Obon is a mid-August period when many people in Japan visit family graves and return to their hometowns. Travel demand spikes nationwide—highways, trains, and flights all get crowded. If you plan to visit festivals or fireworks around Obon, expect heavier traffic than usual and check the dates in advance. This year, the peak was likely Aug 10–17, 2025.

Typhoons also tend to show up this time of year, so locals watch the weather more closely than usual. None of this is secret—any travel guide will mention it—but it’s worth emphasizing if you’re planning a tight itinerary.

We visited my wife’s family this year. Because we needed more flexibility, we rented a car and happened to land a Nissan Note e-POWER. We drove about 300 km (≈186 miles) over two days—and it was unexpectedly delightful.

Why? The Note is a series-hybrid. The gasoline engine only generates electricity; propulsion is motor-only. That’s different from a parallel hybrid where the engine can also drive the wheels. The result is a driving feel that’s closer to a pure EV: smooth torque, predictable response, and quiet operation. It felt more different from traditional cars than I expected—even though the pedals and steering look familiar.

After moving into central Tokyo, we stopped owning a car. Car-sharing is dense and affordable here, so we just book when needed. This time we simply searched for a two-day slot and found the Note available. A chance pairing, but it sold us on motor-only driving.