How to Rent a Car in Japan — What You Need, What It Costs, and When It's Worth It
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Renting a car in Japan makes sense in specific situations — and is significantly less useful than visitors sometimes assume in others. Japan's train network is so comprehensive in major cities and tourist corridors that a rental car adds cost and complexity without adding meaningful access. In rural areas, smaller onsen towns, and Hokkaido, a car unlocks destinations that trains simply don't reach. Here's when renting is worth it, what you need, and how the process actually works.
When renting a car makes sense
Hokkaido: the clearest case for a rental car in Japan. Hokkaido's major sights are spread across a large island with limited train coverage beyond the main Sapporo corridor. The lavender fields of Furano, the clear lakes of Akan and Toya, the dramatic coastline of the Shiretoko Peninsula, and the ski resorts of Niseko all require either a car or complex multi-leg transit that significantly extends journey times. A week driving Hokkaido with a rental car is one of Japan's best travel experiences.
Shimanami Kaido and western Hiroshima Prefecture: the islands connecting Honshu and Shikoku via the Shimanami Kaido bridge route are best explored by car or bicycle. The scenery — mountain bridges over the Seto Inland Sea — is dramatically better from the road than from limited bus services.
Tohoku's interior: the mountain areas of Tohoku (Tazawako, Towadako, Oirase Gorge) have minimal train coverage. A rental car from Morioka or Aomori gives access to landscapes that would otherwise require expensive tours or impractical connections.
Kyushu's volcanic regions: Mt. Aso and the Kujyu mountains in Kyushu, the Kirishima range, and the smaller onsen towns of southern Kyushu are most accessible by car. Trains serve the main cities (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima) but not the volcanic landscapes between them.
Rural onsen towns: many of Japan's best traditional onsen resorts — Nyuto Onsen in Akita, Yufuin and Kurokawa in Kyushu, Shirahone in Nagano — are located in mountain valleys not served by trains. A car, or the ryokan's shuttle bus if available, is the only practical access.
If one of these regions is on the itinerary, comparing rates early pays off.
Availability for Hokkaido and other rural routes tightens during peak season, so checking prices a few months ahead helps lock in a better rate. Compare car rental options in Japan on AutoEurope →
When renting is not worth it
Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto city sightseeing: trains are faster, cheaper, and eliminate the significant challenge of finding and paying for parking (¥200–600 per hour in city centers, and finding a space can take 20–30 minutes). Driving in Tokyo is a stress-generating experience for first-time visitors who don't know the road network.
The Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka Shinkansen corridor: the Shinkansen does this faster and more conveniently at a lower total cost. Driving the same route takes 6–8 hours and costs ¥8,000–10,000 in expressway tolls plus fuel.
What you need to rent a car in Japan
International Driving Permit (IDP): Japan does not accept foreign driving licenses directly. You must have an IDP issued by your home country before departure. Available from your national automobile association (AAA in the US, AA in the UK, CAA in Canada, NRMA/RAC/RACV in Australia) — typically ¥3,000–5,000 equivalent, issued same day with photo and your existing license. The IDP must be carried alongside your original driving license at all times while driving in Japan.
Exception — Countries requiring JAF official translation instead of IDP: drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Slovenia, and Taiwan cannot use a standard IDP in Japan — these countries either follow the 1968 Vienna Convention (which Japan does not recognize) or have no convention agreement with Japan. Instead, they need an official Japanese translation of their license (JAF Translation, 日本語翻訳文) obtained from JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) or their country's embassy/consulate in Japan. The JAF Translation costs approximately ¥6,000 and takes 1–2 weeks to process — arrange before departure. Carry the original license alongside the translation at all times while driving.
Your original driving license: must be carried with the IDP. Presenting only the IDP without the original license is insufficient.
Valid passport: required at rental counter for identification.
Credit card: required for the security deposit hold. Debit cards are often not accepted.
Minimum age: 18–21 depending on the rental company. Most major companies set the minimum at 21 for the lowest restrictions.
How Japan's road rules differ from Western countries
Drive on the left: Japan drives on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right. For drivers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland, this is the same as home. For US, Canadian, and European drivers, this requires adjustment — allow extra time on the first day and avoid complex urban driving until comfortable with the orientation reversal.
Expressways: Japan's expressways (高速道路, kousoku douro) are toll roads. The ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card system allows automated payment — available from rental companies for ¥330–550/day surcharge, significantly more convenient than stopping at each toll booth with cash. For a week-long trip with significant highway driving, the ETC card is worth renting.
Expressway passes for foreign tourists: NEXCO (Japan's expressway operator) offers regional unlimited expressway passes exclusively for foreign visitors — the Hokkaido Expressway Pass, Tohoku Expressway Pass, and others allow unlimited highway travel within a specific region for a flat fee (approximately ¥2,500–7,500 for 3–7 days depending on region). These are significantly cheaper than paying individual tolls on long Hokkaido or Tohoku drives. Available online at driveplaza.com or through rental companies — requires a foreign passport to purchase.
Speed limits: 60 km/h on regular roads, 80–100 km/h on expressways. Speed cameras are common and enforcement is consistent. Japanese drivers generally observe speed limits more closely than in many Western countries.
Parking: in Japanese cities, street parking is largely prohibited and monitored strictly. Use dedicated paid parking facilities (コインパーキング, coin parking — automated systems where you park, a barrier rises when you leave and charges you for the duration). Costs ¥200–600 per hour in central city areas. Most tourist attractions outside cities have free parking.
Traffic signals and signs: Japanese traffic signals work the same as international standards. Road signs use Japanese with increasing amounts of romaji (romanized Japanese) on major highways. A navigation system in English is essential — the rental car's built-in GPS can typically be set to English.
Rental companies and booking
Toyota Rent a Car (トヨタレンタカー): the largest network in Japan, with locations at most airports and major stations. Reliable vehicles, consistent service, English-language booking available at toyota-rent.jp. Recommended for first-time renters in Japan.
Nippon Rent-a-Car: second largest network, competitive pricing, widely available at airports. nipponrentacar.co.jp.
Orix Rent-a-Car: strong network, often slightly cheaper than Toyota for equivalent vehicles. Good option for longer rentals.
Times Car Rental: carshare and traditional rental, strong urban presence.
International brands (Hertz, Avis, Budget): available but smaller networks than domestic Japanese companies. Sometimes cheaper through international booking platforms.
Booking tip: book directly with Japanese rental companies in English online for the best rates and vehicle availability. International booking platforms add fees without guaranteeing price improvements. For Hokkaido specifically, book 2–3 months in advance for peak summer (July–August) and ski season (January–February) — vehicles sell out.
Costs — what to budget
Small car (Toyota Yaris or equivalent): ¥5,000–8,000/day
Mid-size car (Toyota Corolla or equivalent): ¥7,000–12,000/day
SUV or minivan: ¥12,000–20,000/day
ETC card rental: ¥330–550/day surcharge
Additional driver: ¥500–1,000/day
Basic insurance: typically included. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and non-operation charge (NOC) insurance adds ¥1,000–1,500/day — strongly recommended.
Expressway tolls: significant on long drives. Tokyo to Kyoto via expressway costs approximately ¥8,000–10,000 each way. Hokkaido expressway use for a week can total ¥10,000–20,000 depending on routes.
Fuel: Japan's fuel prices are approximately ¥170–200 per liter (2026 rates). Japanese rental cars are fuel-efficient — a small car covering 500km uses approximately ¥5,000–7,000 in fuel.
Navigation — the most important practical detail
An English-language navigation system is not optional when driving in Japan — it's essential. Japanese road signs are increasingly romanized on highways but are predominantly Japanese in rural areas and smaller towns. Without navigation, finding a specific onsen or restaurant in a mountain valley is genuinely difficult.
Options for navigation:
Rental car GPS: most Japanese rental cars have built-in navigation that can usually be switched to English. The most reliable option — the system knows Japan's road network completely and handles toll roads, expressways, and narrow rural roads accurately. Set it to English before leaving the rental lot.
Google Maps: excellent for Japan driving navigation with reliable road coverage. Works well as a backup or alternative on your phone. Download offline maps for your intended region before departure. Mount your phone at eye level — holding a phone while driving is illegal in Japan.
Japanese address entry: Japanese navigation systems often work better with a phone number or "mapcode" (a Japanese geographic coordinate system) than with a street address. Most businesses, hotels, and tourist sites in Japan list their mapcode — search "[destination] mapcode Japan" to find it.
Returning the car
Return the car with the same fuel level as when you received it — most rentals require a full tank on return. Fill up before returning; rental companies charge a premium for fueling. In Japan, gas stations are often full-service (attendants pump fuel and clean the windscreen) — tell the attendant the fuel type (レギュラー, regular, for most passenger cars; ハイオク, premium, for higher-spec vehicles — check the fuel flap) and how much you want ("mantan," 満タン, for full tank).
Inspect the car on pickup and return with a staff member, noting any existing damage on the rental form. Japanese rental companies are meticulous about vehicle condition — photograph the exterior from all angles before driving away to document any pre-existing marks.
Related Guides
→ Japan Transportation Guide — Every Way to Get Around
→ Best Way to Get Around Japan
→ Japan Rail Pass vs IC Card — Which One Actually Saves You Money
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