Car Hire In Shizuoka, Japan: Competitive Prices And A Practical UK Traveller’s Guide

Check Driving Licence Requirements Early: Most visitors need an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva) plus their home licence. Carry both, along with your passport, when collecting the car.

Use Expressways Strategically: The Tōmei and Shin-Tōmei expressways save time but add tolls. For scenic days, mix expressways for the outbound leg and local roads for the return.

Fuel Up Before Mountain And Peninsula Segments: Stations are plentiful in Shizuoka City and Fujinomiya, but can be less frequent in parts of Izu. Refill before long coastal stretches or late-evening returns.

Plan Parking For Popular Viewpoints: Spots like Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira and major waterfall car parks can fill on weekends. Arrive earlier or aim for late afternoon to reduce waiting.

Set Navigation In Japanese Place Names: If your sat-nav struggles with Romanisation, search by Japanese names or use map pins. Keep offline maps handy in rural or coastal areas.

Build Flex Time For Fuji Visibility: Mount Fuji views depend on weather. Keep a ‘clear-day’ plan (Lake Tanuki, Nihondaira) and a ‘cloudy-day’ plan (museums, onsen towns) to avoid disappointment.

Choose The Right Vehicle For Your Route: A compact car is easiest for narrow roads in Izu and city parking. Consider a slightly larger model if you have multiple suitcases or plan longer motorway stretches.

Budget For Tolls, Parking And Insurance: Beyond the daily rate, expect tolls on faster routes, paid parking at tourist sites, and optional cover (CDW/NOC) that can reduce hassle if something happens.