Driving in Japan, what’s it like?

Hello, I've got a month long trip planned next year in Japan going from Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Suwa, Osaka, and Kyoto.

From what I've gathered most of these places can be reached by train, Perfect. But I feel like driving to say Suwa and Takayama might be more time efficient, with the added benefit of having access to a car to drive around.

Ive been to Tokyo before, and just by being in a taxi the idea of driving in anywhere in Japan has been tainted with fear. So wanted to get advise or hear people's experiences in driving.

by CrypticEcho__