If your trip to Toyokawa is all locked in but your travel itinerary is a bit on the empty side, we can give you a few hints and tips.Sometimes short drives are enjoyable too. Just down the road, Toyokawa Inari Shrine and Akatsukayama Park will keep you busy. Need some more nearby options? Sanmyo-ji Temple is also worth swinging by.

There’s nothing quite as nice as opening the car window and feeling the cool sea breeze on your face while you’re cruising along the coast. Pack some food and spend an afternoon checking out one of the magnificent beaches near Toyokawa. Picturesque options include:

• Takeshima Beach (8 miles away).
• Nishiura Onsen Beach (12 miles away).
• Arai Beach (12 miles away).

The open road is calling your name, and Toyokawa is the perfect base to kick-start your driving adventure. Situated 5 miles from the downtown area, the first thing you’ll need is the key to one of our impressive rental cars. A full-size car will bring you in and around Toyohashi in total comfort and style — or perhaps you want to venture off the beaten track and explore lesser-known areas with a four-wheel drive. For getting around the city, we’d suggest going with a compact ride. They won’t be as spacious, but they’ll be fantastic at gliding into those narrow car spaces.

You’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a wide variety of luxurious rental vehicles in Toyokawa. What you end up going for will depend on how much you want to spend and what you’re hoping to do. Specialty vehicles often spare no expense when it comes to comfort and class. If you’re splashing out, why not go for an elite SUV, or perhaps a slick medium-sized vehicle? On the other hand, if you’re just after a car to whiz around town in at the cheapest price possible, you’re better off going with a no-frills compact vehicle (or something else that won’t burn a hole in your pocket).

Not knowing the traffic laws is like heading off on a road trip and not having a map. Cruise with confidence in Toyokawa with our list of driving tips:

The left-hand side of the road is where you’ll be driving in Toyokawa. Be aware that the controls of your rental vehicle here, like the steering wheel and stick shift (if your car has manual transmission), will be on the opposite side of what you’re used to.

Peak-hour traffic jams aren’t a major worry in Toyokawa and the greater area of Toyohashi. With a population of 378,400, the roads aren’t as busy here as they are in larger cities.

It can be tough to locate a car space in Toyokawa. Once you get your hands on one, make sure you take note of the signage. Overstaying the specified time limit or leaving the car where you shouldn’t can put a dent in your vacation budget.

As with the greater Toyohashi area, the neighborhood of Toyokawa has speed limits ranging from 30km/h to 100km/h. In residential areas, you generally won’t be able to drive faster than 40km/h.

Generally speaking, your chosen car rental company will bill the fined amount to your credit card, including local taxes and surcharges. Alternatively, they may share your information with local authorities, who’ll then send a fine straight to you.

By law everyone must wear a seat belt. However, there are a few exceptions for vehicles run by public transportation networks.

It is prohibited to use your cell phone while driving a car in Toyokawa, and you may also be fined for simply handling your phone if you’re in control of a vehicle. However, using hands-free or Bluetooth functions is permitted, as long as you keep your attention on the road.

In Toyokawa, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) over 0.03%. If you’re thinking of having a drink or two, it’s a good idea to leave the rental car at your hotel.

No, so don’t risk a fine by doing it. In Toyokawa, red equals stop, with no exceptions. When approaching a set of traffic lights, always maintain a safe speed so you can easily stop when you need to.