Make sure to get the multi-language GPS that support on your comfortable language. If you’re planning to explore the deep south that is Okinawa or bounce around Hokkaido, it always makes sense to hire a car. 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. Among other restrictions, you’ll need to have the international drivers license Japan requires before getting behind the wheel in Japan. Novel Coronavirus: Is It Safe to Travel to Hong Kong? More > Times Car Rental . 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. Read Privacy Policy or view sitemap. Not all of them are intuitive. Most car rental in Japan comes with a GPS navigation system. popping down to see the legendary Fuji Rock Festival (see the blurb about camper vans below). 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. How far off Japan's beaten path do you dare stray? Which would be no big deal, if it was possible to overtake people on Japanese roads. With over 750,000 readers each month, Tokyo Cheapo is the site of choice for value hunters who want their yen to go further in Tokyo. Continue reading to learn how to rent a car in Japan—and why you might not want to do so, in the end. Hello, My third time in Japan but first time will rent a car. If you had any plans of burning rubber from Tokyo to Osaka, for example, shelve them and take the shink (or a bus) instead. Additionally, content such as tours and tickets, hotels and apartments are commercial content. Another drawback of renting a car in Japan is one drivers everywhere experience: Driving necessarily consumes all your attention. Compare the different means and methods. You can get the translation done through the Japan Automobile Federation or (in some cases) your local embassy or consulate. However, before you go mapping out half a dozen Japan road trips to take over the next few years, allow me to spill a little cold water on you. Oh, and you need to be over 18. 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. 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. Young drivers should check age restrictions beforehand. We don't endorse any of the companies we link to but we are selective in terms of the companies that we choose. 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. Also, beware of blinkers and wipers commands which are reversed too. Traveling next week and thinking you should just rent a car in Japan? 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. To find out what qualifies as a valid driver’s license, read on… 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. In Hokkaido there seem to be fewer speakers of English than in south. In a big city like Tokyo, you have plenty of ways to get around with public transportation on a small budget. 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. Distances are large, public transport limited. Bigger and fancier cars usually cost ¥1,500–¥6,000 more. The roadside stops are redeeming, to be fair (and there are lots of ’em). How far can 10,000 yen take you beyond the borders of Tokyo? I'll be first travelling straight to Hakodate from New Chitose Airport (3.5 hrs drive! 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. Some folks get a bee in their beatnik bonnet about doing the road trip of their dreams in Japan. Book now! Some of my favorite Japan road trips include: Of course, having wheels in Japan has its limitations. The tolls, well, take their toll on your bank balance (seriously, they can be very steep). Of course, if you happen to have a Japanese driving license, that works too. Rent a car in Japan and find great deals with Europcar. Follow our Tokyo to Nagano road trip itinerary for winter travel ideas—plus tips on winter driving and camper van rentals in Japan. 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. 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. First off, let’s take a look at your driver’s license. how to get from Narita airport to Tokyo, which JR rail pass to choose, getting a SIM card and pocket wifi. You can plan the itinerary without relying on anything else. He was planning to rent a car and drive around Tokyo and to Mt. You can get an IDP through your national automobile association before coming to Japan (note: not once you are here); the permit is valid for a year from the date of issue. 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. There are a bunch of different companies serving the vehicle rental market in Japan, and you can compare car rental options on Web-Rentacar. We have other special offers as well. Sponsored posts are clearly labeled with a "Sponsored" tag. He was planning to rent a car and drive around Tokyo and to Mt. Just take it. 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. 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. 1 Reasons for Renting a Car in Japan. Information—and inspiration—for all your trips to Japan. What’s worse (well, best from a safety perspective) is that Japanese people almost never speed. If you stay within those areas, it’s better to utilize public transportation. There's still plenty of time to take advantage of this special discount deal! 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. Being able to rent a car in Japan is essential if you’re going outside the city of Naha. 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. Last updated in August, 2020. Can you rent a car in Japan? That’s certainly how I felt before the first time I got behind the wheel in Japan, in Hokkaido a few summers ago. If you are curious you can check live traffic information for With regards to driving this was not a problem at all. Finding the Right Travel Insurance for Japan, Sustainable Travel in Japan: From Sushi to Single-use Plastic, compare car rental options on Web-Rentacar. However, rental cars for foreigners are not very developed in Japan, for several reasons. 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. 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. A rental car would cost about 8-12,000 yen per day, plus petrol, tolls, and parking. More > Toyota. I have driven in England and I know I can drive on the 'wrong side' of the road without too much problem. 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. 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. Here are some of the major names. Not so fast! My name is Robert Schrader, and I'm a Japan travel expert with nearly a decade of experience under my belt. 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. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-This post has been removed at the author's request. Read more to learn how to rent a car, how much it costs, and what license requirements you need. This might request a double adaptation time which can slow down some everyday drivers, accustomed to drive on right side with manual gearbox cars. 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. 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. 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. Japan's Travel Bubble: What Is It, and Who's Included? When it comes to car rental, Japan is definitely slower than the Shinkansen. Car Rental; Of these, I think I prefer Tocoo! Also, a valid driver’s license is (obviously) necessary. Some of the articles on this site contain affiliate links. You don’t necessarily need a Japanese license, you just need one from your home country. The trains and buses will get you wherever you want to go, quickly, safely and affordably. And this was just me! It's like a trip to Japan every week, right in your inbox! Renting a car in Japan can greatly expand your range of activities during your vacation. ), where I'll stay for 3 days, then travel to Sapporo (4.5 hrs drive! 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. How are gas prices in Japan? The other thing you’ll need to hire a car in Japan is a credit card. Oh, and before driving anywhere, it pays to familiarize yourself with Japanese road signs. Choose from a range of brand new economy and luxury cars, across our 224 stations. 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. Any tip will do...! 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. To rent a car in Japan, drivers must be at least 18 years of age. 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. But mostly, driving between big cities is a drag. 2.3 Japanese People Drive Slowly. Rental car insurance. If you’re looking to rent a camper van in Japan, we recommend Dream Drive Japan. For the most part, you probably won’t need to rent a car in Japan—especially not in Tokyo. It is easy (if not cheap) to get around. It will make your life on the southern islands much easier. 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. Most people renting cars in Japan will be required to have an International Driving Permit, or ‘IDP’ for short. Last autumn, for example, when I was in Kanazawa taking in the colorful leaves, I decided to make a day trip to Maruoka Castle. To rent a car in Japan, you need to have a driver’s license. 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. Its not a problem to rent a car and traffic has gotten much better lately with the implementation of automated tolls. 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. 1. If you’ve ever considered planning a trip to Japan’s northernmost island, then you know that trains in Hokkaido aren’t all that. For more about the people behind this site, check out the profiles of the cheapos. Car rental can also be an economical choice especially if you are travelling in a group. While some Japanese-language ability will make the collection and drop-off of the rental car easier, it’s not essential. Budget and higher-end cars are available, with plenty of pick-up and drop-off options around major airports and train stations. 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. Whether you're seeking information or inspiration, all your trips to Japan start here. 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. I have a U.S. driver’s license so that won’t be a … 2 Drawbacks of Renting a Car in Japan. There are a host of car rental companies to choose from in Japan. Or perhaps renting a car simply seems like the best way to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. You won't find a better deal anywhere else. They offer more than 10 car rental brands, including familiar names like Budget and Nissan Rent a Car. 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. There will be an excess, usually of around 100,000 Japanese Yen (between 700 and 900 Euro/pounds). Awesome! We rented with Toyota Rent a car at their Kawaguchi-ko branch. You might want to take a trip to the rurals, for example, or do a run to the nearest (never very … In the US you can apply for this at a AAA office, but issuance isn’t always immediate so plan ahead. 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! The actual shipping of a car to Japan is possible and can be pretty cost effective, especially depending on the value of your car. 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). They also have some of the world’s slowest speed limits—70 km/h is not uncommon, even on expressways. It usually costs about $20.00 (USD) to acquire one. 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. What you need to know for before and after your arrival in Japan. Whatever the case may be, you're in the right place. Telephone number or map code can be use to find your destination. Like what you're reading? It all depends on what sort of wheels you’re after and how many people you need to pack into the back. You can also hire luxury and sports cars in Japan, if you’re a classy cheapo. Consider your cheapo self cautioned! Make sure to commission a custom Japan itinerary if you need help planning your Japan road trip. What You Need to Know Before Renting a Car in Japan. We like this car hire site for Japan because it’s pretty easy to use, and you can complete your entire booking in English. If you happen to live on the west coast of the US, the cost to ship should be around $2000 USD. 2.2 Japan Car Rental Rules are Strict. UPDATED: How to get your (sanitized) hands on those discounts—when it's safe to do so again. The pump attendants will do all the hard work for you, and even help you get back onto the road. Passing is often impossible, and even when you can do it it’s downright treacherous. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay cash at the 一般 toll gates (and yes, they do give change). Follow our budget Tokyo to Kanazawa itinerary without missing all the best sights! Ditto much of the countryside in the rest of Japan. In Fukuoka actually. For more detailed … ), you’ll miss a lot of the beauty around you. 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. If you’re fixated on the road (and make no mistake, you should be if you’re behind the wheel! You won't be tied to timetables either in a car. 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. 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. The author may post again if desired.Posts on the Tripadvisor forums may be edited for a short period of time. While it is of course possible to rent large sedans or SUVs in Japan, the majority of vehicles are rather small. See the cheapest, fastest and most convenient options for long-term connectivity. Also, parking is really pricey in the cities. Need help planning your road trip around Japan? 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. 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!). Updated with the latest rules & regulations, as well as resources. Find out how to avoid transaction fees and get the best rates. Is your country on the list? Hybrids can sometimes be had for a competitive price. 2.4 And It’s Difficult to Pass, Even on the Highway. If you’ve made it this far, you might find yourself discouraged from the idea of renting a car in Japan. 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. Say “mantan de onegai shimasu” for a full tank of whatever it is you need. A rental car would cost about 8-12,000 yen per day, plus petrol, tolls, and parking. The views are virtually non-existent. 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. 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. 2.5 Japanese Rental Cars … Foreigners are not very developed in Japan but for safety, please double check the... 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