To rent a car in Japan, you must have:
・An International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, plus your home country’s driver’s license. (Note: IDPs based on the 1968 Convention are not valid in Japan.)
・Your passport.
・A credit card for payment and deposit (some companies accept cash).

If you are from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan, you’ll need an official Japanese translation of your license instead of an IDP.

Japan's leading car rental companies are JR Eki Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent-a-Car, Orix Rent-a-Car, Times Car Rental, and Toyota Rent-a-Car.

There are car rental counters at most airports, but also near major train stations as well. Many bigger rental companies are tied up with major hotels, offering convenient packages.

Some companies even offer special discounts. If you know in advance that you will rent a car, it is better to reserve it on the Internet to be sure the make, model, options, and price are decided in advance.

At the rental office of any major company, you may be surprised to see how many different types of cars are available — not only compacts and economy sizes, but luxury cars, sports cars, SUVs, real 4x4s, and others. Just plan to stay within your budget, and remember extra costs such as gasoline, extra insurance, etc.

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The right car depends on your group size, luggage, and travel style.

Longer rentals usually reduce daily rates, but peak seasons (spring cherry blossoms, summer holidays, autumn foliage, New Year’s) see higher prices and limited availability.

Also, think carefully about how you want to manage your rental. For example, some car rental companies will allow you to do a “one-way” rental — drive the car from point A to point B and then leave it at a rental office near point B instead of returning it to point A. That means you could rent a car at your hotel, for example, and drop it off at the airport on your way home.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is one of the most important options to consider when renting a car in Japan. This extra insurance reduces your liability if you are involved in an accident, so you won’t be responsible for expenses relating to damages covered by the policy. Many first-time visitors find full coverage a wise choice, as it provides peace of mind while driving in unfamiliar territory.

Another useful protection is the Non-Operation Charge (NOC), which covers the rental company’s lost business time if the car is damaged. Additional insurance options are also available for travelers who want extra reassurance.

GPS Navigation System is especially valuable when driving in areas you don’t know well. Many rental cars in Japan now include GPS as standard equipment, but it’s important to check whether English is supported. If your car doesn’t have one, consider renting the option—or use a smartphone app like Google Maps. Setting your rental office’s address in Japanese ahead of time also makes returning the car much easier.

Child Seat is a must for families traveling with little ones. By law, children under seven must use a child seat, so be sure to reserve one when booking your vehicle. This is especially important if you’re traveling with an infant or toddler, as safety and compliance are key.

ETC Card (Electronic Toll Collection) makes highway travel smoother and often cheaper. These cards allow you to pass through toll gates quickly without stopping, and foreign visitors can also rent special regional passes such as the Hokkaido Expressway Pass or Kyushu Expressway Pass, which allow unlimited driving in those regions.

Winter Tires are essential if you plan to drive in snowy destinations like Hokkaido or Nagano. Roads in these areas can be icy and dangerous, so making sure your car is equipped with proper winter tires is a must for safe driving.

1. Find the Rental Desk
Most visitors pick up cars at the airport or a major train station. If you plan to start driving right away, head directly to the rental counter. If you’ll spend your first day in the city, you can pick up your car later at a station branch.

2. Reservation Confirmation
Show your reservation number or name. The staff will confirm your booking.

3. Paperwork & License Check
You’ll sign the rental agreement, present your license and international driving permit (or translation), and usually have your license photocopied. Staff will also explain basic rules and options like insurance.

4. Vehicle Inspection
Together with the staff, walk around the car and check for existing scratches or dents. These are recorded on a form before you drive off.

5. Get Comfortable with the Car
Familiarize yourself with controls, GPS, wipers, and headlights. Ask the rental staff if you have questions about anything. Remember: Japan drives on the left-hand side.

All cars are a little different, and cars in Japan (plus driving in Japan) may be slightly different even from other Japanese cars you have driven overseas. So take a moment before you shift into Drive; talk to the agent and ask for explanations of anything you don’t understand.

Do you know how to read and reset the GPS system? Are you comfortable driving on the left side of the road, and do you know where the turn signal indicators and windshield wiper switches are on this car? Can you work the heater and air conditioning easily? What do all those numbers on the dashboard mean?

Of course, you don’t have a lot of time, but just take a minute to ask questions. You’ll be glad you did.

1. Refuel First
Most rental companies will require you to return the car with a full gas tank. Be sure to ask where the nearest gas station is, and when you fill up the tank, be sure to get a receipt, because you may need to give it to the rental agent when you return the car.

After you fill the tank and get your receipt, it's time to return the car.

2. Final Vehicle Check
Usually, you will walk around the car with someone from the rental company and check for external damage, as well as any items that you may have forgotten inside the car or in the trunk. Once they tell you that everything is OK, you are finished!

・Car GPS units often allow destination entry by telephone number—a fast and reliable method for hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots.
・Google Maps works well for most routes, but watch road signs carefully at complex junctions, as GPS voice guidance can be confusing.
・Always double-check signs when entering expressways to avoid wrong turns.

Parking is straightforward in rural areas, but in cities like Tokyo or Osaka it can be expensive and hard to find. Hotels may charge extra for parking, and in some cases you need to reserve a spot in advance. If you’re parking in town, look for coin parking lots—metered spaces that charge by the hour and are easy to use.

Driving in Japan is generally safe and orderly, but there are some important differences, such as driving on the left-hand side of the road and strictly obeying stop signs and speed limits. Drinking and driving is completely prohibited.

See the article below for details on specific phrases, tips on signage, and other points to look out for when driving in Japan.

Discover some of Japan’s most scenic and rewarding drives, from coastal roads around Tokyo to flower routes in Hokkaido, perfect for first-time visitors looking to explore by car.

Renting a car in Japan opens the door to hidden hot springs, quiet coastal drives, and mountain scenery unreachable by train. With the right documents, an understanding of parking and navigation, and a step-by-step idea of what to expect at the rental counter, you’ll be ready for an enjoyable and stress-free driving experience.