Asking who I personally rent cars from when I’m driving around Japan?
I have written about what it is like to drive in Japan and I also have a whole article on my favourite road trips from Tokyo.
But here are the exact details on where I rent cars from in Japan.
Driving in Japan is just so easy and so lovely – especially these days with logistical and language support from Google Maps.
It is also a great option for those really hot summer months in Japan – to have the option of aircon that can move with you is such a good option.
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission if you make a purchase using one of my links – at no additional cost to you.
Do I recommend driving between Kyoto / Osaka and Tokyo?
No, I don’t. Not on a family trip in Japan.
It will slow your whole holiday down. You’re in Japan – take a bullet train between these locations and then keep the holiday moving! If you are set on doing this though (if you’re in Japan for months and months) then this article will most likely help.
I do, however, renting at either end! So, by this, I mean renting a car in Tokyo and driving to these spots OR renting in Kyoto or Osaka and driving to Lake Biwa, Awaji Island, Ine Village, Kobe etc.
Is it necessary to organise an international drivers licence before leaving your home country to use in Japan?
For most countries – yes. For Australians, it must all be organised in Australia – this cannot be done while in Japan.
What to read before driving in Japan
The Japan Automobile Federation has a detailed guide on road safety in Japan here.
Here is the link to the National Police Agency’s Traffic Safety Guidelines in Japan.
Where do I pick up cars from in Tokyo?
I have collected cars in Ikebukuro and Shinagawa.
Do I drop cars off in different cities ?
I pretty much never do this. The reason? In Japan it is very expensive to drop off the car in a different spot to where it was first collected. I like to collect and drop off a car in the same city.
Renting a car in Okinawa
We stayed at Busena Terrace in Okinawa and drove from the airport in Naha for an hour to the hotel. This also gave us flexibility for exploring and sightseeing. This is the exact car I booked in Okinawa. Please note that the car rental places aren’t right at the airport so you’ll need to take a free shuttle to the pick up location – the shuttles finish at 8pm.
Renting a car in Fukuoka
I rented this exact car at Fukuoka Airport. I needed to take a shuttle to the pick up point from outside the airport. I drove from here to Nagasaki. It was incredible. This is the exact car I booked in Fukuoka.
Renting a car from Osaka’s Kansai Airport
I rented this exact car from Kansai Airport. This was for driving to Amanohashidate and Ine Village. The rent-a-car pick up is right at the airport – no need for a shuttle.
Renting a car from Nissan Rentacar Higashi-Ikebukuro
I have rented from Nissan Rentacar Higashi-Ikebukuro numerous times.
I highly highly highly renting a car from Tokyo – driving to Hakone for 1-2 nights and then driving on a few more hours to Lake Kawaguchi. You will see Mt Fuji from so many amazing angles .. you’ll want to stop the car for pictures the whole time!
at Satoyama Jujo in Niigata. I picked up this car from Higashi-Ikebukuro (and returned it to the same spot.)
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission if you make a purchase using one of my links – at no additional cost to you.
