Top Tips For Your Japan Motorhome Holiday

Japan is a wonderful motorhome destination worthy of any travel bucket list. It offers everything from centuries-old attractions, to breathtaking scenic locations, to the very latest in modern technology and nightlife throughout its cities - and thanks to its small island nature, you can see it all by motorhome. It’s no wonder it’s one of the trendiest motorhome destinations right now.

For those who are unsure where to start with planning a motorhome holiday in Japan, read on to learn about some of the nation’s best itineraries and attractions, tips on driving around the country, where to camp with your motorhome, and the best times of year to visit.

Best things to see and do in Japan on a motorhome holiday

Despite its compact size, Japan packs a punch in terms of the sheer number of attractions all across the country.

To start, consider our Tokyo round trip motorhome itinerary, which offers a wonderful route that will introduce you to many of Japan’s top attractions in a four-to-five week journey. If you’d prefer to craft your own itinerary, here are some of the best things to see in Japan:

• Mount Fuji: The iconic, perfectly conical peak is one of the most beautiful places in Japan. You can hike to the top, or simply enjoy taking in the view.

• Nara Park: Head to the city of Nara to visit Nara Park, where hundreds of friendly deer roam freely. You can feed them, take photos with them, and feel like you’re in a Disney movie as they calmly stroll around you.

• Arashiyama: A place of temples, shrines, beautiful bamboo groves, and countless cheeky monkeys, Arashiyama is a serene location on the outskirts of Kyoto.

• Tokyo: Japan’s capital city is not to be missed. Visit the Tsukiji Outer Market, relax in the Rikugien gardens, spend a night out in Shibuya, and take in the culture of Harajuku - there are endless things to see and do in this city alone.

• Hiroshima: A modern and beautiful city, Hiroshima also holds important monuments of Japan’s heart-breaking past. Spend a day exploring the Atomic Bomb Dome and other sites to learn about the terrible events of WWII.

• Osaka Castle: Osaka Castle in Osaka is an ancient structure that offers a look into Japan’s rich cultural history, complete with gardens and a museum.

Driving in Japan: What you need to know

Before hitting the road in any country, it’s essential to learn a little about what you can expect from their driving rules and culture, and how it might differ from what you’re used to. Remember that you can always ask specific questions when you pick up your motorhome in Tokyo or elsewhere, but in the meantime, here are some of the main things you’ll need to remember when driving in Japan.

• You will drive on the left-hand side of the road in Japan.

• You cannot turn right on a red light in Japan.

• The stop signs in Japan are upside-down red triangles with three white kanji on them. This can be confusing as these signs resemble ‘give way’ signs in other parts of the world, so get familiar before you arrive.

• The police number in Japan is 110. For medical assistance, call 119.

• Highway speed limits are 100km/h, and note that most local drivers adhere to the posted speed limits.

• Some expressways have toll systems. Your rental supplier may include an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card, which lets you navigate these highways without stopping. If not, you will pick up a card on entering the highway, then pay at the exit gate depending on how far you drove.

• Japan is particularly strict on drinking and driving. Do not drive even if you have only had one drink.

• You must stop at railroad crossings, even if there isn’t a sign or bar.

• Always keep an eye out for cyclists, as there are many on the roads throughout Japan.

Campgrounds vs Freedom camping in Japan

In Japan, campgrounds are usually known simply as ‘camp-jo’, and there are an estimated 3,000 of them dotted around the country. Many campgrounds offer similar amenities to sites you would find elsewhere, such as showers, electricity and water hookups, and playgrounds.

Official campsites can cost up to several thousand yen per night (3,000 yen is roughly NZD$40, or USD$25), but there are also cheap sites, and even some free ones.

On the other hand, free camping is a bit of a grey area. It’s not illegal, but in a society as polite as Japan, it’s also expected that campers will be quite discreet. That means not staying for long periods of time (aim to depart after 24 hours), making absolutely no mess, and being quiet. Many campers note that if anyone ever has wanted them to leave, they have - at most - politely been asked to move on.

The best times of year to visit Japan on a motorhome holiday

Japan is one of those places where every single season offers something magical, so you truly can’t go wrong when picking a time of year. However, you may find one season interests you more than others.

• Summer (June - August): Summers in mainland Japan are not overly hot, averaging around 26 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal time to visit if you want to enjoy sunshine, swimming, and clear days. Note that it is hotter on the southern subtropical island of Okinawa.

• Autumn (September - November): Autumn offers a particularly pretty time of year with changing colours, and slightly cooler temperatures that are ideal for hiking and adventuring. Plus, if you’re in Japan at this time of year in 2019, you may be able to catch some of the highlights of the Rugby World Cup. The northern island of Hokkaido will get quite cool around this time.

• Winter (December - February): Winter in Japan is a skier's and snowboarder’s paradise, with metres on metres of light, fluffy powder falling across ski resorts on Hokkaido. While the temperature dips on the mainland, it still rarely reaches freezing levels around Tokyo, but this can be a cheaper time of year to visit if you’re not chasing powder runs.

• Spring (March - May): Springtime in Japan is all about the cherry blossoms which explode into shades of pink with celebrations called hanami to view these gorgeous blooms.