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Japan

Japan Car Rental

The most direct route from Canada to Japan is from Vancouver to Tokyo and from here the country can be explored using the excellent road network. The city is busy, but not too far away are the older temples and the perfectly shaped Mount Fuji. Getting a good car rental deal for Canadians visiting Japan is easy; just compare car hire options in advance.

Highlights

Visiting the temples and learning about the ancient culture of Japan is just one of the attractions of a country htat retains its mysticism. The bright lights of Tokyo, with the technological achievements on show from the likes of Sony and Hitachi, contrast heavily to the quiet shrines of the Nikko. Combine this with a unique cuisine and the Geisha shows and it’s easy to see why Japan holds such a fascination.

Nikko is also the location for the picturesque Lakeland and mountains of Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho and Mount Taro. Further afield but easily reached on a tour using the car hire are the ancient monuments of Naro, where the origins of the Buddhist culture came to Japan in the 6th century from China.

Exploring by Car

As a country that has become the number one in terms of car manufacturing, it is not surprising to find that the roads are good, well sign-posted and efficiently interconnect all the major cities of the country. Tokyo is the hub and this is where most visitors from Canada will begin their adventure. The routes follow the same Highway numbering system found at home, which is a big plus for Western visitors. On the main roads, the Japanese script is translated into English, but there may be some signs out in the more rural areas that are only in Japanese.

Tourist Season and Weather

The seasons in Japan are very clearly defined across the year. There is a long spring period, which is matched by an autumnal season that runs into late November. The country has a diverse mix of weather patterns and the central areas are the most stable in terms of temperatures. Wintertime in the outer regions of Japan can be very cold and at certain times even the high-speed bullet train is slowed to a crawl because of snow. The favorite tourist season is the spring when the flowers in the temples and the parks are really at their best.