Self-Drive Road Trip After the Asian Games: Renting a Car in Nagoya

Route one: Ise-Shima, two to three days

Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture is roughly two hours from Nagoya by road. It is the most important Shinto shrine complex in Japan, and the approach along the pilgrim street outside is a good first lunch stop.

From Ise, the coast road continues to Toba and on to Shima, with bays, oyster huts and quiet ryokan. Two nights lets you see the shrine properly on day one and take the coast slowly on day two.

On the way back towards Nagoya you pass Kuwana. Nabana no Sato's autumn illumination usually begins in mid to late October, so check the dates if your trip runs that late. Nagashima Spa Land is next to it if you have children who have earned a reward for sitting through the athletics.

Route two: the Kiso Valley, one to two days

Magome and Tsumago are old post towns on the Nakasendo road, about one and a half to two hours from Nagoya. The walking trail between them is the reason to come. Park at one end, walk the trail, and use the local bus to return to your car, or split the driving so someone repositions the car.

This route is well suited to a single overnight stop. Combine it with Inuyama Castle, a national treasure about 40 minutes from Nagoya, on the way out. Gifu's cormorant fishing season runs to mid-October, so an evening on the river is possible if your dates line up.

Route three: Takayama and Shirakawa-go, overnight only

Takayama is two and a half to three hours by road from Nagoya, and Shirakawa-go sits beyond it. It can be done as a day trip, but it is a long one. With a rental car the honest advice is to stay overnight in Takayama, see Shirakawa-go the next morning, and come back via Gujo Hachiman.

Tolls, ETC and what the roads really cost

Every expressway you are likely to use, including the Tomei, Shin-Tomei, Meishin, Isewangan and Higashi-Meihan, is a paid toll road. Payment is by ETC card or cash at the barrier. Ask the rental desk whether an ETC card can be added to the booking; it saves stopping at every gate. Toll totals add up on a multi-day loop, so build them into your budget rather than treating them as a surprise at the end.

Fuel, parking at ryokan and city car parks are extra. Rural parking is often free; city parking is not.

Self-drive or a car with a driver?

Self-drive is not automatically cheaper or easier. Here is how the two options compare for a post-Games trip.

If your group is more than four, has bulky luggage, or includes someone who would rather not drive on the left after two weeks of stadium nights, a driver is the better call. Our private car with driver by the hour works in two-hour blocks and the tariff is on the page, so you can compare properly.

Before you drive off

• Photograph the car on all sides at pickup.
• Confirm the return time and location; late return fees apply.
• Ask what the insurance covers and what you would pay if the car is damaged.
• Load the destination into the navigation system before leaving the lot.
• Keep your passport, licence and IDP together; police can ask for all three.

How to book with OlaChill

OlaChill arranges self-drive rental for visitors who meet the licence rules above, and you can start on the Japan car rental page, where the licence and deposit conditions are listed in full. If you would rather be driven, send the same dates through our charter form and we will quote a vehicle with a driver instead.

FAQ

Can I rent a car with just my home licence?

No. You need a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP or, for a few specific countries, an accepted official translation of your licence. Without one of those the rental desk will refuse the car.

Is it worth renting a car during the Games themselves?

For most spectators, no. Organisers want people on public transport, venue parking is limited, and Nagoya's rail network covers the city venues well. Rent the car after your last session and use it for the countryside.

How far is Ise from Nagoya by car?

Roughly two hours by road, traffic-dependent. Plan on a long morning and a proper stop at the shrine rather than trying to squeeze it into a half day.

Do I need cash for the tolls?

Cash works at manned or machine barriers, but an ETC card is quicker. Ask the rental company whether one can be added to your booking.

What if I decide I would rather not drive?

Ask for a driver instead. A private car with driver removes the licence question entirely, and for mountain routes such as Takayama it is far less tiring.