Where to rent a car in Japan; What you have to know!

Many travelers who have been to Japan advise against rent a car to move from one city to another. Yes it is true that thanks to bullet trains and the many possibilities of public transport, you can get everywhere without having to worry about driving, but there are some more remote destinations that are not easy to access, and if you are also who love to take a car, in Japan you will not find too many difficulties.

More and more travelers are encouraged by the rent a car in the Japanese country. If it is very typical to drive on Route 66 in the United States, or to drive the roads of all Canada, why not do the same in Japan? It is a country that has very simple roads, and except for some differences with respect to our way of driving, you will see how it is very easy to get around by car.

The prices in Japan To rent a car they are quite cheap and cheap, especially if you resort to car rental in companies recommended by other tourists, who like you, have also been encouraged to drive a Japanese car.

We give you all the keys in Alternative Japan so that you always go safe on the road, and the tricks for rent a car in Japan simply and cheaply.

Is it a good idea to rent a car in Japan?

Like any experience outside your country, tour Japan by car and rent a car in Japan It has its pros and cons. Everything will depend on the type of trip you want to do, and how safe you feel driving a car in a country other than yours.

If you are afraid to drive, directly dismiss this idea. To move around Japan there are many Public transportation They cover almost all routes, and you won't have to risk driving unsafe all the time.

But if, on the other hand, you like to be behind the wheel, I assure you that there is no better experience than traveling by car in Japan, because it gives you the facility to move by yourself, without depending on schedules. It is very worth it for example if you are going to travel to Japan with small children, or if you do it in a large group with family and friends.

Is it worth renting a car in Japan? The answer is a resounding yes! See all the advantages of renting a japanese car.

Advantages of renting a car in Japan

Keep in mind that Japan fast trains, the Shinkansen, they are not exactly cheap, and if you want save you a lot of money On some routes when you go in a large group, you will always have the option of renting vans or multi-seater cars to go all together at your own pace.

The gasoline in Japan is cheaper than in many countries in Europe, and cars in Japan do not use much fuel. The roads are also in very good condition, and the maximum speed on the motorway is quite low, so you won't be able to run much anyway.

You will also have to get used to drive to the left, although you will not find greater difficulty; maybe the first time you get to grips with Japanese cars or when driving around town, but you will catch him in no time.

As a drawback we highlight that the price of tolls are expensive, they are the most expensive to drive a car in Japan, especially on the roads that connect the big cities. Parking in the city is not free, but the vast majority of hotels or rental apartments have their own parking lot to park your car, and the safest thing is that you can leave your car there.

What do I need to rent a car in Japan?

There is an important consideration when it comes to renting a car in Japan. To be able to drive it, it is essential to have a Japanese license or have requested in your country the International Driving License.

The international driving license is a license that is issued in Spain before traveling to any foreign country where you are going to drive any type of vehicle. It can be ordered online, paying a fee of just over € 10 through the online platform, and then present the receipt at the corresponding traffic police station.

To obtain a driving license in Japan you will have to have your valid Spanish driving license, presenting it along with the completed form and a recent license photograph. The international permit has one year duration, but if your Spanish driving license expires during the validity period of the international license, Traffic will also ask you to renew it.

Make an appointment at DGT office to be able to request it, since it is essential to be able to drive a car in Japan. You can see all the information here. We recommend that you request it well in advance, since in some cases the procedures can be delayed.

In addition to the international driver's license, there are other requirements to rent a car. Once in Japan you will have to present your passport with the travel visa, the driving license of your country, and leave a deposit or deposit through your credit card to rent the car.

Tips for renting a car in Japan

If you are used to renting cars in other countries, forget about all the rules you knew until now, because in Japan the car rental companies they work differently. We give you some tips so that you can rent a car in Japan comfortably and at cheaper prices:

Best prices

To find a lower price, don't rent a car in a big city. Look for companies that have branches in airports or train stations, on the outskirts of cities or in smaller towns. It will be much cheaper for you to leave from here with the car, avoiding paying the high rates of the highways that enter and leave the cities.

Same branch

It is cheaper to pick up and drop off the rental car in the same place. Take the opportunity to rent your car and visit the places you want, before returning to leave it in the same location.

Also it can be cheaper pick up and drop off the car at train stations or airports where the same rental company is located.

Automatic cars

Rent an automatic car, they are cheapest in Japan than gear cars. Unlike other countries, the cars in Japan are all modern and have automatic operation, in addition to being accompanied by GPS.

Of course, take into account the size of the car you reserve, since in this country the lack of space forces you to also save on the car size, and you can run into really small vehicles. If you travel with company or with a lot of luggage, it is important that you consider it.

Pick up and drop off time

In Japan they are very punctual, so do not delay in the schedules established to collect or return the car. Many recommended car rental companies in Japan give a few minutes to spare, but if not You want to risk paying a penalty, strictly comply with the hours chosen

Companies to rent a car in Japan

In Japan, as in all tourist countries, there are countless car rental companies. However, as there are not many foreign travelers who resort to renting as the main means of transportation in the country, the vast majority are Japanese companies They do not offer services in other languages.

For this reason, we recommend that you go directly to globally recognized companies, who work directly with Japanese companies, and offer the same prices, and even some extra discounts, for non-Japanese speaking tourists who want to obtain an international driving license.

Let's see what the coach rental companies in Japan recommended by tourists, due to their cheap prices, the quality of their services and the many facilities offered to foreigners. According to your needs, choose the one that best suits your budget, and save the most on your trip to Japan.

Rentalcars

Rentalcars is one of the first car rental companies to have expanded all over the world, with a large fleet of vehicles available to your customers. It is the main car rental company with which search engines such as Booking or Kayak work, but if you book through their website, you can find even lower prices, without commissions.

After many years of experience, it is one of the few companies that can offer really low prices. In Japan, saving is also very interesting, since it is an especially cheap country in terms of car rental.

It has branches in the main cities of the entire Japanese country, both in stations, airports, and in very busy places in the country, so you can easily choose where to pick up your vehicle. You just have to choose the place of collection and return of the car, the date and time, and choose the type of vehicle that best suits your needs with an adjusted price.

The website has a very intuitive interface, which can be translated into all languages, even Spanish, although if you don't clarify with the reservation, you can also contact them by phone or by chat to do so. And if at the last minute you change your plans, you also have the option of modify the reservation easily over the Internet.

Rent a car!

Happycar

Happycar It is not a car rental company as such, but a search engine through which you can compare services offered by different companies, to stay only with the one that most convinces you for its value for money. For clients, this platform has the advantage that the final price does not rise, but rather that the companies pay the commissions for participating with it.

Thanks to this comparator, you will be able to find offers, different types of vehicles, and even collect and return the cars in different offices paying a much lower rate. You decide what type of services are best for you, to make a travel totally tailored to you.

Happycar, in addition to having excellent opinions, guarantees you the best price, although we advise you to always compare on other websites, because you never know which one offers you better conditions.

If it helps, they have a free consultation service through a phone number, and you even have the possibility to modify or cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before, without any cost.

Rent a car!

Europcar

How could it be otherwise, the European car rental company Europcar is also located in Japan. You will find many offices throughout the country, but only if you book online can you take advantage of their many discounts depending on the time of year and the size of the vehicle you need.

Europcar Not only does it have the most modern fleet of Japanese vehicles of all the companies, but it also has a large area in each office, with a lot of variety to choose from.

The rates that you contract when making your reservation are the final price, no extras or commissions, and the longer the rental period, the cheaper it is. Because you can not only rent by the day, but also by weekly, monthly and long-term rates.

Choose the best car for your trip among the many models that they always have on their website. Choose the place where you want to pick it up, where to leave it and on what date, and you will see what cheaper prices. They have up to a 25% discount if you book and pay online. So take advantage of it!

Rent a car!

How do you drive in Japan?

Driving in Japan is no more complicated than driving in any other developed country. Dispose of very good roads, highways, and lanes in good condition, well signposted and easily adapted.

If you drive in the city center it is another story. But most tourists tend rent a car in Japan to get around rural areas, which will be the easiest thing in the world. You just have to take into consideration some details that may shock you at first:

• You drive on the left, and the steering wheel of Japanese cars is on the right.
• The speed limit is 80 or 100 km / h on most highways, and 60 km / h on normal roads.
• The signs change, and some are in Japanese, but are easily understandable depending on the context. Triangular signs are not 'give way', they are actually stop signs where you have to come to a complete stop.
• The highways are toll, and are called expressway.
• Can't park on the street. Always look for a parking lot to be able to leave your car.
• Follow traffic rules to the letter, because fines are frequent if you skip them. Never drive after drinking, if you look at your phone behind the wheel or go without a belt. They are the most frequent stops that the Japanese police usually make.

As you can see, it's not too complicated get the road safety regulations in Japan.

Just have to have a little common sense, drive slowly and wisely, and make your adventure of renting a car in Japan a unique experience to discover another unknown face for tourists.

More related articles on Japan

Do you dare to do it? If you liked the article about rent a car in Japan, don't miss these other blog articles either:

---

👇 Can you help us keep alive Alternative Japan? Thank you! 👇

---

🎌 Do you want the best organized trip to Japan in Spanish? The best value for money and with Spanish guides who live in Japan 🙂
✅ Upcoming departures: 2021
🏯 Fixed itineraries, tailor-made, excursions and much more. Request information clicking here 👌

---