If you’re up for more adventure, keep on cruising to Kyoto, 31 miles from Hikone. You’ll find plenty more fabulous things to experience here, such as Kyoto Tower and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Get set to rack up those miles, because Nagoya Dome and Port of Nagoya Aquarium are also worth a road trip. You’ll find these well-known sights in Nagoya, 40 miles away.

One of the benefits of having a car while you’re in Hikone is that you can spend time at some of the area’s stunning beaches no matter what the weather forecast’s like. So, grab your sunscreen (or a raincoat) and get ready to set off to one of these well-known options:

• Takagi-Hama Beach (16 miles away).
• Manohama Beach (19 miles away).

Here are our recommendations on how to jump behind the wheel of a rental car with some extra cash in your pocket:

• Research as many different cheap car rental companies as possible (we make that chore as easy as ABC!)
• By entering your email address into our Price Drop Alert, you’ll stay on top of all of the best offers for your chosen destination
• Broaden your search to include both airport and non-airport pickup office locations to make sure you’re bagging the cheapest offer in town
• If your pickup and drop-off dates are not etched in stone, try scoring a better price by choosing different days of the week in your search
• Do what you can to keep your pickup and drop-off times the same. If you return your rental car later than you picked it up, you may be charged a whole extra day
• Keep more cash in your pocket. You’ll grab some of the cheapest deals when you prepay your rental
• The early bird catches the biggest worm, along with the best deals! Book now to drive off with some great savings.

Sure, you can get around Hikone without a rental vehicle. But with so much to see and do here, having one would make your trip more fun and convenient. If you’re planning to get out of the city and into Mother Nature, consider a vehicle with a bit of power. A mid-size or full-size SUV will get you to the surrounding bays in comfort and style. Going to spend the majority of your vacation near the bright lights of the city? A smaller car like a compact or mini is a good choice. Driving around busy streets and squeezing into tight parking spots will be a snap with one of these.

There’s more than enough choice when it comes to renting a car in Hikone. From people-movers with plenty of room to spare to easy-to-park compacts, you’ll find it all here. Deciding on your perfect match depends on your budget and what you intend to do. There are some road trips that are just begging you to splurge on your dream ride, whereas other adventures don’t need more than an engine and four wheels.

There’s adventure around every bend in Hikone. And with your own rental car, it’ll be easier to track down. Make your journey to this city a safe and comfortable one with these helpful pointers:

In Hikone, you’ll need to stick to the left-hand side of the road. That means the steering wheel is on the right-hand side. If you’ve rented a manual transmission car, familiarize yourself with shifting gears with your left hand.

It can be hard to find a car space in Hikone. Once you get your hands on one, be sure to pay attention to the signage. Overstaying the time limit or leaving the car where you’re not supposed to can leave a big hole in your vacation budget.

As with many places, the roads are usually busier in the early and late rush hours. However, due to its smaller population of about 110,900, traffic jams aren’t a huge concern in Hikone.

In the city of Hikone, speed limits range from 30km/h to 100km/h. Residential zones have a maximum speed limit of 40km/h unless posted otherwise.

Generally, your rental car company will charge the amount listed on the fine to your credit card, including local taxes. Alternatively, they may supply your contact details to local authorities, who’ll then issue a fine directly to you.

As is the case in many places, standard cell phone usage is not allowed while driving in Hikone. An exception applies for hands-free or Bluetooth capabilities. Just make sure you stay focused on the road.

In Hikone, it’s a fineable offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of more than 0.03%. If you’re planning to have a few drinks with lunch or dinner, it’s a good idea to leave your rental car behind.

Turning on a red light is a big no-no in Hikone. Always be watching for traffic signs and lights so you don’t break any road rules.

Seat belts should always be worn in Shiga. Having said that, the rule may differ for some vehicles, such as those operated by public transportation systems.