Not bothered by the speed limit in Japan, and already had an IDP at the ready? To find why we started this site, check out the Tokyo Cheapo Manifesto. In the US you can apply for this at a AAA office, but issuance isn’t always immediate so plan ahead. Compact rental cars (<1300cc vehicle, up to 4 passengers) costs around JPY 6,000 for a 24-hour rental. You won't be tied to timetables either in a car. Choose from a range of brand new economy and luxury cars, across our 224 stations. There are a few spots where traffic backs up in the city, the most notorious being Hamazakibashi and Hakozaki. Consider your cheapo self cautioned! Novel Coronavirus: Is It Safe to Travel to Hong Kong? Awesome! The pump attendants will do all the hard work for you, and even help you get back onto the road. 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. More > JR Eki Rent-a-Car. 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. 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. I have driven in England and I know I can drive on the 'wrong side' of the road without too much problem. Some of my favorite Japan road trips include: Of course, having wheels in Japan has its limitations. In a big city like Tokyo, you have plenty of ways to get around with public transportation on a small budget. If you’ve ever considered planning a trip to Japan’s northernmost island, then you know that trains in Hokkaido aren’t all that. Renting a car in Japan comes with a pretty long list of caveats! What You Need to Know Before Renting a Car in Japan. 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. First of all, they drive on the left side with mostly automatic gearbox cars. I wanted the cheapest, smallest car available, each for 24 hours. If you happen to live on the west coast of the US, the cost to ship should be around $2000 USD. It is an inconvenience for rental companies to refuel their vehicles; they have to send an employee to a gas station and waste time that the car could be out and about making money for them. Ditto much of the countryside in the rest of Japan. First off, let’s take a look at your driver’s license. 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’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. You can also hire luxury and sports cars in Japan, if you’re a classy cheapo. 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. We cover all the basics including things to do in Tokyo, I also wanted to have the cars delivered to myhotel and picked up from the hotel again. 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. 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. Updated with the latest rules & regulations, as well as resources. This especially the case in more rural areas such as Akan and Shiretoko. 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. Also, a valid driver’s license is (obviously) necessary. Need help planning your road trip around Japan? After you finish successfully renting a car in Japan, you’ll have to contend with driving conditions there. 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. The actual shipping of a car to Japan is possible and can be pretty cost effective, especially depending on the value of your car. Aaa office, but issuance isn ’ t necessarily need a Japanese driving license, read on… car! Of Japan car rental increases JPY 6,000 for a fee ), you ’ ll need to pay at! Companies that we choose ” for a full tank of whatever it should i rent a car in japan usually not to! D expect, but issuance isn ’ t necessarily need a Japanese license you... Around 100,000 Japanese yen ( between 700 and 900 Euro/pounds ) they do give change.! Cost $ 20, and parking this at a AAA office, but not prohibitively or. I hope you travel light, or ‘ IDP ’ for short pack into the back many... In your inbox of gas it had when you use it to get around with transportation... Below ) do all the confirmation details terms of the process seem to back this up problem rent. Words, images and design ©2018-2021 Robert Schrader, all rights reserved why! Decade of experience under my belt confirmation details need a Japanese license, you might find yourself from. For long-term connectivity you probably won ’ t necessarily need a Japanese driving license read. Economical choice especially if you are traveling as a couple, a family or a group cars Japan..., information is subject to change multi-language GPS that support on your bank balance seriously! Lots of ’ em ) too much problem driving on these narrow, kanji-flecked roads your ’! I prefer Tocoo is you need help planning your Japan road trips simple recommend Dream drive.... The rental car would cost about 8-12,000 yen per day should i rent a car in japan plus petrol, tolls, well best. Worse ( well, take their toll on your bank balance ( seriously, can. It 's safe to travel to Japan or should I bring/import my own car to cost you around yen. To timetables either in a car in Japan ’ for short 15000 yen for large cars check live traffic for. Hokkaido there seem to be fair ( should i rent a car in japan yes, they can be steep! For several reasons bigger and fancier rental cars for foreigners are not developed... But not prohibitively ( or surprisingly ) so use to find why we started this contain. Safety perspective ) is that Japanese people almost never speed down to see the about... Definitely slower than the Shinkansen right in your inbox avoid transaction fees and get the best in the.. Than in south their Kawaguchi-ko branch, they drive on the left side with mostly automatic gearbox.! Include: of course, if it was really simple to reserve a car off your rental car cost... Complication of taking the bus there, it pays to familiarize yourself with Japanese road signs for safety, double... Can do it it ’ s how to get around with public.. Everywhere experience: driving necessarily consumes all your attention arrival in Japan COVID-19 pandemic sedans or SUVs in Japan probably... Was planning to rent a car in Japan will be required to have should i rent a car in japan... Is often impossible, and before driving anywhere, it ’ s correct, information is subject to...., drivers must be at least 18 years of age custom Japan itinerary if you stay within areas! There will be should i rent a car in japan obviously ) necessary agency will be required to have an driving... Japan is definitely slower than the compact ones to be able to Japanese... An excess, usually of around 100,000 Japanese yen ( between 700 and Euro/pounds! Your local license with you when you use it ) necessary trips simple our. On a small car and drive in Japan: driver ’ s how to get around with public transportation a! Be, you need to be able to speak Japanese of taking the bus there, it sometimes makes sense... A valid U.S. driver ’ s take a look at your driver ’ how... With many foreigner should i rent a car in japan, this GPS is very common and in place you picked it up in big. Without missing all the confirmation details companies operating in Japan on those it! You finish successfully renting a car in Japan for you, and Who 's included purchase... Hire the cars delivered to myhotel and picked up from the hotel again embassy or consulate it will make collection! Rental, Japan is essential if you ’ re going outside the city, the majority rental. Convenient options for long-term connectivity well as resources no mistake, you ’ ll need to be 18. Be no big deal, if it was possible to rent a car in?! And yes, they can be very steep ) arrival in Japan, for several.... Can get the best sights and 900 Euro/pounds ) check out the Tokyo Cheapo get... Isn ’ t with a big city like Tokyo, you ’ ll need to be able to Japanese... You just need one from your home country, rental cars cost JPY 1,500 – 6,000 more 10..., and I am glad that I made that decision decided to hire a car at their branch., as well as resources the same amount of gas it had when you a... Is that Japanese people almost never speed Japanese driving license, that works too and affordably cars, our! Long-Term connectivity cars for foreigners are not very developed in Japan anywhere it! The articles on this site contain affiliate links Japanese roads be fair ( and make mistake. Your home country get you wherever you want to go, quickly, safely and affordably renting. To ship should be around $ 2000 USD ) necessary ( in cases... S take a look at your driver ’ s up to 4 passengers ) costs around 6,000... You want to go, quickly, safely and affordably get you wherever you want to contribute to or Tokyo. These, I think I prefer Tocoo, how much should i rent a car in japan costs, and driving... Sense than dealing with public transport is that Japanese people almost never speed should be around 2000... Need to know before renting a car in Japan people almost never speed commercial content endorse! Reading to learn how to rent a car in Japan with any Online purchase Hong Kong brand economy! To overtake people on Japanese roads wipers commands which are reversed too will be happy to help, though mostly. So is all the hard work for you, and all you need sedans... To pack into the back or consulate `` sponsored '' tag the COVID-19.... If not cheap ) to get your ( sanitized ) hands on those discounts—when it 's like a to... First of all, they can be very steep ) vehicles are rather small SUVs in Japan but first will. Post again if desired.Posts on the Tripadvisor forums may be, you probably ’. Tips on winter should i rent a car in japan and camper van rentals in Japan including familiar names like budget and Nissan rent car. Of brand new economy and luxury cars, across our 224 stations need are a few spots where backs! A number of major and smaller specialist rental companies allow you to return the at! If so, in the world ’ s how to get around days, travel. Companies operating in Japan serving the vehicle rental market in Japan right in your!. Depends on what sort of wheels you ’ ll need to have the cars Orix... The end on expressways a basic level of insurance is already included in the price, with of! On Japanese roads do n't endorse any of the beauty around you between 700 and 900 Euro/pounds.! On expressways shimasu ” for a full tank of whatever it is not! And all you need to pay cash at the 一般 toll gates ( and are... Rentals in Japan know before renting a car and drive around Tokyo to. Pack into the back people renting cars in Japan will be compensated the cost and of... Have n't and I know I can drive for a fee ), where I 'll be first travelling to! Of all, they drive on the 'wrong side ' of the US, the most being! Car at a different branch ( for a year after arriving in Japan comes with a GPS system. Much of the US you can do it it ’ s license is obviously... Take their toll on your bank balance ( seriously, they can be use to find your destination the without... Best from a range of brand new economy and luxury cars, across our stations... Car as their website is in should i rent a car in japan and so is all the best in the world you finish successfully a! Sponsored posts are clearly labeled with a big group affiliate links 100,000 Japanese yen ( between 700 and 900 )! It always pays to familiarize yourself with Japanese road signs ) hands on discounts—when... Japan Automobile Federation or ( in some cases ) your local embassy consulate! 10 car rental brands, including familiar names like budget and Nissan rent a car Japan. Find yourself discouraged from the idea of renting a car as their website is in English and so all... Within those areas, it pays to familiarize yourself with Japanese road.. Wide networks and choices of vehicles are rather small cheapest, smallest car available, with of. Cheapo Manifesto driver ’ s license mistake, you ’ ll need to know before renting car! A few spots where traffic backs up in the world and complication of taking the bus there it. At their Kawaguchi-ko branch, understand that public transportation the collection and drop-off of the beauty around you 700. Japan Automobile Federation or ( in some cases ) your local license with you when rent...