Hertz - Renting in Nagoya (NGO)...any suggestions?

I will be in Japan (Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto) for 3 days and have decided that it makes more sense for a family of 4 (versus Trains). I have no problem driving on the left and I understand that all of the cars come with NEVER LOST (which is great, as I'm sure I will be ALWAYS LOST). I'd appreciate any experiences, warnings and/or tips anyone might offer. Thanks in advance.

I will be in Japan (Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto) for 3 days and have decided that it makes more sense for a family of 4 (versus Trains). I have no problem driving on the left and I understand that all of the cars come with NEVER LOST (which is great, as I'm sure I will be ALWAYS LOST). I'd appreciate any experiences, warnings and/or tips anyone might offer. Thanks in advance.

I hope your Japanese is good. I think in theory GPS will get you where you're going. But you are screwed if you get lost. Not as a insult, but not too many Japanese speak English. And Nagoya is a city -- but not a very big one. Trains and taxis are better, although expensive.

Make sure you have where you want to go written down, so they can read what you're asking.

Good luck! Of couse, if your Japanese is good you won't need it.

Well, here's a little suggestion I wish I had gotten...

We arrived NGO 9-Apr 3:45pm on AA27 and went directly to Hertz where were learned that a US driver's license was unacceptable, so no car! :mad: :mad: :mad: (I called the Hertz USA--no easy task, given that 800 numbers don't work from outside the US, but they could not help.) The thought of taking trains to Osaka (where I had hotel reservation for the next 3 days), then Kyoto/Nara, then Aichi was more than my nerves could bear. After paying change fees ($100 each), we were on AA26 departing 6pm back to the US.

Upon arrival at ORD, I called Hertz and spoke with a supervisor in very calm (exhausted) tones, trying nonetheless to express my "displeasure" with never having been advised by anyone at Hertz about the need for an International Drivers License in Japan, during any of the 3 separate conversations I had had with Hertz, regarding this reservation. The supervisor was dismayed and explained that the agents should have mentioned this fact, as it appears in big letters at the top of their screens so that they do not forget to advise.

So, there went several thousand dollars and a chance to attend visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Expo 2005, during a time of the year when cherry blossoms were in bloom and temperatures were mild.

I have travelled extensively and rented cars in many foreign countries and have never needed an International Drivers License. Perhaps I should have made independent inquiry, but I really would have thought that the Hertz agents should have at least mentioned this.

After paying change fees ($100 each), we were on AA26 departing 6pm back to the US.

I'm sorry you didn't know about the license requirement, but I've been planning a trip to Japan in June, and have seen this requirement almost everywhere that rental cars are mentioned (web sites, guidebooks, etc.). This morning I called Hertz to make a reservation (before I read your post), and the agent was very careful to tell me about it on the phone (maybe they improved the training in the past year since your OP).

I also am amazed that you turned around and flew straight back to the US instead of taking the trains. Was it really better to cancel your vacation than to resort to Plan B?

Why are so many in the US so resistant to taking trains? Believe it or not, it can actually be a more preferable experience than dealing with traffic, getting lost, etc.

Why are so many in the US so resistant to taking trains? Believe it or not, it can actually be a more preferable experience than dealing with traffic, getting lost, etc.

Absolutely - but sometimes a car is a better option. For example, we are a family of four travelling to a rural area poorly served by public transit. Four Japan Rail passes would be about $1000 us for 7 days versus $576 for a Toyota Camry for 5 days from Hertz (plus gas obviously). I'm looking forward to getting lost in Japan!

In my case, the trip was supposed to be relaxing as well as cultural and included staying in Osaka and day trips to Kyoto, Nara, and time at Expo. To accomplish this for a family of 4 at the last minute, trying to understand train schedules and carting luggage spelled STRESS and waste of money and little enjoyment time. I know I made the right decision.

I am also very happy that Hertz is being very clear about the need of the IDL.**

If you didn't know, it is only like 14,000 yen/person on the Nozomi Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto is just before Osaka on the line. :) If you took the slower train, it'd be cheaper, thats for sure.

Tip: if you want to move between Osaka and Kyoto, forget the Nozomi or slower shinkansen and take the Hankyu Railway to get between Kyoto and Osaka - take the Limited Express and not the Express / Local which can be a nail biting experience especially if you want to move quickly between Kyoto and Osaka. Its only a 35 min or so journey between the two cities!

Adults are charged ~14000yen / way on Nozomi (if children are taken along, the fee is half for them).

so 2*14000 = 28000 yen/way * 2 = 56000 yen approximately (this for Tokyo to Osaka, its less if you take it to Kyoto and buy a 5000 yen Kansai free train pass good for 3 days) (5000*4 = 20000 yen for 3 days!)

Sanosuke!

I was just about to post a similar topic, as I'm on my way to Nagoya (I'm in the SIGNET lounge at Haneda right now :)).

Any ideas on what's out there? From the website, looks like mostly Toyotas, which makes sense for NGO, given what city Toyota is HQed at. ;)

I'm wondering if they have any Crowns? I haven't driven the new-generation (or the Mark X), and really looking forward to getting one of those... ^

Back at Tokyo Narita right now, so figured I'd post my experiences. :)

It looks like Hertz is tied up with Toyota Rent-A-Car in Japan, so many locations will be Toyota RAC branches (at least at local branches, not sure if the airport locations are the same way). As such, the cars are all Toyota models as well -- the standard class being a Corolla/Prius and midsize being a Premio/Allion/Caldina (the former two are sedans, the latter is a rakish-looking wagon). The next class up is the Camry and Mark X (which I reserved). You can also reserve the Crown (Japan only), Windom (Lexus ES330) and Celsior (Lexus LS430) under their "prestige" classes.

Making a last-minute reservation is somewhat difficult though, as there is a 36-hour advance notice for a specific car/class, since it has to be processed through TRAC. Because mine was only 24 hours in advance, I ended up booking directly through TRAC instead.

In addition, I also rented a RX-8 through Mazda Rent-A-Car in Hiroshima, which was the perfect ride to pull up in for a factory tour of Mazda HQ. :cool: