Renting a car in Japan: prices, agencies, insurance and pitfalls to avoid (2026)
· 7 min read
Renting a car in Japan is simple and reliable — provided you show up with the right file. Three documents are required everywhere: your original driving licence, its official JAF translation and your passport, plus a credit card in the driver's name. Expect ¥6,000–10,000 per day for a city car. Here is the complete guide.
The documents every rental company requires
The list is identical at every Japanese rental company. One: your original driving licence, physical and valid — photocopies and phone photos are refused. Two: the official translation of your licence issued by the JAF, which the staff compare line by line with the original; it is required for licences issued in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco and Germany. Three: your passport, which proves your date of entry into the country. Add a credit card in the main driver's name: for the deposit, many agencies accept neither debit cards nor cash. The full story on that document is in our guide to driving in Japan with a foreign licence.
Several drivers: settle it before departure
Planning to take turns at the wheel on a long itinerary? Each driver needs their own official translation and must be registered as a driver on the rental contract. With Japanese companies the additional driver is usually free, but they must be present at the counter with their documents. The underlying reason is simple: anyone not named on the contract is not covered by the insurance in case of an accident. Sort this out before the trip — our order form lets you add several licences in a single order, with one payment and one shared tracking.
Which agency to choose?
Toyota Rent a Car operates the country's densest network, present near virtually every shinkansen station. Times Car Rental is known for attractive prices and a smooth digital experience, Nippon Rent-A-Car and Orix for their strong airport presence, Nissan Rent a Car for its modern fleet. All work to high standards: immaculate vehicles, punctual handovers, clear procedures. To compare prices, Japanese platforms such as ToCoo!, Rakuten Travel or Jalan often beat international booking portals — and ToCoo! is well set up for foreign customers, with English-language support. Practical rule: in high season (cherry blossom, Golden Week, Obon, New Year) and in Hokkaido, book several weeks ahead.
Which car for which trip?
The yellow-plate kei car is the Japanese speciality: barely 660cc, very frugal, perfect for narrow village streets and tight car parks, but noticeably underpowered on expressways and in the mountains. For two people with luggage, a compact is the best compromise; for four with suitcases, an estate or a Japanese van such as the Toyota Noah — more comfortable than its shape suggests. Almost all vehicles are automatic. Add to your booking the ETC card for tolls, a GPS with English menus and, for children under six, the mandatory child seat. In winter, snow tyres are essential — in Hokkaido they are the standard from December to March.
Your official translation in a few clicks — PDF within 72h.
Order my translationHow much does it cost?
Expect roughly ¥6,000–10,000 per day for a city car (kei or compact) and ¥10,000–15,000 for an estate or small SUV. Add optional insurance, around ¥1,000–2,000 per day, and the ETC card for expressway tolls. Do not forget tolls in your overall budget: a Tokyo–Kyoto run is around ¥10,000 one way, and a week of expressway driving can cost as much as an extra rental day. Booking before departure is almost always cheaper than on the spot — and in high season, it is quite simply what guarantees you a vehicle at all.
Insurance and the NOC: the Japanese specificity
The base price includes third-party liability and damage cover with an excess. For a moderate supplement — usually ¥1,000–2,000 per day — the excess can be removed: a reasonable choice when you are new to driving on the left. On top of that comes a concept that does not exist in Europe: the NOC (Non-Operation Charge), a fee covering the rental company's loss of earnings while the vehicle is being repaired, charged even for a small scratch. Typical amounts are around ¥20,000 if the car comes back under its own power and ¥50,000 if it has to be towed. Many agencies sell an option covering the NOC; also check what your credit card insurance actually covers — the NOC is often excluded.
Pick-up and return, step by step
The handover takes about twenty minutes. After the document check, a condition report is drawn up: walk around the car and have every existing scratch recorded — your own time-stamped photos take two minutes and prevent any discussion at return. Then come a short briefing on the GPS and the ETC card reader, and the fuel rule. The car is normally returned with a full tank, with a receipt from a petrol station near the branch; returning it unfilled triggers a flat charge well above market price. Allow around thirty minutes for the return, plus the transfer to the airport terminal. One-way rentals to another region are possible, with a drop-off fee that grows with the distance.
The pitfalls that ruin holidays every week
One: showing up at the counter without the JAF translation — booking confirmed, car ready, and the one sheet the clerk needs to see is missing. With a few days' lead time, that point is simply settled. Two: underestimating tolls. Three: ending up with a Japanese-only GPS — request English at booking and keep your phone as backup. Four: overlooking the NOC when reading the contract. Five: choosing a car too big for tower car parks and narrow streets. Six: scheduling the return too close to your flight. All six are neutralised with a little preparation — the rest of the driving practice is in our guide to driving in Japan.
Before booking the car: sort out the translation
The most comfortable approach is to order the translation as soon as your travel dates are set, even before booking the vehicle. With Michi, you fill in a 5-minute form with a photo of the front and back of your licence; our team personally checks your file, obtains the official translation and delivers it — as a PDF within 72h on the Priority plan (€79.90) if departure is near, or within 4 to 7 days on the Standard plan (€59.90), to print in any Japanese konbini. Both plans are compared on the pricing page, and the full process is explained on How it works.
Your questions on this topic
How old do you need to be to rent a car in Japan?+
The legal driving age is 18, with a valid licence. Each rental company also applies its own minimum age and licence seniority conditions: check them when booking.
Is an international driving permit enough at the counter?+
Not for French, Swiss, Belgian, Monegasque and German licences: for these countries, Japan requires the original licence accompanied by its official JAF translation. Our comparison explains why.
Can I rent with a debit card?+
Most Japanese rental companies require a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. Check the agency's payment conditions before booking.
What exactly is the NOC?+
A non-operation charge specific to Japan, covering the rental company's loss of earnings during repairs: around ¥20,000 if the car returns under its own power, ¥50,000 if it has to be towed. Many agencies offer an option that covers it.
Do both drivers each need a translation?+
Yes. Every person who takes the wheel needs their own official translation and must be listed as a driver on the contract. The Michi form lets you order several translations at once.
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