Last updated: April 2026
Driving in Japan: What You Need to Know
Before you rent a car in Japan, here are the essential driving facts:
| Drive Side | Left |
|---|---|
| International Driving Permit | Required (1949 Geneva Convention Idp Only) |
| Speed Limit (Motorway) | 100 km/h on expressways |
| Average Fuel Price | ¥175/L |
| Minimum Rental Age | 18+ |
Sources: JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) · Japan National Tourism — Driving
💡 Insider Tip
Expressway tolls are very expensive — a Tokyo to Osaka drive costs ¥10,000+ in tolls alone. Consider an ETC card for discounts.
Best Cities for Car Hire in Japan
Japanese rental operations concentrate around the major airport hubs — both Tokyo airports for the eastern half of Honshu, and Kansai for western Japan and the Kii Peninsula. International Driving Permits (1949 Geneva Convention) are mandatory.
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Japanese rental prices follow a unique pattern driven by domestic travel cycles. The most expensive periods are Golden Week (late April through early May), Obon (mid-August), and the New Year holiday (late December through early January) — these are when Japanese families themselves rent cars. Cherry blossom season in late March through early April pushes Tokyo and Kyoto rentals up significantly. The cheapest months are January (after the New Year holiday), early February, and early September. Daily rates for a compact car typically run ¥4,000–8,000 depending on season and location. Hokkaido has a separate seasonal pattern — peak winter prices from December through February for ski tourism, and peak summer prices in August for hiking. Booking 3+ weeks ahead is generally sufficient outside the major holiday windows, when 6–8 weeks lead time becomes essential.
Common Rental Mistakes to Avoid in Japan
The single most important Japanese rental requirement is the International Driving Permit — and crucially, only the 1949 Geneva Convention version is accepted. Drivers from countries that issue only the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP (notably Germany, Switzerland, and several others) cannot legally rent in Japan and will be refused at the counter. Verify your IDP type before flying. Second, Japanese expressway tolls are punishing — a Tokyo-to-Osaka drive costs ¥10,000+ in tolls alone. The ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card available from rental counters provides 30% discounts and is essential for any long-distance driving. Third, Japanese rental cars come with the fuel tank exactly full — return them in the same state, as Japanese refuel charges are notoriously expensive. Finally, parking in Japanese cities is highly restricted — never park on streets without explicit permission signage.