Car hire in Japan

Driving in Japan: Essential Rules

• Side of the road: Traffic drives on the left in Japan, the same as in Ireland and the UK.
• International Driving Permit: Almost all foreign visitors need a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit to rent and drive in Japan, carried alongside their original licence. Permits issued under the Vienna Convention are not accepted. Drivers from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland, and Taiwan are the exception — they may drive on an official Japanese translation of their home licence instead, obtainable in advance from the Japan Automobile Federation or their country's consulate in Japan. Arrange whichever document applies before travelling, as it cannot be issued once in Japan.
• Alcohol limit: The legal limit is 0.03% BAC, enforced as a practical zero-tolerance policy. Penalties are severe and apply to passengers and anyone who served the alcohol, not just the driver.
• Toll roads: Japan's expressways are tolled by distance. Most rental cars come fitted with an ETC device, and the supplier can provide a rentable ETC card (typically JPY 330–550) that settles automatically when the car is returned. Without a card, use the marked general lane and pay by cash or credit card at the booth — some rural toll roads take cash only.
• Speed cameras: Fixed and mobile cameras are widespread on expressways and urban arterials, and some expressway sections use average-speed enforcement between two points rather than a single camera.
• Mobile phones: Handheld phone use while driving is prohibited.
• Parking: Street parking is limited in most Japanese cities. Coin-operated car parks (denoted by a "P" sign) are the standard option in town centres — check the per-hour and daily maximum rate before leaving the car, as rates vary widely by location.

Japan Car Hire Insurance

Every car hire listed on eCarBookers in Japan includes the supplier's standard collision damage waiver (CDW) in the basic rate. Standard CDW carries an excess — the amount you would be responsible for in the event of damage. Excess amounts vary by supplier and vehicle class, and the exact figure is displayed clearly before you confirm your booking, so there are no surprises at the desk.

If you prefer to drive with no excess at all, fully comprehensive zero-excess cover is available directly from your supplier when you collect the car. The cover comes from the hire company itself, not from a third-party insurer — so once added, there is no separate policy, no paying the excess upfront, and no reimbursement claim to file. Because your booking confirmation shows the standard excess that applies, you arrive knowing exactly what the cover replaces.

It is worth noting that certain situations fall outside standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. Tyres, glass, underbody damage, lost or damaged keys, and a flat battery caused by driver error — such as leaving the lights on while the vehicle is unattended — are typically not covered and may result in a separate charge if they occur. These situations are uncommon in everyday driving, but it is good practice to check your booking confirmation for the specific cover terms applicable to your hire, as scope can vary by supplier.

Popular Car Hire Locations

Japan's main pick-up points sit at its principal international airports and major cities, including:

• Tokyo
• Osaka
• Kyoto
• Sapporo
• Fukuoka
• Nagoya
• Okinawa