Renting a car in Japan for a month: a guide for visitors
Planning a long stay in Japan? Here is what you need to rent a car by the month, what it really costs, and the rules of the road.
Why rent by the month?
Lower cost per day
Rental companies in Japan usually price by the day. A monthly rental works out much cheaper per day than renting the same car day by day.
Insurance included
Car insurance is normally included in the price. Ask what the excess and non-operation charge are before you book.
Freedom outside the cities
In mountain areas such as Nagano, buses can be infrequent. A car makes shopping, ski days and onsen trips easy.
What you need to rent a car
- A valid licence for Japan: an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention with your home licence, or, for Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan, your licence with an official Japanese translation. Read our licence guide
- Your passport
- A way to pay: most companies take credit cards; we also accept bank transfer
- Age and experience: with us, drivers must be 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience
Your licence documents can be used for up to one year from the day you enter Japan, or until they expire, whichever comes first.
Get a total price within one business day
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. Your quote includes delivery.
Rules of the road in Japan
Drive on the left
The steering wheel is on the right. Take extra care at junctions and when turning.
Speed limits
Unless a sign shows otherwise, the limit is 60 km/h on ordinary roads. On expressways it is usually 100 km/h.
Stop signs and railway crossings
A red, upside-down triangle with 止まれ means stop. Always stop before a railway crossing, then look and listen before you cross.
Zero tolerance on alcohol
Japan has very strict drink-driving laws. Do not drink at all if you are driving.
Phones and child seats
Using a phone while driving is illegal. Children under 6 must use a child seat.
Accidents
Report every accident to the police (110), however small, then call the rental company.
Fuel, tolls and parking
Refuelling
Many petrol stations are self-service. Choose regular petrol (レギュラー) unless we tell you the car uses another fuel. At staffed stations, say “regular, full tank” (regyurā, mantan).
Expressway tolls
Our cars have an ETC reader but no ETC card. Use the lanes marked 一般 (General) and pay in cash or by credit card. Avoid lanes and smart interchanges marked ETC only (ETC専用). Near our office, Suwa-Minami IC and Shiojiri IC are ETC-only. See our guide to tolls and ETC.
Parking
Park only in car parks, such as coin parking (pay on exit). Parking on the street can lead to fines, and towing costs are not covered.
Driving in winter
If your stay includes winter in the mountains, you need winter tyres, and some roads require chains in heavy snow. Every car we rent is 4WD. Read our winter driving guide and our guide to CDW and the non-operation charge.
RECOMMENDED CARS
Cars for this kind of stay
Every car is 4WD, with a dashcam, GPS navigation and an ETC reader. Prices include tax and insurance.
Kei car
Suzuki Hustler, Daihatsu Taft · 4 seats
- 1 week
- from¥27,700
- 1 month
- from¥73,700
Plus the required CDW: ¥20,000 per month
Get a quote for this car
Compact car
Toyota Yaris, Toyota Roomy · 5 seats
- 1 week
- from¥30,250
- 1 month
- from¥80,250
Plus the required CDW: ¥20,000 per month
Get a quote for this car
SUV
Toyota Yaris Cross · 5 seats
- 1 week
- from¥38,700
- 1 month
- from¥112,200
Plus the required CDW: ¥20,000 per month
Get a quote for this carSee all cars and rates →Car images show the class, not the exact car.
Questions about renting a car for a month
Q. Can a foreigner rent a car in Japan for a month?
Yes. Visitors can rent a car with an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention and their home licence, or, for six countries and regions, a licence with an official Japanese translation. Your licence documents are valid for up to one year from the day you enter Japan.
Q. How much does it cost to rent a car in Japan for a month?
It depends on the company and car. With us, a kei car is from ¥73,700 per month, tax and insurance included, plus a required CDW of ¥20,000 per month. Fuel, tolls and parking are extra.
Q. Is a monthly rental cheaper than renting by the day?
Usually, yes. Monthly rates work out much cheaper per day than daily rates for the same number of days.
Q. Do I need an ETC card?
No. Our cars have an ETC reader but no card. You can pay tolls in cash or by credit card in the lanes marked 一般 (General).
Q. Which side of the road do you drive on in Japan?
On the left. The steering wheel is on the right.
Need a car for a month or more in Nagano?
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. We reply with a total price, including delivery, within one business day.
You are welcome to write to us in English through our web form or LINE. We reply in Japanese, so please use a translation tool to read our reply.