• Customer ratings 8.9 / 10
  • Over 1 million successful rentals

Car Hire Suzuka

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

Enter city or airport code
- days
Why book with us?
  • Free cancellation Up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled pick up time
  • Best price guarantee Have you found a better price? Let us know and we will make you a better offer.
  • 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!

Compare Car Hire

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

Recent reviews

Our customers rate us a 8.9/10 out of 2259

Suzuka Guide

Car Hire

The Japanese city of Suzuka is famed worldwide for its Formula 1 circuit, but is equally popular in Japan for its location along the border of Ise-no-Umi National Park, home to the most important historic Shinto shrine in the country. Within reach of the heritage city of Kyoto as well as Ise Bay, the city makes a good base for exploring the Japanese countryside and rural villages, as well as its better known landmarks. Renting a car is the best way to get around the remote corners of the region.

Who to Book With
Given the location of the Suzuka Circuit on the edge of the city, there are a good number of reliable Japanese car hire companies located in and around the centre. Our online price comparison and booking site links with independent suppliers, allowing visitors looking for car hire to book well in advance of their trip.

Best Time to Go
Unless you’re heading to Suzuka for the Formula 1 race at Suzuka Circuit, cherry blossom time in April/May is the best time to admire the displays of avenues of trees in full bloom. Winter here can be warm and sunny one day and cold and snowy the next, and summer is hot and humid. Accommodation and car hire prices soar in May’s Golden Week national holiday, in the brief cherry blossom season and when Formula 1 takes place. Japanese roads are well-maintained and safe year-round, and drivers are mostly courteous.

Need to Know Essentials
When collecting your rental vehicle, remember to bring the following documents:

- An International Driving Permit
- Your passport or valid photo identification
- The credit card used for the initial reservation
- A printed copy of the confirmed booking

For more information, visit our FAQ's page.

Driving
Japan drives on the left. Most major trunk roads here have signs in English as well as Japanese, but the signage on roads in Suzuka is in Japanese and Portuguese, making it difficult for English speakers to find their way around the city. Inner city driving in Japan requires concentration. Parking garages are scattered around the shopping and entertainment district. The side streets in the older part of town are best avoided as they can be extremely narrow and confusing to navigate.

Visit our Japan driving tips page for more information.

Transport

Getting around Suzuka and its surroundings is by train, bus, self-drive via car rental or taxi. Japan’s public transport services are efficient and comfortable, and generally a delight to use. They are not, however, cheap. All train stations have signage in English, but this is unusual for buses, with the exception of major tourist hubs such as Kyoto. Taxis are clean and reliable, and have helpful, honest drivers. Local trains are comparatively slow, with self-drive sightseeing in the region the best idea.

Trains
Suzuka’s main railway station, Shiroko, connects with Nagoya, Osaka and the remainder of Mie prefecture via Japan Rail’s Kintetsu Nagoya Line. For a trip on the Shinkansen bullet train, Nagoya is the closest connection. Shiroko Station is Suzuka’s main rail hub and can get very busy at peak travel times. The Kansai Main Line also runs through the city, giving a fast, direct transfer to Nagoya. Several other local lines run between various areas of the city and small nearby towns, but they are confusing for those who can’t read Japanese to use.

Buses
Most of the city buses leave from either Shiroku Station or Hiratacho Station, with Bus 1 the most useful as regards frequency. Most of the city buses run every hour or less and are tricky to use unless you know your exact destination, and the service shuts down at around 19:30.

Taxis
Travel by taxi is safe, reliable and comfortable. Drivers are helpful and meters are always used. The only downside to Japanese taxis is the price, but many consider it worth the cost as the service is excellent.

Exploring

Set on the coast and conveniently located for easy access to Nagoya, Osaka and fabulous Kyoto, as well as the Ise Shrines and two national parks, Suzuka is a great base for exploring the region by car. Once you’re out of town, driving is a dream, and excellent trunk roads run along the coast and into the interior. Nagoya is an hour away and glorious Kyoto is just over a 1 hour, 30 minute scenic drive from the city.

Recommended Drives

Hikone on Lake Biwa - From Suzuka, head in the direction of Kameyama and follow the road through beautiful countryside and small, traditional villages to Higashiomi and on to Hikone on the shore of magnificent Lake Biwa. Here, you’ll find an original 17th century Daimyo castle, one of the few genuine remnants of feudal Japan. Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, is lined with traditional villages and pilgrimage temples.

Ise Shrines - The two holiest of all the thousands of Shinto shrines in Japan, the Ise Shrines were first built and the 3rd and 5th centuries, and are still a major pilgrimage destination for modern-day Japanese. The spectacular coast road leads south from Suzuka to Ise city, with the drive taking just over an hour.

Amanohashidate - For a longer scenic drive to the northern tip of the peninsula and a sight beloved by millions of Japanese, take Highway 9 from Suzuka to Amanohashidate. Japanese people take natural beauty very seriously, with this glorious view over a mountain-ringed bay bisected by a pine-covered sand bar considered one of the three loveliest in the entire country.

Practical information

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

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).

  1. Home
  2. Asia
  3. Japan
  4. Suzuka