Train is usually doable is less urban areas, but car can be more convenient. Advantage of car is that you can be flexible during the day of where you go and how long you stay there, as trains don't run so often in country areas as compared to urban areas. Disadvantage is spending time trying to figure out how to get to next place and spending energy/stress to get there, as compared to just letting the train zip you there worry free. I live in Japan and always take a car to less populated areas, but I enjoy driving and know how to get around. I think that most rental cars come with English speaking navigation systems or at least check on that.