Car Rentals at Ito Station

You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your US license. Japan doesn't recognize US licenses alone. Get an IDP from AAA before departure ($20-25), and present both documents at the rental counter. Without an IDP, you'll be refused the vehicle and won't get a refund. The IDP is valid for 1 year and must be from your home country.

Most Japanese rental agencies set the minimum age at 21, but drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of ¥500-¥1,500 per day ($4-12). Some specialty or luxury vehicles require drivers to be 25+. Book early and check with agencies like Toyota Rent a Car or Nippon Rent-A-Car, as policies vary. Budget an extra ¥7,000-21,000 for a 2-week rental if you're under 25.

Yes, Japan is left-hand traffic with the steering wheel on the right side. This feels alien for most Americans. Ito's coastal roads (Route 135) are relatively straight, but mountain routes near Mount Fuji can be tricky. Spend 10-15 minutes in an empty parking lot getting comfortable before hitting main roads. Many rental cars come with rearview camera and parking sensors—use them. Consider avoiding night driving on rural roads until you're acclimated.

Tolls are expensive—one hour from Tokyo to Ito costs around ¥2,500-3,500 ($18-25). You can pay cash at toll booths or rent an ETC card for ¥400-500 per rental ($3-4). The ETC card saves time and is nearly mandatory on weekends when toll booths get backed up. If you plan to drive more than 100km on expressways, the ETC rental pays for itself in convenience alone. Ask your rental agency when picking up.

Ito itself rarely gets heavy snow, but the mountain passes toward Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone can have icy conditions from December through February. Rental agencies in Shizuoka typically don't include winter tires by default—request them when booking and expect to pay ¥3,000-5,000 extra for a multi-day rental. Snow chains are cheaper (¥2,000-3,000 rental) but require installation in freezing conditions. If visiting between November-March, budget for winter tires or be prepared to reroute.

Standard gasoline (regular) is the norm—almost all rental cars in Japan run on regular gasoline, not diesel. Gas stations are plentiful along Route 135 and near major tourist areas, but can be sparse in mountain villages. Most close around 7-9 PM. Fill up before sunset if you're heading inland. Rental agreements typically require returning with a full tank to avoid refueling charges at above-market rates.