I will reserve this question to somebody with driving experience in tokyo/surrounding region.
1) what the experience like. Easy or jampacked
2) paying toll - can pay cash?.
3) free internet option - free with the car. Anybody has any experience with it?.

i do hope somebody can clarify the above.
thank you.

ping325 lowyatter

This post has been edited by michlove: Jun 17 2015, 09:46 AM

i use nippon car rental , car comes with wifi , no need add or top up, i drive in hokkaido , not tokyo , i drive during winter , someplace can be jampacked and some can be no people , basically its same with malaysia only , traffic light etc , just that dont speed and always keep a distance with front , japan driver all very friendly and polite, not like malaysia ah beng style =D

rent a etc card - very cheap only ( like smart tag ) and go thru ETC , pay cash sometimes can be jam / they might dont know speak english if got any problem .

we have talked about renting cars before in V6. Maybe you can refer some info here : https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3475412/+2140

wrong click

This post has been edited by michlove: Jun 17 2015, 02:15 PM

It seems that you will be spending lot of hours on traveling instead of enjoying the places.

Don't forget that it is going to be winter where night fall around 5pm. Basically everything slows down and part of the business close around 8pm. Hence, you may not plan much stuff for night time, especially you have kids with you.

By the way, you may need to re-check on Mt. Fuji. If not mistaken, I come across some info that visitor may not get near during winter as it is too cold. Probably can see from far when you passing by in train.

2 years back, I went to Osaka for 5D/4N trip just enough to cover some of the tourism places and no time to step my feet on Umeda at all.

I will be going to Osaka-Kyoto in this December too. Will be spending 2N in Kyoto and 6N in Osaka (a daytrip to Kobe).

Do check out the tourism website for each of the city you intend to go, and think through how much you can cover or your purpose is just "touch n go" the city will do?

Sorry, never drove from Tokyo before.

Regarding the other things:

1.) For toll, pick a car company with ETC option. It will automatically pay the toll for you, then you contra with the company when you return the car. Much easier because you don't need to keep paying cash.

2.) No experience with free internet option.

Thank you all for the replies. Lowyat is the best place to get answers. Will try emailing the car company for the other unanswered questions.
thanks again.

To those who are planning to go to Shirakawa-go next year Jan & Feb, here is the light-up schedule for your planning

http://lightup.asia/schedule/

going same place like u end Nov, may I know where u stay both Osaka & Kyoto? thx.

Kyoto, staying Nagomi Ryukan (purposely wanna to try Ryukan feel -- sleep on tatami).
Osaka, we r staying at Hillarys Hotel (in Namba). Stayed this hotel 2 years back.

But the Hillarys Hotel in Osaka running out of room. I can't book 6nite straight. So end up booked 4 nites non-smoking room, 1 nite smoking, and final nite bk to non-smoking. Imagining I gotta carry my bag down check-out and check-in again, for 2 more rounds. hahaha.

Have you secure your hotels?

This post has been edited by cc980024: Jun 18 2015, 09:19 AM

zero, no booking yet, no idea where to stay, thanks for ur heads-up. most likely go book via airbnb.

This post has been edited by 266K: Jun 18 2015, 10:33 AM

better b fast, as holiday seasons room selling out pretty fast and you hardly get good deal.

don't lie. you purposely booked there coz the staffs are all pretty

I would recommend a host name Junka on airbnb if you are willing to walk and carrying luggage one or two floor up is not an issue for you.

Nearest sub-way station - Tanabe. About 10 mins walk through the neighbourhood.

Paid for around MYR 480 for 3 nights (2 pax). Host will pick you up on your arrival, can arrange for send off to station again if required.

During my stay we were assigned of the 2nd floor unit. Large living room with one bed room. private toilet and come with washing machine & kitchen.

This post has been edited by bearbear: Jun 18 2015, 12:30 PM

Izit!!?? gosh.. wrong move.. i should have source for other place... aiyar.. untungla my hubby. huhu.
But knowing they got kimono to rent out quit cheap.. wanna shiok shiok take some pics.. haha.. told my hubby I wanna go for geisha style photo shooting.. he say be careful incase end up a tradition "kok kok"

You stay there b4?

Anyone know if Namba Station have luggage storage (those we pay a fee and temporarily leave our big luggage there)?

Mostly ppl told me key locker to store big bags, not sure a big travel luggage can fit.

LOL! you are a female Yup, they have the kimono rental and tea ceremony too. I stayed there last November but due to lack of time, didn't manage to try the activities.

There is a left luggage facility around shinsaibashi, no idea about namba.

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Jun 18 2015, 04:05 PM

Am taking the airport express from Namba Station.. and tat is nearer from my hotel. Cannot imagine dragging my luggage to shinsaibashi

I am taking night flight home, not sure my hotel will keep my luggage as I already check-out by then, since they have very limited space to keep luggage.

How you get around Kyoto? Got cycle? Am calculating whether cycle save time or walk fast fast + public transport faster. As I only have 2 days there.. greedily wanna cover more sightseeing.

Just email your hotel to ask about it.

In Kyoto, I took train/tram + bus combo. Rail will save time for longer distances.