MCF HangOut to Ishikawa. Here's how to rent a car in Japan.

kobayashiGT · May 22, 2019

If you have been dreaming of driving in Japan during your travel and want to start planning your vacation, you are lucky enough to chance upon this thread, and we hope by the end of this recommendation, you are equipped with tips and information about you Japan holidays!

And we are currently selecting 50 participants that would like to attend!

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MCF HangOut proudly presents you with an all-new alternative of renting an almost brand new car in Japan. And to make the scenario more real, we narrowed down to Ishikawa Prefecture, 500km away from Tokyo, surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Japan, and on the fourth by Mt. Hakusan, allowing it to enjoy the best of both mountain and sea.

Date: July 13, 2019, Saturday

Time: 1pm – 4.30pm

Venue: Singapore Recreation Club, B Connaught Drive, Singapore 179682

Registration Fee: $10 per registrant (Free goodie bag worth $50 for every registrant)

Parking in available.

1.00pm – 1.30pm. – Registration
1.30pm – 1.40pm. – Event Start
1.40pm – 1.50pm. – Opening Speech from FMJ
1.50pm – 2.10pm. – sgCarMart talks about driving safely in Japan
2.10pm – 2.40pm. – If you like to travel and drive, you must visit Ishikawa. Here’s why.
2.40pm – 3.10pm. – Award Winning Photographer, Tip & Travel experience – Mandy Tay
3.10pm – 3.30pm. – Q&A
3.30pm – 3.45pm. – Lucky Draw &Phototaking
3.45pm – 4.30pm. – Free & Easy.

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About renting a car in Japan.

If you plan to explore rural Japan where public transportation can be both inconvenient and uncommon, renting a car is an option worth considering. When travelling in groups, a rental car can also be an economical alternative or can make it easier to travel with a lot of luggage.

On the other hand, renting a car in Japan can be quite troublesome and nerve-wracking due to the language barrier.

So here are our solutions to you!

(FollowMeJAPAN - Car Rental)

WHAT YOU NEED

First off, let’s take a look at your driver’s license. You will be able to rent a car in Japan if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) that will cost you $ 20 per year.

The other thing you’ll need to rent a car in Japan is a credit card.

HOW MUCH IT COST TO RENT A CAR IN JAPAN?

It all depends on what sort of wheels you’re after and how many people you need to pack into the back. A compact, <1300cc car that can comfortably take four passengers costs just under S$75 for a 24-hour rental. Bigger and fancier cars cost S$20–S$80 more. Hybrids can sometimes be had for a competitive price.

In addition, there may also be a one-way surcharge if you pick up and return your car at different places. Usually this will only apply if the pick up and drop off location are in different prefectures, but in places like Hokkaido which is very big, the one-way surcharge applies between cities too. The amount charged depends on the distance between the pick up and drop off points, so the further away it is, the more expensive it will be.

GPS, KID SEATS & OTHER ADD-ONS
If you have young children, you can add a baby seat or child seat when you make your booking and ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) cards—though the latter is not always available. If you opt to use an ETC card, you can proceed through toll gates without stopping, and pay the rental office when you return the car.

WHAT IF THERE ARE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON YOUR CAR RENTAL IN JAPAN?
Try booking your next car rental through drive.followmejapan.com.sg! The pioneer of Fly&Drive to Japan, they have partnered with TOYOTA Rent a Car since 2005. Now, they are offering car rentals from TOYOTA Rent a Car, which is available throughout Japan, with extra savings! An extra assurance when you are driving overseas!

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Why TOYOTA Rent a Car?

Most number of rental outlets in Japan

TOYOTA Rent a Car has around 1,200 outlets all over Japan, including major airports and train stations, making it very convenient to rent a car.

Cars are in top condition

Rental cars from TOYOTA Rent a Car are guaranteed to be not more than three years old. All the cars are well maintained by expert engineers using the latest facilities at the 5,000 TOYOTA Techno Shops around Japan.

And if you rent a car for more than 2D1N through https://drive.followmejapan.com.sg during their promotion period, they will be helping you with the IDP for free! That's a huge saving of $20!

And after checking out some of the rates in their website. I have realised that their prices are about 12% lower than most car rental companies that are listed in Japan and it is very tourist-friendly too! As the website is powered in English, it helps me with the decisions making easier, and the payment gateway is paid within Singapore, so means that I do not have any conversion rates involved. This is already another saving for my holiday!

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You need to visit Ishikawa during the Autumn. Here's why.

Ishikawa prefecture sits on the west coast of Honshu, in the middle of Japan. This characteristically long prefecture is

surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Japan, and the forth by

Mt. Hakusan, allowing it to enjoy the best of both mountain and sea.

Bountiful harvests from the land and sea give Ishikawa its delectable cuisine, while nature endows

the prefecture with spectacular sights all year round.

Here are the top 10 recommendations we curated for Ishikawa!

1. Senmaida

Senmaida3 by Jack Lee, on Flickr

Made up of 1,004 small rice fields covering a steep slope facing the Sea of Japan, Senmaida is a registered Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. The terraced rice fields against the wild sea make for a dramatic sight, whether they are freshly planted or ready for harvest!

2. Ganmon

Ganmon Rock Japan by Jack Lee, on Flickr

The “gate rock”, a natural sea cave formed by waves, is a highlight of the rugged Noto Kongo coast. Whether seen from the top of pine-covered cliffs or the cave where waves crash through the “gate”, the wild Sea of Japan and jagged rock formations will surely impress!

3. Chirihama Nagisa Driveway

Chirihama beach drive by Jack Lee, on Flickr

This is the only beach in Japan that you can drive on! Thanks to the extra fine sand that has been compacted by seawater, the sand is sturdy enough to take the weight of cars and even buses! Drive along the beach with the waves lapping right next to your car!

4. Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road

Hakusan white road_autumn4 by Jack Lee, on Flickr

A gorgeous driving road through the mountains connecting Hakusan in Ishikawa to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago, this is a must-drive route in autumn time when it is covered in bright autumn colours! Along the way, stop and admire the many fantastic waterfalls dotting the route!

5. Wakura Onsen

Wakura Onsen Ishikawa govt by Jack Lee, on Flickr

This quiet hot spring town in the Noto Peninsula is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway with top-notch hotels and soothing hot spring waters. Perfect for a leisurely stroll along the bay or lounging at cafes, you can also take a relaxing drive over to Notojima Island across the bridge for some dolphin watching or aquarium and museum visits.

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6. Omicho Market

Omicho market Ishikawa govt by Jack Lee, on Flickr

As the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, there is no shortage of fresh seafood and produce here! With Ishikawa’s prime location next to the Sea of Japan, you can be guaranteed of fresh and delicious seafood all year-round, and this market is one of the best places to find them!

7. Higashi Chaya District

higashi chaya1 by Jack Lee, on Flickr

Chaya is traditional houses where geisha entertain guest with songs and dances and many of the exquisite Chaya here have existed for as long as 200 years. These days, many of the well-preserved houses are used as restaurants or shops, but some still serve their original purpose as entertainment houses where geisha slip in and out to entertain.

8. Kakusenkei Gorge

Kakusenkei gorge 1 by Jack Lee, on Flickr

A tranquil gorge lined with oddly shaped rocks and abundant foliage, the gorge is filled with fresh greens in spring and summer and vibrant reds and yellows in autumn that is best enjoyed by a stroll along the river trails. The gorge is also home to three unique bridges, each with its character.

9. Kanazawa Castle

Kanazawa castle Ishikawa govt by Jack Lee, on Flickr

Although the original castle no longer exists, the enormous castle grounds are home to reconstructed and preserved turrets, storehouses, gates, gardens, and plenty of cherry trees! One of the city’s best cherry blossom viewing spots, this is the place to go in spring to catch the gorgeous flowers!

10. Kenrokuen

Kenrokuen_spring8 by Jack Lee, on Flickr

One of Japan’s top three most beautiful Japanese gardens, this sprawling garden is an expertly curated arrangement of ponds, streams, waterfalls, teahouses, bridges, stones, trees and flowers. The beautiful garden is a must-visit spot in Kanazawa in every season, but most prevalent in spring when covered in cherry blossoms!

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*Limited to 40 participants. Successful registrants will be contacted via phone or e-mail. Payment will be processed only if your registration is successful (payment must be made via Visa or Mastercard).

Terms and Conditions

There will be a registration fee of $10 once you have confirmed your attendance. The participating party agrees to pay the registration fee when they confirm their participation for the event.
The Management of MCF will remunerate the registration fee in the form of $15 shopping voucher or grocery voucher during the event.
Registration closes on 11 July 2019.

Maxus-MIFA9 · June 14, 2019

OK, Registered & paid leow .... [drivingcar]

Looking forward to this one [cool]

Genes · June 14, 2019

Registration closes on 31 May 2019.

hmmmmm

kobayashiGT · June 14, 2019

Changed and edited. Thanks bro!

Registration closes on 31 May 2019.

hmmmmm

RadX · June 14, 2019

Bsck to the future

Maxus-MIFA9 · June 14, 2019

Lets see those who interested in the MU. [wave]

It's worth it. The last time I attended one that organised by MCF at Toyota-Leng Kee also by FMJ for Self Drive Hokkaido Tour in 2017 and know what, I visited Hokkaido twice (2018 - June & 2019 - May).

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Kezg1 · June 14, 2019

Lets see those who interested in the MU.

It's worth it. The last time I attended one that organised by MCF at Toyota-Leng Kee also by FMJ for Self Drive Hokkaido Tour in 2017 and know what, I visited Hokkaido twice (2018 - June & 2019 - May).

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2)kezg1

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Edited June 14, 2019 by Kezg1

Solar · June 14, 2019

But if attended but never go eventually it's not fair to those who may want to go right?

Maxus-MIFA9 · June 15, 2019

But if attended but never go eventually it's not fair to those who may want to go right?

Attend and listern to the talk.

Then decide whether you want to go. You won't regret going on self drive holidays in Japan .... [thumbsup]

Civic101 · June 16, 2019

Will there be problem getting there due to road closure for NDP rehearsal?

Maxus-MIFA9 · June 16, 2019

Will there be problem getting there due to road closure for NDP rehearsal?

Yes, yesterday I drove pass around that area and roads closure due to the mobile column waiting since 2.00pm....

SAF tanks, SPF and SCDF vehilces.

Look like need to fine alternative place away from City Hall. :slow:

Edited June 16, 2019 by Picnic06-Biante15

Mockngbrd · June 17, 2019

I actually drove those places before. Except the alpine road as it was closed. Driving was the only way easy to get around that region. But had a shitty mpv.

Edited June 17, 2019 by Mockngbrd

kobayashiGT · June 17, 2019

I will be sharing more details on this. Give me more time to consolidate the details on it.

Will there be problem getting there due to road closure for NDP rehearsal?

HoDan · June 17, 2019

Lets see those who interested in the MU.

It's worth it. The last time I attended one that organised by MCF at Toyota-Leng Kee also by FMJ for Self Drive Hokkaido Tour in 2017 and know what, I visited Hokkaido twice (2018 - June & 2019 - May).

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1) Picnic06-Biante15

2)kezg1

3)HoDan (2pax)

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