CITY STREETS & SHORT TRIPS🚙
Compact
Easy to park and a good fit for two.
4 seats2 bagsAutomatic
CAR RENTAL IN JAPAN
Car rental in Japan,
your way.
Compare car hire in Japan by pick-up point, vehicle size and travel dates. Set off from Tokyo, Osaka or Sapporo, then plan a drive around the places you want to see.
Find a rental car ↗ PLAN A DRIVE THAT’S YOURS
JAPAN BY CAR
Choose dates to compare options · Rates and availability vary by location and provider
A CAR OPENS UP THE MAP — 01
Some places are
worth the detour.
A rental car can help you reach rural sights with limited public transport, link several stops in one day or explore an island at your own pace. For city-centre stays, compare parking costs and transit before you book.
Find a route to start with ↗START WITH THE KIND OF TRIP — 02
Choose a car for your route.
For a Japan rental car, compare the total for your dates, pick-up branch and car class. Check luggage capacity as well as the seat count.
Check dates ↗
COUNTRYSIDE & LONGER DRIVES🚗
Standard or SUV
More room for bags and long days.
5 seats3–4 bagsAutomatic
FAMILY & GROUP TRIPS🚐
Minivan
Room for people, luggage and day bags.
6–8 seats4+ bagsAutomatic
Vehicle models, seating and luggage capacity vary by rental company. Check the details before booking.
PLAN THE WHOLE RENTAL — 03
Know what goes into the total.
Start with the daily rate, then add insurance options, tolls, fuel and any extras. Each rental company sets its own cover, fees and fuel policy.
Car & cover
Daily rate, insurance cover and any excess waiver. Check limits and exclusions.
Road costs
Fuel, expressway tolls, parking and an ETC card fee.
Trip extras
Child seat, winter tyres, additional driver or one-way fee.
THE TOTAL
Using expressways? Ask whether the car has an ETC device and whether you can rent an ETC card. Ask how the rental company bills tolls and whether the ETC card has a rental fee.
Returning in another city? Check the one-way fee and whether the branch accepts your return location before you book.
WHEN TO BOOK YOUR DRIVE — 04
Japan changes with the calendar.
Spring blossoms and autumn leaves draw visitors to popular areas. June brings the rainy season to much of the country. Demand rises around popular destinations and holiday periods. Rental companies may set seasonal rates, so compare your dates and pick-up locations before you book.
Quieter periodsPopular travelHoliday peaks
Typical travel demand across JapanPlanning guide, not a live price chart
JANQuieter*
FEBQuieter*
MARSpring
APRBlossoms
MAYGolden Week
JUNRainy season
JULSummer
AUGHoliday week
SEPAutumn
OCTAutumn
NOVAutumn
DECYear-end
*Winter resorts and snowy regions follow a different pattern.Dates and conditions vary across Japan.
Chase the blossoms
Flowering dates move north with the season. Golden Week brings a run of national holidays in late April and early May.
Plan for rain and heat
Rainy-season timing varies by region. Summer holidays make some routes busier, while Hokkaido has its own peak season.
Follow the colour north to south
Autumn leaves arrive earlier in northern Japan and later in the south. Check local forecasts before you book around peak foliage.
Pick the right region
Snow changes the drive in Hokkaido and parts of northern Japan. Ask your rental company about winter tyres and road conditions.
Season notes: Japan National Tourism Organization, weather by season and travel tips. Rental prices depend on provider, region, car class and exact dates. The chart shows broad travel patterns, not collected rental-price data.
ROADS WORTH PLANNING FOR — 05
Six great places to see by car.
Japan’s best drives often link a major sight with small stops along the way. These regions pair scenic roads with viewpoints, hot springs or rural towns; check local access and road conditions before setting out.
Top places to see: Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone & Lake Ashi, Nikko & Irohazaka, Bandai-Azuma Skyline, Shikoku Karst, Aso-Kuju & the Milk Road.
YAMANASHI · KANTO
Fuji Five Lakes
Base yourself near Lake Kawaguchi for Fuji views, lakeside stops and access to the wider Fuji-Hakone-Izu area.
Plan a Fuji-Hakone-Izu visit ↗KANAGAWA · KANTO
Hakone & Lake Ashi
Drive the Hakone Skyline for viewpoints over Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. The route is a toll road with set opening hours.
Check the Hakone Skyline ↗TOCHIGI · KANTO
Nikko & Irohazaka
Climb the winding Irohazaka road towards Lake Chuzenji and Akechidaira Observatory. Autumn colour draws traffic, so allow extra time.
Read about Irohazaka ↗FUKUSHIMA · TOHOKU
Bandai-Azuma Skyline
Follow a mountain route through Bandai-Asahi National Park, with highland scenery and stops around the volcanic landscape.
Explore park driving routes ↗EHIME & KOCHI · SHIKOKU
Shikoku Karst
Head into open highland country for wide views across the karst plateau. Check the weather and road access before you go.
See JNTO’s scenic-drive list ↗KUMAMOTO · KYUSHU
Aso-Kuju & the Milk Road
Drive across Aso’s grasslands, then stop at viewpoints or hot springs. Volcanic activity and winter weather can affect access.
Check Aso travel updates ↗Travel notes: Route details and driving guidance link to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Volcanic alerts, weather and seasonal road closures can change. Check local updates before departure and confirm your rental car’s terms with the provider.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF — 06
Know the rules.
Enjoy the drive.
Japan drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. Check your licence requirements before you travel, then plan for tolls, parking and mountain weather along your route.
01
Check your documents
Many visitors need a paper International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Rules depend on where your licence was issued.
02
Budget for the full trip
Compare the rental rate, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking before you choose a car.
A SMOOTHER PICK-UP — 07
Four checks before
you drive away.
Bring the right documents
Carry your passport, home licence and the permit or translation required for your licence.
Confirm the car and fuel
Ask which fuel the car takes and whether you must return it with a full tank.
Check the car together
Walk around with staff. Point out any scratches and save a few photos before leaving.
Set up the essentials
Ask about ETC, navigation language, child seats and the rental company’s emergency number.
Travelling with a child under six? Japanese law requires an appropriate child seat. Request one when you reserve and confirm it at pick-up.
A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS — 08
Before you book.
Check the details that can change your plans, from licence rules to winter tyres.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Japan?＋
Many visitors need a paper International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention, carried with their home licence. Some countries and regions use a Japanese translation instead. Check the rules for the country that issued your licence before you travel.
Which side of the road does Japan drive on?＋
Drivers keep left, and most cars have the steering wheel on the right. Take extra care at intersections and when leaving a parking space if you usually drive on the other side.
Are rental cars expensive during cherry blossom season?＋
Rates depend on the city, dates, car class and provider. Some companies apply seasonal pricing during busy dates such as Golden Week. Compare exact pick-up and return dates with the rental provider.
Can I rent a car for a winter trip?＋
Yes. Ask the rental company whether winter tyres are included or available, especially for Hokkaido and snowy mountain regions. Check road and weather updates before each drive.
Do I need to reserve a child seat?＋
Children under six must use a child seat in Japan. Ask the rental company to add the right seat to your reservation, then check its fit when you collect the car.
What extra costs should I include in my budget?＋
Check the rental, insurance options, fuel, expressway tolls, parking and any one-way return fee. Include the rental rate, insurance options, fuel, expressway tolls, parking and any one-way rental fee. Check which items the quoted price includes.
How do toll roads work, and should I rent an ETC card?＋
Many expressways charge tolls. Drivers can pay at supported toll gates or use an ETC card with the car’s ETC device. Ask the rental company about card availability and fees before you set off.
Can I pick up and return the car in different cities?＋
Some companies allow one-way rentals, often with an extra fee and location restrictions. Check the return branch before you confirm your booking.
What should I check before leaving the rental branch?＋
Confirm the car’s condition, fuel type and return policy. Set up navigation, check any ETC card or child seat, and save the rental company’s contact number.
For licence rules and current travel guidance, see the Japan National Tourism Organization’s guide to renting a car. Confirm licence documents with the issuing authority and rental company before travel.