One of the biggest concerns when traveling in Japan is transportation. The country is famous for its trains that run throughout the country, but many places are only accessible by car. With that in mind, is it worth renting a car in Japan? How does car rental work in the country?
In this article, we will answer all the questions regarding car rental in Japan, and we will also mention costs, companies, car rental prices, tips, and much more.
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Table of Contents
Is it worth renting a car in Japan?
Renting a car in Japan will depend on your objective. The country has train lines that allow access to practically the entire country, in addition to buses, tour guides, planes, and others.
Nowadays, car rental has lost its strength thanks to Uber, which came with the proposal to cost much less than a traditional taxi. The big problem is that Uber is not that popular in Japan, or it is not cheaper than a taxi.
Taxis still have a lot of strength in Japan, so renting an Uber in Japan may not be very viable. We do not know how this will change over the years.
So if your desire is just to go to a destination inaccessible by train or bus, you need to calculate the costs of renting a car or paying for a taxi or Uber.
Another factor that should be considered is that your International Driving Permit may not work in Japan if it is from a certain country. If that is the case, car rental should be disregarded.
Japan only accepts the IDP from 95 countries, including the United States, Canada, Korea, Africa, and Europe. If you are from a country like Brazil, unfortunately, you will not be able to drive in Japan with an IDP.
We recommend reading: Can I drive in Japan with an International permit or CNH?
Generally, car rental is quite popular in remote areas like Hokkaido and Okinawa. It is not usually sought after in Tokyo and Osaka.
Car rental is also quite sought after by groups of travelers who need to move around with family and want to explore all of Japan without worrying about waiting for trains.
It is worth remembering that Japan is a country full of mountains and has a winter full of snow. It can be dangerous to travel on some remote roads, so think carefully before taking risks.
How to rent a car in Japan?
If you are planning to rent a car, there are a few things you will need to know. Here is a quick guide to renting a car in Japan.
The first thing you will need to do is decide what type of car you want to rent. There are a variety of different options available, from small economy cars to larger vans and SUVs. Once you have decided on the type of car you want, you will need to choose a rental company.
There are several different rental companies in Japan. Therefore, it is important to do your research and choose one that is reputable and has a good selection of vehicles.
Once you have found a rental company that you like, the next step is to book your rental car. You will need to provide your contact information, as well as your travel dates and the type of car you want to rent. Most rental companies will require a deposit, so be sure to have your credit card ready.
Once you have your rental car, you are ready to hit the road! Japan has an extensive network of highways and expressways, so you should not have any problems getting around. Just obey the speed limit and drive safely.
Be aware that Japan drives on the left side, so if you are from the West, you may find it a bit confusing to drive in Japan, as everything is the opposite.
We recommend reading: Why does Japan use English hand? Drives on the Left?
How much does it cost to rent a car in Japan?
The price of renting a car will depend on the type of car chosen. You can find car rentals starting at 30 USD per day.
In Japan, individuals can also rent their cars to third parties if they go through certain procedures. Generally, these private cars are differentiated.
Renting a car in Japan can be a great way to see the country, especially if you are planning to do a lot of traveling. But how much does it cost to rent a car in Japan?
The cost of renting a car in Japan can also depend on the duration of your rental and where you are renting from. Generally, the longer you rent, the cheaper it will be per day.
If you are renting from a big city like Tokyo or Osaka, you will probably pay more than from a smaller city.
Here are some estimated costs for renting a car in Japan:
- Small car (like a Toyota Corolla or Honda Fit): 3,000-5,000 yen per day;
- Medium car (like a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord): 5,000-7,000 yen per day;
- Large car (like a Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol): 7,000-10,000 yen per day;
- SUV (like a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V): 10,000-15,000 yen per day;
- Minivan (like a Toyota Previa or Nissan Serena): 12,000-20,000 yen per day;
To get the best deal on your car rental, it is important to compare prices from different companies. Often you can find discounts and special offers from rental companies if you book in advance, so it is worth checking out a few different options before making your final decision.
We hope this gives you a better idea of the cost of renting a car in Japan. Remember, the prices above are just estimates.
Other costs with car rental
If you are planning to drive in Tokyo, you will need to consider the cost of mandatory expressway tolls, which are currently around 1,500 yen per day.
Japan is full of tolls, many of which are expensive. Of course, there are alternative and cheaper roads, but you need to know and keep an eye on the GPS.
In addition to tolls, you may also incur costs for ferries to cross from one island to another.
Parking in Japan can also be quite expensive. In large centers and cities, fees can cost hundreds of yen. We recommend leaving the car in national parks and tourist attractions that usually have a fixed fee of up to 500 yen.
The further away from the center, the less you will spend on parking. Small towns also tend to have free parking.
Hotels also often charge fees for leaving the car on site. Fees can reach up to 1,000 yen per day, almost the price of a Capsule Hotel.
It is worth remembering that you must return the car with a full tank of gas. Some are electric, so you just need to charge them at the outlet, and the costs are much lower. Clarify your doubts when renting the car; sometimes you will need to present the refueling receipt.
Main Car Rental Companies in Japan
Below is a list of companies you can look for to rent your car in the land of the rising sun:
- Nippon Rentacar Service Inc [NRS]
- TOYOTA Rent a Car
- Times Rent a Car
- Orix-rent-a-car
- Premium Rent-A-Car
- JAPAN Rent a car
- Aulash Rent-A-Car
- Executive Rent-A-Car
- Rent-A-Car Sapporo
These are the main car rental companies. Companies like Premium deal with imported cars like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
One thing that can help you choose the right rental company is to check if their official website is in English, thus facilitating communication.
In general, the cost of renting a car in Japan is quite reasonable, especially if you are planning to use it for long-distance trips. However, it is important to remember that driving in Japan can be quite challenging due to heavy traffic and complicated roads. Therefore, if you are not confident in your driving skills, it may be better to stick to public transportation.
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