The Dark side of Japan Tourism.

[Jacques Vert]

Just caught up on this thread; best wishes to @drron and @mrs.dr.ron . Currently driving around France and will be exercising even more caution after reading this and also will be checking the insurance papers tonight. Hopefully nothing quite as bad as this would happen in France but a serious motor vehicle accident would not be an enjoyable experience in any country.

 

[tdimdad]

I was contemplating a driving holiday in Hokkaido sometime in the near future.
After reading this, I don't think I will.
It just sounds too scary if something were to go wrong.

My Taiwanese friend was adamant that instead hiring a car, I should hire a driver over there. She may have been farsighted. Besides, it was more fun and informative that way.

 

[KIZI]

What happened in Chile? I was considering renting a car but even before I read drron's report I had decided it was cheaper to use public transport, some Ubers and a couple of day trips with a tour agency to see what I want to see. I would have needed an automatic, maybe a small SUV with insurance plus petrol and car ferry to Chiloe.

The other thing that puts me off car rentals is the possibility of corrupt cops shaking down tourists for bribes, criminals targeting tourist in rental cars and I even heard of things like people having small accidents on purpose to get insurance payouts.

I rented a car for a week in Santiago, Chile. There are too many tunnels, and there is a fork every few hundred meters in the tunnel. The mobile phone signal is not quite good in the tunnel, making it difficult to navigate. I drove the wrong way several times and it took a long time to get back. The police there, according to the information from the front desk of the car rental company, only care about money and like to fine. Fortunately, everything went well for me. Until I read this story, I think I should carefully consider whether to rent a car when I go to a country I have never been to.

 

[RooFlyer]

What happened in Chile? I was considering renting a car but even before I read drron's report I had decided it was cheaper to use public transport, some Ubers and a couple of day trips with a tour agency to see what I want to see. I would have needed an automatic, maybe a small SUV with insurance plus petrol and car ferry to Chiloe.

The other thing that puts me off car rentals is the possibility of corrupt cops shaking down tourists for bribes, criminals targeting tourist in rental cars and I even heard of things like people having small accidents on purpose to get insurance payouts.

Given KIZI's experience was just a matter of navigation and a story told by the car rental company, I think you should consider hiring a car in Chile. I have done it a number of times, without incident (but then drron did too!!), most recently last December where I drove south from Santiago for five days. Another time drove right down to Puerto Montt and then east into Argentina. I can't say I heard or saw that the police there are particularly different from many jurisdictions.

 

[Tiki]

Given KIZI's experience was just a matter of navigation and a story told by the car rental company, I think you should consider hiring a car in Chile. I have done it a number of times, without incident (but then drron did too!!), most recently last December where I drove south from Santiago for five days. Another time drove right down to Puerto Montt and then east into Argentina. I can't say I heard or saw that the police there are particularly different from many jurisdictions.

Nah, after drron's story I am just too spooked to rent a car overseas with the possible exception of NZ. The Santiago part of my trip is just to Reserva Los Cipreses accessed from Rancagua and I can get there by train from Santiago, then join a guided day trip to the park.

 

[Stewey]

I have just caught up on this thread; best wishes to you both @drron and @mrs.dr.ron
It must have been such a terrifying ordeal for both of you. Always thoroughly enjoy reading your travel reports but this one reads like a horror story

 

[drron]

The Justice system isn't the only thing to be aware of in Japan.

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/shocking-moment-enraged-dolphin-breaks-mans-ribs-and-attacks-victim-in-pink-rubber-ring/news-story/f4cdbddfc19b4b52fe9cba45e7c1ca3a

 

[Flyfrequently]

I, admittedly just signed up to AFF to see if I would have some luck with lounge invite giveaways. Attracted by the title, I proceeded to scroll through the whole post, holding my breath throughout the detention. I shed a tear when I saw DrRon and MrsRon's reunion and was absolutely gobsmacked by the whole ordeal. I am glad it all worked out in the end, yet I was left disgusted by the Japanese justice system and the lack of basic human rights.
I'm a little late to the party now. I hope you're home safe now, @drron and @mrs.dr.ron. It’ll take a lot of time to process the whole experience and let it sink in. Take care.

Welcome to AFF @Sheepbopee
Lots of knowledgeable folk here and many have posted in this thread.

@drron and @mrs.dr.ron have shared many TR's but particularly this very personal experience and we all wish them well. I too was emotional with their reunion.

Happy and safe travels to you all

 

[prozac]

The Justice system isn't the only thing to be aware of in Japan.

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/shocking-moment-enraged-dolphin-breaks-mans-ribs-and-attacks-victim-in-pink-rubber-ring/news-story/f4cdbddfc19b4b52fe9cba45e7c1ca3a

I can imagine a little dolphin rage in Japan. Just biting back.

Nice segue @drron

 

[Flyfrequently]

Yes me too in this regard. I’m paying much closer attention.

Which is why I go to the trouble of getting the required permits @Seat0B .
I have done one most recently for upcoming trip to Thailand.
I do not ever want to be "that person" taken aside by the authorities.

 

[Seat0B]

Which is why I go to the trouble of getting the required permits @Seat0B .
I have done one most recently for upcoming trip to Thailand.
I do not ever want to be "that person" taken aside by the authorities.

I hear you loud and clear.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have done one most recently for upcoming trip to Thailand.

Thanks for the heads up! I’m going to start a new thread about this.

 

[Pushka]

Still no email from Japan so according to their auto one, the scripts we have are at the acceptable limit.

 

[Deno]

WOW, sorry to hear of your awful experience @drron. I hope you and the wife recover quickly. I will never be driving in Japan.

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks for the heads up! I’m going to start a new thread about this.

great idea. I will be able to contribute soon as I start the process for a trip to Thailand, UAE, Spain, Portugal, Turkiye and Singapore with codeine. And then Japan after that.

 

[Matt_01]

I came across this on YouTube Prison Life: Justice in Japan

 

[jrfsp]

Wow that was a shocking read. What a terrible ordeal! An eye-opening insight into Japanese legal system.

 

[pyffii]

just cancelled our driving trip next year around the Hamptons

 

[drron]

I came across this on YouTube Prison Life: Justice in Japan

Thanks quite informative. Watching it I came across the link to this video.

And from that this video.

 

[JohnM]

Frightening.

I think I could stay clear of all things mentioned in those YT videos, but for a complete accident out of the blue as experienced by @drron, it is really scary.

'Hostage justice' is an appalling concept.

After all this, I would choose never to drive in Japan.