W9London

My family (with 2 kids under 5) & I will be going to Japan for 2-week holidays in mid-late August (after O-bon). We plan to spend only a few nights in Tokyo, spend the rest of our time in Karuizawa and Fuji areas with our friends who will be renting villas there. A few practical questions, if I may:

1. Neither Hertz or Avis seem to have offices there. Can it be true? Since we don't want to drive around Tokyo areas, we're thinking of taking the train from Tokyo to Karuizawa and rent one locally, but drop it off near Mt Fuji or Hakone. (Will take the train back from Hakone or Odawara). Do you think it's feasible? Am I correct to assume I can rent children's seats and sat nav systems?

2. We know the summer weather in Tokyo. Are Karuizawa and the lakes near Mt Fuji much cooler during the day? Is one cooler during the day than the other? Do we need to check accomodation has A/C (assuming we'll be back just for the evenings)?

Much thanks for any other suggestions,

janev

This site will give you some idea of rentals in Japan - you can get child seats & sat nav.
http://www2.tocoo.jp/?file=rentcar_inbound/main

janev

Just to add - you can rent through Hertz, but you have to phone them to get a quote. More expensive then TooCo & I suspect they use the same dealerships.

KimJapan

Car rental agencies are easy to find. Mazda, Hertz, Nissan...usually near stations and airports, and also local locations too, just like the US. The rental fee is not low, and you need to be careful to rent a car that is appropriately sized for you...many cars are tiny mini-cars with yellow plates which get you where you are going but are low on comfort. Child seats are available for rent and should be in good condition. Don't count on the rental staff knowing a thing about them or how to install or use them. Some have rather complicated seat belt paths and convoluted belt locking systems, but some are OK. Hertz uses Takata seats, which are quite simple to use. There is probably a dropoff charge if you return the car to a different place than you rented it. A navigation system is very useful, and Hertz usually has English language versions...do be aware that the English versions are not the most up to date and new roads will be missing, as well as new shops or any shop that has changed name in the past few years.

Karuizawa is cooler than Tokyo and otherc ities due to elevation. It is a popular vacation spot, because of the coolness, and because of the outlet shopping. You will likely still need AC, and most places will have it I'm sure.

KimJapan

I meant to include that Hertz does have Japan offices...many, many. They are often partnered with Orix.

http://www.hertz-car.co.jp/

Unfortunately, their website is Japanese only. Not sure if US reservations could help you, but you can certainly ask.

KimJapan

And English IS available!
https://japan.hertz.com/rentacar/ind...OnHomepage.jsp

W9London

Thanks very much, janev and KimJapan.
The links and suggestions are really helpful. The tocoo price looks quite reasonable. Looks like they are just agents for local rental car companies--Are they trustworthy?

janev

We have not used them yet, but have booked with them. There are often mentioned on Japan forum (some good bits there about driving in Japan) & seem fine. I think they work through the Nissan and Mazda rentals.
http://www.japan-guide.com/ad/coocom2.html

janev

We have just returned our car rental today after 2 days driving - rented through Tocoo & all fine. Had a Mazda (actually picked up from Mazda car rental site)- good car with sat nav. Need to be clear on how to use sat nav - once you are its excellent for driving here. I wanted to ask if we could kepp the car an extra hour when we went to pick up the car - man at Mazda wasn't sure & phoned to check - person on end of phone spoke excellent English & we agreed the time easily.