There are so many things to do in Suginami, but head farther afield and you'll find even more magic. Book a set of wheels and you can cruise around the surrounding area at your leisure. Add these awesome drives to your itinerary:

• Ito is approximately 60 miles from Suginami. Top-rated tourist spots like Izu Oceanic Park should be high on your list while you're in town.
• Next stop? It has to be Nagano, which is around 100 miles away. Nagano Olympic Stadium is one local highlight you really shouldn't miss.
• Shirotori Garden is located 160 miles from Suginami and is one of the region's most gorgeous nature spots. Stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air here.

If you don't have a driver's license issued in Japan, then you might need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your place of residence to be able to rent a car. You should also be aware that if you do need an IDP, it won't be valid on its own. You'll have to show your current driver's license your passport and other forms of identification as well. Lastly, it's important that the credit card you used to book the rental vehicle matches the name on your driver's license and passport. Some other things to note to rent a car internationally are:

• Age restrictions: You need to be 25 or older in most places to rent a car. If you're younger than that, it might still be possible to rent a car but you'll have to pay a Young Driver's Surcharge. Additional restrictions may also apply to the types of vehicles you can rent.
• Driving limitations: Be sure to read the rules and regulations before you drive away. Usually, you can't cross country borders, drive onto ferries or on certain types of rugged terrain with a rental vehicle.