Planning on renting a car in Japan? Having your own wheels can be a great way to discover the Japanese countryside and sites that lie beyond the biggest urban centers, but there are a few things you should know before setting off on your adventure.
Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Japan
Book from home.
Don’t wait until you get off the plane to rent a vehicle. It will be cheaper to book your car before leaving home.
You need an International Driving Permit.
U.S. residents need to get an International Driving Permit to operate a vehicle in Japan. This document is simply a translated version of your state-issued driver’s license and can be obtained from the AAA.
You’ll drive on the left.
Japan is one of a handful of countries (including the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and South Africa) where people drive on the left. The switch can take some getting used to, so consider renting a car after you’ve recovered from jet lag.
English will be limited.
If you don’t speak Japanese, reading road signs and understanding the details of your rental contract will require some extra planning. Make sure to download an English-language navigation app to help find your way around.
Pay for the rental in yen.
You may have the option to pay for the rental in U.S. dollars, but this option will cost you more in the long run. Pay in the local currency to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees.
Liability and damage insurance is included.
Japan’s rental car companies include liability and damage insurance in the contract, but in case of an accident you’ll be responsible for paying the deductible unless you add on a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). You could also have to pay a non-operation charge the rental company has to take the vehicle out of service.
Get an electronic toll card.
Many Japanese highways have electronic tolls. Foreigners can purchase passes at rental companies that allow you to drive on toll roads for up to two weeks without incurring additional charges. The prices of the passes depend on whether you choose a Japan-wide pass or one for certain regions such as Hokkaido or Kyushu. The passes aren’t cheap—you can expect to pay nearly $200 for a week-long unlimited pass for travel all around Japan, but the price drops to under $100 for a region-specific pass.
Don’t rent a car when you’re in a city.
While a rental car can be great for checking out sites in the countryside, driving in Japanese cities can be difficult for non-Japanese drivers. Instead, plan on using public transit and cabs to get around.
Check out regional rental options.
It’s best to do some homework about the rental options and costs before getting to the counter, especially if you don’t have a firm grasp of Japanese. You’ll find local companies with names such as Nippon Rent-a-Car, Toyota Rent a Car and ORIX Rent-a-Car. Note that while these companies may offer websites in English, you might still have translation issues when going to pick up the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a car in Portugal and drop it off in Spain?
The answer is yes, you can do this. It’s called “car-hire”. You will find many companies offering this service online.
You just need to check if the Spanish and Portuguese authorities license them.
The best way to do this is to contact them directly on their websites. You will find all the information they need.
What is the difference between a domestic and international rental car?
Domestic cars are cheaper but have fewer features than international ones.
International cars can be more expensive, but they offer greater comfort and safety equipment like air conditioning, seatbelts, antilock brakes, and so on.
The number of miles you plan to drive daily should guide your selection of a car.
If you’re traveling for more than 100-miles, you might consider renting a local (domestic) car as they are typically cheaper.
An international model is best if you are going to be driving around cities and taking off-road trips.
How can I rent a car in a different country?
A rental agency like Europcar, Avis or Hertz is the best way to accomplish this. These agencies have offices throughout Europe and can offer short-term rentals as well as long-term leases.
They provide customer support 24 hours a day, 7 nights a week.
If renting from them, you don’t need any previous experience. They will take care of everything including insurance and breakdown coverage. All you need is to know where and when to arrive.
Statistics
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
External Links
enterprise.com
avis.com
alamo.com
autoslash.com
How To
How do I make sure that pre-existing damage isn’t charged to my rental car?
How does the vehicle get returned if it is rented for less than 24 hours? What happens if your rental car gets scratched? This is a common issue among those who rent cars from different companies. Customers may be charged even though they didn’t cause any damage when renting their cars. Avoid these charges by asking whether you will be charged for scratches or dents on the vehicle. These are ways to ensure that rental cars don’t have pre-existing damage.
- Ask for a scanned copy of the agreement.
- Make sure to read the description carefully.
- Pay attention to the fine print.
- Ask for a complimentary cleaning;
- Pay attention to the condition of your car.
- Don’t leave anything behind inside the car;
- You should always bring cash when renting a vehicle.
- Keep all payments in receipt.
- Never allow anyone to touch the car without permission.
- Never accept a gift of the company.
- Use only a reputable rental agency;
- Remember to bring the contract along with you;
- The car must be returned in good condition.
- Provide your contact details to the agent
- Avoid repeating the same company.
- Notify the seller of any important details such as model, mileage, engine size, color and so on. ;
- Take photos of the damage
- Clean the car yourself;
- Request a third-party inspection of the car
- Never agree to pay additional fees
