A Dream Trip to Japan with My Mother – Thanks to JTA (Rent a car in Tokyo Japan Narita Haneda Airport Best Cheap)
Introduction: Fulfilling My Mother’s Dream
My mother had always dreamed of visiting Japan. Ever since she was young, she was fascinated by Japanese culture, food, and traditions. As she grew older, she would often talk about how wonderful it would be to see Japan in person—to walk through the streets of Tokyo, admire the cherry blossoms, and experience the beauty of the Japanese countryside.
So, I decided to make her dream come true. I planned a special trip for just the two of us—a mother-and-son adventure to Japan. We traveled all the way from Denmark, a small country in Europe, to this magnificent land of the rising sun.
However, when we arrived in Japan, we faced an unexpected challenge: finding a rental car. Since we wanted to explore not just Tokyo but also the winter regions, we needed an AWD or 4WD vehicle. But because our flight arrived at night, we found that all the major car rental companies were closed.
Just when we were about to give up, we stumbled upon Japan Travel Assist (Rent a car in Tokyo Japan Narita Haneda Airport Best Cheap). It was the best thing that could have happened to us. They helped us find the perfect car, assisted us in English, gave us travel recommendations, and stayed in touch with us on WhatsApp throughout our journey. Thanks to them, our trip to Japan was absolutely perfect.
Arriving in Japan – A Rocky Start
We landed at Narita Airport late at night. Exhausted from the long journey, we expected to simply pick up a rental car and drive to our hotel. However, as we quickly learned, most car rental companies in Japan operate only during daytime hours, from around 9 AM to 6 PM.
After searching online and calling a few companies, we realized that there were no rental cars available for pickup at night. This was a huge problem because our plan was to drive to the winter regions the next morning, and we couldn’t afford to wait until the rental offices opened.
We were about to give up and look for alternative transportation when we found Japan Travel Assist.
Finding the Perfect Rental Car with Japan Travel Assist
We reached out to Japan Travel Assist via WhatsApp, and to our surprise, they responded immediately! Unlike the other rental companies that were either closed or slow to reply, Japan Travel Assist was available 24/7 and ready to help.
We explained our situation—that we had just arrived, needed a car immediately, and required an AWD/4WD vehicle because we planned to drive to Nagano and other mountainous regions where snow was expected.
Their response was fast, professional, and incredibly helpful. They not only had the exact type of car we needed, but they also delivered it directly to our location.
What made the experience even better was that they spoke fluent English. They carefully explained everything to us:
• How to use the ETC card for highway tolls
• How to navigate Japan’s roads and avoid common driving mistakes
• Where to find gas stations and how to refuel correctly
• What winter driving precautions to take when heading to snowy areas
Within an hour, we were driving through Tokyo, completely stress-free and ready for our adventure!
Exploring Tokyo – The First Days
With our rental car from Japan Travel Assist, we started our journey in Tokyo. Although Tokyo has a great public transportation system, having a car gave us freedom and flexibility.
Day 1: Exploring Traditional Tokyo
On our first day, we visited some of the most famous historical sites in Tokyo:
• Asakusa & Senso-ji Temple – My mother loved the traditional atmosphere and enjoyed shopping for souvenirs in Nakamise Street.
• Ueno Park – A peaceful break from the busy city, and we were lucky to see the early cherry blossoms.
• Tokyo Skytree – We went up to the observation deck at sunset, enjoying an unforgettable view of Tokyo’s skyline.
We ended the day with a delicious meal at a traditional izakaya, where we tried different types of sushi, tempura, and sake.
Day 2: Modern Tokyo & Shopping
Our second day in Tokyo was all about modern Japan. We visited:
• Shibuya Crossing – One of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world.
• Harajuku & Takeshita Street – My mother was amazed by the quirky fashion and fun street food, like giant rainbow cotton candy!
• Ginza – The luxury shopping district, where we admired high-end stores and enjoyed a delicious matcha latte at a fancy café.
Driving to the Winter Wonderland – Nagano & Beyond
After enjoying Tokyo, we set off on our road trip to the winter regions. Thanks to Japan Travel Assist, we had a 4WD car that was perfect for the snowy roads.
Day 3-5: Nagano – Skiing and Snow Monkeys
Our first stop was Nagano, famous for its winter sports and hot springs.
• We went skiing in Shiga Kogen, one of the largest ski resorts in Japan. Even though my mother wasn’t a skier, she loved the beautiful snowy landscape.
• We visited the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where we saw snow monkeys bathing in natural hot springs. It was a magical sight!
• In the evening, we relaxed in an onsen (hot spring bath), which was an unforgettable experience.
Day 6-8: Takayama & Shirakawa-go
We continued our journey to the Gifu Prefecture, where we explored:
• Takayama – A charming old town with preserved Edo-period streets.
• Shirakawa-go – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its unique thatched-roof houses covered in snow.
Driving through these scenic regions was one of the highlights of our trip.
Returning to Tokyo & Final Adventures
After our road trip, we returned to Tokyo for the final days of our journey.
Day 9-10: Day Trips to Mount Fuji & Hakone
With our rental car, we easily drove to:
• Mount Fuji – We stopped at Chureito Pagoda, which offered a breathtaking view of Japan’s most famous mountain.
• Hakone – A beautiful hot spring town where we rode the Hakone Ropeway and enjoyed a cruise on Lake Ashi.
Day 11-12: Final Shopping & Saying Goodbye
Before flying back to Denmark, we spent our last two days shopping and eating in Tokyo. We visited:
• Tsukiji Outer Market – To try the freshest sushi in Japan.
• Akihabara – The center of anime, electronics, and gaming culture.
• Shinjuku – For a final night of amazing food and city views.
Why We Recommend Japan Travel Assist
Our entire journey was smooth and stress-free, thanks to Japan Travel Assist. Here’s why we highly recommend them:
English-Friendly Service – They communicated with us in perfect English, making everything easy.
Fast & Reliable – We got our rental car immediately, even at night!
Perfect Cars – They provided a 4WD vehicle, exactly what we needed.
Great Travel Advice – They helped us plan our trip and avoid common travel mistakes.
24/7 Support – They stayed in touch via WhatsApp, always ready to help.
Conclusion: A Trip to Remember
Taking my mother to Japan was one of the best experiences of my life. Seeing her smile as she explored the country she had always dreamed of visiting was priceless.
And Japan Travel Assist made it all possible. They provided the best car rental experience, allowing us to travel comfortably and safely.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan and need a reliable car rental service, we 100% recommend Japan Travel Assist!
Japan is a country full of magic, and thanks to them, we experienced it all.
Until next time, ありがとう (Arigato), Japan!
