This summary was here because in 2019 Japan was hosting the Rugby World Cup but now the Olympics are rescheduled for 2021 I thought a quick summary might still be of interest. Elsewhere on this site are pages giving more details of our visits to this fascinating country.
Japan has a reputation for being a very expensive place to visit, this is true but there are ways of seeing the real Japan at a much more reasonable price.
The Japan road network, like in UK is a mixture of motorways, toll roads, A & B roads and agricultural roads but unlike Britain the roadwork is covered with roadside stations, or Michi no eki in Japanese. There is no real comparison with what we have in UK, they comprise a large parking area for private cars and long haul lorries needing to overnight. There is no petrol station but there are toilets including disabled toilets. There is often a restaurant and a shop selling local produce often in the form of a farmers market. Some michi no eki have more facilities and there are some which have tourist information and onsen or public baths nearby. Some are in delightful locations and others are beside noisy roads. The great thing about michi no eki is that you can park up overnight for free so there's no comparison with our motorway services where you are moved on after a couple of hours or face a hefty fine.
So, the way to see Japan on the cheap (relatively) is to hire a motorhome and park overnight for free at the michi no eki which are plentiful all over Japan. If you are already a motorhomes then don’t expect any electric hookup, you must rely on the leisure battery that comes with the vehicle. If you don’t have a toilet in your motorhome then use the public ones, which are plentiful and spotless.
Showers can be taken in the pubic baths or onsen at a small cost and worthwhile for the experience alone.
There are large supermarkets in the towns but along the roads are convenience stores, Lawson Station or Seven11 for example where you can buy your basics - including beer and wine and a platter of sushi. The michi no eki themselves have cheap and cheerful restaurants where you can buy a filling meal for a modest price.
Actually I suggested that you hire a motorhome to get around but Japanese overnight at these places in ordinary private cars. We have seen a family of four get out of a norml family saloon, kids in pyjamas who then proceeded to go to the bathroom to clean their teeth. Perhaps an illustration as to just how safe these parking areas are.
Its not so easy to park up in the big cities but if you want to see Tokyo then spend a few days in a hotel there before collecting your vehicle.
So what are you waiting for, you pay for flights vehicle hire and fuel and you’re free to tour a wonderful country. We can thoroughly recommend this holiday we have done it twice already.
Japan has a reputation for being a very expensive place to visit, this is true but there are ways of seeing the real Japan at a much more reasonable price.
The Japan road network, like in UK is a mixture of motorways, toll roads, A & B roads and agricultural roads but unlike Britain the roadwork is covered with roadside stations, or Michi no eki in Japanese. There is no real comparison with what we have in UK, they comprise a large parking area for private cars and long haul lorries needing to overnight. There is no petrol station but there are toilets including disabled toilets. There is often a restaurant and a shop selling local produce often in the form of a farmers market. Some michi no eki have more facilities and there are some which have tourist information and onsen or public baths nearby. Some are in delightful locations and others are beside noisy roads. The great thing about michi no eki is that you can park up overnight for free so there's no comparison with our motorway services where you are moved on after a couple of hours or face a hefty fine.
So, the way to see Japan on the cheap (relatively) is to hire a motorhome and park overnight for free at the michi no eki which are plentiful all over Japan. If you are already a motorhomes then don’t expect any electric hookup, you must rely on the leisure battery that comes with the vehicle. If you don’t have a toilet in your motorhome then use the public ones, which are plentiful and spotless.
Showers can be taken in the pubic baths or onsen at a small cost and worthwhile for the experience alone.
There are large supermarkets in the towns but along the roads are convenience stores, Lawson Station or Seven11 for example where you can buy your basics - including beer and wine and a platter of sushi. The michi no eki themselves have cheap and cheerful restaurants where you can buy a filling meal for a modest price.
Actually I suggested that you hire a motorhome to get around but Japanese overnight at these places in ordinary private cars. We have seen a family of four get out of a norml family saloon, kids in pyjamas who then proceeded to go to the bathroom to clean their teeth. Perhaps an illustration as to just how safe these parking areas are.
Its not so easy to park up in the big cities but if you want to see Tokyo then spend a few days in a hotel there before collecting your vehicle.
So what are you waiting for, you pay for flights vehicle hire and fuel and you’re free to tour a wonderful country. We can thoroughly recommend this holiday we have done it twice already.