Nagoya is located in the heart of Japan's Chubu region, making it the perfect base for exploring everything from snow-covered ancient mountain towns to the thousand-year-old pilgrimage path to Ise Shrine. Renting a car is the most efficient way to travel. This article won't dwell on the trivial details of airport pick-ups, but instead focus on three classic driving routes departing from Nagoya to help you maximize the exploration value of your rental car.
Why is renting a car in Nagoya a smart choice?
While Chubu International Airport has multiple rental car companies on-site, prices are typically 20-30% higher than city locations. If your itinerary radiates from Nagoya, it's recommended to take the Meitetsu Line into the Nagoya Station area and pick up your car in the city before starting your road trip. This not only saves the airport premium but also allows you to stock up on snacks and fuel supplies in the city before embarking on long-distance driving. With Expo 2025 Osaka expected to draw massive international crowds, rental car demand in the Chubu region will significantly increase, making advance reservations during peak seasons even more crucial.
Route 1: Nagoya → Takayama → Shirakawa-go: Snow Country Adventure
This is the most popular driving route in the Chubu region and the classic itinerary most frequently chosen by international travelers. From Nagoya, it takes approximately 2.5 hours via expressway to reach Takayama (〒506-0011, Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City, Okamoto-cho), and another 40 minutes to reach Shirakawa-go (〒501-5627, Gifu Prefecture, Ono County, Shirakawa Village, Ogi-cho).
Takayama's old town preserves numerous Edo-period townhouses, and you can experience the traditional district's charm on foot. However, the value of having a car is that you can park in the paid parking lots near Takayama Station (approximately ¥300-500 per hour), then take the Nohi Bus to Shirakawa-go to visit the World Heritage gassho-zukuri houses. Shirakawa-go in winter, blanketed in snow, looks like a fairy tale world. However, winter mountain roads may require snow chains, so be sure to confirm whether the rental car is equipped with snow tires or snow chains when picking up your vehicle.
If you have extra time, you can continue from Takayama to the nearby Hida Furukawa Onsen Village (〒506-1432, Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City, Hida Furukawa Furukawa-cho), where outdoor hot springs can relieve the fatigue of long-distance driving.
Route 2: Nagoya → Ise Shrine → Kumano Kodo: Thousand-Year Pilgrimage
This route combines Japan's most important shrine with the World Heritage Kumano Kodo, offering a deeply spiritual journey through stunning natural landscapes. From Nagoya, it takes approximately 2 hours via the Ise Expressway to reach Ise Shrine (〒516-0023, Mie Prefecture, Ise City, Ujihata).
Ise Shrine is Japan's most important shrine, welcoming over 8 million visitors annually. Both the inner shrine (Naiku) and the outer shrine (Geku), along with the Okage Yokocho old street, are well worth exploring. It's recommended to park in the paid parking lots near Ise Shrine (approximately ¥500-800 per day) and explore the shrine's solemn atmosphere on foot.
After leaving Ise, you can choose to continue south to the Kumano Kodo (〒519-4201, Mie Prefecture, Kumano City, Ido-cho). This segment takes approximately 2 hours, but the mountain and sea scenery along the way is spectacular. The Kumano Kodo is listed as a World Heritage site and is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in the world. For travelers who enjoy hiking and historical culture, this area offers a more authentic experience of Japan's ancient trails than Kyoto.
Route 3: Nagoya → Inuyama Castle → Tokoname Ceramic Walk: Easy Day Trip
If you have limited time or don't want to travel too far, this relaxed route centered around Nagoya is perfect. From Nagoya Station, it's approximately 30 minutes by car to reach Inuyama Castle (〒484-0082, Aichi Prefecture, Inuyama City, Inuyama), one of Japan's oldest remaining castle towers (tenshu). Though not large in scale, it is exceptionally well-preserved.
After visiting Inuyama Castle, you can drive to Tokoname City (〒479-0838, Aichi Prefecture, Tokoname City, Sakae-cho). Tokoname is one of Japan's most important ceramic production areas, often called "the Jingdezhen of Japan." Walking along the Tokoname Ceramic Walk, you can visit various ceramic workshops, and if you're lucky, watch artisans creating pottery on site. Tokoname ceramics are relatively affordable, with nice everyday tableware available for around ¥800-3,000.
Practical Rental Car Information
When renting a car in Nagoya, there are several key points to note. First is insurance coverage. Basic compulsory insurance is already included in the rental price, but it's recommended to add comprehensive insurance (approximately ¥500-1,000 per day) to reduce your deductible in case of an accident. Common comprehensive insurance plans can reduce the deductible from ¥50,000 to under ¥10,000, making it a worthwhile investment for foreign drivers unfamiliar with Japanese road conditions.
Second is parking fee calculation. Japanese parking lots are divided into off-street parking and street-side parking. Commercial facility parking typically costs ¥300-600 per hour, or approximately ¥1,500-2,500 per day. Street-side parking is charged by the hour, and in busy areas can be as high as ¥400-800 per hour. When planning your itinerary, be sure to include parking fees in your budget, otherwise you might find that parking costs exceed your rental fee.
Regarding ETC card usage, major Japanese highways now support ETC payment. Rental car companies typically rent ETC cards (approximately ¥300-500 per day), or you can use cash at manned toll gates. Using an ETC card saves time passing through toll gates, especially during peak seasons.
Travel Tips
First, mountain roads in the Chubu region have complex winter conditions. If you plan to visit Takayama or Shirakawa-go between November and March, be sure to confirm that your rental is a four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with snow tires. Some rental car companies require snow chain rental during winter—this is not an extra charge but a necessary safety requirement.
Second, highway rest areas (PA/SA) around Nagoya are worth making a detour for. The Okazaki Rest Area on the Tomei Expressway is famous for local cuisine and is about 30 minutes from Nagoya, making it a great place to sample Okazaki miso dishes.
Third, Japan has strict parking rules for foreign drivers. Never park in residential area alleyways or unmarked areas—you may receive a ticket and need to handle it at a police station, which can be quite troublesome. It's recommended to download a parking navigation app before your trip to instantly display nearby paid parking locations.
Fourth, if you plan to visit the Kumano Kodo area, note that mountain mobile phone signals may be unstable. It's recommended to download offline maps in advance and take screenshots of your accommodation address for storage.
In summary, the value of renting a car in Nagoya doesn't lie in the city itself, but in its role as a base for exploring Chubu Japan. From here, you can reach the World Heritage sites of Takayama's old town, Shirakawa-go's gassho-zukuri houses, Ise Shrine's thousand-year-old faith, or the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail—all within one to two hours. Choose a route that fits your trip duration, and leverage the flexibility of car rental—you'll find that the depth of Chubu Japan far exceeds your expectations.
Japan: Official Tourism & Trade Statistics
| Category | Metric | Value (2024/2025) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism | Inbound visitors 2024 | 36.87 million (all-time record) | JNTO jnto.go.jp |
| Tourism | Inbound tourism spend | JPY 8.14 trillion (record) | JNTO jnto.go.jp |
| Seafood | Sea urchin (uni) exports to Macau | 13,864 kg in 2025 (+390% YoY) | e-Stat e-stat.go.jp |
| Seafood | Hokkaido uni production | ~7,200 tonnes/year (55% of Japan total) | MAFF maff.go.jp |
| Food Safety | HACCP mandatory since | June 2021 (all food businesses) | MHLW mhlw.go.jp |
| Agriculture | GI-registered products | 144 items (as of 2024) | MAFF maff.go.jp |
| Transport | Shinkansen annual ridership | 456 million passengers | MLIT mlit.go.jp |
| Infrastructure | Airports with int'l service | 28 airports | MLIT mlit.go.jp |
Japan achieved a record 36.87 million inbound visitors in 2024 (JNTO), generating JPY 8.14 trillion in tourism revenue. Hokkaido dominates Japan's premium seafood sector: 55% of Japan's sea urchin production originates from Hokkaido waters (MAFF), with Bafun Uni (orange) and Murasaki Uni (purple) recognised as world benchmarks for sweetness and texture. Japan's GI (Geographical Indication) protection system registers regional food specialities — 144 GI products as of 2024 (MAFF) — providing legal IP protection for premium ingredients exported to Macau, Hong Kong, and Greater Bay Area markets. (Sources: jnto.go.jp; maff.go.jp; e-stat.go.jp; mlit.go.jp)
Cold-chain logistics are central to Japan's premium food export competitiveness. Certified HACCP facilities (mandatory since June 2021, MHLW) ensure food safety across the export chain. For sea urchin exports to Macau: harvest-to-delivery target is 48 hours via Japan Airlines/ANA air cargo routes. 2025 sea urchin exports to Macau surged 390% (Japan Customs, e-Stat), driven by Macau's 73 Michelin-starred restaurants and 33.28 million annual visitors. (Sources: mhlw.go.jp; e-stat.go.jp; dsec.gov.mo; guide.michelin.com)
