How to Save on Tolls for a Car Rental Trip Along the Sea of Japan from Yonago to Aomori

A car rental trip starting from Yonago in Tottori Prefecture, following the coast of the Sea of Japan (West Coast) along Honshu, and heading all the way up to the northernmost point of Aomori is a fantastic route where you can fully experience Japan's magnificent nature, tranquil provincial towns, and grand coastal scenery.

Since highway tolls in Japan are quite expensive, a smart approach is to appropriately combine the convenience of expressways with toll-free driving on national highways and local roads (saving costs while enjoying the scenery). Here is a detailed guide covering expressway routes, tolls, and alternative national/local road options for this massive journey of approximately 1,400 km.

1. Overview of the Journey & Driving Environment

• Departure & Arrival: Yonago IC (near Sanin) to Aomori-Chuo IC or Aomori IC
  
  
• Total Driving Distance: Approx. 1,400 km (Approx. 25–30+ hours if traveling mainly via national and local roads; 15–18 hours if combining expressways)
  
  
• Key Regions Traversed: Sanin (Yonago) ~ Hokuriku (Kanazawa, Toyama, Niigata) ~ Tohoku Sea of Japan side (Akita, Yamagata) ~ Aomori
  
  
• Core Expressway Axis: Sanin Expressway, Hokuriku Expressway, Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway, Tohoku Expressway
  
  
• Core National & Local Road Axis: National Route 9, National Route 8, National Route 7, and coastal-linked local roads
  
  

2. Section-by-Section Routes, Major City ICs, and Expressway vs. National Road Guides

① Section 1: Yonago ~ Hokuriku Region (Yonago ~ Niigata)

• Major West Coast City Interchanges:
  
  
  • Yonago IC (米子IC): Starting point
    
    
  • Kanazawa N. IC / Kanazawa-Matsuru IC (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture): The largest historical and cultural city in the Hokuriku region.
    
    
  • Toyama IC (Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture): A base city rich in seafood and the Tateyama mountain range views.
    
    
  • Niigata-Chuo JCT / Niigata-Nishi IC (Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture): The largest commercial city on the west coast.
    
    
• Section Distance & Expressway Tolls:
  
  
  • Section Distance: Approx. 550 km
    
    
  • Expressway Tolls (Based on Yonago IC ~ Niigata-Nishi IC):
    
    
    • Regular Fare: Approx. 12,500 yen ~ 13,500 yen
      
      
    • ETC Fare: Approx. 9,000 yen ~ 10,000 yen
      
      
    • [*Please note that toll rates may be subject to change. For details, please check the official website or contact the relevant expressway toll office.]
      
      
• National and Local Road Alternative Routes:
  
  
  • National Route 9 & National Route 8: Instead of passing through northern Kyoto when leaving Yonago, you head straight east (toward Kyoto/Fukui), or within the Hokuriku region (Kanazawa ~ Toyama ~ Niigata), you use National Route 8. Route 8 serves as the main artery of Hokuriku, featuring many 4-lane sections and well-maintained roads, making it great for saving on expressway costs while enjoying sea views. (If you want a brief local road detour, you can experience the "Chirihama Nagisa Driveway," which runs along the Ishikawa coastline.)
    
    

② Section 2: Niigata ~ Akita/Yamagata Region (Niigata ~ Akita)

• Major West Coast City Interchanges:
  
  
  • Sakata IC / Tsuruoka IC (Shonai Region, Yamagata Prefecture): Entry to the port city of Sakata and the Shonai Plain.
    
    
  • Akita-Chuo IC / Akita-Minami IC (Akita City, Akita Prefecture): The center of Akita, a major city on the Tohoku Sea of Japan side.
    
    
• Section Distance & Expressway Tolls:
  
  
  • Section Distance: Approx. 350 km
    
    
  • Expressway Tolls (Based on Niigata-Nishi IC ~ Akita-Chuo IC):
    
    
    • Regular Fare: Approx. 6,500 yen ~ 7,500 yen (includes free open sections)
      
      
    • ETC Fare: Approx. 4,800 yen ~ 5,500 yen
      
      
    • [*Please note that toll rates may be subject to change. For details, please check the official website or contact the relevant expressway toll office.]
      
      
• National and Local Road Alternative Routes:
  
  
  • National Route 7 (国道7号): The main national highway that completely traverses the northern west coast of Japan from Niigata City through Akita to its final destination in Aomori City. Since expressways (like the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway) are disconnected in sections or mix free and toll segments, using National Route 7 as your main route and hopping onto the expressway only when delayed is the most economical strategy. Many sections run right alongside the ocean, making it a wonderful drive.
    
    

③ Section 3: Akita ~ Aomori Final Section (Akita ~ Aomori)

• Major West Coast/Inland Interchanges:
  
  
  • Owani-Hirosaki IC (Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture): The core IC to enter Hirosaki, a city of castles and apples.
    
    
  • Aomori-Chuo IC / Aomori IC (Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture): The final destination and gateway to the Tsugaru Strait.
    
    
• Section Distance & Expressway Tolls:
  
  
  • Section Distance: Approx. 250 km
    
    
  • Expressway Tolls (Based on Akita-Chuo IC ~ Aomori-Chuo IC):
    
    
    • Regular Fare: Approx. 8,500 yen ~ 9,500 yen
      
      
    • ETC Fare: Approx. 5,500 yen ~ 6,300 yen (when applying settings/discounts)
      
      
    • [*Please note that toll rates may be subject to change. For details, please check the official website or contact the relevant expressway toll office.]
      
      
• National and Local Road Alternative Routes:
  
  
  • National Route 7 & Local Route 101 (Aomori West Coast Longitudinal Road / Aurora Road, etc.): Traveling from northern Akita to Aomori takes you near the Shirakami-Sanchi (a UNESCO World Heritage site). You can choose between the inland route of National Route 7 cutting through mountainous terrain or Local Route 101 (such as the Aomori Prefectural Route 101 Chirigasaki Line), which lets you enjoy breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan's west coast. However, the border section of National Route 7 between Akita and Aomori has many curves and risks of falling rocks during winter/seasonal changes, so drive with caution.
    
    

3. Total Tolls & Cost-Saving Summary

• Using Expressways for the Entire Route (ETC Basis Total): Approx. 19,250 yen ~ 21,000 yen
  
  
• Using a National Road-Centered Hybrid Route (Using expressways for only 40-50% of the total distance): Tolls can be drastically reduced to around 9,000 yen ~ 12,000 yen.
  
  
• [*Please note that toll rates may be subject to change. For details, please check the official website or contact the relevant expressway toll office.]
  
  

4. Practical Tips for West Coast Japan Car Rental Travelers

1. Watch Out for Speed Limits on National Roads: National roads in Japan (especially suburban sections of Routes 7 and 8) often have a speed limit of 50–60 km/h. Match the flow of traffic, but stay vigilant for unmanned speed cameras (autocamera) or police patrols.
   
   
2. Make Good Use of "Michi-no-Eki" (Roadside Stations): As you drive along national and local roads, roadside rest stations called "Michi-no-Eki" will frequently appear. They are much more appealing than expressway service areas for shopping for local specialties, eating affordable local food, and taking restroom breaks.
   
   
3. Navigation Setting Tips: When using your car navigation system or smartphone apps (Google Maps, NAVITIME, etc.), setting them to "General Roads Priority" (一般優先) or "Free Roads Priority" instead of "Expressway Priority" will guide you through cost-effective west coast touring routes focused on national and local roads.