keba 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Can anyone think of a good reason why I shouldn't drive with my wife and baby direct from Narita to Hakuba in a hire car? Except for the expense, of course... Or does anyone have any tips? I will arrange baby seat, snow tyres and chains, of course. Plan B is the trains/buses. A van seems much more convenient, at first glance. Link to post Share on other sites
misorano 1 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 It's not that difficult, but you want to make sure the car has snow tyres. Having a car in Hakuba can be a blessing. Esp if you want to go exploring. Basically it is a expressway trip up to Nagano then the slow road from there. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 I can't help with your specific question, but I'd take all-wheel drive over chains any time. Most mainstream vehicles, including vans, are available in AWD. It is inconceivable that you couldn't hire one at Narita. Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Author Share Posted October 27, 2006 That's what I thought. How likely are there to be road closures for snow/slides, etc in late Jan-mid Feb? That is probably the only real doubt I have about the trip. Navigation shouldn't be a problem. Link to post Share on other sites
misorano 1 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Unless you are travelling in a major storm you won't have a problem. If you can get an AWD with snow tyres then you are set. I couldn't believe the difference snow tyres make. National roads seem to be plowed every time about 15cm of snow falls. Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Author Share Posted October 27, 2006 I found that in Nozawa, on the road out to Iiyama... there was 8 feet of snow on the shoulders, but the roads were perfect! Will definitely aim for AWD, though (just in case) Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 awd with snow tyres is great! That's what I have and it makes driving in icy conditions so much easier. Link to post Share on other sites
fjef 0 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 I have a 7 seater Delica 4X4 van with studless tires - no need for chains... I plan to head to Hakuba as much as possible this winter - if Chiba/Tokyo people need rides (leave Friday early evening, back Monday morning is the plan), I have lots of room - its usually just Kaz (he's 9) and I in the van... Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 It will be you Kaz and some more people this season I think! Link to post Share on other sites
sunrise 0 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 It's okay Jef, we heard you Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 Thanks again for the offer fjef, but I thought having our own van might allow a few extra degrees of freedom, once we get to the resort. The folks we are skiing with are still keen on the train, so there will only be 2, maybe 3 adults and a baby. If we change our minds about renting, I'll definitely be in touch. Link to post Share on other sites
fjef 0 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Renting a van is the best way for you to solve your problems - traveling with kids and luggage will be much easier with your own van and you'll appreciate it even more once you get to Hakuba - Hakuba is a big, spread out place. Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Author Share Posted October 29, 2006 I don't remember much about the road signs in Japan. Are they mostly the universal symbols, eg Stop, Give way, One Way, etc. in symbols, and are they in Kanji, Romanji, or a combination of both? I dont read Japanese script too well, but would have half a chance if the signs have Romanji characters... In other words, how much adaptation will be required to not end up in too much trouble? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 No problem. Road signs are international. Place names are all given in romanji too. Driving here is easy, if a tad slow. Link to post Share on other sites
kaiser soce 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 I believe incar satnav is an option on rental cars also. If you are keen to hire I would push the issue with your group as getting around Hakuba can be a pain...a car would be a godsend! Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Author Share Posted October 29, 2006 My group dismissed the idea of driving out of hand. They may get to Hakuba before us, but we'll be in a better mood, I think... I have a Garmin Etrex Vista C GPS unit, plugged into Sony Vaio with detailed maps of Japan, so navigation isn't really the problem. I was more concerned about causing an accident by not being able to recognise a "Give Way" sign Link to post Share on other sites
fjef 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Recognizing road signs will not be a problem - but dealing with your GPS and computer sounds like a nightmare while driving. Rental cars can be booked with English GPS navi systems - I'd do that and feel safer! Link to post Share on other sites
kaiser soce 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by keba: My group dismissed the idea of driving out of hand. They may get to Hakuba before us, but we'll be in a better mood, I think... I have a Garmin Etrex Vista C GPS unit, plugged into Sony Vaio with detailed maps of Japan, so navigation isn't really the problem. I was more concerned about causing an accident by not being able to recognise a "Give Way" sign Make sure you dont give them a lift when you get there. Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 29, 2006 Author Share Posted October 29, 2006 fjef, I think I'll leave the navigation to the passenger, if we do it that way. If in-car Eigo sat nav canbe arranged, it does sound easier... Halfmachine, they may regret not getting a car. The shuttle service seems OK, though, so they might not. We'll see, I suppose... Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I can think of several good reasons not to do that. First of all, driving with babies can be dreadful when they start screaming on the highway and won't stop. Then you can't fully gawp at the Japanese landscape as you pass through it. And driving is tiring. And traffic jams happen, especially in the winter due to ploughing, checking tyres etc., silly bastards crashing. Why not take the train to Nagano and hire a van there? Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 Is there car rental close to Nagano station? Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I remember seeing a car rental company right outside Nagano station but I can't remember its name. Link to post Share on other sites
farquah 0 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 KEba- I live in Narita at the moment so if you need help with the locations of car rental I can let you know. Guess you can arrange a pick up from the airport, but there are two companies I know of right next to the JR Narita station. Navigating aaround Tokyo is a bit of a mare at first but once youa re past that its pretty plain sailing to Hakuba. Link to post Share on other sites
keba 0 Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 With a baby, airport pick-up would be simpler. I look forward to the challenge of navigating around tokyo Link to post Share on other sites
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