How to rent a car in Japan?

Did you know that renting a car in Japan allows access to hundreds of destinations that are not reachable by bullet trains? It’s one of the most flexible ways to explore the country’s hidden gems. If you are a traveler planning to drive in Japan, there are several important preparations and procedures you must follow.

Key requirements to rent a car in Japan

Required Documents

Category	Required Documents	Notes
Driver’s License	International Driving Permit (IDP)	Originals required
Identification	Passport	For the entry date verification
Payment	Credit Card under the driver’s name	Required for deposit
Reservation	Rental car reservation confirmation	Hard/Soft copy

Cost Overview

• Base Rental Fee: Kei car ¥6,600/day – Large car ¥19,250/day
• Insurance: CDW ¥1,100/day, NOC Insurance ¥550/day
• Deposit: ¥30,000–¥100,000 (credit card hold)
• Fuel: Full-to-Full policy

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Rent A Car in Japan With An International Driving Permit

How to Obtain an IDP?

Required documents

• A valid domestic driving license from the country of residence
• Prepare passport-sized photographs as requested by the issuing authority
• Complete the IDP application form
• Present proof of identity (Passport or national identity card)

Note: The IDP must always be accompanied by the original driver’s license to be valid internationally.

Applicability

• The IDP translates the domestic license into multiple languages and is recognized in over 150 countries, but requirements vary by destination.
• Some countries waive IDP requirements for certain nationalities, so always check local regulations before travel.

Notes for Driving in Japan

• Only the 1949 Geneva Convention format international permit is valid.
• Other formats (e.g., Vienna Convention) are not accepted.
• The IDP is valid in Japan for up to 1 year after entry.
• You must always carry your original license and passport as well.

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Rental car reservation & providers in Japan

Recommended companies

Company	Feature	Advantages	Disadvantages
Toyota Rental car	Largest Company, nationwide	Newest cars, many branches, and multilingual	Demand is high during peak season
Times Car Rental	City branch focus	Near stations and frequent discounts	Limited to rural areas
ORIX Rental	Premium service	High-end cars, Safety packages	Higher cost
Nissan Rental	Mid-Size provider	Reasonable price, ETC rental	Fewer locations

Booking Methods

• Official sites: Guarantees lower prices, no cancellation fees, and live availability, but often provide only in Japanese.
• Global sites (Hertz, Budget, etc): Provide English support along with integrated services at a higher cost.

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Insurance guide to rent a car in Japan

Basic Insurance (Included)

• Bodily injury: Unlimited
• Property damage: Unlimited
• Vehicle damage: Market value coverage
• Personal injury: ¥15,000,000 per person

Optional Insurance (strongly recommended)

• CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): This insurance costs around $8 per day and protects you from paying $300 to $650 out of your own pocket if something happens to the car.
• NOC (Non-Operation Charge): For about $4 per day, this coverage protects you from paying extra fees if your rental car needs repairs. Without it, the rental company could charge you between $120 and $300 for lost income while the car is out of service.
• Full Insurance Package: costs about $10 per day and includes both CDW and NOC, plus extra coverage like protection for tires and wheel covers. This package is recommended for first-time drivers in Japan to avoid unexpected costs.

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Pickup & Return Procedures

Pickup Checklist

1. Document verification

• IDP, corresponding domestic driving license, and passport
• A security deposit of around $200 to $600 is typically held on your credit card when renting a car in Japan.

2. Verify the car’s condition

• Check the car body condition and take pictures.
• Check fuel level (usually full tank)
• Check the navigation system, ETC (Electronic Toll Collection card) card operation

3. Listen to the traffic rule briefing

• Listen to Japan’s traffic instructions
• Verify emergency contact number
• Review and understand the accident response procedure

Return Procedure

• Fuel: Refill fuel (Tank full)
• Time: Return on time (late fee charges are applicable)
• Examination: Car inspection with staff
• Deposit: Deposit is released immediately if no issues are found

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Driving Precautions in Japan

Basic traffic rules

• Road system: Japan follows left-hand traffic
• Speed limit: Highway 100 km/h, Local 60 km/h
• Alcohol limit: 0% (zero tolerance)
• Mobile phone use: Strictly prohibited while driving

Japan Express Highway rules

• ETC card: rent from provider (~¥300/day)
• Toll gates: pay by cash or ETC card
• Rest stops: take breaks every 2 hours

Parking Information

• Coin parking: Prepaid service common in cities
• Hotel parking: ¥1,000–¥3,000 per night
• Tourist spots: many free lots
• City centers: expensive (¥500/hour or more)

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Accident response procedure in Japan

Immediate response

• Ensure safety: Move the vehicle to a safe location
• Contact police: Dial 110 (English support available)
• Notify Rental Company: Call the 24-hour customer service center
• Preserve the Scene: Take photos and record details of the situation

Needed information

• Accident location and time
• Other party’s information (driver’s license, Insurance card)
• Witness contact details
• Rental agreement number

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Money-Saving Tips While Renting a Car in Japan

Booking Strategies

• Early Reservation: Discounts available when booking at least 2 weeks in advance
• Off-Peak Travel: Avoid peak seasons (Golden Week, Obon, New Year holidays)
• Long-Term Rental: Enjoy discounted daily rates when you rent for seven days or longer; rates are automatically reduced for extended bookings

Fuel Savings

• Hybrid Cars: Improved fuel efficiency up to 2 times that of a normal car
• Gas Station Choice: Use self-service fuel stations for lower prices
• Highways: Avoid unnecessary expressway use

Insurance Options

• CDW + NOC: Essential combination for full coverage
• Perfect Plan: Recommended for first-time renters
• Overlap Check: Compare with your personal travel insurance before purchase

Note: CDW stands for Collision Damage Waiver, and NOC stands for Non-Operation Charge

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Car Rental Tips by Region in Japan

Region	Pickup Location	City Driving	Recommended Routes	Notes
Tokyo	Haneda/Narita	Avoid the central city	Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Nikko	Parking very expensive
Kansai	Kansai Airport	Avoid driving downtown	Nara, Mt. Koya, Awaji	Heavy traffic
Okinawa	Naha Airport	Rental essential	Miyako, Ishigaki, North coast	Driving hazards during typhoon season
Hokkaido	New Chitose Airport	Long-distance driving common	Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa	Snow tires are required in winter
Kyushu	Fukuoka/Kumamoto airports	Easy local driving	Mt. Aso, Yufuin, Takachiho	Check road conditions in the volcanic area
Shikoku	Takamatsu/Matsuyama airport	Mostly small towns	Dogo Onsen, Naruto whirlpools	Mountainous roads with many curves

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Final Checklist for renting a car in Japan

Before departure

Checklist Item	Detailed Content	Priority
Valid IDP	IDP obtained from your home country with a validity period of one year	⭐⭐⭐
A valid domestic driving license from the country of residence	Original driving licence issued by your home country, valid for a period of six months	⭐⭐⭐
Credit card limit	limit enough for ¥30,000–¥100,000 deposit	⭐⭐⭐
Reservation confirmation	Print/save reservation confirmation	⭐⭐
Learn Japan’s traffic rules	Highway rules, speed limit, etc	⭐⭐

At Pickup

Checklist Item	Detailed Content	Priority
Needed documents	IDP+Driving licence+passport	⭐⭐⭐
Insurance	CDW+NOC (fully covered)	⭐⭐⭐
Vehicle inspection	Verify the vehicle condition on the exterior and take pictures	⭐⭐
Save emergency contact information	The rental car company has a 24/7 call center	⭐⭐
Install GPS and Navigation	Set the destination and check the operation	⭐⭐

While driving

Checklist Item	Detailed Content	Priority
Follow the left-hand traffic rule	Japan follows left-hand traffic, opposite to most countries	⭐⭐⭐
Speed limit	Highways 100km/h Normal 60km/h	⭐⭐⭐
Breaks while traveling	Take breaks every 2 hours	⭐⭐
Refuel	Refuel as needed	⭐⭐
Drunk and drive	Never drink alcohol and drive, and also the use of phones while driving is prohibited	⭐⭐⭐

While returning

Checklist Item	Detailed Content	Priority
Refuel	Refuel to a full tank	⭐⭐⭐
Return on time	Return on time to avoid extra charges	⭐⭐
Vehicle inspection	Inspect the car with the staff	⭐⭐
Keep Receipt	Keep the receipt for the deposit release	⭐⭐

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Renting a car in Japan is made easy

Renting a car in Japan is certainly feasible for international travelers, and with proper preparation and insurance coverage, it can lead to a safe and enjoyable journey. The most crucial requirement is obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by an authorized agency in your home country, and also having suitable insurance, which makes your trip even safer. Equipped with these essentials, travelers can confidently drive and explore Japan.