Japan’s coastlines — the rugged Pacific, the calm Seto Inland Sea, the remote Japan Sea — offer some of Asia’s finest coastal driving. This guide covers the most scenic coastal road routes and how to drive them.
Top Coastal Road Routes
- Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka): The Route 136/135 loop around the peninsula passes volcanic cliffs, black-sand beaches, and seaside hot springs. Shimoda (the first US consulate in Japan) and Cape Irozaki (Japan’s southernmost mainland point) are highlights. 2–3 day loop from Tokyo.
- Noto Peninsula (Ishikawa): The Noto Satoyama Satoumi National Park coastal road offers rugged cliffs, fishing villages, and the Senmaida terraced rice paddies cascading to the sea. 2 days from Kanazawa.
- San-in Coast (Tottori/Shimane): Japan’s longest coastal national park on the Japan Sea; dramatic basalt cliffs, Tottori Sand Dunes, and Izumo Taisha shrine. Route 9 and smaller prefectural roads follow the coast closely.
- Tohoku Pacific Coast (Sanriku): The rebuilt Sanriku coast after the 2011 tsunami; the Sanriku Railway runs parallel for much of the route. Dramatic rias coastline with tidal inlets and fishing harbours.
- Okinawa Island Circuit: Route 58 north along the west coast and Route 331 south along the east; the northern cape (Hedo Misaki) and Onna village coastal stretch are highlights. One full day for the circuit.
Driving Practical Notes
- International Driving Permit: Required in Japan for holders of most foreign licences; obtain before leaving home. Geneva Convention IDP is accepted; 1949 Convention IDP is not. Swiss, German, and French licences may have direct exchange agreements.
- Driving side: Japan drives on the left; steering wheel on the right. Allow adjustment time on narrow rural roads.
- Car rental: Available at all major airports and Shinkansen stations; Toyota Rent-a-Car and Nippon Rent-a-Car have English booking systems. Compact cars (kei-cars) are often sufficient for coastal routes.
- Toll roads: Japan has extensive expressway tolls; ETC cards reduce rates. Cash toll lanes still operate. Plan for ¥2,000–¥5,000 in tolls on a multi-day route.
- Petrol: Widely available even in rural areas; full-service stations still common in smaller towns.
For related content, see Japan road trip guide, Japan rural travel guide, and Okinawa guide.