Rather off topic I'm afraid, but you'll find that rather a lot of countries drive on the correct (as opposed to right
) side of the road. Most of them were British colonies, but Japan were on the right tracks themselves before we made up their minds for sure..
Road side stuff
To try and get back on subject:
As for having a car, it might be easier to just rent one on those occasions you feel like going out into the middle of nowhere. No need to worry about parking, and you could pick it up near the area you want to explore rather than drive all the way there as well.