Car Rental in Tokyo and Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport (HND) › Car Rentals

Tokyo Car Rentals

Are you thinking about renting a car in Tokyo? Although Tokyo car rentals aren’t the most comfortable choice for rides around the city limits, they are definitely a top value-for-money option if you are planning to travel beyond the Tokyo Metropolis. Tokyo houses a wide number of car hire providers. International companies and local agencies provide their services in Tokyo, having fleets of various vehicle types and offering many side amenities as well. Thus, if you enjoy autonomous journeys and don’t want to rely on the public means of transit, all you’ll have to do is make your pick among the numerous rental cars in Tokyo.

Do You Need a Car When Visiting Tokyo?

Truth be told, Tokyo’s public means of transit are very efficient. The bus and train network provides fast and reliable city connections, while Tokyo taxis are abundant. While considered rather expensive, taxis in Tokyo are known for their effectiveness and the safety of the provided services. Thus, if you want to explore Tokyo, renting a car won’t be among the top recommended transit options, as traffic levels are often high and parking is pricey and difficult. On the other hand, a Tokyo car rental is the ideal way to explore destinations beyond the city limits. From the majestic Tokyo Disneyland to Kawasaki, Odaiba, Hakone, Karuizawa, and Fuji Five Lakes, you’ll reach all these locations with your Tokyo car hire hassle-free, on your own schedule, without relying on buses and trains or paying expensive taxi fares.

How to Rent a Car in Tokyo?

If you want to explore Tokyo in the most independent way and even travel to destinations that are otherwise difficult to access, you should opt for a rental car. Tokyo car hire couldn’t be easier. With a wide variety of options in your hands, you can choose one of the numerous car rental providers present in the Japanese Capital, settle on the most suitable vehicle type for you, and make your reservation by filling out the relevant booking form based on the provided guidelines. Once you complete the procedure, specifying your requirements and setting all the necessary info, you’ll receive a confirmation email that will most likely be the voucher for your reservation.

Is it Easy to Rent a Car in Tokyo?

With so many car hire providers (you’ll find 489 car rental locations around Tokyo) and such a wide number of rental vehicles and provided extra services, the only difficult thing about Tokyo car hire is deciding on the car rental agency and model. Still, if you want to benefit from top-quality services and save money on your car hire expenses at the same time, you should take a look  at the following tips and hints on car rentals in Tokyo:

• If you want to ferret out special deals and discounts, you should make your reservation as early as possible.
• Are you having a hard time settling on a Tokyo car hire provider? Are you wondering whether to choose an international company or a local provider? You should check out previous customers’ reviews. They’ll give you a clear insight into the quality of the available services.
• Most Tokyo car rental companies require customers to refill the car before dropping it off. However, if that isn’t the case, you should opt for the fuel-to-fuel policy, as agencies tend to overcharge fuel.
• Your car rental company will most likely charge per day. Thus, you should return the vehicle on time to avoid extra fees.
• It is strongly advisable to take some pics of your vehicle before you pick it up. In that way, you’ll have evidence of existing damage so that you won’t be charged for pre-existing conditions.
• If you plan to travel around Japan, you should check that your Tokyo car rental doesn’t have any mileage restrictions. Moreover, although Tokyo car hire providers usually don’t set such restrictions, you should also check their policy about vehicle transport on ferries, if you want to visit one of the many Japanese islands.
• One-way car rental is available. However, if the drop-off location is significantly far from the pick-up point, you should expect to be charged a considerable extra fee.
• You can tailor your rides to your exact needs. Thus, you can add many extra amenities (additional driver, luggage racks, GPS, children’s seats, etc.) to customize your journeys. Expectantly, add-ons raise the final fare.
• Although all road signs in Tokyo are written in Japanese and English as well, road signage in some rural areas is often written only in Japanese. Therefore, a GPS should come in handy during your rides. Please make sure the instructions are in English.
• If you plan to travel in snowy areas, make sure your Tokyo car rental is equipped with snow tires.
• Tokyo’s expressways are toll roads. Thus, if you want to save time on your journeys, you should ask for an ETC Card (Electronic Toll Collector). This will allow you to pass through the toll booths directly, while your card will be charged the relevant fee.

How Much is a Rental Car in Tokyo?

The exact price of your Tokyo car rental depends on several factors, such as the selected company, the car model, the rental duration, the time of the year, and the added extra amenities. Overall, a small economy car rental in Tokyo costs approximately ¥10.000 ($65/€62), while the price of an economy  rental car from Haneda Airport is around ¥9680 ($63/€60,50).

Does Car Rental in Japan Include Insurance?

Tokyo car rentals come with a minimum insurance package. Thus, a basic level of insurance is typically included in the car rental’s price. Still, if you want to be covered in the unfortunate event of damage, theft, or an accident, you should check the available insurance packages and upgrade your coverage. In that way, the price of the Tokyo car rental will be higher, but you’ll also be insured no matter what happens.

How Hard is Parking in Tokyo?

While parking in Tokyo’s suburbs and surrounding areas is usually easy and even free, the situation is quite the opposite in the city center. Parking in downtown Tokyo is expensive and hard to find. In fact, street parking isn’t common around the city center. On the other hand, you’ll find several parking lots, including many small ones, scattered throughout the heart of Tokyo. The majority of them are automatic and, as already mentioned, pricey. Therefore, it is advisable to use the efficient Tokyo’s public transit network to get around downtown Tokyo.

Our Tip: The shopping malls and some hotels in Tokyo feature parking facilities. On the other hand, parking near national parks and major attractions usually comes with flat fares and is considered affordable.

Car Rental at Haneda Airport

The second busiest Asian airport and one of the most occupied air hubs in the world, Tokyo International Airport, houses several car hire providers. International agencies and local car hire companies are present at the HND airport terminals, providing a wide variety of services and amenities. Thus, if you are looking for a car rental at Haneda Airport, you’ll find numerous available options. Indeed, Tokyo airport car rental is a popular transit option among Tokyo’s visitors. There are several reasons for the popularity of Haneda Airport car rentals. In detail, travelers rent a car at Haneda Airport because:

• They value independence during their rides

Tokyo airport taxis may be safe and reliable, and buses and trains may be efficient. However, neither can be compared to Haneda airport car rentals in terms of independence and flexibility. Although Tokyo airport car rental isn’t recommended if you plan to stay within the Tokyo Metropolis due to high traffic levels and limited parking, it is highly favored by travelers who want to visit other destinations as well, such as Tokyo Disneyland, Kawasaki, Fuji Five Lakes, etc. or explore remote Japan’s areas that are otherwise inaccessible. Thus, a car rental from Haneda Airport allows you to plan the itinerary of your journey to Tokyo exactly as you like, adjusting your schedule according to your mood and preferences.

• They want to tailor journeys to their exact needs

Tokyo Haneda Airport doesn’t just offer car hire options. Even more so, it provides several car hire providers that, in turn, offer numerous services and side amenities. Therefore, HND airport passengers can customize their rides. Apart from the most suitable vehicle type (compact cars for urban travel, SUVs for remote-area exploration, minivans for groups of 6-8 people, etc.), customers can also add extra amenities to tailor journeys to their exact requirements. For example, if you are traveling with children under 6, your Tokyo airport car rental should be equipped with child seats, while if you plan to visit snowy areas, you should pick a vehicle with snow tires. In any case, using GPS is always advisable. While road signs in Tokyo are written both in English and in Japanese, in some rural areas, signage is displayed only in Japanese characters. 

• They prefer self-driving to the hassle of using public transit

Car rental at Haneda Airport is one of the most convenient ways to travel from HND Airport to your hotel and one of the most comfortable options for your trips around Tokyo during your stay. Indeed, although buses and trains are reliable and affordable, and offer frequent connections to several Tokyo areas, as well as to suburbs and other destinations, they can be tedious compared to autonomous car rentals. If you choose to travel via bus or train, you’ll have to search for the right line, wait until the next route, and walk from the alighting stop to your journey’s end. Moreover, depending on the location, you may have to change between lines, while bus and train rides are even more tiring if traveling with children or heavy luggage. Hence, a Haneda airport car rental will certainly remove the hassle from your rides around Tokyo.

• They are looking for a value-for-money option

Buses and trains are affordable but tedious, and Tokyo airport taxis can be expensive, especially if they are exclusively used during your stay in Tokyo. On the other hand, car rental at Tokyo Haneda Airport may be more expensive than public transit and slightly less convenient than door-to-door cabs, but it ensures comfortable journeys and is certainly less pricey than using taxis.

Haneda Airport Car Rental Options

All three HND airport terminal buildings house car hire companies. Thus, travelers looking for a car rental at Haneda Airport won’t face difficulties locating their company’s counters inside their landing terminal. Please note that apart from the car rental companies with desks inside the terminal buildings, numerous international and local agencies offer their services at the airport even though their desks can be found at off-airport locations. In that case, free shuttle rides from and to Tokyo Airport are provided when picking up and dropping off the rental vehicle.

In detail, the following car rental companies operate at Tokyo International Airport, featuring desks inside the three Haneda airport terminals:

Tips & Hints About Car Rental in Tokyo

• Although traffic jams around Tokyo are generally tolerable, you should avoid self-drive during rush hours, that is from 07:00 am to 09:00 am and from 05:00 pm to 07:00 pm. Moreover, even though traffic levels in downtown Tokyo often get high but are manageable, the Shuto Expressway, the network of expressways serving the Greater Tokyo Area, can easily get congested.
• Tokyo drivers use the left side of the road. Thus, the steering wheel is to be found on the vehicle’s right side.
• You should always pay attention to bicycles, while pedestrians always have the right of way.
• When driving, you aren’t allowed to cross the yellow line in the middle of the road.
• If you want to avoid waiting at the toll booths on Tokyo expressways, you should ask for an ETC card, which allows you to pass through the tolls directly, having the card charged with the toll fees.
• All passengers must wear seatbelts.
• Children under six must be seated in children’s seats.
• The speed limits around Tokyo vary depending on the type of road. Thus, motorists can drive up to 100km/h (62mph) on expressways, while the speed limits on other roads range from 30km/h (18.6mph) to 60km/h (37.2mph).
• Drivers mustn’t use their phones or electronic devices while driving.
• It is absolutely prohibited to drink and drive.

FAQs

What Do I Need to Rent a Car in Tokyo?

If you want to rent a car in Tokyo, you’ll have to hand over your ID or passport and your driver’s license to the car hire company. Moreover, a credit card in the main driver’s name is required to ensure payments. Finally, foreign travelers may be requested to issue an International Driving Permit.

Can a Foreigner Rent a Car in Japan?

Foreigners are allowed to rent a car in Tokyo (and the rest of Japan). However, besides their passport, credit card, and driver’s license, they also have to issue an International Driving Permit. The relevant procedure is far from challenging and requires a small fee.  On the other hand, travelers with driver’s licenses issued by certain countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Taiwan, Monaco, Slovenia, Estonia) aren’t required to have International Driving Permits. A simple Japanese translation of their driver’s license is enough.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Car in Tokyo?

The minimum age to drive in Japan is 18. Still, many Tokyo car rental providers set restrictions on car hire for drivers under 21 who have held their driver’s license for less than a year. Furthermore, higher age limits are typically set for certain car models (luxurious, etc.). Finally, a young driver fee may be applied to drivers younger than 25. Therefore, you should always check the policy of each car rental company to stay informed about its age limits.

What is The Most Popular Car Rental in Japan?

Although the needs of Japan’s visitors vary, most of them (especially those visiting the Japanese capital) opt for a compact Tokyo car rental. With a compact or economy car, you’ll more easily navigate Tokyo’s traffic and find parking more conveniently. On the other hand, if you plan to visit rural areas, you should consider renting a spacious and comfortable SUV. In any case, some of the most popular rental cars in Tokyo are the Honda Fit and the Nissan Note.

Is it cheaper to rent a car from an airport or a local location?

In general terms, opting for a Haneda airport car rental can be slightly more expensive than renting a car from an off-airport location. However, the price difference is negligible, while car hire at Tokyo Airport is the top option in terms of convenience and ease.