Renting a car in Japan opens doors to remote landscapes, hidden rural towns, and scenic coastal drives not reachable by train. This step-by-step guide shows you how to rent a car in Japan, from booking to return, with practical tips, visuals, and links to real road trip itineraries to inspire your journey.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Rental Company
For visitors driving in Japan, it’s best to go with major nationwide rental firms.
These companies tend to offer:
- Better support in case of breakdowns or accidents
- Large vehicle inventories
- English or multilingual staff
- GPS / navigation with MAPCODE support
Leading Rental Car Brands in Japan
| Rental Company | Coverage Area | Multilingual Support | MAPCODE Navigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Rent a Car | Nationwide | Yes | Yes |
| Nissan Rent a Car | Nationwide | Yes | Yes |
| ORIX Rent a Car | Nationwide | Yes | Yes |
| Nippon Rent a Car | Nationwide | Yes | Yes |
| Times Car Rental | Many major cities | Yes | Yes |
| Budget (Japan) | Airport & city hubs | Yes | Yes |
While smaller local shops might advertise slightly lower rates, the price difference rarely outweighs the security, service, and peace of mind of a large national provider.
Step 2: Reservation Tips & Timing
- Book well in advance, especially during peak travel periods, such as Golden Week (end of April/first week of May), summer, New Year’s (January 1st is a major holiday in Japan), and cherry blossom season/when trees change for autumn.
- Ensure your documents are ready:
- Valid passport
- Home country driver’s license
- International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention
- When comparing cars, always check daily rates, optional fees, and drop-off charges.
- Ready to make a reservation? Here’s a great site to use!
Before locking in dates… Check your desired route:
Explore our Hokkaido 5-Day Road Trip Itinerary for nature escapes, or try the Around Tokyo & Mt. Fuji 5-Day Road Trip for regional drives. These give you a better sense of how many days, distances, and stops you need.
Step 3: Vehicle Pickup & Inspection
Shuttles are not necessary/not available at train stations.
Things to ask about:
- Operation of lights, wipers, hazard flasher
- Location and mechanism to open fuel cap
- Fuel type (regular, high-octane, or diesel)
- Whether navigation is in English
- Where to input MAPCODEs — vital in rural Japan
Step 4: Returning the Car & Final Checks
Before Returning
- Fill the fuel tank to “full” (keep receipt)
- Remove personal items and trash
- Return any rented ETC cards, child seats, or extras
At drop-off
- Staff perform damage inspection
- Final charges are assessed (if any)
- Key handoff and exit
Step 5: Choosing Your Vehicle: Size & Capacity
When selecting a car, always allow space for luggage. A simple guideline:
| Vehicle Class | Max Seating | Ideal Passenger + Luggage | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Compact Hatchback | 4 | 2 adults + 2 suitcases |
 | Sedan / Wagon | 5 | 3 adults + 3 suitcases |
 | Minivan / SUV | 7 | 5 adults + 5 large bags |
Formula: Realistic passenger count = Seating capacity minus 2 (for luggage space)
Also note: children legally require child seats, so each child still counts as one seat.
Step 6: Optional Add-ons & Insurance
Common Add-ons:
- ETC Card — for tolls on expressways
- Snow Tires / Chains — essential in winter regions
- Child Seat — mandatory for children under 6
Insurance Coverage
To avoid surprises, going with full coverage is strongly recommended. If you need to cut costs, the NOC (Non-Operation Charge) Waiver is the only option that some can omit—but that leaves you vulnerable if the car needs repairs.
What’s an NOC? If you get into an accident or damage your car, you’ll be charged an NOC, which is a fee to compensate the company for the loss of business they will experience while the car is being repaired (typically around 50,000 to 100,000 yen). If you pay for the NOC Waiver, you won’t have to pay the NOC if the vehicle is damaged (it is a form of insurance).
Step 7: One-Way Rentals & Drop-Off Fees
You can return your car at a different location than the pickup — but one-way fees vary widely.
| Trip Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Short, local drop-off (same area) | Often free or a few thousand yen |
| Cross-prefecture drop-off | Can match or exceed the base rental cost |
Step 8: Decide Where to Go
Once your car rental is sorted, it’s time to decide where to drive. Here are a few itineraries we recommend:
- Hokkaido 5-Day Road Trip Itinerary — perfect for nature lovers, wildlife, lakes, and open landscapes.
- Around Tokyo & Mt. Fuji 5-Day Road Trip — ideal for first-time drivers who want to mix cities, mountains, and hot springs.
- Kansai First-Timer’s Tour — perfect for road-trip newbies, hitting Kansai’s best spots: Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara
These itineraries show you daily stops, driving distances, lodging, and must-see attractions — helping you tailor your rental to the route you choose.
Step 9: Pro Tips Before You Hit the Road
- Drive on the left side of the road (remember this in every country switch!).
- Speed limits are lower than many countries: 40–60 km/h in urban zones, 80–100 km/h on expressways.
- Many gas stations are full-serve, though “セルフ (self)” stations exist.
- Use MAPCODEs instead of addresses for accurate navigation, especially in rural areas.
- Keep toll and parking cash handy — not all places accept cards.
FAQs: Renting a Car in Japan
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)? | Yes — the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP is required for most foreign travelers. |
| Is driving difficult in Japan? | Not particularly — roads are well maintained, signage is good, and major routes are clearly marked. |
| What if I damage the car? | With full insurance, you should be covered. If not, you may be liable. That’s why full coverage is strongly recommended. |
| Can I rent a car for one way between regions? | Yes, but one-way drop-off fees can be high (especially cross-prefecture) — always check in advance. |
In Conclusion
Renting a car in Japan is simpler than it first seems — as long as you book smart, inspect carefully, and plan your route. Start by choosing your itinerary, then pick your vehicle, and hit the road with confidence.
Ready to pick your route?
Explore some of our curated itineraries now! All our routes elevate your road trip experience — no guesswork, just drive and enjoy. 🚗💨