Have you always wanted to drive on Japan’s Nordschleife? Hakone Turnpike is a private toll road owned and operate by Mazda. Here is my guide on planning a comfortable roadtrip from Tokyo with minimal frustrations.
Always observe traffic laws and regulations, it is your responsibility to know what your legal obligations are when driving in Japan above all else. Driving is a privilege, not a right.
What You Need
- International Driving Permit
- Rental Car (If you would like something fun or cool, I recommend Omoshiro Car Rental which serves customers in English)
- Smartphone with Data Access + Google Maps
- ¥10,000 cash for Toll Roads + Miscellaneous
Planning Your Roadtrip
- Check the weather at Hakone Turnpike area, I recommend Weather Line app using Yugawara, Ashigarashimo-Gun as the location. Weather Line provides accurate weather by the hour
- Check Hakone Turnpike official Twitter page, which provides a daily morning snapshot of the expected road conditions for the day
- Hakone Turnpike is open daily from 0530 ~ 2230 (2200 hours) is the last permitted entry
- ¥720 per Toll Charge, ¥1440 total if you Enter & Exit from the main Toll Plaza, cash only
- Start early to avoid traffic on both Tomei Highway going to Hakone Turnpike and returning to Tokyo
- Aim to arrive at Hakone Turnpike around 0700 ~ 0800, check out Hakone Tourist Sights and start driving back to Tokyo no later than 1500
- It is very common to have very heavy traffic coming back to Tokyo on Tomei Highway daily, exacerbated on weekends and public holidays, traffic congestion averages 2 ~ 3 hours and starts banking up from 1500 typically
My recommended route covers rest stops for food at local stops with ample free parking, places to take a break for meals to ensure you arrive fresh at Hakone Turnpike, enjoy!
