Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
August 17, 2026
One of the most romantic ways to enjoy Japan is by road trip. You can pack your luggage in the trunk and drive along the coastline, stopping wherever you like. Compared to trains, subways, and buses, road trips in Japan are especially recommended for family vacations and couples' resort getaways. However, if you plan to rent a car in Japan, you'll need to understand the local traffic rules and prepare the necessary documents beforehand. You can even start your road trip from Osaka or Kyoto and book luxurious Glamping accommodations. This time, we'll introduce a road trip guide that will make your Japan road trip exciting from the booking stage.
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Before planning a road trip in Japan, the most important thing is to check the necessary documents for driving and the local conditions. First, the procedures for driving in Japan with a foreign driver's license vary depending on the country or region that issued the license. For example, a Taiwanese driver's license requires a Japanese translation, and a Hong Kong driver's license requires an International Driving Permit. Next, Japan, like Hong Kong, drives on the left, while Taiwan drives on the right. You also need to pay attention to the rules at intersections and one-way streets. Pedestrian priority is especially important. Finally, many glamping facilities in suburban areas offer free parking. If you are going to a snowy area in winter, check whether you will need snow tires or snow chains.
Japan Road Trip Rental Car Website:https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/help.html
For your first road trip in Japan, starting in the Kansai region is highly recommended. You can spend a few days exploring Osaka city, and then rent a car to head to Lake Biwa in Shiga, Shirahama in Wakayama, or the outskirts of Awaji Island. This way, you can avoid driving in the city centers of Osaka and Kyoto right away, and concentrate your driving time on natural spots and suburban accommodations.
Hokkaido is one of the best regions in Japan for a road trip. Because tourist spots are spread out, it can be difficult to fully plan your itinerary using only public transportation. With a road trip, you can more freely combine areas such as Shirogane Blue Pond, Asahiyama Zoo, and Otaru Canal, and easily access natural spots and suburban routes. In summer, a trip to see the lavender fields in Furano is also recommended. In winter, you can enjoy the snowy scenery of Sapporo, Sounkyo, and eastern Hokkaido, but when driving in winter, you should reserve snow tires and be careful of snow and icy roads.
Okinawa is a highly recommended destination for first-time road trips in Japan. Many of Okinawa's tourist attractions are not located along the monorail line. For example, the aquarium, Manzamo Cape, Onna Village, and the beaches in the north are somewhat inconvenient to reach using only public transportation. A road trip allows you to visit ocean views, family-friendly spots, and resort hotels all in one place.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium:https://churaumi.okinawa/
A road trip to Mount Fuji is highly recommended for those departing from Tokyo. Compared to buses and trains, a road trip offers more flexibility in incorporating accommodations with Mount Fuji views in and around Lake Kawaguchi. For a day trip, you could depart from Tokyo, visit Lake Kawaguchi in the morning, visit Oshino Hakkai at noon, and return to Tokyo in the evening. However, a 2-day, 1-night itinerary including a stay at a glamping accommodation in or around Lake Kawaguchi or Mount Fuji is highly recommended.
Recommended accommodations around Mt. Fuji:https://www.asafuji.jp/
For road trips in Japan, choosing glamping accommodations in suburban or seaside locations is highly recommended. These places often have limited public transportation, making them very convenient to reach by car. Furthermore, it offers more flexibility in your itinerary compared to typical independent travel.
On the first day, you can depart from Osaka or Kyoto and head to the Lake Biwa area in Shiga Prefecture. You can spend the night at a luxurious accommodation where you can become one with nature. This accommodation is located in Makino-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, near the Metasequoia Avenue, a 2.4km-long avenue lined with approximately 500 Metasequoia trees. The accommodation has four guest rooms, a café space with check-in facilities, and an outdoor garden. On the morning of the second day, you can enjoy a stroll and photography along the Metasequoia Avenue, then visit sightseeing spots around Lake Biwa before returning to Kyoto or Osaka.
If you're planning a more resort-like road trip in Japan, we recommend the route from Osaka or Kansai Airport to Wakayama/Shirahama. On the first day, you can head towards Wakayama City and Shirahama, stopping at seafood markets and hot springs along the way. On the second day, you can enjoy Shirahama Beach and stay at a luxurious accommodation with ocean views at night. This particular accommodation is a luxury glamping site located on an uninhabited island in the Wakayama/Shirahama area. It features a private beach, a free bar, all-inclusive services including Häagen-Dazs and Italian gelato, and you can also experience marine activities.
This campsite is well-equipped with trailer sites and offers a full range of camping equipment, including fire pit sets and sleeping bags, making it easy for anyone to experience trailer camping.
Rental equipment is available for all trailer types, and for meals, you can enjoy Hokkaido's unique cuisine, such as Jingisukan sets and vegetable sets using Hokkaido beef, Hokkaido pork, and fresh lamb.
This is one of Okinawa's largest glamping resorts. All guest rooms are equipped with showers and toilets, and the surrounding sea is a crystal-clear emerald green. The water is so beautiful that you can see the seabed even in the shallows, making it highly recommended for those who want to enjoy snorkeling.
Guests using the BBQ facilities also have access to the vegetable garden and complimentary drinks. This luxurious accommodation allows you to enjoy a resort atmosphere while fully experiencing Okinawa's nature.
This luxury villa is located in the Kanto area, at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, on the shores of Lake Yamanaka. Each guest room is equipped with a natural hot spring, allowing you to enjoy the gentle water quality.
Furthermore, next to the guest room's hot spring bath, there is a private sauna and private pool. For meals, carefully selected ingredients from Yamanashi Prefecture are used, allowing guests to enjoy high-quality ingredients that represent Yamanashi, such as Koshu beef, Koshu wine beef, and Fuji Sakura pork.
Typical road trip travelers will need to prepare a passport, a valid driver's license, and an international driving permit that complies with Japanese requirements or a Japanese translation thereof. Regulations vary by country and region, so be sure to check with your rental car company or relevant authorities before departing on your road trip.
For your first road trip, we recommend the Kansai region, Okinawa, Hokkaido, and Mount Fuji. If you're starting your road trip from Osaka, Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture and Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture are very suitable, with easy-to-follow routes and readily available glamping accommodations.
It's perfect. A road trip reduces the hassle of transfers and carrying luggage, and makes it easier to stop at convenience stores, service areas, and tourist spots. Choosing glamping or private rental accommodations will make family trips even more comfortable.
If you're only sightseeing in Tokyo or Osaka, you don't necessarily need to rent a car and go on a road trip. However, if you want to visit Lake Biwa, Shirahama in Wakayama, or Mount Fuji, a road trip greatly increases the flexibility of your itinerary. By combining this with stays at GLAMPING MUKU or AnEland, you can not only experience marine activities but also enjoy accommodations perfect for family trips or couples' getaways.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
