For those of you who enjoy driving in Australia or New Zealand, Google Maps and Apple CarPlay are likely an essential part of your daily life. However, when planning to rent a car in Japan, you might wonder, “Is the built-in car navigation system difficult to use?” or “Isn’t a smartphone alone enough?”
In fact, due to Japan’s complex terrain and urban structures, a “hybrid approach” – utilizing both the built-in navigation and your smartphone – is the smartest and safest choice. As customer success representatives at Jcation, we are here to explain how you can avoid getting stuck with a subpar vehicle and ensure you enjoy the best travel experience in Japan.
1. How Driving in Japan Differs: Why Built-In Navigation is Highly Recommended
In Australia and New Zealand, it is common to think, “I don’t need a GPS system as long as I have my phone.” However, when driving in Japan – especially in rural areas or resort destinations – we strongly recommend using the built-in car navigation system as your primary guide for crucial safety reasons. Here are four reasons why the built-in GPS will be your most powerful ally on the road in Japan.
- The Power of “MAPCODE” - Overcoming the Address Barrier
Typing Japanese addresses into a GPS can be incredibly frustrating. To solve this, Japan uses a unique system called “MAPCODE” – a short string of numbers assigned to virtually every tourist spot, viewpoint, and restaurant. Entering this code into the built-in GPS pinpoints your destination instantly. This highly convenient feature is not natively supported on smartphone apps like Google Maps. - Flawless Accuracy in Tunnels and Mountains - No Dead Zones
Japan is famous for its massive mountain ranges, deep valleys, and endless highway tunnels where smartphone signals and GPS tracking frequently drop. Built-in navigation systems are hardwired to the vehicle’s speed sensors. This means they know exactly where you are based on wheel rotation, meaning you will never lose your route mid-tunnel or on a remote scenic drive. - Saving Smartphone Battery and Preventing Overheating
Running navigation apps with the screen constantly on drains your phone’s battery rapidly. Furthermore, during Japanese summers, the intense sunlight hitting the dashboard can cause smartphones to overheat and shut down completely. Leaving the heavy lifting to the car’s built-in system keeps your personal devices safe and functional. - Peace of Mind with Multilingual Settings
Vehicles offered by major brands through Jcation come standard with multilingual navigation systems (English, Korean, and Chinese available). You can navigate confidently without worrying about a language barrier.
2. The Only Way to Avoid an “Outdated, Clunky” Navigation System
Major car rental companies in Australia and New Zealand (such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, etc.) generally provide relatively new fleets. In Japan, while major rental companies work on a similar cycle, some budget rental companies still carry older, high-mileage fleets with 10-year-old map data and sluggish, unresponsive touchscreens.
The most reliable way to avoid this is to choose a booking platform that offers late-model vehicles registered within the last 4 years. Newer vehicles naturally come equipped with modern, responsive navigation systems and seamless Bluetooth connectivity.
3. The Pro-Approved “Hybrid Drive Style”
To get the absolute best out of your Japanese road trip, we recommend a hybrid approach – combining the reliability of the car’s hardware with the flexibility of your smartphone.
- Route Guidance ➡ Built-In Navigation
Use MAPCODEs for precise routing. It keeps the map on a larger, stable screen, minimizing distractions so you can focus entirely on driving on the left side of the road. - Music & Audio ➡ Smartphone (via Bluetooth)
All Jcation vehicles feature standard Bluetooth connectivity. Sync your phone effortlessly and enjoy your favourite road trip playlists with high-quality sound. - Research & Discovery ➡ Smartphone
Have your passenger use Google Maps or local apps to check live reviews, business hours, or nearby spots. Grab the phone number or MAPCODE of the location, plug it into the car’s GPS, and you’re good to go.
4. Head-to-Head: Jcation vs. Global OTAs
When travellers from Australia and New Zealand book through major global OTAs (online travel agencies), their primary concerns are often whether the vehicle quality and equipment will actually match what was promised online. With Jcation, which specialises in Japanese traffic conditions and focuses strictly on late-model vehicles, those worries disappear.
| Item | Jcation | Global OTAs |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Age | Based on late-model vehicles (within 4 years of registration) | No specific limit. Risk of getting an older model with outdated equipment. |
| GPS Navigation | All vehicles equipped as standard. | May be a paid option, or there is no guarantee that it is equipped at all. |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Bluetooth equipped as standard (Higher rate of Display Audio integration) | Connection capability unclear. High risk of getting an outdated built-in GPS that only supports Japanese. |
| Charging Environment | Most vehicles are equipped with USB ports. | Vehicles can be old, with environments varying widely (e.g., only a cigarette lighter socket available). |
5. Why Australian & New Zealand Travellers Choose Jcation
At Jcation, our vision is to ensure every traveller can navigate Japan with total freedom and safety. We bridge the gap between local Japanese reliability and the convenience you expect globally. Here are three reasons why travellers choose our service.
- Safe & Secure: Quality You Can Trust
- Recent Models Only: All our listed rental cars are registered within the last 4 years and equipped with modern safety features like collision-mitigation braking.
- Verified Partners: We only list companies that meet the strict criteria of the national and prefectural rental car associations and our own rigorous quality standards.
- Transparent Pricing: Zero “Counter Surprises”
- All-in-One Pricing: The price you see is the price you pay, including consumption tax and CDW.
- Unlimited Mileage: No need to track your miles. Explore as far as the road takes you with no extra fees.
- Currency Conversion: Compare prices in AUD or NZD based on real-time daily rates to make budgeting your trip that much easier.
Note: Prices displayed in foreign currency are for reference only. All payments are processed in Japanese Yen (JPY).
- Simple: A Stress-Free Experience
- No Member Sign-Up Needed: Book instantly without having to go through the process of signing up and creating a username and password. All confirmations are sent directly to your email.
- Nationwide Coverage: From major airports like Narita or Haneda to remote Shinkansen stations, Jcation offers extensive pick-up locations and one-way (drop-off) options.
6. Conquer Japan’s Roads with Total Confidence
Don’t let anxieties like “What if there’s a language barrier?” or “What if I get stuck with an old car?” stop you from experiencing the ultimate freedom of a Japanese road trip.
Jcation packages exactly what travellers from Australia and New Zealand look for: high-quality vehicles, transparent pricing, and dependable support. Pick up a late-model car equipped with the latest navigation system, and go discover the hidden sides of Japan that trains simply cannot reach!
