Unlocking Japan: Expand Your Horizons by Renting a Car
- By Zen Gaijin
- Dec 28, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 1
Japan’s trains are world-class, and the buses spotless—but to truly discover the heart of Japan, go where the tracks don’t. Renting a car in Japan unlocks rural roads, sleepy coastal villages, and mountain hamlets that most visitors never see.
Perhaps you hesitate: rental logistics can be complex, the details daunting, the language barrier frustrating. And then, unless you hail from Australia, England, India, Thailand, South Africa, or Singapore and are already familiar with driving on the left, there is the whole wrong-side-of-the-road thing.
Yes, driving in Japan as a tourist might feel daunting at first but with a few simple tips, you’ll be cruising confidently past rice paddies and roadside onsen in no time.
🛣️Three Rules and Off You Go
Let’s deal with this issue first: You ask yourself, “Can I really master this challenge without wrapping us around a tree?”
The answer is yes. Transiting to left-side driving is remarkably easy, and after a few miles, the worst annoyance you’ll encounter is repeatedly switching on the wipers when trying to signal a turn--a right of passage. There really are only three fundamental rules:
Always keep the white line on your right side.
Be careful planning and executing turns because habit may lead you into the wrong lane. Turn slowly and deliberately; following another turning car can help you stay in the correct lane.
Drive during daylight hours if you can. Road signs are easier to read, and navigation is less stressful.
Be forewarned that, particularly in mountainous areas, you are going to encounter a lot of tunnels, viaducts, and bridges. Fear not: they are well lit and the roadways are excellent.
That’s basically it. Relax, drive slowly (easy because Japanese speed limits are low), and enjoy the view as you journey along major highways or even narrow country roads out to novel locations. You will soon get the hang of it. Japanese drivers are polite and obey traffic laws, so you should too. Driving in Japan is easy.
📋What You Need to Rent a Car in Japan
The actual process of renting a car—especially through major vendors like Toyota, Budget, Nippon or Nissan—is pretty easy, especially since the major companies have English language sites. Your first challenge is to make sure you obtain the necessary licenses and approvals in your home country that you’ll need to rent that car in Japan―and remember to bring them with you when it’s time to travel.
International Driving Permit (IDP)
Most visitors will need an IDP issued in their home country under the September 19, 1949, Geneva Convention on road traffic.
In the United States and Australia, IDPs are issued by AAA. In other countries, clubs associated with AAA can issue IDPs. In Canada, the CAA issues them. In other countries, an official agent must issue the IDP. For example, in Spain, the IDP is issued by the Dirección General de Tráfico Provincial. Do your research and get it right.
You don't need to be a member of AAA to obtain an IDP.
IDPs issued via the internet are not valid in Japan.
Japanese Translation of Driver's License
Holders of driver's licenses from certain countries must drive with a Japanese translation of their license instead of an IDP. This applies to:
Switzerland
Germany
France
Belgium
Monaco
Taiwan
To obtain a Japanese translation of your license, you can visit a Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) office or apply online.
Important
When renting, your IDP or translated license must be accompanied by your original, valid driver's license from your home country.
💰Finding the Best Car Rental Deals
When searching for a car rental in Japan, online platforms like Tabirai , RentalCars.com, and ToCoo! offer convenient comparison services. They pull listings from major Japanese rental agencies and let you compare prices by location.
Pro Tip: Sometimes it’s cheaper to book directly. We’ve used all the major rental companies and found that deals vary depending on the region, timing, and availability. It pays to check.
Here are a few reputable companies with English-language booking sites:
We recommend shopping across both comparison sites and company websites—then booking whichever offers the best price and car for your needs.
🔐Navigating Rental Car Insurance in Japan
Insurance is crucial when renting a car in Japan. Foreigners should be particularly cautious, as accident liability often defaults to the foreign driver. Take these essential insurance factors into account:
Basic Coverage: Japanese rental car plans include mandatory basic insurance coverage by law.
Credit card insurance may not be applicable in Japan. Some cards explicitly exclude coverage in Japan, so verify your card's policy before relying on it.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) reduces your financial risk—worth considering.
By carefully comparing rates and understanding insurance options, you can ensure a smoother and more secure car rental experience in Japan. For more detailed insurance information, see ToCoo! Insurance Guide.
🚙The Choice is Yours
All major rental companies stock a variety of car brands, styles and sizes, and they are new, clean, and well-maintained. In recent years, Japan has shifted to boxy, upright little cars that resemble refrigerators. The larger of these (by Toyota, Honda, Daihatsu, and Nissan) look a little silly, but they drive well, are comfortable and well-equipped, and have enough power to get out of their own way.
To Kei or Not to Kei?
Avoid Kei cars (with yellow plates) if you plan to use expressways or cover long distances. They’re tiny, underpowered, and uncomfortable for tall passengers or long drives. For taxation reasons, Kei cars are limited to 650cc engines and about 60 horsepower which makes them slow but incredibly fuel-efficient. Look instead for compact or mid-size cars with white plates.
Gas is expensive in Japan—currently more than 170 yen per liter—so fuel mileage may be a serious factor.
Tip: Always ask when you rent a car which type of gasoline it needs. Usually, the answer is regular, but some sportier cars run better on premium.
💳ETC: Japan’s Toll Pass System
ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card lets you breeze through toll booths without stopping. It looks like a little credit card that, if you order it, your rental company inserts into a device in your car. This is a time and hassle saver, saving you from having to understand Japanese, have cash available for tolls, or stop your car at toll booths. At the end of your rental, the company uses a card reader to determine the total toll charges you owe.
📍Navigation, GPS, and Highway Speed Limits
Like everywhere else, GPS is invaluable in Japan, and all rental cars have monitors—but many of them are programmed in Japanese only.
Be sure you have Google Maps loaded on your phone or device to serve as your GPS. Google Maps sucks a lot of juice, so have an in-car charger with you that fits into the car’s charging port or auxiliary power outlet (formerly called the cigarette lighter).
The speed limit on Japanese highways and toll roads is 100 kilometers per hour — about 60 miles per hour, and most Japanese drivers adhere to the limit. You may be tempted to hammer your mobile refrigerator to save time, but you will find that you are bucking the general tide of traffic.
Best advice: stay cool, drive the limit, and enjoy the views. Local roads and towns may have lower speed limits, which will be clearly marked. Japanese road signs are clear and up-to-date, and most are now written in both Japanese and English.
⛽Fueling Up in Japan
Full Service Stations are still common In Japan, meaning that attendants will fill up your tank, clean your windshield, and, if asked, check your tire pressures or oil level. When you pull into a full-service station, an attendant will direct you to a pump and ask you what kind of fuel you want “regular” (レギュラー (regyurā) or “hi-oku” (premium).
They’ll also ask you whether you want a full tank “mantan” or a specific amount. You usually remain in your car during fueling, and the attendant will handle payment once you’ve filled up.
Self-service stations are becoming more common, especially in urban areas. At these stations, you fill your tank yourself, and instructions are often available only in Japanese with pictograms to guide you.
The red nozzle is regular gasoline, and the yellow is premium (high octane). You should not choose the green nozzle unless you are driving a truck.
An increasing number of stations now have an English language option on the payment terminals, but beware: even the English language terminals may not accept U.S. credit cards, and it can be confusing to figure out how to feed cash into them. Keep your translator app handy, and don’t hesitate to collar a nearby passerby and ask for a little help with navigating these modern pumps.
If you're not fluent in Japanese, a full-service station may be more convenient. Look for the signage:
Full-Service: Often says "フルサービス" (furusabisu).
Self-Service: Displays "セルフ" (serufu)
Remember that in Japan, fuel is measured in liters, not gallons.
Rural stations may close early or be unmanned—don’t let your tank run low. On Iki Island, we once couldn’t refuel because the machine didn’t accept our card, and we struggled to feed in cash until a kind local helped.
Tip: In remote areas, top off early. Keep your tank above half full.
🧭 Self-Driving in Japan: Final Tips
We’ve driven across Japan—from Kyushu’s volcanic coast to the highlands of Nagano—and every time, renting a car opens up a whole new layer of travel. If you’re prepared and drive with care, the freedom and flexibility are unbeatable.
Just remember:
Book early, especially in peak travel seasons.
Bring your IDP (or certified license translation) and home license.
Double-check toll and fuel policies when booking.
Stay fueled up in rural areas—just in case.
Happy travels—and enjoy the road less taken!
© 2025 Zen Gaijin. This content is original research and may not be reproduced without permission.
