Renting a Car in Japan as a Foreigner: What You Need to Know
Which driving permit you need, what a rental car, tolls, fuel and parking cost in Japan, how ETC cards work, and our tips from road-tripping from Fukuoka to Nagasaki.
Japan's trains are famous, but sometimes a car is simply cheaper and more flexible, especially when you are travelling as a group or heading to the countryside. When we lived in Fukuoka, we rented a small car with two friends for a day trip to Nagasaki, and split between four people it cost about half the price of the train.
Driving in Japan turned out to be one of the calmest driving experiences we have had anywhere: polite drivers, excellent roads and no crazy overtaking. But there are rules you need to know before you go, starting with the driving permit.
Quick answer: To rent a car in Japan you need your home licence plus a paper International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention). Drivers from Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation of their licence instead. Japan drives on the left. Rentals start around ¥5,000 per day; expressway tolls are expensive, so rent an ETC card with the car.
Which driving permit do you need?
- Most countries (UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Egypt and others): your home licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. Only the paper booklet IDP is accepted, not card or app versions, and it must be issued in your home country.
- Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan: these countries are not part of the 1949 convention. Instead, bring your original licence plus an official Japanese translation (available from JAF and partner services).
- Validity: you can drive for up to one year from your arrival in Japan. Since automated gates no longer stamp passports, ask for a stamp at a staffed counter so you can prove your arrival date.
Without the right documents, rental companies will refuse to give you the car, and you would be driving illegally.
How much does it cost?
| Cost | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Rental (24 h, compact car) | from about ¥5,000; larger cars up to ¥30,000 |
| Insurance | mandatory basic cover; extra cover recommended |
| Fuel (regular) | roughly ¥170 per litre |
| Expressway tolls | distance-based; Tokyo to Kyoto costs about ¥10,000 |
| City parking | from a few hundred yen per hour |
On our day trip from Fukuoka to Nagasaki (about 300 km round trip), the car, fuel and tolls together came to much less per person than the train, because we were four.
Tips for driving in Japan
- Drive on the left. Be extra careful when turning, which is when most accidents with foreign drivers happen.
- Speed limits are low: usually 40 km/h in towns, 60 km/h on ordinary roads and 100 km/h (some sections 120 km/h) on expressways.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol: the limit is effectively zero, and passengers can also be fined.
- No phones while driving; seatbelts for everyone.
- Expressway exits can be confusing. We once took an exit thinking it was the continuation of the expressway; once you leave, you pay again to get back on.
- GPS: most rental cars have navigation with an English option, but Google Maps on your phone is often easier. Many navigation systems accept a phone number or "Map Code" as the destination.
Expressway tolls and ETC cards
Japan's expressways are fast and beautifully maintained, but they are expensive. Toll gates come in two kinds:
- Purple ETC gates: automatic payment with an ETC card in the car. Rent one from your car rental company; you settle the tolls when you return the car.
- Green gates: pay by cash or credit card at a booth or machine.
Some rental companies also offer flat-rate Expressway Passes for foreign visitors in certain regions, which can save a lot on longer trips.
Fuel and parking
At most petrol stations an attendant fills the tank for you; just say regular, mantan (full tank) and pay. Self-service stations are increasingly common too.
City parking ranges from big multi-storey car parks to tiny lots with just a few spaces. In many small lots, a barrier rises under your car after you park and only drops when you pay at the machine.
Is renting a car in Japan worth it?
- Yes for groups of three or four, rural areas, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Kyushu's countryside and places with few trains.
- No for Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, where public transport is excellent and parking is expensive.
Our road trip took us to Nagasaki: read our Nagasaki one-day itinerary.
Sources checked: Japan National Tourism Organization – renting a car.
About the authors
Dasza — Writer and photographer behind PTraveler. Polish-born, raised in Germany, happiest renting a flat in a new city for a month.
Tomek — Project manager, fixer and tour leader. Plans the routes, finds the free days and tests every street-food stall.
