It's now possible: you can book your campervan rental in Japan with CoolDrive Nomad for this summer!
The fascination with Japan
Japan fascinates most Westerners. Anime, manga, samurai, sushi, karaoke, tofu, origami, sumo, yakuza… the clichés about Japan are endless. And yet, seen from afar through TV screens or the internet, it's precisely this abrupt blend of traditional culture and "J-Pop culture" that sparks our curiosity and makes us want to go there and see what life is "really like".
More opportunities are coming in 2019 and 2020. Not a fan of J-Pop culture? That's fine, you'll find plenty of other reasons to visit Japan. This archipelago is hosting two major international events: the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Olympic Games in 2020. Two occasions not to be missed if you're after excitement and wonder. And if neither tempts you (tough crowd!), why not catch one of the sumo tournaments held regularly in Tokyo. For reference, the Rugby World Cup will run from 20 September to 2 November 2019. A few months later, the Tokyo Olympics take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020. Not to mention the Summer Paralympic Games that follow, from 25 August to 6 September.
Remarkable events... but not only that
Truth be told, these global events are just one more good reason to visit Japan. Ultra-modern cities, sacred temples and shrines, mountainous national parks, exceptional scenery: Japan is packed with riches and welcomes you with open arms to discover them.
The country is served remarkably well by public transport. You've probably seen images of Tokyo's packed subways, with staff pushing to squeeze everyone in. Or the famous Japanese "bullet train", the Shinkansen, whose impeccable punctuality will take you to the country's main cities. Exploring a country also means getting off the beaten path, and for that a vehicle of your own comes in handy. You can, of course, rent a car in Tokyo to get away from the megacity, then find a hotel or an Airbnb for each night. But to really gain freedom, as you've probably guessed, take a campervan to explore Japan.
Driving in Japan
Driving in Japan is... different. As in the UK or India, you drive on the left with the steering wheel on the right. If you've never driven on the left before, it can feel surprising, even disorienting, for the first few kilometres, especially for the passenger on the left who has no wheel in front of them. But thanks to the automatic transmissions fitted on every vehicle, you can focus on the road and you'll adjust fairly quickly. As for the quality of the road network and the rest areas, there's nothing to complain about, it's all excellent. On the flip side, budget for the tolls that will punctuate your route (a bit like in France, you might say). One last important point for driving in Japan: you absolutely need to have your driving licence translated before you leave. Without this document, our partner will not hand over the vehicle's keys. The request is made through the Japan Automobile Federation and costs approximately €20 per licence. All the information is available at www.jaf.or.jp.
Renting a campervan in Japan
Having recently set up in New Zealand, our partner McRent has now moved into Japan, opening its first three branches in the cities of Nagano, Hiratsuka (the closest to Tokyo, about 70 km away) and Kofu (the closest to Mount Fuji). The motorhomes on offer are quite different from those McRent offers in Europe, sporting a distinctly "Japanese" look. You'll have a choice of several classic motorhome models that can sleep up to 5, or even 6, adults. But you can also opt for a campervan model, smaller, more discreet and easier to manoeuvre, which can accommodate up to 4 people.
