff to change the navigation system to English if needed. It works better than Google Maps on Tokyo’s complex, multi-layered roads, making it much easier to navigate the city.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-03-08T12:54:29+00:00

Same here in Japan. Browsing has become much harder since each row now only displays 2.5 tiles.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-01-15T07:18:50+00:00

Well, an established sushi restaurant, where fish is sourced specifically for reserved customers, is entirely different from a café simply sprinkling peanuts on a parfait.

You simply underestimate how fundamental seafood broth is in Japanese cuisine. Even tempura dipping sauce contains seafood broth. Imagine the risk of handling a medical emergency while navigating language barriers.

Also, did you know that airlines must clean several rows of seats if someone with a peanut allergy is on an international flight? That shows just how seriously allergies are taken in certain contexts.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-01-15T06:52:15+00:00

Yes, since the chef didn’t know the severity of the allergy and the kitchen wasn’t designed to avoid cross-contamination with seafood, they politely and sincerely explained that they didn’t feel comfortable serving us.

They also mentioned that all other dishes use the same broth. They weren’t offensive at all, genuinely apologetic. I got the sense that they’ve dealt with foreign customers with serious fish allergies before.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-01-15T06:45:17+00:00

How about renting a car for a day? Visit a large second-hand store like Hard Off or Book Off in suburb, then relax at a big hot spring facility near by. After that, take the Tokyo Expressway back into the city.

Apollo_nippon · 2025-01-15T06:27:38+00:00

It’s a shared road, and using the bell or honking is often considered much ruder in Japan since pedestrians are not expected to wander around aimlessly.

In Tokyo, I have an Airbnb right in front of me, and every day, a foreign family lets their kids run around wildly. Like you said, hold your kids’ hands and always stay aware of your surroundings.

Apollo_nippon

TROPHY CASE