It is convenient to use a car to get around in areas that are not well served by public transportation. However, many people may feel that using a rental car in Japan is difficult because the way of renting a car is different from overseas. In this article, we will introduce 6 recommended car rental companies in Japan, in addition to how to choose a rental company, the procedure for renting a car, and what to expect when returning a car.
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Flow of using a rental car in Japan
There are many car rental stores in Japan. You must first select a company from among them and follow the procedures from rental to return of the car. Let’s take a closer look at how to choose a car rental company and the steps involved in renting a car.
STEP1: Select a car rental store to use.
The right car rental company for you depends on what is important to you. The following are 5 criteria for selecting a car rental company and how to choose one.
1-1 Select by price
Car rental companies can be broadly divided into 2 types. Major car rental companies and budget car rental companies. The major companies do not offer a low per-rental fee, but they do offer a membership discount that reduces the fee if you use the service repeatedly. If you clear the conditions of the number of times you used the equipment in the previous month or year, your membership grade will be higher, and the price will become cheaper and cheaper. On the other hand, if you only use the car occasionally, a budget rental car is recommended. Depending on the conditions, you may be able to rent a car for about half the price of a major rental company. However, there are some disadvantages, such as limited options and insurance, and the most of the cars are used cars.
1-2 Choose for a purpose
There are many purposes for renting a car, such as business travel, leisure, outdoor activities, shopping, moving, and so on. The car will vary depending on the purpose and the requirements, what kind of service is needed, and what options are useful for you. For example, if you are using the car for work, choose a smartly designed car; if you are using it for moving, choose a truck-type car with a spacious cargo. Choose a car rental store that can rent the best car for your purpose at the time.
1-3 Select by Departure Location
Choose a car rental store whose office is located near your home or a train station or airport in your destination. It is convenient to rent or return a car if it is within walking distance, such as near your home or the nearest transportation. If you are traveling, it is a good idea to choose a rental car company that provides a shuttle service from the airport or train station to the rental car office. Even if it is far from the rental car office, you don’t have to worry about how to get to the office.
1-4 Select by option
If you are going to travel far, be sure to check for car navigation systems and ETC card on-board equipment. Also, if you drive on snowy roads, a service with studdles tires and chains is a must. If your child will be riding with you, you are required to install a baby seat or child seat, so choose a car rental store that offers that option.
1-5, Select by car
If you have a specific car you want to drive, choose a car rental store that rents it. For example, if you want to drive a Prius, you should go to rent a car from Toyota rental store, if you want to drive a Skyline, you should go to rent a car from Nissan rental store, etc. Each rental car store handles different types of cars. You can check the car models available on the official websites of the car rental stores.
STEP2: Rent a car
Once you have selected a car rental company, you are ready to rent a car. The steps to rent a car are as follows:
2-1 Find a departure/return location or store
Once you have chosen a rental car company, decide on a departure and return store. Choose a location as close to your home or near the train station of your travel destination, where the walking distance with luggage is as small as possible. If you are using the car at the destination, you can also use the “drop-off” service, in which you return the car at a different location from the one where you rented it. If you use the “drop-off” service allows you to rent a car at the airport or train station and return it at a business location near your lodgings. However, the distance between the rental and return locations increases with the distance between the rental and return locations, so you will need to check the option fees.
2-2 Reserve a date and time
Once you have decided on a departure and return store, reserve a date and time. Some stores accept same-day reservations, but there is a possibility that no cars will be available on the day, so make reservations as early as possible through the official website or app.
2-3 Select a car
Most car rental stores have different types of vehicles. Most are differentiated by size and number of passengers: mini cars, compact cars, sedans, minivans, wagons, box vans, and light trucks. Choose a car according to the purpose of your rental and the number of passengers.
2-4 Select Options
Choose the options you need, such as a car navigation system, ETC availability, and child seats. Many companies offer car navigation systems and ETC as standard equipment, but some sets them as optional, so you need to check. “Drop off” service is also included as an option. Also, be sure to check the insurance as the major companies are standard incidental, but some of the cheaper car rental companies are set as option.
What to do when returning a rental car
In Japan, when returning a rental car, it is basic to return it with a full tank of gas. Therefore, when you rent a car, make sure you know or search the nearest gas station to the point of rental. Most companies will provide you with the nearest gas station before you leave so that you can return the car with a full tank!
6 recommended car rental companies
There are numerous car rental companies in Japan. Among them, we recommend the following 6 car rental companies.
- Toyota Rent-A-Car
Toyota Rent-A-Car is one of the largest car rental companies in Japan. They have an official app and you can make reservations from your smartphone. The drop-off service and 3-hour car rental service, which can be used when you just want a short ride, are also convenient. Since most of Toyota’s vehicles are in the lineup, recommended for those who wants to drive a Toyota car.
- Nippon Rent-a-Car
Nippon Rent-A-Car is a major car rental company with branches throughout Japan. Many of its branches are located within walking distance from train stations and airports, and are open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Therefore, they are easy to use. Weekday and weekend plans are frequently offered, so it is a good idea to take advantage of these campaigns. We also offer a “Drop-off” service.
- ORIX Rent-a-Car
ORIX Rent-A-Car is, a major car rental company that allows reservations up to 1 hour before departure. They have some cheap campaigns and membership benefits, so if you are a frequent business traveler, it is a good idea to become a member. JAL and ANA frequent flyer miles can be earned, and payment by QR code or transportation system IC card is also possible. Roadside service is also an attractive feature of our industry-leading insurance coverage service at no additional cost.
- Nissan Rent-a-Car
Nissan Rent-A-Car is a major car rental company operated by Nissan Co. A wide variety of vehicle types are available, from welfare vehicles and microbuses to trucks. Self-check-in, which allows customers to complete counter procedures using a smartphone, and “Self-ride-go,” an unattended rental service that allows customers to unlock their car with their driver’s license, are also popular. Many models are available for large groups, such as the Serena and El-grand. The secret of their popularity is that they can be used by a large number of people.
- Nico Nico Rent-a-Car
Nico Nico Rent-a-Car is, a leading low-cost car rental company The company is a leading provider of low-cost car rentals. They have branches not only at train stations and airports, but also at gas stations and maintenance shops, and by utilizing their own infrastructure, they are able to offer low prices. Another attraction is that reservations can be easily made through the official dedicated app. They are located at major train stations and airports throughout Japan and are easily accessible.
- Times Car Rental
Times Car Rental is a rental car company that operates throughout Japan, mainly near Shinkansen and conventional train stations and near airports in various regions. Reservations can be made up to 30 minutes in advance on the same day, and a drop-off service is available at stores nationwide. This service is suitable for travel and business use. The service is also popular for its speedy rental service, whereby customers simply hold up their membership card or digital membership card at the store.
If you are looking to rent a car in Japan, we recommend major car rental companies!
These are some of the points to consider when choosing a rental car, the steps to take when renting a car, what to expect when returning a car, and recommended rental companies.
There are a number of car rental companies, but minor ones are risky when renting a car because many of them have used-cars or do not have insurance as a standard plan. Therefore, if you choose to rent a car, a major rental company is still the safest choice. If you are a member of a major car rental company, you may be able to receive a discount when renting a car. I hope this article helps you to select a proper car rental company.
