Scenic Routes in Japan for Self Drive

Japan is not the first country that comes to mind for a self-drive holiday, and the problem is that most visitors stick to the trains and miss a road network that is among the most scenic and well-maintained in the world. Driving in Japan is a genuine pleasure, and a handful of routes show the country in a way the rail lines never can.The most famous drive is the Shimanami Kaido, a series of bridges that leap between the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, with dedicated cycling lanes and panoramic views of the water, and it is a short but unforgettable crossing. The Izu Skyline and the Hakone area offer winding mountain roads with views of Mount Fuji, and the coastline of the Noto Peninsula and the remote roads of Hokkaido deliver a quieter, emptier Japan of fishing villages and wide landscapes.The practical side of driving in Japan is smooth but has its rules, because an international driving permit is required, the country drives on the left, and the expressway tolls are expensive enough to factor into the budget, often rivaling the cost of the rental itself. The roads are