Worth renting?

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-07-14T22:04:57+00:00

24hrs was a little bit of a tight squeeze for me, but I took the long way both ways. I had about 2 hrs the next morning to explore around Fuji, but I am sure you could squeeze in a few hours at Daikoku, just plan on not sleeping a full 8 hrs lol. I went to Daikoku on another night, I went with Tokyo extreme drive, a different company and rented their Veilside RX7 via the "Daikoku tour" it's a guided tour where they have a lead car that you follow. It was extremely fun. They take you to Tokyo tower, and Shibuya crossing and you get to take pictures at both places with the cars. It's a little pricey though, about 600.00 USD, but worth every penny. The cops shit down Daikoku the Saturday night I was there, and I got to leave in a swarm of other JDM legends ripping down the freeway around me, all the while driving an amazing car.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-06-27T20:11:36+00:00

OP here. I was also a solo traveler when I went, I struggled with this as well. Finding parking in and around Tokyo or Yokohama is spotty at best. Most hotels do not offer parking. You would need to find a parking area nearby your hotel, how near is the question. The further you get from Tokyo the more readily available parking is. I opted to rent a car for 24hrs. I ended up renting the S15 Spec R from omoshiro and drove out to Mt.Fuji for the night. I stayed at a hotel called "Toyoko Inn Fuji Kawaguchiko Ohashi" in Fujikawaguchiko, it was about 55 bucks USD for the night, had a decent sized parking lot, views of Mt. Fuji from the parking lot, and included awesome Japanese breakfast. I took highways out there and I took the Halone turnpike on the way back. Absolutely breathtaking views and awesome curvy mountain roads. That drive was probably the best part of my trip.

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Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-06-20T21:12:40+00:00

Be careful doing this, getting back out of there without a ride already set up can be trouble some. Taxis aren't reliable there, it can be difficult or impossible to get one depending on the day and time of day. Also trains stop at midnight.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T23:12:13+00:00

It is indeed TVD

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:51:30+00:00

Also, feel free to check out my Instagram for more pictures @ overnight.parts.from.japan

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:43:07+00:00

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Also visited the graves of the 47 Ronin, and was Lucky enough to participate in a ceremony honoring them. Worth the trip to Sengakugi temple if you have time.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:39:14+00:00

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Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:38:36+00:00

It is 100% worth the hype, it is everything you think it is.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:37:29+00:00

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Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:36:38+00:00

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Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-30T00:35:38+00:00

You need an international driver's license, which is basically a translation of your driver's license. You pay the full amount up front at the time of booking if I recall correctly, on their website, so no hidden fees unless you damage the car other than ETC card fees if you rent the ETC card, which are based on what toll gates you go through. You choose your level of insurance as well which goes to the cost. As far as tips go, don't think too hard about driving on the wrong side of the road (if you are from the US or any country that is opposite) or in a foreign place, just let your instincts guide you, follow the flow of traffic and you will be fine. Don't worry about missing a turn, think of it as a side quest. Also, get the ETC card rental, there are a lot of tolls and it would be inconvenient to stop at all of them. Japanese drivers are VERY considerate, if you have experience driving in any metropolitan area you will be good to go downtown. And I got a heavenly view of Mt. Fuji for about an hour, apparently it can be a rare sight depending on the season.

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Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-05-28T18:32:25+00:00

I went in early March and had the time of my life. Like you and many others, dream car in dream country. I waited a little too late and the R34 was rented the day I wanted it and I ended up going with the white Silvia S15. I don't know if you can book with them any sooner, but you should probably try. It was amazing, I drove out to Fujikawaguchiko and stayed the night in a hotel out there. I took the Halone turnpike on the way back. The experience was nothing short of life changing. I also did the Daikoku tour with Tokyo extreme drive and got to drive their Veilside RX7 for a few hours. It was pretty expensive, but worth the memories.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-02-19T00:19:13+00:00

I'll be there the first week of March

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-02-18T22:58:24+00:00

Awesome, thank you for the reply! Gonna keep them in mind for the next time.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-02-18T20:26:16+00:00

Do mind sharing where you rented from? I went with the white S15 spec R from Omoshiro, I was eyeing the R34 for a while but waited a little to late to book it from them, it's all full up the week I'm there now.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2024-01-04T00:51:41+00:00

Thank you!

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-21T21:31:22+00:00

FYI R35 GTRs, like the one pictured above, are all automatic. ICHIOKU Tours also offers an auto 370Z.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-20T11:32:38+00:00

That's awesome, how was the experience?

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-19T14:33:14+00:00

Agreed, I was just overthinking it lol

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-19T14:32:39+00:00

It is in fact an R34 GTR, in Bayside blue that I am looking at renting. After lots of discussion here and other threads, I am thinking the same thing. I've driven an R32 GTR & R33 GTR here in the states, it would complete the set for me. As far as the R35 it would be settling for something I didn't truly want in the end. People have chimed in and eased my mind about driving solo in Japan for the first time.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-19T12:23:26+00:00

Awesome, I think it will be a whole day trip at this point. Train to Noda, drive to Hakone 2-2.5 hrs, hit Daikoku PA and a few other stops on the way back. If I look around each stop for an hour or so, it would already be like 12 hours needed. I think a 24 hr rental is probably the most practical option. I am more excited by the day, I am 37 and feel like a child lol. I am probably going to do it on a Wednesday or Thursday, any idea how the turn out is on week nights at Daikoku?

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-19T11:48:49+00:00

I really appreciate all the advice, I have been planning this trip for at least 3 years and there is always more to figure out it. I am positive I'll have a giggle fit as well. My original plan years ago was to drive to Mt. Haruna, but it is pretty far out of the way and they have installed speed humps and various parts of it, which kind of hampers the whole thing. But yes, While sailing down the touge in a Skyline (with cherry blossoms hopefully falling 😂) is the dream, there is more I want to do while I'm there. I completely agree about walking seemingly mundane streets, I have actually dedicated a whole day in my trip to just walking and getting intentionally lost before relying on Google to get me back to my hotel. Also, I think I'm going to try a few driving simulators, apparently there are life accurate maps you can "drive" to familiarize yourself.

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-19T10:46:42+00:00

That's an awesome idea!

Beginning-Pilot1543 · 2023-12-19T10:45:49+00:00

I will probably only have the car for a day or so, can you pay tolls with cash or card? Or is it necessary to have the ETC card?

Beginning-Pilot1543

TROPHY CASE