For travelers visiting from overseas, one of the best ways to fully enjoy the charms of Japan is through a rental car journey. With a car, breathtaking hidden landscapes that trains and buses can’t reach, beloved local restaurants, and unique cultural experiences all become much more accessible.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended sightseeing spots, cultural experiences, and gourmet destinations across Japan that you can truly enjoy only by using a rental car. Why not discover a new side of Japan through the freedom of traveling your own way?
Freedom Travel Japan
Freedom Travel Japan is a company that offers personalized luxury travel experiences in Japan, offering carefully designed itineraries tailored to each guest’s interests and budget.
Destinations include Oita, a serene hot spring area, and Tokyo, a vibrant metropolis—each providing a completely different kind of experience. In Oita, travelers can enjoy healing hot springs, stays at traditional ryokan inns, and breathtaking natural scenery. In Tokyo, guests can explore iconic landmarks and witness the unique blend of culture and innovation.
Additionally, Freedom Travel Japan provides unique cultural experiences such as shochu and beer brewery tours, offering travelers a deeper connection with Japan’s traditions and heritage.
Official Website：https://freedomtraveljapan.com/
FUJIYAMA TOKYO
This is an all-you-can-eat restaurant where you can indulge in the finest Japanese delicacies—sushi, crab, and wagyu beef. We serve carefully selected ingredients such as king crab, snow crab, tuna, and sea urchin, with a focus on freshness and top quality. Beautifully presented dishes turn every meal into a memorable experience—perfect for special occasions or a trip to Japan.
With convenient locations in Akihabara, Shinjuku, and Osaka, the restaurant is easily accessible for sightseeing and is especially popular among travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong. We also offer Muslim-friendly courses, ensuring guests of diverse nationalities and cultures can dine with peace of mind.
Enjoy Japan’s flavors and hospitality to the fullest with our 90-minute all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink plans. We look forward to sharing the charm of Japanese food culture with visitors from around the world.
Official Website：https://jblm2024.wixsite.com/fujiyama-tokyo
NIGICHA
Located right next to Shinjuku Gyoen, “NIGICHA” is a café where Yame tea and rice balls take center stage, inviting you to savor Japan’s culture of rice and tea with all five senses.
The rice balls, which can be chosen from white rice, black rice, or brown rice, are made with carefully selected domestic ingredients and are hand-shaped one by one with care.
Matcha and sencha are prepared with meticulous attention to water temperature and extraction time to bring out their umami to the fullest, each cup brewed with care and dedication.
We also offer a “Matcha Experience Program” using matcha produced in Yame, Fukuoka, which has been very well received, especially by international tourists.
With its calm Japanese-style atmosphere, the café offers an authentic Japanese breakfast, lunch, and café time, earning high ratings on both TripAdvisor and Google reviews.
During your journey, be sure to stop by and experience the refined “taste of Japan” and the “spirit of tea.”
Official Website： https://www.nigicha.com/
JCO Rental
With the mission of “Simpler and Closer”, we provide a rental car service that supports more comfortable, convenient, and safe travel.
You can pick up and return your vehicle at parking lots such as airports, hotels, and stations, without waiting at a counter or going through complicated procedures.Your car will be delivered to the parking lot closest to the designated location.
In addition, we offer everything you may need for your trip, including mobile Wi-Fi, ETC cards, tablets, and mobile batteries. Necessary insurance is also included in the price, so you can enjoy your journey with peace of mind.
For example, it is even possible to rent at Haneda and return at Narita. We respond flexibly to a wide variety of customer needs. Please feel free to consult us about anything.
Official Website： https://jcorental.com/
NAHO Wellness Tour Guide
Nice to meet you! We are **NAHO**, offering *Wellness Tours* in Beppu City and Hiji Town, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu.
We provide three half-day programs designed mainly for travelers from overseas to experience *Nordic Walking* and *Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)*.
The first program is a Nordic Walking and forest bathing course that connects *Lake Shidaka* and *Lake Kagurame*, located behind *Mt. Tsurumi*, the mountain that produces Beppu’s hot springs. Especially at Lake Kagurame, from early to late June every year, around 15,000 irises in about 80 varieties bloom in full splendor.. It is a famous summer sightseeing spot that colors Beppu. If you visit Beppu, we warmly invite you to join our tour and experience the “healing of mind and body.”
The second program takes you around *Myouban Onsen*, which has the highest sulfur concentration among Beppu’s hot springs. Here you can also enjoy Nordic Walking and forest bathing, as well as savor the local specialty, *Onsen Pudding*.
The third program explores *Mt. Kyouzuka* in *Hiji Town*, which neighbors Beppu City. At its base, natural spring water gushes out at a well-known power spot,offering a refreshing, detoxifying experience.
When you visit Beppu City, please come and join our *Wellness Tour*! We look forward to welcoming you!
Official Website：https://dokitabi-oita.com/naho/
Asakusa Unatetsu
Just a 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station, Asakusa Unatetsu Ekimae Main Store is a specialty eel restaurant where tradition and innovation merge.
It offers Tokyo’s first “Asakusa Hitsumabushi,” the world’s only “Salt Hitsumabushi,” and a unique 5-skewer set of rare eel cuts—an impressive and diverse menu.
With a prime location overlooking the Sumida River and Tokyo Skytree, you can savor both the craftsmanship and exquisite taste.Our new brand, “Deshiko,” born from Lake Hamana—the birthplace of eel farming—also boasts popular menu items.
Drawing on a 125-year history of eel farming, treat yourself to a luxurious lunch or dinner before or after sightseeing in Asakusa.
“Energy is eel, eel is energy”!
Official Website：https://www.hitsumabushi.com/
Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa
Just outside Exit 5 of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station, about a 5-minute walk from Sensoji Temple.
Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa is a peaceful and relaxing riverside spot lined with cherry trees, offering a fully plant-based, gluten-free, and oriental-vegetarian menu.
No animal products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, honey, stock extract), wheat, or pungent roots vegetables such as garlic, onion, leek, chive, or scallion, and no additives or sweeteners are used—ensuring food that is gentle on both body and mind.
The signature dish is the Marugoto Vegan Curry, made without oil, sweeteners, or any of the 28 major allergens.
It features a rich depth of flavor, highlighting the natural sweetness and umami of vegetables.
If you’re unsure what to order, the most popular choice is the Lunch Plate.
This all-star set lets you sample a little of everything: curry, seasonal vegetable tempura,
karaage-style fried “meat” made from peas & broad beans, and salad with organic carrot dressing.
Desserts are also gluten-free, made with rice flour and soy milk so you can enjoy them worry-free.
Take-out is available, with eco-friendly containers.
Dogs are welcome inside, making it a convenient stop by during sightseeing or a stroll.
Official Website：https://dining.marugotovegan.com/
Enjoy! Kyushu
Kyushu, located in southwestern Japan, is a treasure trove of nature and culture. Each of its seven prefectures has its own character, with stunning mountains and ocean views, traditional townscapes, and the healing experience of hot springs. Fresh seafood and local gourmet dishes are abundant, satisfying both body and soul. Moreover, the warm smiles and hospitality of the people make the journey even more memorable.
For those who want to make the most of their Kyushu adventure, Enjoy! Kyushu is highly recommended.You can easily purchase tickets for tourist attractions and activity programs online, making travel preparation much easier. From popular spots like Huis Ten Bosch, Fukuoka Tower, Yanagawa river cruises, and Gunkanjima tours, to hands-on experiences such as Japanese confectionery making and strolling in kimono, there’s plenty to choose from. Discount set tickets and rail passes are also available, helping you make the most of your trip. You can also check sample itineraries and the latest updates on the site—so be sure to check it out!
Official Website：https://enjoy-kyushu.com/ja/
Ram Shabu Kinnome
With locations in Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Roppongi, Ram Shabu Kinnome is a rare specialty restaurant in Japan focusing on “lamb shabu-shabu.”
The lamb used is tender and has no gaminess,, prepared with a unique ginjo-style method to maximize umami, and enjoyed with a special dipping sauce. Each hot pot also comes with plenty of fresh vegetables, making it both healthy and nutritionally balanced. The lamb melts in your mouth, earning high praise even from first-time diners.
In addition, a vegan-certified Soy Meat Shabu-Shabu Course that contains no animal products is also available, allowing vegetarians and vegans to dine with confidence.
All branches are just a few minutes’ walk from major train stations, making them easily accessible for visitors while sightseeing or shopping.
Experience Japan’s unique hot pot culture and savor the distinct charm of both lamb and soy meat at Kinnome.
Official Website：https://www.kinnome.jp/
Rafting Naughty Boys
The majestic Kuma River in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area of Kumamoto Prefecture is considered one of Japan’s three great rapids, offering thrilling whitewater. Naughty Boys provides rafting tours here designed especially for adults to let loose and have fun.
The tours are limited to participants aged 12 and above, ensuring no small children are on board—guaranteeing a carefree, playful time for grown-ups.
With the motto “More fun! More intense!!” the tours are guided by highly experienced veterans, ranging from 4 to 25 years in the field. These professionals know the river inside out, providing a perfect blend of safety and excitement.
Activities such as diving challenges and boat games are also included, letting you enjoy a full 2 hours of adventure, one of the reasons for its popularity.
Even better, the entire experience is filmed with a GoPro, so you can take the memories home.
The name Naughty Boys means “mischievous kids” or “playful boys,” perfectly fitting an outdoor adventure crafted for adults who never forget their playful spirit.
Come and experience an adventure full of thrills and smiles on the Kuma River!
Official Website：https://naughty-boys.jp/
Teppanyaki Sumiyaki Saito
Located just a 1-minute walk from Roppongi Crossing, our restaurant serves only the finest A5 black-haired wagyu beef, carefully selected at the rare Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) grade of 12—the highest quality possible.
Rather than limiting ourselves to Kobe or Matsusaka beef, we purchase only the most exceptional cuts of grade 12 wagyu, offering rich flavor and a tender texture that creates an unforgettable dining experience.
At the counter, guests can enjoy the live performance of chefs cooking right before their eyes, while table and private rooms provide a more relaxed setting. We strive to meet each guest’s needs, offering special arrangements for celebrations such as cakes, message plates, and flower bouquets for special occasions, as well as customized dishes upon request.
Perfect for anniversaries, romantic dates, or business dinners.
In a comfortable atmosphere, savor sophisticated cuisine alongside carefully selected wines and Japanese whiskies, right in the heart of Roppongi.
Official Website：https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g14129735-d15801593-Reviews-Teppanyaki_Sumiyaki_Saito-Roppongi_Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Bingo Fukuyama Brewing College at Jinseki Kogen Beer Brewery
Heading north from Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture, you’ll find Jinseki Kogen Town, blessed with fresh air and pure water at an altitude of about 500 meters. This is home to Jinseki Kogen Beer Brewery and the Bingo Fukuyama Brewing College. This is not just a craft beer brewery—it’s a special place where hands-on experience, learning, and community come together.
Visitors can brew their own original beer; aspiring brewers can train here; and for companies, it serves as a consultation hub for launching beer businesses. Supervised by international beer judges, the brewery embodies the passion to “enrich Japan’s beer culture,” with every glass carrying a story unique to this land.
Using local ingredients such as rice and sake lees, the beers are carefully brewed with the pristine natural resources of Jinseki Kogen, resulting in flavors you can only taste here.
This is a gathering place for those who enjoy brewing, those who deepen their knowledge, and those who simply savor freshly made beer—truly a “spiritual home” that connects beer and people.
A stop here during your travels will let you experience the depth of craft beer and a glimpse of a new lifestyle.
Official Website：http://brewingcollege.wordpress.com/