I’ve wanted to go to Japan for a few years but have been advised I should use a guide and not drive. Knowing you travel and shoot in a similar way that I do, (only your vision is light years ahead of mine) have you had any issues getting around on your own?
I have just come back from travelling solo for three weeks in nothern Honshu. I used trains, buses and a hire car. I walked >75 miles and was glad I took a couple of Sony bodies, four lenses and a light weight tripod. Leaving my Phase at home and a good decision and allowed me to travel light and explore away from the well known tourist sites.
The rental car was a Toyota hybrid with a satnav that ‘spoke’ English. Roads were good though I did find myself on a very rough track at one point that had possibly been damaged by typhoon and/or the recent Hokkaido earthquake. The Toyota system allows you to enter the phone number of your destination which was very useful. They drive on the left in Japan so good for a Brit but we frequently drive in Europe so don’t have trouble changing over. Road signs are all in Japanese and English. Ditto train stations except on remote branch lines. With a bit of advance planning train travel in Japan is very easy and reliable.
I would hesitate to travel solo in Hokkaido in winter. In 2016 I did meet a couple of people doing that but our group was confined to our hotel for two days by a violent storm. People have died in such storms within metres of their front doors. There is a good local weather service is good but afaik only in Japanese.
I don’t speak Japanese though have travelled there for over 25 years and don’t find the lack a language a big handicap.
Please DM me if you would like more detail/info.