Rent a car in Japan using Asia’s leading travel booking platform! Browse affordable vehicle rentals for Okinawa, Hokkaido, Tokyo, Osaka, and more here.
In a nutshell
- What are the requirements to use a rental car in Japan? If you’re from the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and others, you will just need your passport and international driver’s license to be able to rent a car in Japan. Travelers from Taiwan, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, etc. must use their local driver’s license with an official Japanese translation.
- How to book? We recommend booking on Klook here, the leading travel booking website and app in Asia with millions of active users. Aside from affordable rates, they also offer an optional car rental insurance (Klook Full Coverage), which includes personal accidents, car towing costs, and other traveler-friendly protection.
- How much to rent a car in Japan? It depends on the pick-up location and model, but you can find daily rental rates here for as low as $50.
- Where can I pick up a rental car? You can choose between an airport pick-up in Naha, Haneda, Kansai, New Chitose, and others, or downtown or city pick-up in Okinawa, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, and more. Find more options here.
- What kind of cars are available? Klook works with trusted local and global car rental service providers like Hertz, Avis, ME Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, Alamo, Budget, and more. You will find vehicles in new or healthy conditions, cars with GPS and snow tires, cars with ETC (electronic toll collection system), cars with booster, and more.
- Looking for a Japan car rental with driver? Check out these options instead: Tokyo Car Rental with Driver, Mt. Fuji Car Rental with Driver, Okinawa Car Rental with Driver, Hokkaido Car Rental with Chauffer, & Universal Studios Japan Private Car Charter.
Car Rental in Japan with Driver
Let’s start this guide with the best vehicle rental options with a driver. Whether you’re looking for half-a-day, full-day, or multi-day car charter in Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, and other destinations, you can find the best options below:
Mt. Fuji Car Rental with Driver
– Available for 1-9 pax
– Multilingual service available in English, Japanese, or Chinese
– Coverage in Karuizawa, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, and/or Nikko
– Child seat available
Okinawa Car Rental with Driver
– Available for 1-9 pax
– Multilingual service available (Google Translate for English-speaking travelers)
– Can cover Shuri Castle, RyuKyu Mura, & American Village
Tokyo Car Rental with Driver
– Available for 1-6 pax
– Service in basic English provided (online service to help translate provided)
– Covers all 23 wards of Tokyo
Kyoto Car Rental with Driver
– Available for 1-6 pax
– Service in basic English provided (online service to help translate provided)
– Visit Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Kinkaku-ji, and others
Osaka Car Rental with Driver
– Available for 1-30 pax
– Service in basic English provided
– Choose to visit downtown Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Awaji Island, Lake Biwa, and more
More Japan Private Vehicle Charter Options
As you can see in the listings above, there are various car rental options with driver in Japan. The beauty about this service is that they’re all inclusive — most options include toll fees, parking fees, driver allowance, and insurance in the package. Plus, you’ll get a friendly driver who’s very knowledgable about the roads and traffic regulations in the country.
Other options for car rental in Japan with driver are the following:
- Universal Studios Japan Private Transfer
- 10-hour Mt. Fuji & Hakone Car Rental with Driver (From Tokyo)
- Fukuoka Car Rental with Driver
- Hokkaido Car Rental with Driver
- Kanto Private Chartered One-Day Tour
How to Rent a Car in Japan
If you’re not looking for a private car charter with driver and want to rent a vehicle only, here are the things you’ll need to know:
1. Ready your international driver’s license or Japanese license translation
Generally, renting a car in Japan only requires an international license. If you are a traveler from the United States, the UK, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, etc., you only need your passport and international driver’s license to drive in Japan. Other countries whose citizens are able to drive with an international license can be found here.
Travelers from Taiwan, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, etc. need an official Japanese translation of their driver’s license. This can be acquired by visiting the Japan Embassy or Consulate in these countries. (For Taiwanese travelers, the license translation may be obtained from the East Asia Relations Commission.)
2. Book online
Klook, the leading travel activity booking platform in Asia, provides Japan car rental options from trusted local and international brands like ME Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, Budget, Avis, Hertz, and more. We recommend booking with them for instant confirmation, flexible cancellation, enhanced insurance policy, and the best rates (lower than on-site rental rates).
When booking, you will be able to choose between airport pick-up or city pick-up for the following destinations and more:
- Naha (Okinawa)
- Fukuoka
- Tokyo
- Sapporo
- Osaka
- Kyoto
- Nagoya
- Sendai
- Yokohama
- Kobe
- Nagasaki
- Kagoshima
- Ishigaki
- Miyako Island
After selecting the pick-up location, return location, and dates, choose from thousands of car models here.
3. Show your credit card and passport or valid ID upon pick-up
When you’re ready to drive your rental car, you will also need a valid ID like your passport to pick up the car. You may also be required to present a valid credit card upon picking up the car. This will be used for incidentals, if any. (Your card will only be charged in case of late returns, etc.).
4. Check if you need to gas up before return
Depending on the car rental option you’ve selected, you may need to refuel the car to the same amount of gas when you picked it up. (For example, if you collected the rental car with a full tank, you need to make sure that it will also be on full upon collection.) Do check the terms and conditions on your voucher to see whether or not you need to gas up.
FAQ: Japan Car Rental
1. How much is it to rent a car in Japan?
The cheapest option starts at around $50 per day. Click here to see the cheapest rates on your travel dates.
2. What kind of vehicles are available? Can I book a car with ETC or snow tires?
You’ll find a wide variety of car rentals from local makers like Toyota and Nissan to other brands. Typically, sedan, van, and SUVs are most commonly booked. Vehicles are available in automatic and manual transmission (depends upon your choice) with hybrid fuel options now available.
Vehicles with ETC (electronic toll collection) cards, complimentary GPS, and snow tires are also available for selection.
3. Does the rental car come with insurance?
Yes! Aside from the standard insurance, Klook also offers an enhanced insurance policy. Here’s what’s included for a minimal upgrade fee:
- Free booking cancellation (limited time)
- Unlimited mileage
- Klook car rental protection
- Collision Damage Waiver
- Theft Protection
