Tokyo Luxury Guide: Aman, Hoshinoya, and Ritz-Carlton. Discover rare kenjutsu, teamLab & unreservable dining for travellers where time is the true luxury.
HOSHINOYA Tokyo is a 17-floor vertical ryokan in the heart of Otemachi. A guide to tatami corridors, rooftop onsen, kodo incense, helipad kenjutsu, rickshaw tours, and Nippon Cuisine dining. This blogpost shows everything you need to know before you book.
Not sure where to stay in Tokyo? This neighbourhood guide matches you to the right area — and the right hotel — based on who you're traveling with and what you want. From budget solo traveler to luxury family of six.
Five access routes, the CEP pass (RIP October 2024), ETC card essentials, the new ¥2,000 parking fee, and a winter driving warning you actually need to read
Let's be real: the freedom of a road trip beats any rushed tour — especially those Malaysian-style “cepat murah banyak tempat” itineraries. But driving in rural Japan comes with rules that change yearly. This guide is pure logistics: five access routes, the CEP pass (RIP), ETC card essentials, updated parking fees, and a serious winter warning you need to read before booking.
Driving the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in winter is no joke. Between December and March, studless snow tires are mandatory, and NEXCO highway police frequently set up checkpoints at interchanges to enforce Japan’s strict Tire Chain Regulations during heavy snowfall.
As a Malaysian writer who works with Gifu Prefecture at travel fairs, I’ve helped countless drivers plan this route. Here’s what actually works in 2026. — Jin, Gifu Interpreter & Japan Travel Consultant
A downloadable PDF packed with booking scripts, onsen etiquette checklists, kaiseki course guides, packing lists, and exclusive tips — everything in this post plus extras.
$18 USD or more (pay what you want)| Route | Time | Toll (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chubu Airport (NGO) | 2.5h | ¥5,800 | International arrivals |
| Nagoya Station | 2h 15m | ¥4,800 | Shinkansen travellers |
| Osaka / KIX | 3.5–4h | ¥8,200 | Kansai-based itineraries |
| Toyama Airport (TOY) | 1h 4m | ¥1,200 | Tokyo fly-in hack |
| Komatsu Airport (KMQ) | 1h 25m (via Hakusan White Road, summer/autumn) / ~1h 45m (via Hokuriku Expressway, winter) | ¥1,500 | Alternative airport access |
| Takayama | 50m | Free (no expressway) | Day-trippers / base stays |
Toll estimates for standard cars (普通車). Use NEXCO Central Toll Navigator for exact calculations per your travel dates.
For Malaysian and Singaporean readers: Good news — Japan drives on the left side of the road, same as home. Your instincts work here. The driver’s seat is on the right, just like your car at home. For US readers: opposite of what you are used to — take it slow, especially at intersections.
The real challenge is not which side — it is the mountain roads, tunnel transitions, and the toll system. Read on.
With CEP gone, the physical ETC card is your only way to breeze through tolls. What you need to know:
The most common international gateway. Pick up your rental car at the airport — Toyota, Budget, Nippon, and Times all have desks.
For those taking the Shinkansen to Nagoya and picking up a car in the city. Most rental offices are within walking distance of the station.
Long but doable for those combining Kyoto or Osaka with the countryside. The drive passes Lake Biwa — stunning in good weather.
A clever hack for Tokyo travellers. Fly Haneda→Toyama (1 hour), pick up a car, and drive. Perfect if you want to avoid the long Shinkansen + bus combination.
Another excellent fly-in option. Komatsu serves Ishikawa Prefecture and is slightly closer than Toyama in driving time.
Japanese GPS systems work most reliably with map codes. Save these before you leave:
325 535 297*55325 591 030*25325 534 776*44325 503 305*64As of October 2025, parking fees doubled to combat over-tourism. (official Shirakawa-go access page)
For electric vehicle drivers — skip the unreliable roadside station charger:
Toyota Rent a Car offers a 24/7 multilingual support centre (English, Chinese, Korean, Thai). Call 0800-7000-815 (toll-free within Japan) if you have a breakdown or accident — a genuine lifesaver for foreign tourists who do not speak Japanese. (Toyota Rent a Car global website)
Earlier estimates of ¥10,000–30,000 significantly understated the real cost. For a KIX (Osaka) to Toyama drop-off crossing prefecture lines, expect ¥35,000–50,000 extra due to distance and relocation cost. Always verify with your rental company before committing to a one-way booking.
There is no direct replacement. CEP ended October 2024 (official notice). You now pay standard tolls with an ETC card (rental cost approx. ¥330–550). Many toll booths are now ETC-only — always get the card. For a full guide on renting in Japan, see the Japan Car Rental Guide for Malaysians/Singaporeans.
You cannot pay online. You must visit a police station to receive the physical Blue Ticket (違反切符), then pay at a bank or post office. This is a significant time investment during a holiday. If you ignore it and return the car, the rental company will charge your credit card a penalty — Toyota and Orix typically add a ¥25,000+ Administrative Fee on top of the actual fine. That is approximately RM750 or SGD225. Avoid parking violations at all costs.
Yes, in winter conditions. At 10.7km it is the third longest tunnel in Japan. The temperature difference between the interior (heated by traffic) and the outside mountain air can cause sudden ice formation at the exit zone, particularly in January and February. Reduce your speed well before the exit and never brake hard on the transition from tunnel surface to open road surface. In dry conditions it is fine; in snow it requires real care.
The road trip to Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s great drives — but only if you plan it properly. Get the ETC card. Check the parking rules. Request 4WD in winter. And stop at Hirugano Kogen SA for that Hida Beef Skewer.
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