Top 10 Scenic Road Trip Routes in Japan You Shouldn't Miss, Plus a Car Rental Discount Coupon

It goes without saying that Japan has a charm all its own, from its culture to its wide variety of natural landscapes. A road trip is a free and flexible way to travel, letting you stop and enjoy beautiful spots fully, on your own schedule. Japan also has many scenic routes, and its roads are very safe. In this article we'll introduce 10 beautiful road trip routes across Japan for you to explore. Let's see which spots stand out.

50 Places in Japan You Must Visit at Least Once 【Latest Update】

Don't miss the special 1,000 yen discount coupon at the end of the article

Why Rent a Car for a Road Trip in Japan?

Road tripping in Japan lets you experience its diverse culture and nature up close. Whether you're visiting cold Hokkaido, historic Honshu, or laid-back Okinawa, you'll find unique architecture, local festivals, and traditions particular to each region, from Sapporo's snow festival to Kyoto's ancient temples and Okinawa's castle ruins. Road tripping also lets you visit lesser-known shrines and local markets.

Driving through Japan also lets travelers experience the seasonal changes up close. Having a car lets you follow the cherry blossoms as they move north in spring, or chase the vivid autumn leaf colors from the mountains down to the plains. Each season brings different colors to the same places, filling the drive with beautiful scenery and enhancing the travel experience. The safety and excellent infrastructure of Japan's roads also make road trips very comfortable. But above all, Japan has many scenic driving routes winding along valleys and coastlines, which is exactly what this article is about.

1. The Flower Field Route in Hokkaido

Summer in Hokkaido is when the flowers bloom in full. This route is called "Hanabito Kaido," or the "Flower Road" (Route 237), connecting the towns of Biei, Kamifurano, Nakafurano, and Furano. Every summer, roughly from July to August, the road is lined with flower fields on both sides.

Worth a stop: Farm Tomita, a famous flower and fruit farm, and Blue Pond (Aoike), known for its striking blue water

Tips: The best time is mid-July to early August for lavender, and August to October for sunflowers and cosmos. It's also a great season for delicious fruit.

2. The East Coast Route of Kyushu

The route between Oita and Miyazaki prefectures runs along the east coast of Kyushu via Route 10 and Route 220, from Beppu to Aoshima. It's a beautiful route full of nature and hot springs.

Worth a stop: Beppu, a famous hot spring town; Aoshima Island with its rock reef formations; and Takachiho Gorge, with its waterfall and deep valley

Tips: Try staying at a hotel with a seaside onsen for full relaxation during your trip.

3. The Shimanami Kaido Route

The beautiful inter-island Shimanami Kaido route uses the Nishiseto Expressway, a road of about 60 kilometers connecting Onomichi on Honshu and Imabari on Shikoku. It's great for both driving and cycling, and it's close to the city of Onomichi in Hiroshima.

Worth a stop: Along the way there are many rest stops with scenic views, food, and shopping to choose from.

Tips: Try renting a bicycle to ride across the bridges.

4. The Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula, in Shizuoka Prefecture, is another beautiful driving route close to Tokyo. If you want to drive along the coast and stop at hot springs, the Izu Peninsula is a must. It only takes 1-3 days to cover it all, and you can also combine it with a trip around the Fuji Five Lakes or Hakone.

Worth a stop: Shuzenji village, for a taste of old Japan, and the quiet Shimoda beach with views of the Pacific Ocean

Tips: If you have extra time, you can extend the trip to the Fuji Five Lakes route (#6 below) or the Hakone lake area.

5. The Romantic Road of Nikko

The route connecting Nikko and the town of Numata is part of Japan's Romantic Road, which stretches about 320 kilometers across several prefectures. The section along Route 120 covers about 100 kilometers and is a beautiful historic route, especially during the autumn leaf season.

Worth a stop: Toshogu Shrine and other sites in Nikko's UNESCO zone, and the 97-meter Kegon Falls, a highlight of this route

Tips: The autumn leaf season gets crowded, so plan ahead, avoid holidays, and allow extra time for a smooth trip.

6. The Scenic Route Around the Fuji Five Lakes

Driving around Mount Fuji takes you from Lake Hakone, up north past the Fuji Five Lakes, then back down to the town of Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture, with full views of Mount Fuji the whole way.

Worth a stop: Lake Kawaguchi with Mount Fuji as a backdrop, Fuji-Q Highland amusement park, and Hakone with its onsen and old shrines

Tips: Book accommodation around Fuji well in advance, since rooms fill up fast and booking early can also get you a better price. If you have time, you can also add a trip to Lake Hakone.

7. The Noto Peninsula

The Noto Peninsula is another area of Japan where public transport is fairly limited, so it stays quiet with few tourists, making it a great place to explore by rental car. This route follows the coast of the Noto cape via Route 249, from Wajima to Suzu, with full views of the Sea of Japan coastline and its seaside onsen towns.

Worth a stop: the famous Wajima morning market, and the Shiroyone Senmaida rice terraces overlooking the sea

Note: The Wajima morning market street was destroyed by the earthquake and fire in January 2024. Now the market is held at other places, such as the Y Plaza Wajima shopping center. Please check before you go.

Tips: This peninsula is ideal for a quiet trip. Stop to explore villages and experience traditional Japanese culture.

8. The Route Around Shikoku

Shikoku is another destination that's off the radar for many travelers, but this island is rich in culture and nature, offering a unique experience. Driving through Shikoku takes you through small villages and old port towns, with scenic views of Japan's quiet mountains and coastline.

Worth a stop: Oboke Gorge with its beautiful natural scenery, the old vine bridges in Iya Valley, and the old town of Takamatsu

Tips: Shikoku has three routes connecting it to the main island of Honshu, via Hiroshima, Okayama, and Kobe, which you can combine into a loop trip.

9. The Pilgrimage Route of the Kii Peninsula

Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route on the Kii Peninsula. It's not only a beautiful, nationally recognized landmark, but also a site that has been sacred in Japanese belief since ancient times. It's located in Wakayama Prefecture, home to three famous shrines that are hard to reach by public transport, making a car the ideal way to get around.

Worth a stop: Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and the 133-meter Nachi Falls

Tips: Driving makes it easy and convenient to reach the pilgrimage sites and temples, ideal for exploring both nature and faith.

10. Driving Around Okinawa

Driving Route 58 from Naha to Cape Hedo takes you past beautiful sea views and through Okinawa's unique Ryukyu culture.

Worth a stop: Naha, the center of Ryukyu culture; Cape Hedo, the northernmost point of the island; and Kouri Island, popular for photos

Tips: Try renting a convertible to feel the sea breeze as you explore the beaches.

How to Rent a Car in Japan

Renting a car in Japan is not as complicated as it sounds. All you need is an international driving permit, which you can easily obtain from your home country's transport authority. After that, you can book a car online. There are many car rental providers in Japan, but the one we recommend is Tocoo!, a Japanese agency designed specifically for foreign travelers. This means Tocoo doesn't own any rental cars of its own, but instead brings together rental cars from many trusted providers in Japan, such as Toyota Rent a Car and Nissan Rent a Car, giving you plenty of choices. You can compare prices and options without having to search each provider separately, along with the other benefits below.

1. The Early Bird Pay Now Program

Tocoo!'s Early Bird Pay Now program lets you save up to 15% by planning ahead and booking your car 45 to 120 days before your pickup date. Read more

2. ToCoo! Expressway Pass (TEP)

This flat-rate expressway toll pass is a special service ideal for long-distance travel, letting you use the expressways at a fixed price. It's available nationwide, as well as in region-specific versions for Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Read more

3. Winter Tire Option

In regions with heavy snowfall, such as Hokkaido or mountain areas, this service guarantees your rental car will come with snow tires, helping you drive safely throughout your trip. Read more

4. ETC Card Option

This service guarantees you'll receive an ETC card when you book your rental car. It lets you drive straight through toll gates without paying cash, making your trip easier and more convenient. Payment is charged all at once when you return the car. Read more

Special 1,000 Yen Discount Coupon

Coupon Code: TCTJT1

Terms

1. Valid for all car types, nationwide in Japan
2. Valid for rental fees of ¥10,000 or more, excluding optional add-ons

If you're interested, check out the official website.

Official Website: https://www2.tocoo.jp/en/