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Car Hire Japan

Save time and money. We compare the offers of car rental companies in Japan on your behalf.

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  • Free cancellation Up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled pick up time
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  • Already 500,000+ bookings More than half a million people preceded you 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
  • 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
We compare all of the well known car hire firms - and many others!

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Carrentals.co.uk offers simple and straightforward car hire comparison services. We don't add a penny to your quotes!

Car rental offers in Japan

Whether you're looking for a small rental car or a station wagon for the entire family, we will always have a suitable vehicle for the lowest price. Below are some examples from our selection in Japan.

Car type
Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
Passenger van
SUV
Electric

When to book a rental car in Japan

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a mini class car?

At this destination (Japan), February is the most affordable time to rent a mini class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting mini class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a economy class car?

At this destination (Japan), June is the most affordable time to rent a economy class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting economy class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a compact class car?

At this destination (Japan), October is the most affordable time to rent a compact class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting compact class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent an intermediate class car?

At this destination (Japan), October is the most affordable time to rent a intermediate class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting intermediate class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a standard class car?

At this destination (Japan), February is the most affordable time to rent a standard class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting standard class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a full-size car?

At this destination (Japan), March is the most affordable time to rent a full-size class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting full-size class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a luxury car?

At this destination (Japan), June is the most affordable time to rent a luxury class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting luxury class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a station wagon?

At this destination (Japan), October is the most affordable time to rent a station wagon with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting a station wagon, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a SUV?

At this destination (Japan), March is the most affordable time to rent an SUV with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting an SUV, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a MPV?

At this destination (Japan), March is the most affordable time to rent an mpv with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting an mpv with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Japan - When is the most affordable time to rent a minivan?

At this destination (Japan), June is the most affordable time to rent a minibus with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. February is the peak month for renting a minibus, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Car hire Japan

Japan Guide

Japan is best explored by rental car. Carrentals.co.uk has over 44 pick-up locations in Japan. This means there is always a pick-up location close to your destination.

Driving

Japan’s eclectic mix of ancient and modern, beautiful gardens, magnificent temples and stunning landscapes has been enticing visitors for centuries. Its unique culture and distinctive art can be seen all over the country, mixed with its cartoon-like fashion and ultra high-tech skyscrapers. By car, it is easy to explore the national parks on Hokkaidō, to visit the castles and gardens on Shikoku or to wind through the roads in the Japanese Alps.

Driving Tips for Japan

Japan’s inter-city toll expressways are well maintained and offer a fast way to explore each island, with rest stops along the way. Local roads are also great and signage is excellent but posted only in Japanese in remote areas. There are over 745,000 miles of road in Japan, most of which are paved.

Driving licences: UK drivers need an International Driving Permit, a British driving licence and insurance to drive here.

Which side does Japan drive on: the left.

Speed limits:
Motorways: 62mph (100kph)
Rural areas: 37mph (60kph)
Built-up areas: 25mph (40kph)

Alcohol limits: Japan has a zero tolerance law; if caught driving with alcohol in your system, expect severe penalties.

Driving age: 18 years.

Seatbelts: compulsory for all occupants. Children under the age of six must be in a suitable car seat for their age and size.

Mobile phones and GPS: it is prohibited to use a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free kit. The use of GPS is allowed and systems can be set in English; however, non-Japanese speakers may still find GPS difficult to use here.

Cost of fuel in Japan: slightly cheaper here than it is in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: credit card payment is generally not accepted at petrol stations but is useful for car hire. UK card holders need a PIN number to use their card here.

Insurance: third-party insurance is needed and included with car hire but additional insurance should also be purchased.

Traffic and parking: driving in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka can be difficult due to constant traffic jams and expensive parking, although many hotels have car parks. If you park your vehicle in the wrong place, expect a ticket or towing.

Transport

Trains
Japan has an extensive railway network, with nearly every major destination accessible by train. There are 43,736 miles of tracks throughout the country, some of which are used by inter-city trains and others by commuter trains. Trains are fast and comfortable, although much more expensive than in other Asian countries. A Japan Rail Pass is recommended for visitors wishing to explore by train and costs around £225 for seven days in standard class, compared to a single journey from Osaka to Tokyo for around £230. For timetables and route maps, visit Hyperdia. All major cities have a metro system, with single fares costing anywhere from £1.60 to £2.78.

Taxis
Taxis can be found everywhere in Japan and are a comfortable and safe way to get around, although they can be expensive. Taxis charge by the meter, starting at a base rate of around £5.50, with a fixed rate starting after the first mile driven. It should be noted that the rear left passenger door opens and closes automatically and is operated by the driver.

Buses
Long-distance buses are available and travel along the highways to most destinations throughout the country. They are cheaper than trains but much slower, but by travelling by night, bus passengers can save on accommodation. Luxury buses offer added comfort, with larger seats and more leg room, but are more expensive than regular buses. Reservations can be made online through Willer Express. Inner-city bus services are available, with fixed fares of £1.60 regardless of distance travelled.

Ferries
Ferries enter Japan from international locations such as China, South Korea, Taiwan and Russia, although rates are high compared to cheap air fares and travel times are slow. Japan has few boats connecting its islands, except for services to the north island of Hokkaidō and the southern Okinawa islands. The fare from Aomori to Hakodate starts at £12 for a space on the floor. There are also boats that service the small islands, with boat being the best way to explore these out-of-the way destinations.

Airports
Japan has two major international airports that also act as domestic hubs: Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. Narita International Airport is the busier airport of the two, with direct flights to London-Heathrow. The other alternative is to fly to Kansai International Airport via Frankfurt or Paris. Domestic flights are available but are not necessary unless trying to reach the outlying islands. UK nationals do not need a visa to enter Japan for up to six months.

Explore

Exploring Japan

Tokyo is where most visitors start their Japanese exploration and the country’s largest and most fascinating city. Here, visitors will see a fantastic mix of ancient and ultra-modern, with such sites as the Imperial Palace, the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Disneyland and the incredible Buddhist temple of Sensōji.

To the northwest is Kansai, home to the country’s third largest city of Osaka and the ancient capital of Kyoto. Osaka is home to Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi Shrine, Universal Studios Japan and the massive Kaiyukan aquarium, while Kyoto features the Sentō Imperial Palace, Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa along with 14 other Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

A little bit off the beaten track is the northernmost island of Hokkaido, which is noted for its stunning landscapes and numerous national parks, including Shiretoko National Park, Daisetsuzan National Park and Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.

Okinawa is home to the country’s most beautiful beaches and best diving sites, and some of the world’s best offshore fishing. It also has some magnificent cultural sites, including Shuri Castle, Himeyuri Peace Museum and Okinawa Peace Park.

The often forgotten island of Shikoku is a fantastic place for hiking, but is most known as a site for Buddhist pilgrims thanks to its 1,024-mile 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail.

Weather

There are four seasons in Japan and these seasons coincide with the four seasons in the UK. Spring is one of the best times to visit as it is warm with little rain and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Summers here are hot, humid and wet, with an average temperature of 25°C, though the mercury has been known to reach a scorching 40°C. Autumn in Japan is also beautiful, with warm temperatures and little rain, while winters can get cold, with an average temperature of 5°C. The Okinawa islands are the warmest part of Japan, while Hokkaido is the coldest.

Practical information

  • Currency
    Japanese yen
  • Driving direction
    Left
  • City speed limit
    60 km/h
  • Freeway speed limit
    60 km/h
  • Language
    Japanese
  • Popular car category
    Economy

What most people want to know

The following questions and answers are a selection of the most popular questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.

Is Carrentals.co.uk the cheapest?

Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.

What do I need to do when picking up a car?

To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.

Are there any additional costs?

In general, our rates are all-inclusive. Should there be any additional costs, our booking department will get in touch with you before issuing the invoice. Should you object, you can always cancel your reservation with no obligations attached (at least 48 hours in advance).

What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?

In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.

What is a worry-free label?

Only rental companies with a high level of customer satisfaction are eligible to be included in our Worry-Free selection. This rate includes excess cover and unlimited kilometres. Your vehicle will be provided and must be returned with a full tank of fuel. With a vehicle from our Worry-Free selection, you can travel with peace of mind and no hidden costs.

How can I change or cancel my reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).

When will I get a confirmation of my booking?

Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).

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