Your complete transport guide for Japan, with routes, fares, and practical tips.
For more recommendations, see the full guide.
As Japan's transportation hub, Nagoya's car rental advantage lies not only in accessing the depths of Central Japan but also in serving as the perfect starting point for exploring the abundant hot spring resources around it. Compared to taking public transportation limited by schedules, renting a car allows you to follow your own pace, linking more than a dozen hot spring destinations within one to three hours' driving range. This is a travel experience that JR-only passengers cannot enjoy.
Hot springs around Nagoya are distributed radially: to the east are the coastal hot springs of the Chita Peninsula, to the south are the peninsula hot springs of Ise-Shima, and to the northwest are the mountain hot springs of Nagano Prefecture. The season determines the experience differences—winter brings the best scenery in northern Nagano but at the highest cost, spring and autumn offer the golden balance of price and weather, and summer makes the Chita Peninsula the most popular.
Recommended Road Trip Hot Spring Routes
1. Chita Peninsula Hot Spring Tour (2 days, 30-80km)
A friendly choice for first-time renters. From Nagoya, drive south along the Ise Bay coastal road, arriving at the Chita Peninsula within two hours. Seven hot spring communities are distributed along the route, the most famous being Minamichitako Onsenkyo in Mihama Town and Kurizasu Onsen in Taketoyo Town. This route's highlight is enjoying Ise Bay views while driving, with most hot spring ryokan concentrated at the peninsula's tip for flexible stops.
During cherry blossom season from April to May, the seaside promenade is lined with blooming sakura, and outdoor baths offer views of both cherry blossoms and the bay. In winter from December to February, the southern latitude means coastal hot springs cost 15-20% less than Nagano while maintaining similar water quality.
2. Ise-Shima Hot Spring Chain (3-4 days, 120-200km)
Drive two hours from Nagoya to Ise City, first visiting the Ise Grand Shrine (Japan's most important shrine), then self-drive along the Ise-Shima Peninsula coastline, linking Futamata Onsen, Ise-Shima Onsenkyo, Toba Onsen, and more. Most hot spring ryokan face the Pacific Ocean with excellent outdoor bath views.
Autumn from September to November is the most economical—summer tourists have left, room rates drop 30-40%, and autumn ocean views are crystal clear. June's rainy season offers the lowest room rates but weather uncertainty makes long-distance driving inadvisable.
3. Nagano Mountain Hot Spring Group (4-5 days, 200-300km)
Head north into Japan's hot spring heartland. Nozawa Onsen and Obuse Onsen unfold one after another, each community offering unique water qualities and scenery. Winter (December to February) offers the best scenery—snow-covered valleys with hot spring mist creating a dreamlike contrast against the ice, but costs are also highest: higher fuel expenses, mountain roads require 4WD vehicles, and room rates hit annual peaks.
April in spring offers the best value—cherry blossoms beginning to bloom, snow melted, mountain roads passable, and room rates 35-50% cheaper than winter.
Practical Information
*Car Rental and Fuel Costs*: Multiple rental companies are available in central Nagoya and Chubu International Airport. Mid-size cars rent for ¥5,000-8,000 per day, fluctuating by season. Fuel costs for the 2-day Chita route are approximately ¥2,000-3,000; for the 3-day Ise route approximately ¥4,000-5,000; for the 5-day Nagano route approximately ¥8,000-12,000. For stays exceeding 5 days, some companies reduce daily rental rates by 30% starting from day 6, which works out well for the Nagano route.
*Hot Spring Ryokan*: Chita hot spring ryokan cost ¥8,000-15,000/night (including two meals), mostly small to medium-sized; Ise-Shima costs ¥12,000-25,000, most with ocean views; Nagano mountain winter costs ¥20,000-40,000, spring/autumn costs ¥10,000-18,000. Booking 14 days in advance offers 10-15% discounts.
*Optimal Booking Window*: Spring from mid-March to early May and autumn from mid-September to early November are the balance points between price and weather. Booking 30 days in advance is recommended. Summer vacation and New Year holiday room rates double, and June's rainy season offers low prices but high weather risk.
Road Trip Tips
- **Vehicle Selection**: Regular sedans are sufficient for spring, summer, and autumn. For winter trips to Nagano, a 4WD SUV is essential—adding ¥1,500-2,000/day but the safety difference is enormous. From mid-December through early February, Nagano mountain roads have chain regulations, and driving without snow chains is illegal.
- **Fuel Cost Optimization**: Japanese expressways are expensive. For the Chita and Ise routes, you can take coastal regular roads (better scenery, saving ¥500-1,000 in fuel costs); Nagano routes cannot avoid expressways, so be sure to get an ETC card (most rental companies provide free), which can save 10-20% on tolls.
- **Onsen Etiquette**: Japanese hot springs have a clear sequence: undress, rinse, then enter the bath. Tattoos are generally not allowed. Check the ryokan policy before booking—some hot springs accept tattoos, others strictly prohibit them.
- **Gas Station Planning**: Gas stations near mountain hot spring areas are scarce and charge ¥3-5/liter more. Recommended to fill up before departing Nagoya, refuel once in the Ise area, and fill up again before heading into Nagano's mountains. An international driver's license and an English notarized translation of your license are required for car rental.
