May102023

Driving in Japan

• Travel Information
• Transportation

Many travelers may want to use a rental car to explore the Japanese countryside.

First, you will need a driver’s license, but not every international driver’s license is valid in Japan. There are several types of international driver’s licenses. The one that is valid in Japan is an international driver’s license based on the Convention on Road Traffic.

Austria, for example, issues a Geneva-style international driver’s license that allows you to drive in Japan. But Serbia and Bulgaria, in turn, do not issue them, so people from those countries are not allowed to drive in Japan.

There is another unique experiment.
Driver’s license holders from countries whose driver’s license systems are recognized as equivalent to Japan’s have valid driver’s licenses in Japan.This means that you can drive in Japan with the license you normally use in your home country.
These countries are the Swiss Confederation, the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Principality of Monaco and Taiwan.

However, a Japanese translation of this driver’s license is required, which is issued by a Japanese official.
The original of this document must be carried, copies are invalid.
Of course, the original driver’s license from the home country must also be carried.

My small travel agency can assist in obtaining translation documents for the driver’s license.
I can also arrange rental cars and suggest deals depending on the season they are available.

Dec22021

I boarded the Nippon Maru.

• Transportation
• Cruise

Because of Corona, cruise ships have developed a negative image in Japan, which is unfortunate, but it is also true that they have a strong following.
The Nippon Maru used to sail around the world, but now it cruises around Japan.
Most of the clients are older Japanese. They are cruise fans.
Cruise lines take all possible measures to protect their customers from corona.
What a surprise, twice a corona test!　Despite the fact that most of the clients have been vaccinated!
First, about a week before boarding the ship, you will have your first inspection. A test kit is sent to your home.
And on embarkation day, the clients first go to the Rose Hotel in Yokohama.
This is also the corona testing area, where everybody waits for the test results.
A delicious Chinese lunch box will be served, and a quartet of musicians perform.
The staff of the Nippon Maru all wear masks and face shields at the same time, and there are disinfectants throughout the ship.
Of course, all the clients wore masks.
There are two dining rooms on board, as well as cafes where you can relax, but all of them keep a good distance from each other.
Every infection control measure you can think of has been taken.

And when it comes to cruise travel, food is very important.
I was very pleased with the food on the Nippon Maru.
The staff who serve us are also very kind. They are Japanese and Filipinos, and of course they speak good Japanese.
The wine selection is done by the famous sommelier Shinya Tasaki.
I was fortunate enough to hear Mr. Tasaki speak at an onboard event.
He does his best work by discussing with the Nippon Maru chefs.
Of course, the chefs provide their clients with the best cuisine.

Japan is an island nation, and cruise travel takes advantage of that.
My small travel agency makes arrangements for the Nippon Maru.
All the documents are in Japanese, but I can help my clients.
You can talk to me about anything that concerns you.

Japan Cruise on the Nippon Maru

Jun302019

On the train, we eat Bento.

• Transportation

These Shinkansen discontinue or reduce in-train sales.
Hayabusa,Hayate,Yamabiko,Komachi,Tsubasa,Toki

Please buy foods and drinks at the train station.
At the train station you can buy the Bento.
Those are lunch boxes.

There are many kinds of them.
There is also a bento box for children.
There are also specialty bento boxes at many stations.