Renting a Car in Tokyo & Japan

Do You Need a Car in Tokyo?

Honest advice: probably not for daily life, but definitely for specific situations.

You DON'T Need a Car For

Daily commuting — Tokyo's trains are faster and cheaper
Shopping — convenience stores and supermarkets are everywhere
Most Tokyo sightseeing — trains + walking covers 95%
Going out at night — last trains are late, taxis fill the gaps

A Car IS Useful For

Weekend trips to countryside, hot springs, or beaches
Moving apartments or picking up large furniture
Visiting suburban areas with limited train access
Families with young children (car seats, strollers)
Costco runs and large shopping trips

Requirements for Foreigners

License Requirements

International Driving Permit (IDP) from a Geneva Convention country — valid for 1 year from entry date
Japanese driver's license — converted from your foreign license or obtained at a driving school
See our driver's license conversion guide for details
Important: China, Brazil, and some other countries require full Japanese license conversion (IDP not accepted)

Other Requirements

Minimum age: 18 for standard cars; 21+ for some vehicle classes
Credit card in the driver's name (required at most agencies)
Passport and residence card
Some companies require 1+ year of driving experience

Major Rental Car Companies

Compare prices, English support, and locations across Tokyo.

Company	Price (Kei Car/Day)	English Support	Highlights
Times Car Rental	¥4,000–¥6,000	English website	Largest network, many stations near train stations
Nippon Rent-A-Car	¥5,000–¥7,000	English available	Established brand, airport & station locations
Toyota Rent a Car	¥5,500–¥7,500	English website	Toyota vehicles only, reliable & well-maintained
Nissan Rent a Car	¥5,000–¥7,000	Some locations	Nissan vehicles, including electric options (Leaf)
Budget Rent a Car	¥3,500–¥5,000	English website	Budget-friendly, good for basic needs

Save Money

Book online in advance for 20–40% off walk-in prices. Kei cars (660cc yellow plates) are cheapest and perfectly fine for highway driving. Insurance is typically ¥1,000–¥2,000/day extra — always take it.

Car Sharing vs. Rental

For short trips, car sharing can be much cheaper than traditional rental.

Feature	Car Sharing (Times)	Traditional Rental
Pricing	¥220/15 min or ¥4,290/12 hrs	¥4,000–¥7,500/day
Booking	App, from 15 min before	Online/phone, advance booking
Pickup/Return	Self-service at parking lots (24/7)	Staff counter during business hours
Insurance	Included	¥1,000–¥2,000/day extra
Gas	Included (card in car)	Return with full tank
Best For	Quick errands, 1–6 hour trips	Full-day trips, multi-day travel

Times Car Share Setup

Monthly fee: ¥880 (includes ¥880 of driving credit)
Register online with license, credit card, and residence card
IC card or app to unlock cars at 14,000+ stations nationwide
Gas and insurance are included in the per-minute rate
English app available

Which to Choose?

Quick errand (1–3 hours): Car sharing wins by far
Day trip (8–12 hours): About the same cost
Weekend trip (2+ days): Rental car is cheaper
Moving furniture: Rental van or kei truck from home center
No monthly commitment: Traditional rental

Driving in Japan: Practical Tips

Road Rules

Drive on the left (right-hand drive vehicles)
Speed limits: 40 km/h city, 60 km/h regular roads, 100 km/h highways
Zero tolerance for drunk driving — even 0.01% BAC is criminal
Passengers can also be fined if the driver has been drinking
Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers

Practical Info

ETC card: Ask the rental agency for one — auto-pays highway tolls at discounted rates
Gas: Self-service (セルフ) or full-service. "Regular" = regular unleaded
Parking: Coin parking (コインパーキング) costs ¥200–¥1,600/hour in central Tokyo
Navigation: Google Maps works well; set language to English
Highway tolls: Can be expensive (¥3,000–¥10,000+ for longer trips)