Driving in Japan

[cancer81]

drove for 2 days in Karuizawa.... rented from eki-rental, got a really mini car. Good enough for 2 blokes.

never got to complete Usui pass. wanted to do halfway but ran out of time, turned around and went back to return car

I had enough of the mountain pass to the hotel pretty quickly
Here I am freaking out on the mountain pass and other cars zip by you cos they dun see the speed limit signs

 

[Quasar]

drove for 2 days in Karuizawa.... rented from eki-rental, got a really mini car. Good enough for 2 blokes.

never got to complete Usui pass. wanted to do halfway but ran out of time, turned around and went back to return car

I had enough of the mountain pass to the hotel pretty quickly
Here I am freaking out on the mountain pass and other cars zip by you cos they dun see the speed limit signs

I guess you probably got a k-car with 660cc engines. Those are designed for short jaunts around the village and/or city, and not meant to climb mountains and valleys.

 

[cancer81]

I guess you probably got a k-car with 660cc engines. Those are designed for short jaunts around the village and/or city, and not meant to climb mountains and valleys.

the car itself did alright.... at the speeds I was going, it was already quite "scary"

 

[Jane2]

can a Nissan wingrand fit into their stack carpark in the city?
what about mark X?

What the biggest car that can fit in?
I am looking to fit at least 4 luggages. (not cabin size)

 

[bluebell_09]

anyone tried self-drive in hakone?

 

[Sauron]

Is it illegal to use Google Maps for navigation while driving in Japan?

 

[chaotah]

Is it illegal to use Google Maps for navigation while driving in Japan?

can't think of any reason it's illegal.
we are talking abt japan, not north korea

 

[Sauron]

can't think of any reason it's illegal.
we are talking abt japan, not north korea

I think they are quite strict with driving with no handphone usage law, which was even highlighted in their car rental websites.

However what isn't clear is their definition of handphone usage, does it mean all kinds of usage or just limited to making /taking calls and messaging.

 

[cancer81]

If I can't find the place on the navigator, I would use google navigation.

Normal safety sense apply, dun go and fiddle with it when in motion.

 

[daranic]

Do we apply for international driving license at AA first before we book the car via online?

Tried a few websites and they require either the license number or confirmation of our international license card containing the number 1949. What is so special about this 1949?

 

[Sauron]

Do we apply for international driving license at AA first before we book the car via online?

Tried a few websites and they require either the license number or confirmation of our international license card containing the number 1949. What is so special about this 1949?

Yeah need to get international license from AA

 

[oceanicmanta]

Do we apply for international driving license at AA first before we book the car via online?

Tried a few websites and they require either the license number or confirmation of our international license card containing the number 1949. What is so special about this 1949?

I book on Rakuten JP and Jalan.net and these do not require my IDL at time of booking.

When picking up car, car rental company will make a copy of IDL.

 

[shizuka_b]

hi all, just want to share that ToCoo now has promo, free ETC rental and internet. i cancelled my toyota rental (152k for 17 days) and went over to ToCoo (145k all in). In all, i save abt $200 because i now dont need to buy internet either.

ps: booking at ToCoo also needs IDL number.

 

[daranic]

Just to check if your booking is for any period that may require snow tire? If yes, do you have to pay extra for that?

What type of car are you renting? Yours works out to be avg $105 ~ $110 per day. I tried using tocco and was quoted 35,900 yen for 2 full days + 4 hrs.

hi all, just want to share that ToCoo now has promo, free ETC rental and internet. i cancelled my toyota rental (152k for 17 days) and went over to ToCoo (145k all in). In all, i save abt $200 because i now dont need to buy internet either.

ps: booking at ToCoo also needs IDL number.

 

[oceanicmanta]

Just to check if your booking is for any period that may require snow tire? If yes, do you have to pay extra for that?

What type of car are you renting? Yours works out to be avg $105 ~ $110 per day. I tried using tocco and was quoted 35,900 yen for 2 full days + 4 hrs.

most car rental firms provide snow tires FOC during winter months. even in mid-Nov, my Mazda2 came with newish snow tires

some firms charge per 24hr block while some charge by hourly after each 24hr - even then 35900 for 3 full days still seems expensive. You can try selecting another car firm within ToCoo to check.

that said, ToCoo is more expensive than Jalan.net or Rakuten JP, but u need to navigate Japanese on these 2 sites to register, then book.

If u need help, I can check out the prices for comparison.

 

[daranic]

Thanks for the offer to help. I tried surfing jalan.net but found it difficult to use. Can you pm you my details and you help me to check?

Thanks.

most car rental firms provide snow tires FOC during winter months. even in mid-Nov, my Mazda2 came with newish snow tires

some firms charge per 24hr block while some charge by hourly after each 24hr - even then 35900 for 3 full days still seems expensive. You can try selecting another car firm within ToCoo to check.

that said, ToCoo is more expensive than Jalan.net or Rakuten JP, but u need to navigate Japanese on these 2 sites to register, then book.

If u need help, I can check out the prices for comparison.

 

[oceanicmanta]

u can just post here. Info needed :
- dates + times of pick up & return
- no. of pax
- type of car preferred (sedan, SUV, compact) or any preferred models ?
- pick up point (ie Chitose)
- return point (ie Chitose, Sapporo or others)

 

[daranic]

- dates + times of pick up & return - 18/12 10am - 20/12 2pm
- no. of pax - 6 adults
- type of car preferred (sedan, SUV, compact) or any preferred models ? - MPV, the price $35,900 quoted by tocco is Nissan Serena
- pick up point (ie Chitose) - Hakone Yomoto / Odawara station
- return point (ie Chitose, Sapporo or others) - Odawara station

Thank you so much, Oceanicmanta

 

[cpuer]

Jalan frequently gives out discount. I have save some money from it. I did at least 3 cancellation and re booking just because of a better discount they provide as the time of travel draw nearer.

 

[oceanicmanta]

- dates + times of pick up & return - 18/12 10am - 20/12 2pm
- no. of pax - 6 adults
- type of car preferred (sedan, SUV, compact) or any preferred models ? - MPV, the price $35,900 quoted by tocco is Nissan Serena
- pick up point (ie Chitose) - Hakone Yomoto / Odawara station
- return point (ie Chitose, Sapporo or others) - Odawara station

Thank you so much, Oceanicmanta

JPY 32,961 on Jalan.net (this package comes with CDW Insurance)
https://www.jalan.net/rentacar/rese...c=1&s=1&rw=15&op=&rd=2017-12-18&td=2017-12-20

ToCoo, I got JPY 34,300 (excl 8% tax), and not yet include the mandatory ToCoo TAS charge of JPY 1,080 per day !

I do not see the ToCoo free wifi & free ETC card offer that was previously mentioned.

ToCoo's TAS charge is inclusive of CDW + NOC if I am not wrong. However, hirer needs to pay for any damages first, then claim against ToCoo's policy.

Whereas the CDW insurance from Jalan.net is from the car rental company itself. No need to pay first then seek reimbursement.

Current Jalan 5k off discount for 80k spend only. Can wait for others to appear.