Nagoya, as the transport hub of central Japan, is not merely a transfer point but also an excellent base for exploring the Nōbi Plain and the Ise Peninsula. Most travellers only know to depart from Nagoya Station via JR, overlooking the hidden gems that can only be reached by renting a car—those secret hot springs nestled in the mountains, fresh fish eateries along the coast, and handicraft production sites that can only be deeply experienced with a self-drive tour. This article approaches from the perspective of "day trips departing from Nagoya," compiling three different themed driving routes to help your Nagoya trip break free from standard itineraries and truly experience the local charm of central Japan.
Why Choose to Rent a Car and Depart from Nagoya?
Nagoya is situated in the centre of Honshu. Whether travelling east to the mountain hot spring areas of Gifu Prefecture, south to explore the Ise Coast of Mie Prefecture, or west to the tea and ceramic production areas of Aichi Prefecture, the drive takes under 1.5 hours. The biggest difference from car rental demands in Tokyo or Osaka lies in this: the attractions around Nagoya have relatively inconvenient public transport, with many hidden restaurants or rural hot springs having no bus services whatsoever. According to statistics from the Japan Car Rental Association, over 60% of car rental demands in the central region are "purpose-specific day trips"—where travellers typically collect the car in the morning and return it in the evening, which is completely different from the long-distance cross-prefecture travel pattern seen in Hokkaido or Kyushu.
Route One: Mountain Secret Hot Springs and the Washi Paper Hometown—Departing Nagoya towards Gifu Prefecture
Departing from central Nagoya, a drive of approximately one hour takes you to Seki City in Gifu Prefecture. This small city of only 80,000 residents is famous across Japan for "Seki knives," but what truly delights the more discerning travellers is the "Seki Onsen"—a day-use hot spring with no international reputation, yet boasting excellent word-of-mouth among locals. The facilities are simple and unassuming, and the spring water is a rare chloride hot spring, notably effective for neuralgia and chronic fatigue. The nearby washi paper experience workshop offers visitors the chance to hand-make washi paper, with fees of approximately ¥2,000-3,000, including postage of the finished product to your home.
If time permits, you can continue driving to "Enakyo," located about 30 minutes from Seki City. The autumn maple foliage here is considered one of the finest in the central region, yet 90% of travellers miss this hidden gem due to the lack of direct JR access. The sightseeing boat inside the gorge costs ¥1,200 per person, and the autumn evening sunset reflected on the valley waters alongside the crimson maple leaves creates a moment of light and shadow that can only be captured by self-driving.
Route Two: A Coastal Culinary Tour of Ise-Shima—Departing Nagoya towards Mie Prefecture
Travelling south to Mie Prefecture, you find the "Ise Shrine," Japan's first World Heritage inscription. However, the value of renting a car lies not in joining the worship crowds but in the "pearls and seafood" along the coastline. A drive of approximately two hours from Nagoya takes you to Kashiko Island's pearl cultivation farm, where pearl cultivation experiences are offered. Visitors can personally open the oysters to extract pearls and create bespoke jewellery, with fees of approximately ¥4,000-8,000 depending on pearl size and quantity.
For lunch, we recommend the small eateries along the coast of Ago Bay, a 15-minute drive from Kashiko Island. These establishments, with no Chinese menus and not featured in travel guidebooks, serve same-day fresh-caught Ise lobster and abalone. The prices are reasonable, with two-person set menus costing approximately ¥4,000-6,000—the freshness is simply incomparable to prices at Tokyo's Tsukiji. Importantly, these eateries only operate at lunch with limited seating, and nearly all close after 3pm—this is why renting a car is essential, as bus schedules simply cannot accommodate.
Route Three: Tokoname and Handa's陶 (Pottery) and Miso—Departing Nagoya towards Aichi Prefecture
Heading west to Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture, the drive takes only 40 minutes. This is the base for one of Japan's six famous pottery styles, "Tokoname ware," with pottery studios and exhibition spaces found throughout the streets. The flexibility of self-driving allows you to visit individual studios that do not accept group bookings, enabling direct exchange with pottery artists. The "Pottery Trail" in Tokoname requires no tickets or reservations, and many shops even welcome visitors to observe the pottery-making process—this sense of "discovery" is the most treasured experience in travel.
On the return journey, you can stop in Handa City to visit "Maruya Ya Shōten," with 180 years of history—this miso brewing brewery offers brewing tours and miso tasting, with prices for self-brewed miso at approximately ¥800-2,000, considerably better value than airport duty-free shops. The advantage of this route lies in the total motorway tolls being under ¥1,500, making the total transport costs even more economical than taking JR return to a single attraction.
Practical Information for Car Rental Pick-up and Return
Car rental locations in the Nagoya area are primarily distributed across three zones: Chubu International Airport, the area around Nagoya Station, and the Ōsu commercial district in the city centre. The advantage of airport locations is collecting the car directly upon arrival to begin your itinerary, though prices are typically 15%-20% higher than city locations. Most city locations operate from 08:00-20:00, with some shops supporting late-night returns.
Regarding costs, daily rental for a small car in the Nagoya area costs approximately ¥5,000-8,000 on weekdays, which may surge to ¥12,000-15,000 during peak seasons (Golden Week, New Year, and cherry blossom season). It is recommended to book a week in advance; last-minute rentals not only have limited options but prices may also double. Insurance costs of approximately ¥1,000-1,500 per day are strongly recommended, otherwise self-pay costs for accidents could reach hundreds of thousands of yen.
The reservation systems of NAVITIME or Japan Driver's License support Chinese interfaces and are commonly used car rental platforms for international travellers. It is worth noting that car rental companies in the Nagoya area have relatively strict verification processes for foreign travellers, with some companies requiring an International Driving Permit and passport. It is recommended to confirm required documents with the rental company before departure.
Travel Tips
First, factor parking fees into your itinerary calculations. Parking at large shopping centres in central Nagoya costs approximately ¥400-600 per hour, while parking at tourist attractions is cheaper at approximately ¥200-400. Opting for a "parking pass" can sometimes be more economical than single payments, but requires prior research. Second, mountain roads in the central region may have snow or icy surfaces in winter, and even in summer, be mindful of road restrictions caused by afternoon thunderstorms. Before renting a car, be sure to check the day's weather forecast and road information. Third, many mountain hot springs or eateries do not have credit card facilities—ensure you carry sufficient cash. Finally, if your itinerary includes multiple attractions, it is recommended to collect a simple map from the rental company the day before departure—mobile navigation can sometimes have unstable signals in mountainous areas, making paper maps a necessary backup.
In summary, the core value of Nagoya car rental lies not in "the act of moving itself" but rather in "exploring those places that public transport cannot reach". Whether it's a secret mountain hot spring, coastal fresh seafood, or a pottery town, these experiences are what truly make a trip to central Japan unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
