Renting a Car in Japan: Everything You Need to Know Before Driving 🇯🇵🚗

This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Rent a car in Japan, and you will experience a completely different side of the country that most tourists never see. While cities like Tokyo and Osaka are easy to explore by train, many of Japan’s most beautiful locations are hidden deep in the countryside, mountains, and coastal regions.

One of the best regions to put a rental car to use is Tottori, on the Sea of Japan coast, where the sand dunes, the coastline and the inland towns are far easier to link together by car than by train. My Tottori road trip guide lays out a ready-made route.

From driving through the Japanese Alps in Nagano to visiting remote onsens in Kyushu or hidden villages in Hokkaido, renting a car in Japan gives you a level of freedom public transport simply cannot offer.

Still, driving in Japan can be confusing for first-time visitors. This Japan car rental guide explains everything you need to know before getting behind the wheel, including age requirements, driving permits, Japanese road rules, speeding fines, and important cultural tips for foreign drivers.

Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Japan

To legally drive in Japan, you generally need to be at least 18 years old. Most rental companies also require drivers to be 18 or older, although some agencies may prefer drivers over 20 or 21, depending on the vehicle category.

You must always carry:

• Your passport
• Your original driving license
• Your International Driving Permit or official translation if required

Without the required documents, rental agencies in Japan will refuse to provide you with the vehicle.

Rent a car in Japan: Best Rental Car Companies

Japan has excellent rental car infrastructure, and you can find agencies at almost every airport and major train station.

Some of the largest companies include:

• Toyota Rent a Car
• Times Car Rental
• Nippon Rent-A-Car
• ORIX Rent-A-Car
• Nissan Rent a Car

Prices can vary massively depending on:

• Season
• Pickup location
• Holidays
• Last-minute availability

For most travelers, we recommend comparing prices through:

In many tourist areas, booking directly at the counter can become surprisingly expensive. During cherry blossom season, Golden Week, or ski season, prices often increase heavily.

Using a comparison platform helps avoid overpriced tourist rates and usually gives you much cheaper deals.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Japan?

Prices depend on the season, car size and pickup location, but these are typical ranges to budget with:

Tip: Rental companies offer a flat-rate Japan Expressway Pass for foreign visitors in many regions. If you plan long drives on expressways, ask about it when you book, as it can be much cheaper than paying tolls individually.

International Driving Permit Japan Rules

One of the biggest mistakes tourists make is assuming their normal driving license automatically works in Japan.

Most travelers need an International Driving Permit, which Japan accepts under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

This applies to visitors from countries such as:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Canada
• Many other countries that issue 1949 Geneva Convention permits

You must obtain the permit in your home country before arriving in Japan. With an IDP, you can drive in Japan for up to one year from your date of entry, even if the permit itself is valid longer.

You also need to carry:

• The original physical license
• The physical IDP
• Your passport

Digital copies are generally not accepted.

Countries That Need a Japanese License Translation

Drivers from a few countries cannot use an International Driving Permit in Japan. Instead, they need an official Japanese translation of their driving license. This applies to:

• Switzerland
• Germany
• France
• Belgium
• Taiwan
• Monaco

This surprises many travelers from these countries: a normal International Driving Permit from, for example, Switzerland or Germany is not accepted in Japan. You need the Japanese translation instead, and it is valid for up to one year after entering Japan.

These translations are commonly issued by:

JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) – Translation Page

The translation must always be carried together with your original license.

If you arrive without the proper translation or permit, the rental company will simply refuse the rental, even if you have already paid online.

How to Get Your Rental Car Faster in Japan

This may sound strange, but if you do not speak Japanese, getting your rental car can actually become much faster.

Japanese customer service is extremely detailed. As soon as the staff realizes you understand Japanese, they often explain every tiny detail for a very long time:

• ETC cards
• Parking rules
• Fuel procedures
• Insurance explanations
• Navigation systems
• Warning sounds
• Car scratches
• Emergency procedures

When we rented a car in Japan, we left my fiancée at home and used English only. We received the car in around 10 minutes.

As soon as the staff thinks you fully understand Japanese, the explanation process can become extremely long. It is not meant negatively. Japanese customer service culture focuses heavily on avoiding misunderstandings.

For many tourists, using simple English can honestly save a lot of time.

Picking Up and Returning Your Rental Car

• Inspect the car together with the staff and make sure existing scratches are marked on the form before you leave.
• Car navigation: most Japanese car navigation systems let you search by phone number or Mapcode, which is often easier than typing a Japanese address. Many drivers simply use Google Maps on their phone in a holder.
• Fuel: most cars use regular gasoline (レギュラー). Many gas stations are self-service, and staff are usually happy to help.
• Return with a full tank and keep the receipt. Rental companies often ask you to refuel at a station close to the rental office and may check the receipt.

Driving in Japan for Tourists: Important Road Rules

Driving in Japan generally feels very safe, clean, and organized, especially compared to many other countries. However, there are several important road rules and driving habits that foreign visitors need to understand before renting a car in Japan. Many tourists are surprised to learn that Japan road rules for foreigners are exactly the same as for local residents, and Japanese police enforce traffic laws very strictly regardless of whether you are a tourist or not.

Japan Drives on the Left Side

Japan drives on the left side of the road.

This becomes especially dangerous:

• After taking breaks
• At intersections
• When leaving parking lots
• On empty countryside roads

Many tourists accidentally drift into the wrong lane for a few seconds.

Always stay focused.

Japanese Speed Limits

Japanese speed limits are generally much lower than many foreign visitors expect.

Police enforcement is common, especially near cities and highways.

Unlike some countries, Japan is not relaxed about speeding.

Speeding Fines in Japan

The exact penalty depends on the prefecture and severity, but these are common approximate costs.

Foreign tourists sometimes underestimate how strict Japanese traffic laws can be.

Do not drive aggressively.

ETC Cards and Japanese Toll Roads

Most expressways in Japan are toll roads.

Rental companies usually offer:

• ETC card rental
• Built-in ETC system

This allows automatic toll payment and saves a huge amount of time.

Without ETC, Japanese toll roads can become confusing and slower to navigate.

Parking Rules in Japan

Parking in Japan can become surprisingly expensive, especially in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. In central districts, parking fees often range from ¥300 to ¥800 per hour, and overnight parking can quickly add up. If you plan to rent a car in Japan, it is important to research parking options in advance, particularly when staying in busy urban areas or popular tourist destinations.

In central Tokyo, parking may cost:

• ¥300–800 per hour
• Even more in premium districts

Illegal parking is heavily enforced.

Rental companies may also charge additional administrative fees if they receive parking violations connected to your vehicle.

Japanese Drivers: Be More Careful Than You Expect

Japan is often seen as a very polite country, but that does not automatically translate into good driving. After visiting more than 30 countries, Japan honestly felt like one of the more stressful places I experienced as a passenger and while driving, especially outside the major cities.

One reason is that many Japanese people get their driver’s license in places like Tokyo when they are young, but then barely drive for 10 or 20 years because they mainly rely on trains and public transport. Later, they suddenly start driving again with very limited real-world driving experience. Japan also has a very large elderly driver population.

The driving in Okinawa was, personally, some of the worst I experienced in Japan. Be especially careful there.

You should pay extra attention to:

• Elderly drivers
• Extremely narrow streets
• Drivers suddenly stopping without warning
• Blind mountain corners
• Tiny side roads with poor visibility

Another thing many tourists notice quickly is that Japanese politeness often changes once people are inside a car. Outside the vehicle, people are usually extremely polite and considerate. On the road, however, many drivers will not let you merge or enter traffic easily, especially in busy cities. Sometimes you may wait surprisingly long before somebody gives you space.

Many roads in Japan are also far narrower than foreign visitors expect, particularly in rural areas and residential neighborhoods.

Drive carefully, stay patient, and always assume other drivers may do something unexpected. Defensive driving is extremely important in Japan.

Do Not Break the Law in Japan

Japan has a very low tolerance for dangerous driving behavior.

Never:

• Drink and drive
• Use your phone while driving
• Ignore railroad crossings
• Speed heavily
• Park illegally

Japanese police take traffic violations seriously, and tourists are not exempt.

Car or Train? When Renting Makes Sense

Renting a car is not always the best choice. For trips between big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, the Shinkansen is faster and less stressful, and you avoid expensive city parking. See my guide on how to book Shinkansen tickets for those routes.

A car makes sense when you want to explore the countryside: the Japanese Alps, Hokkaido, Kyushu’s onsen towns like Beppu, Okinawa or small coastal villages. A good strategy is to take the train between cities and rent a car only for the rural part of your trip.

Looking for a road trip to put this into practice? Try my Kyushu countryside road trip, or see Japan’s car culture up close at Daikoku PA.

Final Thoughts on Renting a Car in Japan

Renting a car in Japan can completely transform your travel experience and allows you to explore parts of the country that most tourists never reach. While Japan’s train network is world-famous, many of the country’s most breathtaking destinations, hidden onsens, mountain villages, coastal roads, and rural viewpoints are difficult or even impossible to access efficiently by public transport.

From scenic drives through the Japanese Alps in Nagano to remote fishing towns in Hokkaido or hidden countryside roads in Kyushu, renting a car in Japan gives you far more freedom, flexibility, and access to authentic local experiences beyond the usual tourist trail.

A rental car gives you:

• Freedom to explore rural Japan
• Easier luggage transport
• Access to hidden viewpoints and onsens
• More flexibility for photography and spontaneous stops

If you prepare properly and understand the basic Japanese road rules for foreigners, driving in Japan can become one of the highlights of your trip.

Just remember:

• Bring the correct driving documents
• Drive carefully
• Follow local laws
• Compare prices before booking

Renting a Car in Japan: FAQ