… I haven't and I am glad that I made that decision. A few car rental offices are prepared to do the refueling for you upon the return of the ride, but generally the responsibility is with the driver. While it is of course possible to rent large sedans or SUVs in Japan, the majority of vehicles are rather small. Some folks get a bee in their beatnik bonnet about doing the road trip of their dreams in Japan. Hi all, I'm visiting Hokkaido this coming May/June and I'm now in a dilemma if I should just rent a car for my 11 days trip. He was planning to rent a car and drive around Tokyo and to Mt. Or perhaps renting a car simply seems like the best way to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are 5 top reasons why you might want to rent a car to go around in Japan: They offer more than 10 car rental brands, including familiar names like Budget and Nissan Rent a Car. More > JR Eki Rent-a-Car. The author may post again if desired.Posts on the Tripadvisor forums may be edited for a short period of time. Find out how to avoid transaction fees and get the best rates. If you stay within those areas, it’s better to utilize public transportation. Between the cost of the rental car, insurance and gas alone, you’re looking at a minimum of ¥10,000 per day, and that’s a somewhat optimistic figure. Budget and higher-end cars are available, with plenty of pick-up and drop-off options around major airports and train stations. We don't endorse any of the companies we link to but we are selective in terms of the companies that we choose. If you are curious you can check live traffic information for He was planning to rent a car and drive around Tokyo and to Mt. December 7th, 2020 | Lily Crossley-Baxter, Go-Karting in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know, Your Prepaid SIM Card Options for Travel in Japan, Renting a Pocket Wifi Router in Japan: Best Options, Cheapest Way to Transfer Your Money Out of Japan, Toyosu Fish Market: What to Know Before You Go. The other thing you’ll need to hire a car in Japan is a credit card. Whether you're seeking information or inspiration, all your trips to Japan start here. You can plan the itinerary without relying on anything else. You want to see a large rural area in a short amount of time (for example, You’re traveling with multiple people and can split the cost, You anticipate wanting to stop often to take pictures, You want to save yourself the hassle of planning train and bus trips. It is usually not possible to obtain one after already arriving. Can you rent a car in Japan? In Hokkaido there seem to be fewer speakers of English than in south. Questions or comments about this article? Toyota hire cars are plentiful. Renting a car in Japan comes with a pretty long list of caveats! Rental car insurance. Renting a car in Japan isn’t as awesome an experience as you’d expect, but it’s sometimes necessary. Make sure to commission a custom Japan itinerary if you need help planning your Japan road trip. If you don’t speak Japanese you might be best off with trying to hire via one of the major car rental companies directly as they may have more English help available. Rent a Car accompagne aussi les professionnels avec des solutions de location longue durée, idéales pour les chauffeurs indépendants et les VTC à la recherche d'un véhicule confortable et prestigieux. However, rental cars for foreigners are not very developed in Japan, for several reasons. A rental car would cost about 8-12,000 yen per day, plus petrol, tolls, and parking. For more about the people behind this site, check out the profiles of the cheapos. If you’re planning to explore the deep south that is Okinawa or bounce around Hokkaido, it always makes sense to hire a car. Whether you’ve used Web-Rentacar or reserved wheels directly over the phone or via a rental company’s booking site, you simply take your booking details to the designated rental office, confirm your payment information, and away you go. How far can 10,000 yen take you beyond the borders of Tokyo? Compare the different means and methods. the most because it’s in fact not a rental car company, but a website that aggregates from all the different rental companies out there. For the most part, you probably won’t need to rent a car in Japan—especially not in Tokyo. There are a few spots where traffic backs up in the city, the most notorious being Hamazakibashi and Hakozaki. A lot of the island is not connected by any public transportation. It’s up to you if you want to upgrade the insurance. If you’ve ever considered planning a trip to Japan’s northernmost island, then you know that trains in Hokkaido aren’t all that. We cover all the basics including things to do in Tokyo, There are a number of major and smaller specialist rental companies operating in Japan offering wide networks and choices. Words, images and design ©2018-2021 Robert Schrader, All rights reserved. Follow our Tokyo to Nagano road trip itinerary for winter travel ideas—plus tips on winter driving and camper van rentals in Japan. The price is high, but not prohibitively (or surprisingly) so. What’s worse (well, best from a safety perspective) is that Japanese people almost never speed. This might request a double adaptation time which can slow down some everyday drivers, accustomed to drive on right side with manual gearbox cars. IDPs cost $20, and all you need are a valid U.S. driver’s license and two passport-size photos. If you’re from Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Slovenia, Monaco or Taiwan, you won’t be able to do the IDP thing, but can use an official Japanese translation of your license instead. Among other restrictions, you’ll need to have the international drivers license Japan requires before getting behind the wheel in Japan. In Japan 03-6859-6234 Nippon Rent-a-Car, being one of the most excellent brands in the world, is the first Japanese car-rental industry to be awarded with "Brand of the Year" for 3 … Follow our budget Tokyo to Kanazawa itinerary without missing all the best sights! How are gas prices in Japan? Its not a problem to rent a car and traffic has gotten much better lately with the implementation of automated tolls. UPDATED: How to get your (sanitized) hands on those discounts—when it's safe to do so again. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-This post has been removed at the author's request. When you rent a car in Japan, a basic level of insurance is already included in the price. The nuts-and-bolts of the process seem to back this up. Additionally, content such as tours and tickets, hotels and apartments are commercial content. For example, when driving in Okinawa (or any other island group, for that matter), you are usually confined to just one island. ), you’ll miss a lot of the beauty around you. If you’re fixated on the road (and make no mistake, you should be if you’re behind the wheel! Is your country on the list? Whatever the case may be, you're in the right place. You might want to take a trip to the rurals, for example, or do a run to the nearest (never very near) home center to pick up some curtains or gardening tools you don’t want to lug on your local JR line. Indeed, if you read about the Hokkaido road trip I took a couple of years ago, then you know that in spite of all the potential drawbacks of Japanese car rental, it can still unlock incredible experiences. Before roaring off, it’s worth noting that while all rental contracts carry built-in basic insurance, this doesn’t necessarily cover you 100% in the event of an accident. For tourists, we generally suggest simply relying on the extensive public transport network to get around the big city, instead of fussing with car hire in Tokyo. It is easy (if not cheap) to get around. Here are some other scenarios that can make renting a car in Japan necessary: Keep in mind that you will rarely rent a car in Japan for the entirety of any trip, so even if you plan to drive a few days (as I did in the Oki Islands, for example, during my trip to the San’in region), you might still need to buy a Japan Rail Pass, in addition to renting cars in Japan. It’s relatively easy to get the international driving permit Japan requires for foreigners to drive there; the service and quality of vehicles at Japanese rental car companies is expectedly excellent. Most people renting cars in Japan will be required to have an International Driving Permit, or ‘IDP’ for short. Of course, if you happen to have a Japanese driving license, that works too. The permits are valid for one year, but in Japan they are only acceptable if you are in the country for a limited time as a tourist. Oh, and before driving anywhere, it pays to familiarize yourself with Japanese road signs. Last autumn, for example, when I was in Kanazawa taking in the colorful leaves, I decided to make a day trip to Maruoka Castle. Before you start making a list of amazing Japan road trips you want to take, you should consider that the cost of driving in Japan is high. Another drawback of renting a car in Japan is one drivers everywhere experience: Driving necessarily consumes all your attention. Japan is as much about the experience of being there, in my moment, as it is about the wide array of amazing Japan destinations. Here are some of the major names. Before you start off or when you return the car, a staff member will sometimes offer you a pack of tissues or a can of (usually cold) coffee as a token gift. Also, a valid driver’s license is (obviously) necessary. Information—and inspiration—for all your trips to Japan. Just take it. With the exception of a few European countries like Germany and Belgium, whose citizens may submit their domestic driving license with an official Japanese translation, it is essential to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Japan. Read Privacy Policy or view sitemap. Not so fast! I hope you travel light, or aren’t with a big group. 2.5 Japanese Rental Cars … We have other special offers as well. It usually costs about $20.00 (USD) to acquire one. Yes. And if so, what does that mean for travel to Japan during COVID-19? 1 Reasons for Renting a Car in Japan. Ask whether you run on “regular” or another kind of fuel before you leave the rental car office; “regular” refers to regular unleaded petrol, “hai-oku” is premium unleaded, and “keiyu” is diesel. To find out what qualifies as a valid driver’s license, read on… Renting a car in Japan is a great choice when traveling in rural areas without convenient trains and buses, like Hokkaido, Nagano, Hida Takayama, and Okinawa. Make sure to get the multi-language GPS that support on your comfortable language. We like this car hire site for Japan because it’s pretty easy to use, and you can complete your entire booking in English. Read more to learn how to rent a car, how much it costs, and what license requirements you need. Bigger and fancier cars usually cost ¥1,500–¥6,000 more. Awesome! Oh, and you need to be over 18. If you are traveling as a couple, a family or a group, the value proposition of Japan car rental increases. On its head, the idea of renting a car in Japan might seem like a good one, especially if you’re traveling in a rural part of the country, or with enough people that the cost is similar to going by train or bus. Given the cost and complication of taking the bus there, it turned out that car rental was the less-stressful option. I have a U.S. driver’s license so that won’t be a … I've considered renting a car in Japan. It really depends on which part of Japan you are visiting, but in general, unless you are visiting a major city like Tokyo and Osaka and planning to stay in the city throughout your trip, there are many benefits to having a car to travel in when you are here. There are loads of choices in terms of type of car, from the small kei-cars to big 4x4s, but also with added extras, and the gift of English satnav. Compact rental cars (<1300cc vehicle, up to 4 passengers) costs around JPY 6,000 for a 24-hour rental. But mostly, driving between big cities is a drag. By paying a bit extra for a collision damage waiver (CDW) and non-operation charge (NOC), you minimize the amounts you might be liable for if something goes awry. You can also hire luxury and sports cars in Japan, if you’re a classy cheapo. Telephone number or map code can be use to find your destination. Read our guide to getting those digits when moving to Japan. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay cash at the 一般 toll gates (and yes, they do give change). If you aren’t so keen on the traditional rental business, you can try car sharing instead (note: you’ll need a Japanese license for this). There are many rental car companies in Japan, and these are the ones we have rented from before: Orix Rent-a-Car; Times Car Rental; Tocoo! If you had any plans of burning rubber from Tokyo to Osaka, for example, shelve them and take the shink (or a bus) instead. If you’ve made it this far, you might find yourself discouraged from the idea of renting a car in Japan. Consider your cheapo self cautioned! They also have some of the world’s slowest speed limits—70 km/h is not uncommon, even on expressways. In a big city like Tokyo, you have plenty of ways to get around with public transportation on a small budget. But for safety, please double check on the GPS when you look for a rental car. It all depends on what sort of wheels you’re after and how many people you need to pack into the back. To rent a car in Japan, you need to have a driver’s license. There's still plenty of time to take advantage of this special discount deal! Distances are large, public transport limited. Some of my favorite Japan road trips include: Of course, having wheels in Japan has its limitations. It’s The Great Snoopy Museum, Charlie Brown, Exploring Toyosu—Tokyo's Revitalized Fish Market, Visiting Okunoshima - Japan's Famous Rabbit Island, Tokyo Escapes: A Winter Camper Van Adventure in Nagano, Guide to Arriving in Japan During COVID-19. Do it now. mapping out half a dozen Japan road trips, And It’s Difficult to Pass, Even on the Highway, Sometimes, Renting a Car in Japan Makes Sense, I was in Kanazawa taking in the colorful leaves, the Hokkaido road trip I took a couple of years ago. If you’re asking yourself “Should I rent a car in Japan?” ask if the “I” you speak of is just yourself, or if you’ll be able to spread the cost out among several people. There are a host of car rental companies to choose from in Japan. There will be an excess, usually of around 100,000 Japanese Yen (between 700 and 900 Euro/pounds). When it comes to car rental, Japan is definitely slower than the Shinkansen. Maybe not, it turns out. Book now! If your home country is a signatory of the Geneva Convention of 1949, this is your only option if you want to rent a car in Japan. On the plus side, Japan has some of the world’s safest roads. Ditto much of the countryside in the rest of Japan. To rent a car in Japan, drivers must be at least 18 years of age. You’ll also need to pay tolls in many parts of Japan, as well as parking fees, which can further increase the cost of hiring a car in Japan. First off, let’s take a look at your driver’s license. While you can indeed do some lovely driving in Hokkaido and Okinawa, driving in much of the rest of Japan means rolling, relatively slowly (think 80-100km/h) along endless, walled highways. Japan's "Go To Eat" Campaign: What You Need to Know, Guide to Choosing an Internet Service Provider in Tokyo, Comparing Long-Term Pocket Wifi Contracts in Japan, 10,000 Yen City Escape Challenge: Tokyo to Kanazawa, Bargain JR East 3-Day 2020 Rail Pass For Foreign Residents, Visa Applications and Extensions, and Entry into Japan During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Orix Car Share and other providers allow you to “borrow” their cars, which are parked all over the show, especially in bigger cities like Tokyo and Osaka, for short periods of time (even 15 minutes)—making mini, semi-spontaneous (you reserve cars through an app or website) and cheap drives a breeze. The majority of rental cars come with multilingual GPS systems. When you’re on your way to bring the car back, be sure to stop off at a gas (petrol) station (“gasorin sutando” in Japanese) and fill up. To find why we started this site, check out the Tokyo Cheapo Manifesto. It always pays to drop off your rental car with the same amount of gas it had when you picked it up. AVIS Rent a Car Online Reservation: At AVIS Rent a Car, we bring you comfort to your travels in Japan. If you have an international driver's license, you might want to head to a car rental stand and see what kind of vehicles are waiting for you. You can take the Shinkansen or a plane to the station or airport nearest your destination, then hop into your hire car and zoom around without worrying about missing the only bus of the day. Continue reading to learn how to rent a car in Japan—and why you might not want to do so, in the end. Budget around ¥6,000 a day for a cheap hire car—but check prices carefully with the rental company, as they can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the season and demand. However, it sometimes makes more sense than dealing with public transport. And this was just me! The trains and buses will get you wherever you want to go, quickly, safely and affordably. We provide services in over 165 countries. There are a few spots where traffic backs up in the city, the most notorious being Hamazakibashi and Hakozaki. Renting a car in Japan can greatly expand your range of activities during your vacation. However, in addition to the fact that Japan traffic rules are extremely strict, most Japanese roads (again, even expressways) feature one lane on each side—in some places, it’s just one land period! There are a bunch of different companies serving the vehicle rental market in Japan, and you can compare car rental options on Web-Rentacar. Subscribe to email updates. First of all, they drive on the left side with mostly automatic gearbox cars. Hybrids can sometimes be had for a competitive price. Planning a trip to Japan, or just dreaming of one? Being able to rent a car in Japan is essential if you’re going outside the city of Naha. This especially the case in more rural areas such as Akan and Shiretoko. Sponsored posts are clearly labeled with a "Sponsored" tag. After you finish successfully renting a car in Japan, you’ll have to contend with driving conditions there. Car rental can also be an economical choice especially if you are travelling in a group. Not all of them are intuitive. See the cheapest, fastest and most convenient options for long-term connectivity. Bigger and fancier rental cars cost JPY 1,500 – 6,000 more than the compact ones. So here’s how to get driving on these narrow, kanji-flecked roads. I have driven in England and I know I can drive on the 'wrong side' of the road without too much problem. That said, there are some occasions when renting a car in Japan is the easiest (or only) way of getting from Point A to Point B. The tolls, well, take their toll on your bank balance (seriously, they can be very steep). This can be quite an intimidating thing to do if it’s your first time driving in Japan; to make it easier, head for a regular, staffed gas station rather than a self-service joint. popping down to see the legendary Fuji Rock Festival (see the blurb about camper vans below). The actual shipping of a car to Japan is possible and can be pretty cost effective, especially depending on the value of your car. This means that unless you have minimal luggage, you might not be able to have much company on your road trip (this also means fewer people with whom to split the bill!). The trains and buses will get you wherever you want to go, quickly, safely and affordably. Should you rent a car in Japan? Some of the articles on this site contain affiliate links. The views are virtually non-existent. A credit card will also be required. Last 2 questions the hardest to google... Is Nippon obvious… If you purchase from or sign up with some companies we link to, we will be compensated. Hello, My third time in Japan but first time will rent a car. For more detailed … Which would be no big deal, if it was possible to overtake people on Japanese roads. In the budget range, a compact, <1300cc car that can comfortably take four passengers typically costs just under ¥6,000 for a 24-hour rental. Like what you're reading? While some Japanese-language ability will make the collection and drop-off of the rental car easier, it’s not essential. My name is Robert Schrader, and I'm a Japan travel expert with nearly a decade of experience under my belt. It will make your life on the southern islands much easier. It's like a trip to Japan every week, right in your inbox! With regards to driving this was not a problem at all. Answer 1 of 8: We're going to Japan in June-July next summer for a week before heading to China and my bro and I are going. Most car rental in Japan comes with a GPS navigation system. 2 Drawbacks of Renting a Car in Japan. If you happen to live on the west coast of the US, the cost to ship should be around $2000 USD. You should exercise careful judgement with any online purchase. While getting out of Tokyo itself (if you opt for city pick-up) might be a little hair-raising, this is actually a great way to get around the country: you can rent a budget camper van to get out of the hotels and off that beaten track that hipsters seem to hate so much. Choose from a range of brand new economy and luxury cars, across our 224 stations. Nippon Rent a Car. na0905/Flickr. If you have young ‘uns, you can add a baby seat or child seat when you make your booking, as well as winter tires, GPS devices and ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) cards—though the latter two are not always available. You’ll need to carry your local license with you when you use it. Traveling next week and thinking you should just rent a car in Japan? More > Times Car Rental . If you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in line with the Geneva Convention, you’ll be able to rent a car in Japan—but not from all companies (lookin’ at you, Niko-Niko). That’s certainly how I felt before the first time I got behind the wheel in Japan, in Hokkaido a few summers ago. Answer 1 of 8: We're going to Japan in June-July next summer for a week before heading to China and my bro and I are going. 2.3 Japanese People Drive Slowly. The pump attendants will do all the hard work for you, and even help you get back onto the road. You might want to take a trip to the rurals, for example, or do a run to the nearest (never very … ), where I'll stay for 3 days, then travel to Sapporo (4.5 hrs drive! The costs for a car rental here in Japan depend on the type of car you’ll get and the number of people you’ll have in your ride. Japan's Travel Bubble: What Is It, and Who's Included? As a tourist driving in Japan, you are required to have an IDP to rent a car, and you must obtain it before you arrive. You must obtain the IDP before visiting Japan. You won't be tied to timetables either in a car. Ordering food was sometimes an issue as very few restaurants had … 2.2 Japan Car Rental Rules are Strict. Expect a rental car to cost you around 5000 yen per day for a small car and around 15000 yen for large cars. Why you should rent a car in Japan . Rent a car in Japan and find great deals with Europcar. Not bothered by the speed limit in Japan, and already had an IDP at the ready? More > Nissan. Whether due to low speed limits and narrow roads throughout Japan, or because of the relatively high cost of doing so, you should only get a Japanese rental car if it’s the only way you can see a certain part of the country—it sometimes is, to be fair. I wanted the cheapest, smallest car available, each for 24 hours. You can get the translation done through the Japan Automobile Federation or (in some cases) your local embassy or consulate. If you opt to use an ETC card, you can proceed through toll gates without stopping, and just pay the rental office when you return the car. If you can’t or don’t want to drive, you can always take a taxi or use one of the various JR Passes for your escapades. 2.4 And It’s Difficult to Pass, Even on the Highway. This rental car booking agency will be happy to help, though. If you’re looking to rent a camper van in Japan, we recommend Dream Drive Japan. Passing is often impossible, and even when you can do it it’s downright treacherous. Requirements To Rent A Car In Japan: Driver’s License. The roadside stops are redeeming, to be fair (and there are lots of ’em). Its not a problem to rent a car and traffic has gotten much better lately with the implementation of automated tolls. The companies listed have websites with English-language booking capabilities, so it really is as easy as putting in the required dates, vehicle, and any other add-ons you need. While you can rent a car in Tokyo, it isn’t recommended unless you need to transport something big, or are traveling in a group from Tokyo to elsewhere in the country, e.g. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons. That said, there are some occasions when renting a car in Japan is the easiest (or only) way of getting from Point A to Point B. how to get from Narita airport to Tokyo, which JR rail pass to choose, getting a SIM card and pocket wifi. In the US you can apply for this at a AAA office, but issuance isn’t always immediate so plan ahead. For the most part, you probably won’t need to rent a car in Japan—especially not in Tokyo. Post first published in April, 2018. Also, beware of blinkers and wipers commands which are reversed too. More > Toyota. 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