7 days self driving trip

[manaeater]

Hi all,

We are a group of 7 adults flying into Narita from 13 - 20 Feb. Given the large group, I thought self driving will be more convenient and cost saving than buying the JR rail pass. The idea is to spend bulk of time outside of Tokyo for snow experience, nature etc.; as my parents will not likely enjoy Tokyo city.

My draft itinerary is:

-13 Feb: Arrive at 10am, pick up car rental, head to tokyo and spend the night to rest.

-14 Feb: Drive to Nagano - ski park

-15 Feb: Nagano - snow monkey, drive to Shirakawago

-16 Feb: Shirakawago and surrounding area

-17 Feb: Shirakawago and surrounding area, drive back to Tokyo

-18 Feb: Disneyland (3 other relatives arriving into Tokyo)

-19 Feb: Shinjuku/Ginza/Odaiba onsen (Have to drop 3 relatives in central Tokyo so they can do their day tours)

-20 Feb: Reach airport at 10am

Some other activities we are interested in:

-fruit picking

-Ice fishing

Understand that Shirakawago is a distance away and we might be wasting too much on car travel, but wanted to see snow monkeys and the Shirakawago heritage site, so found it hard to choose.

If we drop Shirakawago, are there any other suggestions? Is there much to do around Nagano for 4 days?

Will appreciate your advice!

Cheers,

 

[kifo]

Hi all,

We are a group of 7 adults flying into Narita from 13 - 20 Feb. Given the large group, I thought self driving will be more convenient and cost saving than buying the JR rail pass. The idea is to spend bulk of time outside of Tokyo for snow experience, nature etc.; as my parents will not likely enjoy Tokyo city.

My draft itinerary is:

-13 Feb: Arrive at 10am, pick up car rental, head to tokyo and spend the night to rest.

-14 Feb: Drive to Nagano - ski park

-15 Feb: Nagano - snow monkey, drive to Shirakawago

-16 Feb: Shirakawago and surrounding area

-17 Feb: Shirakawago and surrounding area, drive back to Tokyo

-18 Feb: Disneyland (3 other relatives arriving into Tokyo)

-19 Feb: Shinjuku/Ginza/Odaiba onsen (Have to drop 3 relatives in central Tokyo so they can do their day tours)

-20 Feb: Reach airport at 10am

Some other activities we are interested in:

-fruit picking

-Ice fishing

Understand that Shirakawago is a distance away and we might be wasting too much on car travel, but wanted to see snow monkeys and the Shirakawago heritage site, so found it hard to choose.

If we drop Shirakawago, are there any other suggestions? Is there much to do around Nagano for 4 days?

Will appreciate your advice!

Cheers,

in my previous trip which included Shirakawa-go, I also went to Snow Monkey park as well. I think it is a good combination. However I was travelling by train and buses , going through Matsumoto and Takayama, which are also very interesting places of interests themselves. So to maximize the value of an itinerary which includes both Jigokudani Park and Shirakawa-go, I think you should at least spend some time in Takayama and Matsumoto.

By the way, Feb is winter season and the areas you are passing through will probably be under snow. I will really advice caution if the designated drivers have no winter driving experience.

 

[patryn33]

Snow driving be careful!

This is recent multi car accident in snow
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152556484837452

 

[kifo]

Snow driving be careful!

This is recent multi car accident in snow
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152556484837452

Many commentators on this video were saying that even at 35 mph, the cars were sliding all over the place. However, I think in snowy conditions, even 35 mph (55 km/h) is too fast. A safer speed when there are fresh snow on the ground would be less than 40 km/h (even on a straight). But I also understand that in the video that is a highway and if you do 40 km/h on it, the cars behind will horn. The best advice for winter is avoid driving if possible.

 

[patryn33]

U sound like u have driven in fresh snow more times than those Ang mo living there all their lives

 

[cheefarn]

U sound like u have driven in fresh snow more times than those Ang mo living there all their lives

You sound like you have an axe to grind against anyone who wanted to drive in snowy conditions.

First it was against me, now you target another bro here...

Why can't you accept other Singaporeans who had the necessary experience in driving in snow, and with conventional FWD cars?

I was merely sharing my experiences and driving tips. I am not saying I know everything and that I won't crash in my future trips to Hokkaido during winter...but I think fellow forummers here would like to know some tips in winter driving too right?

If snowy driving is that dangerous, shouldn't you be exposed to more dangers if you take their buses instead? I mean, buses are RWD, and I am not sure how many tour buses in Japsn offers 4WD or at least active traction controls. And can you truly say buses winter tires will offer the same kind of grip as passenger cars winter tires?

You are putting your lives in someone else hands in this case. How would this option be 'safer' than self drive based on your 'professional' experiences?

 

[manaeater]

in my previous trip which included Shirakawa-go, I also went to Snow Monkey park as well. I think it is a good combination. However I was travelling by train and buses , going through Matsumoto and Takayama, which are also very interesting places of interests themselves. So to maximize the value of an itinerary which includes both Jigokudani Park and Shirakawa-go, I think you should at least spend some time in Takayama and Matsumoto.

By the way, Feb is winter season and the areas you are passing through will probably be under snow. I will really advice caution if the designated drivers have no winter driving experience.

Hi Kifo,

Can you please share your itinerary and route? How long did you take to complete these places?

We are open to taking train as well, just thought that because of 7 pax, it will be more convenient to drive, alsp appreciate the freedom which car can bring

Cheers,
An Qi

 

[enrell69]

Im thinking of renting a vehicle too when in jp but upon cchecking the rental sites..a normal 1.6 is abt 10k per day???

 

[evilerniex]

Im thinking of renting a vehicle too when in jp but upon cchecking the rental sites..a normal 1.6 is abt 10k per day???

it depends on where u are going and how many ppl sharing.
how many ppl are u sharing the car with? if it is just 2-3 ppl, a 1.2 or 1.3 compact car is enough.

 

[kifo]

Hi Kifo,

Can you please share your itinerary and route? How long did you take to complete these places?

We are open to taking train as well, just thought that because of 7 pax, it will be more convenient to drive, alsp appreciate the freedom which car can bring

Cheers,
An Qi

No prob

Day 1 - Shinjuku to Matsumoto by train. Matsumoto to Takayama by bus. Stay at Takayama.

Day 2 - Takayama sightseeing

Day 3 - Rental car to Shirakawago. Stay at Gokayama.

Day 4 - Drove around Shirakawago and Gokayama.

Day 5 - Drove back to Takayama. Bus to Okuhida. Stay at Okuhida.

Day 6 - Sightseeing around Okuhida. Took Shin-Hotaka ropeway.

Day 7 - Bus to Matsumoto. Sightseeing at Matsumoto.

Day 8 - Sightseeing around Matsumoto (can skip this day)

Day 9 - Train to Nagano. Train to Yudanaka. Bus to Shibu Onsen.

Day 10 - Bus to Jigokudani Monkey Park. Bus back to Yudanaka. Train to Nagano. Train back to Tokyo.

 

[enrell69]

it depends on where u are going and how many ppl sharing.
how many ppl are u sharing the car with? if it is just 2-3 ppl, a 1.2 or 1.3 compact car is enough.

it will just me since my mum and gf wont be going..hehe..ive been checking sites like toyota, nippon..average is around 9k,10k yen?? that is quite x.

 

[evilerniex]

it will just me since my mum and gf wont be going..hehe..ive been checking sites like toyota, nippon..average is around 9k,10k yen?? that is quite x.

1 person i think not very economical to drive. unless there is some place u wanna go that is not reachable by public transport

 

[evilerniex]

have u tried Tocoo?
Japan Online Car Rental

i did a quick search, can get 5000yen for 1 day for compact car

 

[enrell69]

1 person i think not very economical to drive. unless there is some place u wanna go that is not reachable by public transport

thinking of checking out nagano..the castles, parks etc..

 

[evilerniex]

thinking of checking out nagano..the castles, parks etc..

these places not accessible by bus and train?

 

[enrell69]

these places not accessible by bus and train?

mmmm..thinking of having the freedom to go wherever i want..but looking at the cost of rental..mmm...although toocoo! do provide competitive rates @ about 300+ for 5 days..

EDIT : toocoo! do provide excellent rates. i might consider using them afterall.

 

[cheefarn]

it will just me since my mum and gf wont be going..hehe..ive been checking sites like toyota, nippon..average is around 9k,10k yen?? that is quite x.

Bro always buy from online rental car brokers such as these. Unlike USA, booking directly from respective car rental agencies wont get you any good rates de.

Try these

KAKUYASU RENT-A-CAR HOKKAIDO

Japan Online Car Rental

 

[jes205]

Last month, rented a car driving from Tokyo to Ishikawa in the snow. First time driving in the snow and was quite a harrowing experience. Been driving for abt 20+yrs, track n b roads 5-6yrs. Nothing compares to this. Some highways were closed and we had to deviate. Imagine driving on winding mountain roads and they are covered in snow and ice. I was driving at only abt 20-30km/h. One slip and it's bye bye. Remember to ask for snow tyres. Have to pay more for them but safety more important.

 

[evilerniex]

Last month, rented a car driving from Tokyo to Ishikawa in the snow. First time driving in the snow and was quite a harrowing experience. Been driving for abt 20+yrs, track n b roads 5-6yrs. Nothing compares to this. Some highways were closed and we had to deviate. Imagine driving on winding mountain roads and they are covered in snow and ice. I was driving at only abt 20-30km/h. One slip and it's bye bye. Remember to ask for snow tyres. Have to pay more for them but safety more important.

road close really damn sianz. especially if it is those ulu mountain road where the alternative route is far far away.
TS, if u cant read jap and dunno how to program the car GPS to take alternative route, then make sure u have a back up plan. either ur phone with GPS and map loaded or with data plan, or a physical map.

 

[enrell69]

have u tried Tocoo?
Japan Online Car Rental

i did a quick search, can get 5000yen for 1 day for compact car

Bro always buy from online rental car brokers such as these. Unlike USA, booking directly from respective car rental agencies wont get you any good rates de.

Try these

KAKUYASU RENT-A-CAR HOKKAIDO

Japan Online Car Rental

yup..toocoo do have cheap quotes as compared to direct rental..strange..