Hm...

You see, I was hoping the Navigation System in the cars would have a language option installed, so that I could get the Car Rental company to change it for me.

There goes that plan.

I don't mind. When I go to Japan, I'll simply bring a road map of Japan with me.

And to be fully honest, I'm not against the prospect of getting lost when driving. It would make for a great deal of excitement and an authentic experience.

Thinking about it, that is what I'll likely end up doing anyway. I find nothing better than stumbling over things out of sheer chance.

Money won't be a problem whatsoever. I have enough of it.

Yeah, it will be an exciting time. If not, I'll be enjoying Kare Udon and be happy anyway.

Remixer

It is great that you are cool with getting lost because, in the rural areas, the street signs are usually just in Japanese
And stopping to ask for directions wont help because you wont understand the answers...
sounds like a REAL adventure!!

I know this thread is a tiiiny bit old, but to chime in on the GPS and Navi. While me and my friends stayed in Takayama, we rented a car from the local Toyota rent-a-car. One of the employees spoke English and offered to set up our Navi system for English and even programmed our destination.

We were heading to Ogimachi Village in Shirakawa-go: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5951.html and got there no problems (it was a 90 minute drive or so?). I guess it depends which place you go to and whether the staff may be able to help you.

Cheers for the info on that, Cravez.

I'll be sure to ask staff whether they can set the GPS, otherwise I'll just go ahead with getting lost.

Also, that Ogimachi Village is quite beatiful. I'm sure it would be a stunning sight when it's covered in snow!




Remixer