I can't call because I am not in Japan right now. I could send them an email and ask that they apply the Hertz discount to my existing reservation :)

Could we stop this "wrong side of the road" nonsense. Until China exploded there were more cars in the world with the steering wheel on the right than the left ! UK, Singapore, malaysia, thailand....http://www.worldstandards.eu/cars/li...ing-countries/


Its really not that hard to do either, millions do !!

Better to say "not driving on the right side" which nobody can deny.

Select discount from Japanese language online booking screen. I don't see Hertz President's Circle, only #1 and #1 Gold - I know those don't actually exist with Hertz anymore. I still have the #1 Gold Card, and was asked to see it only once among many rentals.

Or you can call. They have English speaking agents. Skype calls cost pennies a minute from anywhere in the world with internet access. Use the non toll-free number.

Discount can't be used on the smaller car classes P0, P1, HV1.

Thank you!

I've been to Japan almost 4 times this year alone, and other than getting an IDL to drive over there, it's painless to be permitted to drive over there.

However, as I hardly drink on planes, I will drive from Narita to downtown Tokyo and on every single trip to Japan, I'll inevitably go the wrong way on a round about or screw up and almost get myself killed.

You don't expect it, but turn indicator stalk is on the other side of the wheel as is the stalk for windshield washer fluid.

It's...scary sometimes. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.

But in Japan we drive on the right side, of the car !!

For the most part I've found drivers in Japan far more calm, law abiding and less hyper than anywhere in North America. I've driven in the countryside, and in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto - nothing beats a car for sheer convenience of touring places like Kyoto and the Mt Fuji lakes region vs sticking with trains and buses, but compared to what I deal with in Southern California and South Florida, I'll take right-hand driving in Japan any day.

With a car, I was on my third temple in Kyoto while tourists from the first temple were still waiting to get on a bus during peak season, and some interesting events like the Sakura Festival in the Fuji lakes region during spring are not easily accessible by public transit.

Not necessarily. You can choose to drive an imported vehicle with the steering column on the other side:
http://www.carsensor.net/freeword/%E...5%A5%E8%BB%8A/
You can also drive an exotic vehicle with only one seat in the middle:
http://ccsrpcma.carsensor.net/CSphot...1_M001_1_L.jpg
This "off topic discussion" is getting rather dull, though, so I'll stop here. Feel free to have the last word.

I would beg to differ. In Japan, between the abundance of taxi cabs and the fantastic train system, if one is visiting a major city, then rail/cabs are more than sufficient (and cheap using one of the JR rail passes).

If one is visiting outside of major metropolitan areas then I will agree that having a car is handy.

Both arguments are valid, I find driving in Japan very easy, as some have said, driving style is very relaxed, many signs these days in Roman letters, avaialbility of english satnav etc, and there is always someone will ing to help.

In the big cities, taxis available, though not cheap, trains excellent. So choose what suits, certainly no need to fear driving here.

True, and you can do the same in any country, not just Japan, however these are really exceptions that prove the rule. I do agree that it is more common in Japan as its seen as a status symbol and there are enough that many parking areas have the payment machine on both sides. I have driven in UK, US, Japan, UAE and Singapore, Thailand, all over Europe, and never had an issue,

If you find the discussion dull, no need to respond, I always find it amusing that once people have their say they then pronounce the subject dull. Normal convention is to say RHD or LHD, ie where the steering wheel is !

Fair point. While taxis are incredibly expensive when compared to the likes in Toronto or New York City, keep in mind parking availability in the big cities in Japan is not only difficult to locate but also expensive.

Transportation in Japan outside of taking buses and/or the train is expensive, period.

I don't disagree - renting a car to use IN Tokyo or Osaka makes as much sense as doing the same in New York City - no one would do it.

However, if you are exploring outside of those cities, and want to be as efficient and cost effective as possible (especially with a family or group), renting a car can't be beat.

Not suggesting tourists should rent cars in Japan, but I would disagree about parking. It is not expensive relative to other big cities and is plentiful and very easy to find.