Osaka car hire
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Cheap car hire in Osaka
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People carrier |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Osaka
- When planning to explore via cheap car hire in Osaka, there are some driving laws you should keep in mind for a hassle-free experience. First, Osaka has a zero-tolerance policy for drink-driving, with hefty penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment and deportation for foreign drivers. The legal BAC limit in the city is 0.03%. If you want to enjoy an alcoholic drink, consider having a designated driver. Also, you should always have your valid driving licence and proof of insurance when driving in Osaka. Should the police stop you, they’ll require you to produce these documents; failing to do so could land you a fine or other penalty.
- Hiring an electric car in Osaka is an ideal way to explore the iconic city conveniently while reducing your carbon footprint. However, consider planning your route carefully to ensure enough range to get you to the next charging station. Osaka boasts an extensive network of charging points in the city, including AC and fast DC chargers. Generally, most charging stations in the city accept credit and debit card payments. The charging fee varies with the network and charger type you use. Vehicle charging points are dotted throughout the city, including business centres, hotels and car parks.
- Most car hire providers in Osaka accept credit card payments from major providers, including MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Your credit card should be in your name and have enough funds to cover the car hire deposit plus any extra charges. Depending on the Osaka car hire company, they may accept debit cards, with additional restrictions; you may need to provide a credit check or pay a larger deposit.
- Hire a car in Osaka to escape the city rush at your discretion and visit rural destinations in the Kansai region, as well as make your transport from and to the airport more smooth. Trains are busy throughout the day in Osaka and it can be stressful navigating crowded carriages if you are travelling with lots of luggage. It’s possible to drive to the peak of Mount Kongō in roughly 1h 15min; however, to reach it by public transport, you must changeover in Kawachinagano and set aside around 1h 45min. The Tōdai-ji temple is another attraction best accessed with a hire car, as trains and buses require about 1h 30min while driving directly takes only 40min.
- The reception desks of Nippon Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent-A-Car and Times are located in the Aeroplaza at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Quickly reached by a 3min walk from Terminal 1, the counters are opposite Lawson Station. Shuttle buses are available from Terminal 2, with the hire vehicles directly next to the Aeroplaza. Itami Airport (ITM) has car hire offices on the far left-hand side of the North Terminal building as you exit. Shuttle services are provided to take you to your hire car, which is a 3min drive away.
- An International Driver's Permit must be obtained to drive in Japan, and this should be organised before leaving Australia as it cannot be issued overseas. Using GPS navigation is crucial unless you can read Japanese as very few of the road signs are written in English. Cars must come to a complete stop when approaching a railway crossing and check for approaching trains, even if the boom gates are up. Most highways are tolled (indicated by green signage) with charges calculated by the distance you drive on the highway.
- Rush hour is at its peak between 07:00–10:00 and 14:00–19:00 in Osaka, though congestion on roads is prevalent all day. Traffic on Hanshin Motorway is often backed up and causes delays. Apply caution when driving in Osaka during winter as roads can become slippery due to snow.
- Book your car hire in Osaka at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about hiring a car in Osaka
What type of car is recommended for driving in Osaka?
As Osaka roads are filled with traffic, compact car models are best suited to moving between lanes. Smaller cars can also navigate Osaka’s narrow alleyways and squeeze into tight parking spaces. It’s recommended to request snow tyres or chains if you are visiting during the winter and plan on driving to rural locations outside of central Osaka.
What’s the speed limit in Osaka?
Speed limits vary throughout the centre of Osaka but are normally 30 km/h or 50 km/h. The standard limit on highways is 100 km/h. Police are known to tightly enforce speed limits across the city.
Where are the best places to park in Osaka?
Spaces at Osaka Station City Nishi-Umeda Parking Lot cost approximately ¥ 110 (A$ 1.50) per hour, with a 24h stay priced at around ¥ 2.480 (A$ 33.50). Midosuji Car Pit Parking Lot in Chuo Ward offers 12h spaces for roughly ¥ 1.500 (A$ 20.30) on weekdays and about ¥ 2.200 (A$ 29.80) on weekends.
How much is the price of fuel in Osaka?
The average price of fuel in Osaka is R85,25 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R1 023 and R1 364, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Osaka?
Mini (Class Mini Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Osaka.
How can I find car hires near me in Osaka?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Osaka?
A Mini car hire in Osaka costs R965 per day, on average.
What road trips can I take from Osaka with my hired car?
Cheap car hire in Osaka allows you to enjoy scenic road trips and tailor your preferred routes. If you seek to immerse in Japan’s rich culture and heritage, set out on a short road trip to Kyoto, just a short drive away. For a close interaction with nature, you can take a thrilling road trip to Mount Koya, about 2 hours away.
How can I have an additional driver on my Osaka car hire agreement?
Most car hire companies in Osaka allow extra drivers at a surcharge. This additional fee varies depending on the car hire provider’s policy. The co-driver must meet all the requirements as the primary driver, including the age limits and presenting a valid driving licence.
Osaka car rental reviews and directory
Nissan Rent-A-Car
10,0
Wonderful
1 reviewCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
24 locations in Osaka
Locations in Osaka
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
Sep 2023
Hertz
4,0
Mediocre
1 reviewCleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.0
Value for money
4.0
11 locations in Osaka
Locations in Osaka
Filters
Reviews
6,0 Okay
Feb 2018
Pros:
The car is good for cityCons:
I called in using an international mobile to mention i will be 30mins late as the GPS (in Japanese) took me to another route and they said yes yes and ok on the phone but when we arrived they insisted to charge me for 30 mins. This is a first for me with Hertz.Times
2,0
Poor
1 reviewCleanliness
2.0
Comfort
2.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
2.0
21 locations in Osaka
Locations in Osaka
Filters
No reviews available
Budget
10,0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
One location in Osaka
Alamo
8,0
Very Good
No reviews available
Cleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.0
6 locations in Osaka
ORIX Rent a Car
10,0
Wonderful
No reviews available
21 locations in Osaka
Locations in Osaka
Filters
No reviews available
National
10,0
Wonderful
No reviews available
7 locations in Osaka
Filters
No reviews available
Toyota Rent a Car
8,0
Very Good
No reviews available
42 locations in Osaka
Filters
No reviews available
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7,7
Good
No reviews available
6 locations in Osaka
Nippon Rent-A-Car
7,3
Good
No reviews available
19 locations in Osaka
Locations in Osaka
Filters
No reviews available