Renting a Car in Japan (2026 Guide): Everything First-Time Travelers Should Know

 

Planning to rent a car in Japan? Learn who needs an IDP, where driving makes sense, real costs, ETC tolls, parking, insurance and beginner tips for 2026.

 Renting a car in Japan can sound like a bad idea at first.

Japan has excellent trains. Tokyo has a huge subway system. Kyoto has buses and trains. So why bother with a rental car?

Then you start looking at places outside the big cities.

A mountain village with only a few buses each day.

A countryside ryokan.

A road trip around Hokkaido.

The beaches of Okinawa.

Small towns in Tohoku.

A few places around the Japanese Alps.

Suddenly, having your own car starts to make a lot more sense.

I've also noticed that first-time travelers tend to fall into one of two camps. One person is convinced driving in Japan will be terrifying. Another sees a cheap rental price online and assumes it will be easy.

Neither view is quite right.

Driving in Japan can be surprisingly manageable, but where you drive matters enormously. JNTO specifically points to Hokkaido and Okinawa as places where a car can make travel much easier, while also reminding foreign drivers to prepare the proper documents and understand local rules.

So before you book a car, make these six decisions.

Renting a Car in Japan: 6 Decisions to Make Before You Book

1. Ask yourself one question first: “Will a car actually improve my trip?”

This should be the first thing you decide.

Not which rental company.

Not which Toyota model.

Not whether you want a GPS.

Do you actually need the car?

For a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip, I wouldn't rent one.

You'd spend money on the rental, fuel and parking while public transportation already does a very good job.

Driving through central Tokyo when you could simply take the train isn't exactly the road-trip dream either.

But move the itinerary somewhere like Hokkaido and the answer changes.

JNTO specifically notes that Hokkaido and Okinawa are much more accessible by car.

The same idea can apply to parts of:

Kyushu

Tohoku

Nagano

Gifu

Izu

Wakayama

and rural hot-spring areas.

Recent 2026 travelers are making this same distinction. A popular discussion concluded that cars often create more hassle in major cities but become much more useful in places where trains and buses are less frequent.

My simple test

Look at your itinerary.

If most of your stops have convenient train connections, don't rent a car just for the experience.

If your itinerary contains several rural places that are awkward by public transport, a car deserves serious consideration.

There's another option I really like:

Rent the car only for part of the trip.

Spend your first few days in Tokyo without one.

Take the train to a regional destination.

Pick up a car there.

Return it before heading back to the big city.

One 2026 traveler planning a Japan road trip described exactly this approach: using public transportation for the first few days, then renting a car for the rural portion.

That can give you the best of both worlds.

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2. Get the driving paperwork right before you get on the plane

This is the part I would take seriously.

Japan does not simply accept every foreign driving document that happens to be called an “international driver's license.”

The National Police Agency currently states that foreign visitors can drive using an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, provided it is issued by the appropriate authority and follows the required format.

And here's a detail that catches people out:

A digital IDP on your phone is not enough

The National Police Agency explicitly says a digital version displayed on a smartphone cannot be used. You must carry the original paper international driving permit.

Some visitors also need a different arrangement.

People holding driving licenses from:

France

Germany

Belgium

Monaco

Switzerland

Taiwan

generally need their original foreign license together with an approved Japanese translation instead of using an IDP.

This is why I wouldn't order anything called an “international license” from a random website and assume you're finished.

Check the Japanese National Police Agency information and your rental company's requirements before you travel.

Bring the originals

When picking up a rental car, companies commonly require the relevant driving documents and passport.

Times Car Rental currently states that customers using an IDP need a passport and a valid 1949 Geneva Convention-format IDP.

And there is another interesting issue: if you pass through an automated immigration gate and don't receive an entry stamp, some rental companies may need another way to verify your arrival date. Times explicitly warns customers to obtain an immigration stamp when required.

That's the kind of small detail I'd rather know before standing at the rental counter.

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3. Pick the region first, then pick the rental company

Don't start by searching:

“Best car rental company in Japan.”

Start with:

“Where am I driving?”

The answer can change everything.

Hokkaido

A car is often one of the easiest ways to explore areas outside Sapporo.

You can stop at viewpoints.

Drive between small towns.

Visit lakes and national parks.

Explore places where train service is limited.

JNTO specifically highlights Hokkaido's suitability for car travel.

Okinawa

Okinawa is another obvious example.

For the main island, having a car can make it much easier to reach beaches, viewpoints and places that aren't conveniently connected by public transportation.

Rural Kyushu

This is where the flexibility becomes useful.

You might want to combine hot springs, small towns, coastal roads and countryside attractions without constantly working around a train schedule.

Japanese Alps and mountain areas

Places around Nagano, Gifu and other mountainous regions can also work well for a road trip.

But don't underestimate the driving time.

A route that looks short on Google Maps can take much longer than expected because of winding mountain roads and slower local roads. One traveler who explored rural mountain routes around Kyoto, Gujo and Takayama described drives of seven hours or more when choosing scenic smaller roads.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

It just means the route needs to be planned realistically.

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The rental company matters less than the rental conditions

Large Japanese rental companies include names such as:

Toyota Rent a Car

Nippon Rent-A-Car

Times Car Rental

ORIX Rent a Car

There are also international booking platforms and comparison services.

Times currently advertises a large national network and multilingual support, while Budget Rent a Car and other companies have locations across major airports and regions.

For a first trip, I would care less about finding the absolutely lowest headline rate and more about:

clear rental conditions

English information

reasonable insurance options

airport/station pickup

easy return arrangements

and

a location that fits your itinerary.

A ¥1,000 saving isn't especially exciting if the cheaper booking comes with conditions you don't understand.

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4. Calculate the real price—not the price shown in big numbers

This is where rental-car advertisements can be a little misleading.

You see:

Car rental: ¥6,000

Great.

Then you start adding things.

Insurance.

Fuel.

Tolls.

Parking.

ETC.

Possible one-way fees.

Maybe a larger car because you have luggage.

Suddenly your ¥6,000 car isn't a ¥6,000 day.

I'm not saying this to discourage you.

It is just better to know the real number before deciding.

Tolls can be surprisingly expensive

Japan's expressways are convenient, but they aren't free.

ETC is the electronic toll-collection system used on many toll roads. An ETC-equipped rental car allows the toll to be processed electronically instead of stopping to make a manual payment at every toll gate.

One recent traveler planning a drive toward Kawaguchiko reported around ¥6,000 round-trip in highway tolls, before fuel, as an example of how quickly road charges can accumulate.

That's not a universal Tokyo–Kawaguchiko price.

It simply shows why you should check the actual route before assuming the toll will be tiny.

Then there's parking

Parking in rural Japan can be easy.

Parking in Tokyo?

Different story.

Hotels may charge.

Tourist attractions may charge.

Central-city parking can add up quickly.

And some parking lots have confusing payment systems for a first-time visitor.

A current traveler discussion about Okinawa parking explains several systems, including staffed lots, camera-based systems and automatic barriers.

So put parking into your budget from the beginning.

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5. Treat insurance and ETC as part of the decision

When you book, don't stare only at the basic daily rental rate.

Read the coverage.

Japanese rental companies generally include basic insurance, but the deductible and exclusions can vary. Optional CDW/compensation coverage may reduce your financial responsibility following an accident. Non-operation charges can be another issue if the vehicle requires repair or cannot be rented out after damage.

This is where I wouldn't try to save every last yen.

Nobody rents a car expecting to have an accident.

But you're driving in a country with unfamiliar signs, unfamiliar roads and possibly a different driving style.

Paying for sensible coverage can be money well spent.

Just read what the package actually covers.

Some protection plans have exclusions.

Some don't cover everything.

And in the event of an accident, following the correct procedure matters. ToCoo!'s current guidance, for example, says compensation can become invalid if the driver fails to contact the police and rental outlet as required.

What about an ETC card?

I'd consider getting one if you're going to use expressways regularly.

Current rental services offer ETC cards and ETC devices as rental options.

It makes toll roads much easier.

You don't have to keep stopping to work out the toll payment.

And certain ETC-based discounts can apply depending on the road, day and time. ToCoo! currently notes that some ETC discounts can make qualifying use roughly 20% cheaper than cash on certain occasions, although the actual discount depends on the applicable program.

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6. Learn the basic driving habits before you pick up the keys

You don't need to study Japanese driving law for a month.

But you should know the basics.

Japan drives on the left side of the road, and the National Police Agency specifically warns foreign visitors about unfamiliar road conditions, narrow roads and road signs.

That means a few things deserve attention.

Don't rush

If you miss a turn, don't suddenly cross lanes to correct it.

Keep going.

Let Google Maps recalculate.

A 2025 traveler gave exactly this advice after driving in Japan: if you miss a turn, continue safely and let the navigation reroute rather than making a risky correction.

It sounds obvious.

When you're driving in an unfamiliar country, it's easy to panic for a second.

Don't.

Watch the road signs

Major roads often have English signage, and rental cars can usually be equipped with navigation systems that support foreign languages. JNTO recommends checking with the rental company about foreign-language navigation when reserving.

But don't expect every tiny rural sign to be in perfect English.

This is another reason to keep your navigation running.

Be careful on mountain roads

Some rural roads are narrow.

Some bends are tighter than they look.

Some roads are much slower than the map suggests.

Drive at your own pace and don't let a car behind you pressure you into driving faster than you're comfortable with.

One recent traveler who drove through narrow mountain roads in Japan said that after an initial nervous period they found driving manageable, but the experience still involved tunnels, winding roads and steep sections.

Confidence helps.

Overconfidence doesn't.

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What kind of car should you rent?

For two people, I'd usually start by looking at a small compact or kei-class vehicle, assuming it comfortably fits your luggage.

Japan has narrow roads and tight parking spaces in some areas, so a smaller vehicle can be easier to handle.

Current Japanese rental platforms offer categories from kei cars and compact cars through mid-size, SUVs and minivans.

For a family, don't make the mistake of choosing a tiny car because it saves ¥1,500.

Put the luggage in the equation.

Three people with three large suitcases need something different from a couple traveling with backpacks.

And remember:

The car class shown online may be a category, not a guarantee of one exact model.

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Snow changes the entire calculation

Planning a winter road trip?

This deserves separate attention.

Hokkaido, mountain areas and parts of northern Japan can have winter conditions that are completely different from what a visitor experiences in Tokyo.

Ask the rental company about:

winter tires

snow chains where relevant

weather restrictions

road closures

and

whether your planned route is sensible for the season.

Don't assume that because the rental car has four wheels, you're prepared for a serious snow drive.

And check weather and road conditions shortly before setting out.

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FAQ

Do tourists need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Japan?

Most foreign visitors need a valid 1949 Geneva Convention-format International Driving Permit and their passport. The National Police Agency provides the current requirements. Travelers from France, Germany, Belgium, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan follow a different system involving their foreign license and an approved Japanese translation.

Can I use a digital International Driving Permit in Japan?

No. Japan's National Police Agency says a digital version displayed on a smartphone is not valid. You need the original paper IDP in the required format.

Is renting a car in Japan worth it?

It depends heavily on your itinerary. It usually isn't necessary for major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, where public transportation is extensive. It can be much more useful in Hokkaido, Okinawa and rural parts of the country.

Is driving in Japan difficult for first-time visitors?

It can feel unfamiliar at first, especially because Japan drives on the left and some rural roads are narrow. The National Police Agency specifically warns foreign drivers about left-side driving, narrow roads and understanding signs.

Which side of the road does Japan drive on?

Japan drives on the left side of the road, and the driver's seat is normally on the right side of the vehicle.

Do rental cars in Japan have English GPS?

Many rental companies offer foreign-language navigation options. JNTO advises visitors to ask about foreign-language navigation when making the reservation.

What is ETC in Japan?

ETC means Electronic Toll Collection. It allows tolls on qualifying roads to be processed electronically through an in-car system. Rental companies and booking services can provide ETC equipment or cards as options.

Is ETC worth getting with a rental car?

For a road trip using many toll roads, it can make the journey much easier. Some ETC-related discount programs may also apply depending on the road and travel conditions.

Are highways in Japan expensive?

They can be. Toll costs depend on the route and road, and a long road trip can accumulate substantial charges. This is why tolls should be included when comparing a rental car against trains or buses.

Can I rent a car in Japan and return it in another city?

Many rental services support one-way rentals, but the conditions and fees depend on the company and locations. Current Japanese rental platforms allow travelers to select different pickup and return locations, with one-way availability varying by booking.

Is a small car better in Japan?

Often, yes, especially for two people and rural roads or small parking spaces. But choose a car that comfortably fits your passengers and luggage. Rental services offer different vehicle classes, from kei cars to minivans and SUVs.

Should I rent a car in Tokyo?

For most first-time visitors spending their time in central Tokyo, I would not. Parking and city driving add hassle, while the rail and subway network is extremely useful. A better approach can be to rent a car after leaving Tokyo. Current traveler discussions strongly reflect this view.

Is Hokkaido good for a rental car trip?

Yes. JNTO specifically highlights Hokkaido as a place where a car makes travel more accessible.

Is Okinawa good for a rental car trip?

Yes. JNTO also specifically identifies Okinawa as a destination where renting a car can make exploring easier.

What happens if I have an accident in a Japanese rental car?

Follow the rental company's accident procedure immediately, including contacting the police and rental company when required. Coverage can depend on the exact insurance/compensation package and whether the correct procedure was followed.

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Conclusion

Renting a car in Japan isn't something I'd recommend simply because you want to try driving abroad.

For Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, you probably don't need one.

But once your trip moves into rural Japan, the situation changes.

A car can give you something the train can't:

freedom.

You can stop when you see a beautiful view.

You don't have to check the next bus.

You can visit a small village.

You can carry your luggage in the trunk.

You can change your plan halfway through the day.

That's why I understand why so many travelers who try a Japan road trip come back saying they loved it. Recent travelers have described exactly that sense of freedom, particularly on rural routes.

But don't let the rental price fool you.

Work out the whole cost.

Rental.

Insurance.

Fuel.

Tolls.

Parking.

ETC.

Possible one-way charges.

Then compare that with what trains and buses would cost.

Most importantly, get the driving paperwork right before you arrive. Japan's National Police Agency is very clear that the accepted IDP is the 1949 Geneva Convention format, and a digital version on your phone is not enough.

My favorite approach for a first Japan trip would be simple:

Use trains in the big cities.

Rent a car for the part of Japan where a car actually helps.

That way you don't spend your holiday fighting Tokyo traffic just because you already paid for the rental.

And when you finally leave the city, turn onto a quiet countryside road, see mountains ahead of you and realize you can stop wherever you like—that is when the rental car starts to feel worth it.

For your Japan trip, would you rather explore by train or take a rental car into the countryside and make your own route?