🚙📅 Find and Compare the Best Car Rentals in Japan

Planning your ultimate Japan road trip? Booking your rental car in advance is the best way to secure the lowest rates and ensure the perfect vehicle size for your group.

Through our partnership with Klook, you can easily compare real-time prices from Japan’s top trusted rental companies (such as Toyota Rent-a-Car, Orix, Times, and Nissan) all in one place.

How it works: Simply enter your pick-up location (e.g., Narita Airport, Chitose Airport, Kansai Airport), choose your travel dates, and select your preferred vehicle below.

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📍 Navigating Japan: How to Use Car GPS & Google Maps

Driving in Japan is incredibly safe and scenic, but staying on the right track is key! When you rent a car in Japan, you have two great options for navigation:

• Built-in Car GPS (English Navigation): Most rental cars come with a dashboard GPS. Pro-Tip: Instead of typing complex Japanese addresses, it is much easier to search using the destination’s Phone Number or Mapcode.

• Google Maps / Apple Maps: This is the most accurate and familiar way to navigate. It gives you real-time traffic updates, tells you which toll lanes to take, and helps you find nearby gas stations or restaurants easily.

🛑 Important Reminder: To use Google Maps on your phone while driving, you will need a stable and continuous internet connection throughout your road trip.

🛒 Get Ready for Your Road Trip:

🗻 "Mt. Fuji Road Trip: Routes and Important Road Reminders" 

• Driving from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji (specifically the Lake Kawaguchiko area) is one of the most popular and easiest road trips for travelers. By driving, you are completely in control of your schedule, allowing you to capture great photo ops at the famous Lawson convenience stores and iconic Mt. Fuji viewpoints without competing with the train crowds. 

🗺️ The Route Guide:  Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji)

• The Route: From Tokyo, the fastest way to get there is via the Chuo Expressway.

• Travel Time: The drive usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic.

• Toll Fees & Expenses: Prepare around ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 for the toll fees each way (One-Way). This is why renting an ETC Card with your vehicle is highly recommended—it allows you to pass seamlessly through toll gates without having to stop and pay in cash.

🛑 "Traffic Laws and 'Fine-Free' Driving Tips in Japan" 

1. The Inverted Triangle (The "Stop" Sign)

In many countries, a "STOP" sign is a red octagon (eight-sided). However, in Japan, the Stop sign is a red inverted triangle pointing downward with the word 止まれ (Tomare) written on it.

• How to Drive Safely: Even if the road looks completely empty, you must come to a full and complete stop (0 km/h) for at least 3 seconds before proceeding. Be aware that traffic cameras and unmarked police officers frequently monitor these intersections.

2. Crossing Railway Tracks (Railway Crossings)

You will encounter many railway crossings around the Yamanashi prefecture (the Mt. Fuji area).

• The Law: Before crossing any train tracks in Japan, you are legally required to stop completely before the white line. You must look left and right, and listen for oncoming trains before moving forward. Every driver in Japan follows this rule without exception.

3. No Cellphone Use While Driving

Japan strictly enforces its distracted driving laws. It is illegal to hold or operate a mobile phone while the vehicle is in motion—even if you are just glancing at Google Maps.

• Pro-Tip: Bring a magnetic phone holder or mount with you so you can easily clip your phone onto the rental car's air conditioning vent. If you absolutely need to reply to a message or adjust your navigation, safely pull over to a designated parking area first.

4. Zero Tolerance for Drunk Driving

Japan has a strict zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol. If a driver is caught with alcohol in their system (even just one glass of beer), the driver is not the only one who faces penalties. All passengers inside the vehicle can also be fined or arrested for allowing the driver to operate the car. If you plan to enjoy some Sake at night, it is best to commute, take a taxi, or walk.

⛽ "How to Refuel in Japan: A Guide to Self-Service Gas Stations (Avoid Wrong Fuel Mistakes!)" 

One of the most important skills when renting a car in Japan is learning how to refuel on your own. Gas stations marked with セルフ (Serufu / Self-Service) offer cheaper rates, but because the text on the screen is completely in Japanese, it is easy to feel anxious.

Here is an easy, step-by-step guide to help you refuel confidently and without mistakes:

1. Know Your Fuel Colors (Crucial!)

In Japan, the colors of the fuel nozzles are standardized nationwide. Instead of trying to read the kanji names, simply look at the COLOR:

• 🔴 RED (Regular / Reguyurā): This is the most commonly used fuel. Almost all standard rental cars (such as the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, or Nissan Note) refill using the Red nozzle.

• 🟡 YELLOW (High-Octane / Haioku): This is premium fuel meant for sports cars or luxury vehicles.

• 🟢 GREEN (Diesel / Keiyu): This is used exclusively for large vans or trucks.

💡 Reminder: Always check the sticker inside your rental car’s fuel door to verify whether it requires Red (Regular) or Green (Diesel).

2. Operating the Touch Screen Machine

Once you park your car next to the pump, follow this step-by-step sequence on the touch screen:

1. Select Your Payment Method: Tap "Cash" (現金 / Genkin) or "Credit Card" (クレジットカード / Kureditto Kādo).

2. Insert Money or Card: If paying with cash, insert your ¥1,000, ¥5,000, or ¥10,000 bills into the bill slot. Don't worry—the machine will return your change at the end.

3. Select Fuel Type: Tap the RED button on the screen for Regular gasoline.

4. Select the Amount: Tap "Full Tank" (満タン / Mantan). This is the exact button to press, especially when you are refueling right before returning the car to the rental shop.

3. How to Start Pumping Gas

Before you lift the red nozzle, look for a black circular rubber pad on the side of the machine.

• The Golden Rule: You must place your bare palm firmly against this black pad (Static Electricity Remover) to discharge any static electricity from your body. This is a critical safety measure to prevent sparks and accidental fires.

• Open your car's fuel cap, insert the Red nozzle all the way into the tank, and squeeze the trigger.

• The pump will automatically click and stop once the tank is full. Do not attempt to squeeze more fuel in after the automatic stop.

4. How to Get Your Receipt and Change

Once you hook the nozzle back onto the machine, your receipt will print out.

• Got Change? At some gas stations, your change will dispense directly from the same fueling machine.

• The Barcode System: At other stations, the machine will print a receipt with a Barcode. You will need to take this receipt to a separate machine nearby called the Change Machine (お釣り機 / Otsuri-ki). Simply scan the barcode, and the machine will dispense your change in cash or coins!

"Driving Stress-Free: Your Guide to Japan Car Rental Insurance"

"Everything you need to know about CDW, NOC, and choosing the right protection for 100% peace of mind."

Understanding Car Rental Insurance in Japan

When renting a car in Japan, safety and peace of mind should be your top priorities. Japanese car rental companies offer different levels of insurance coverage. To avoid confusion and unexpected costs at the rental counter, here is a simple guide to help you choose the best protection for your trip.

1. Basic Insurance (Compulsory Coverage)

• What it is: This is automatically included in your base rental fee. It covers third-party liability, property damage, and personal injury up to certain limits.

• The Catch: If you get into an accident, you are still liable to pay a "Deductible" (Exemption Charge) out of your own pocket. This fee usually ranges from ¥50,000 to ¥100,000 depending on the vehicle size.

2. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)

• What it is: An optional daily add-on fee (usually around ¥1,100 to ¥2,200 per day).

• Why you need it: By purchasing the CDW, the deductible fee mentioned above is waived. If the car gets damaged in an accident, you pay ¥0 for the vehicle repairs.

3. NOC (Non-Operation Charge) — Most Important!

• What it is: This is a business compensation fee you must pay to the rental company if the car needs to be repaired in a shop and cannot be rented out to other customers.

  • If you can drive the car back to the rental office: Around ¥20,000

  • If the car is severely damaged and needs towing: Around ¥50,000

• Take Note: The standard CDW does not cover this. You will still pay the NOC unless you buy the highest tier of insurance.

💡 Our Recommendation: Choose Full Protection

We highly recommend purchasing the Full Protection / Full Coverage Plan (often called ECO, Collision Waiver + NOC Waiver, or Premium Protection depending on the company). It may add an extra ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 to your daily budget, but it completely covers both the Deductible and the NOC. If an accident happens, you can walk away with ¥0 out-of-pocket expenses.