Japan car hire

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Japan

These are the best prices for 24-31 Jul.
Medium car
Medium
Luxury car
Luxury
Commercial car
Commercial
Pickup truck car
Pickup truck
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Japan car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Japan with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Japan?

You should book your car hire in Japan around 42 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest car hire company in Japan?

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Yesaway (R36,13/day), Avis (R43,08/day), and Europcar (R55,21/day).

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Japan?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Japan is June at an average cost of R821/day. March is the most expensive month to hire a car in Japan when prices are R1 002/day on average, which tends to be 1 687% above the yearly average hire price for Japan.

Which car hire company in Japan has the most locations?

Fuji Corporation Lucky Rental Car operates 2 locations in Japan, more than any other car hire company.

Japan car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Japan by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small cars

R781 - R855

All Car Types

R1 261 - R1 434

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Japan?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Japan?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Japan?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Japan?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Japan?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Japan?

How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Japan?

Small car hire in Japan typically costs around R826 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average R781 per day, which is about 6% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 39% cheaper than the average car hire in Japan, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Japan typically costs around R1 402 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average R1 282 per day, which is about 9% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 4% more expensive than the average car hire in Japan, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car hire in Japan typically costs around R1 450 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average R1 326 per day, which is about 9% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 7% more expensive than the average car hire in Japan but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV hire in Japan typically costs around R1 590 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R1 431 per day, which is about 10% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 16% more expensive than the average car hire in Japan but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.

Van hire in Japan typically costs around R1 377 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R1 271 per day, which is about 8% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 2% more expensive than the average car hire in Japan but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Luxury car hire in Japan typically costs around R2 017 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R1 751 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 34% more expensive than the average car hire in Japan but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Convertible hire in Japan typically costs around R1 439 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average R1 146 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 7% more expensive than the average car hire in Japan but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Avis
Small
R895/day
R750/day

Top tips for hiring a car in Japan

  • While public transportation inside and between cities is usually efficient, there are some areas of the country where it is greatly beneficial to have a rental car—Hokkaido, for example, or the beaches of Okinawa (not to mention the Mt. Asu volcano) are all best accessed by road.
  • Japan has an extensive system of toll roads, which can be paid for in many different ways. Besides the regular cash and credit card payment booths, drivers who rent a car in Japan can add an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) device on to their rental; some companies like Toyota Rent a Car even include them as standard. This allows you to pass through the toll system without paying on the spot. All tolls are added together and paid to the rental company when the car is returned.
  • The law in Japan states that children under 6 must be restrained in an age-appropriate car seat in the rear seats of the vehicle. Car hire agencies generally have baby and child seats for different age categories, which can be booked in advance for an additional fee. Nippon Rent-A-Car, for example, charges approximately ¥540 ($5) per seat per day.
  • While cross-border car rentals are not permitted in Japan, rental agencies have no problem with drivers visiting the different Japanese islands by car ferry. These ferries are a popular way of traveling from island to island but can be quite expensive. In the case of a very long sea journey (e.g., to Rebun or Sado), it may in fact be cheaper to drop off your car at the ferry port and pick up a new one on the other side.
  • 25% of our users found a car hire in Japan for R750 or less

FAQs about hiring a car in Japan

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in Japan?

    On average a car hire in Japan costs R895 per day.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Japan?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • Where should I hire a car in Japan?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Japan are Osaka (50% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Japan), Sapporo (25%) and Tokyo (25%).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Japan?

    On average a car hire in Japan costs R6 265 per week (R895 per day).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Japan?

    On average a car hire in Japan costs R26 850 per month (R895 per day).

  • What is driving like in Japan?

    Driving conditions in Japan are generally very good, with roads well maintained and a large network of highways that crisscross the country. Roads are usually efficient and smooth. In Japan, traffic drives on the left, and it is important to note that there is a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving, with hefty fines or even deportation used to counter offenses.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Japan?

    To rent a car in Japan, drivers must be at least 18 years of age. With the exception of a few European countries like Germany and Belgium, whose citizens may submit their domestic driving license with an official Japanese translation, it is essential to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Japan. A credit card will also be required.

  • How much does petrol cost in Japan?

    Petrol prices in Japan are comparable to those in Europe but considerably higher than in the USA: expect to pay around ¥150 ($1.40) for a liter of gas, equivalent to around $5.29 for a gallon. Most petrol stations offer the option of self-service (menus in Japanese only) or full-service, in which case it may be helpful to know a few Japanese words. Payment is usually accepted in cash or credit card.

  • What are the speed limits in Japan?

    Several different speed limits are enforced in Japan, all of which are clearly posted. As a general rule, the limit in urban areas is 40 km/h (25 mph), while side streets are limited to 30 km/h (18 mph). Open roads are usually limited to 50 or 60 km/h (31 or 37 mph), while expressways and highways carry speed limits of 80 to 100 km/h (49 to 62 mph).

Car hire directory

  • toyota

    Toyota Rent a Car car hire locations in Japan

    1499 Locations

  • orix

    ORIX Rent a Car car hire locations in Japan

    917 Locations

  • nippon

    Nippon Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Japan

    816 Locations

  • times

    Times car hire locations in Japan

    511 Locations

  • nissan

    Nissan Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Japan

    496 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in Japan

    346 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car hire locations in Japan

    286 Locations

  • shouqi

    Shouqi car hire locations in Japan

    229 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in Japan

    227 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Japan

    149 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in Japan

    137 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Japan

    137 Locations

Car hire locations in Japan

Everything you need to know for your car hire in Japan

Complete your trip to Japan

The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.