Two caveats about renting cars in Japan: 1. Driving is on the left and the lanes are narrow. UK visitors will have no problem; Americans will find it trickier.

Two caveats about renting cars in Japan: 1. Driving is on the left and the lanes are narrow. UK visitors will have no problem; Americans will find it trickier. 2. Japanese police have zero tolerance and complete discretion w.r.t. driving under the influence. Just don't do it; drinking even one beer and then driving is enough to get thrown in jail. And you do not want to get thrown in jail in Japan.