Driving from Kyoto-Gokayama-Kawaguchiko

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am planning a driving trip from Kyoto to Gokayama, then from Gokayama to Kawaguchiko on 9th-11th Dec 2016.

Please advise is it easy to drive to these places?
Will there be heavy snow in early Dec 2016?
Are the road signages in English?
Are the cars usually equiped with English GPS?

Thanks,
Vera

A1)
Not so hard if no snow covered on the road.

A2)
Depends on weather conditions but around Gokayama often falling snow.
Watch one-week forecast carefully.
http://weather.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/16/5520/16210.html
Read local blogger's report of Gokayama better. (use google translate)
http://blog.livedoor.jp/nagu0223/
Also Shirakawago and Takayama.
http://ameblo.jp/taotao764063/
http://tkym-yakuba.jugem.jp/

A3)
Only regular direction boards in blue are with Roman(EN).
So you have to study about all sign,rules and manners open below.
http://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/topics/toukei/chousa/h20keikaku/e/e_all.pdf
(traffic rules are same nation wide all regions)

A4)
Major big company is so no problem.
Toyoya,Nissan and Nippon rent a car are very famous.
Read each companies web EN pages also FAQ.
If drive on ExpWay(toll road) rent a "ETC card" better.
(above PDF and rent a car web mentioned well)
And oneway travel need oneway(drop off) fee plus.

Via ExpWay:
https://goo.gl/maps/fRsfivcbBNU2
No ExpWay:
https://goo.gl/maps/fmRyVqUFHJA2