Car Rental from Takayama

Hi,
I will be travelling to Shirakawago from Takayama for a one night stay with my family next week. Since there are 5 of us, i think it would be more economical to rent a car.

I am a foreigner and hence like to know the following :-

1) Is it easy to rent a car from Takayama ?
2) Since i do not know Japanese, is the travelling route to Shirakawago easy to navigate or is it better to take the bus which will cost more.
2) What is the estimated cost of car rental ?

Please help to give your advice. Thanks.

Is it easy to rent a car from Takayama ?

Car rental can be easy if you use a service that is used to foreigners.

Tocoo has great rates:
http://www.japan-guide.com/ad/coocom2.html

Toyota Rental Car has now an English website:
http://rent.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html

2) Since i do not know Japanese, is the travelling route to Shirakawago easy to navigate or is it better to take the bus which will cost more.

It is very easy if you bring a map and properly prepare your trip. It is particularly easy if you take the new expressway, because everything is bilingual. If you go along toll free roads, it is slightly more challenging in terms of signs. The road is also rather narrow in some passages, especially tunnels, which can be scary if a truck comes from the opposite direction.

What is the estimated cost of car rental ?

6000 yen per 24 hours for a small car.
10000 yen per 24 hours for a medium sized car.

Not including expressway tolls, gasoline and parking fees.

In the winter, there is a risk of snow on the streets. I recommend not to use a rental car if you do not feel confident driving on snow.