Top Car Rental Companies & Comparison Sites in Japan—Find the Best Fit for Your Needs

To rent a car, you usually need to visit the company’s branch.
Visitors to Japan may not know the area and often carry large luggage. Location matters.
Not every branch is in an easy-to-find spot.
If you overlook this, you might regret it on the day because it’s far or hard to reach.
Check in advance if there’s a branch near your airport or station.
Also check short-time rentals and one-way returns. It adds flexibility to your trip.
Note that some “airport” locations only have a counter inside the terminal.
In that case, you take a free shuttle to an off-airport branch, then pick up the car there.
If you plan assuming you can get the car right at the airport, your schedule may slip. Check the branch location ahead of time.

Pricing systems vary by company and region.
The basics are similar, but services and rules differ, so always check each company’s terms.
Rates depend on vehicle class and options, but big brands often run 6,000–8,000 yen per day as a rough guide.
Some offer early-bird or web discounts, and plans with perks.
Here’s the typical breakdown.

Japan has two auto insurances: compulsory liability and voluntary. Both are required for rentals.
Rental companies carry these, so you don’t need to arrange them yourself.
The base rate usually includes insurance, but coverage varies by company.
Many offer unique plans. Compare not only the price but also coverage limits and deductibles.
Here’s a summary of typical coverage.
As a rule, only registered drivers are covered. If someone else drives and has an accident, it’s not covered.

Companies offer various options you can mix and match to fit your trip.
Child seats, winter tires, 4WD (four-wheel drive), GPS navigation, and ETC card rental can boost safety and convenience.
Options usually require a reservation. Availability depends on season and branch, and some items may not be offered.
Child seats are required by law for children of applicable ages. Winter tires are required on snowy roads.
If you already know what you need, start by choosing a company that offers those options.

As with options, available models and types differ by company.
If you have a model or brand you want to drive, compare a few companies.
For example, if you like Toyota models such as the Crown or Alphard, Toyota-affiliated firms tend to have more choices.
Some companies also rent campervans and sports cars. Search by your trip style, like camping or scenic drives.

Times Car Rental has many locations near airports and Shinkansen stations across Japan.
It offers a lineup of high-quality, clean cars no more than three years old, and is well rated for spotless interiors.
You can reserve up to 30 minutes before your pickup time. That’s convenient for rentals after arrival or during your trip.
The official website supports English and Traditional Chinese, so it’s easy for international visitors.
Rates are low among the big brands. Good if you want both reliability and value.

ORIX Rent-A-Car has the industry’s second-largest fleet. It’s a well-known rental car brand in Japan.
The lineup ranges from kei cars and wagons to luxury and imported models, so it can meet many needs.
You can earn JAL and ANA miles (1 mile per ¥100), which is a nice perk.

With 1,100 locations across Japan, Toyota Rent a Car is the country’s largest rental car service.
It offers only Toyota vehicles in a wide lineup. Its fleet is the biggest.
You’ll be sure to find the right car for your needs.
Toyota vehicles are known for safety, reliability, and durability. They also perform well and are fuel-efficient, so you can expect a comfortable road trip.
Modern facilities and meticulous maintenance by veteran engineers keep the cars in top, clean condition. That’s a big plus.
If you want proven quality and a strong track record, this is a solid choice.

Nippon Rent-A-Car is a long-running rental company that celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2024.
It offers a wide cross-brand lineup, so you can choose a model that fits your plans.
A standout is the convenience of long opening hours (13 hours or more) at locations near major stations and airports.
Even if you arrive in Japan early in the morning or late at night, you can rent right away.
Plus, all vehicles have been non-smoking since November 2018, so those sensitive to smoke can drive stress-free.

Founded in Los Angeles, Budget Rent a Car launched in Japan in 1985 and is now widely known as the only company in Japan with a unified brand both overseas and at home.
Its biggest draw: one-way rentals are free within the same prefecture.
Other companies usually charge for this, so it’s a great pick if your trip stays within one prefecture.
It also earns high user ratings and keeps improving its service through ongoing surveys.

Nissan Rent a Car is a major rental company run by a Nissan subsidiary.
Try Nissan’s advanced tech with models featuring Intelligent Emergency Braking and ProPILOT.
Count on safety like collision avoidance and pedal misapplication prevention. Handling support and parking assist also help reduce driving stress.

“JR Rent-A-Car” is a rental car service with branches at approx 260 JR stations across Japan.
The big draw is station-side convenience. You can rent a car right by major stations and transport hubs.
It also offers two plans unique to JR Rent-A-Car: the “Eki Ren Plan” for car rental only, and the “Rail & Rent-a-Car Ticket” bundling JR train tickets and a rental car.
In particular, the Rail & Rent-a-Car Ticket gives 20% off JR base fares and 10% off limited express surcharges.
It’s a one-of-a-kind service. Great if you’re planning a JR + rental car trip.

Niconico Rent a Car is known for outstanding value.
Its biggest draw is the low pricing. Book through the free official app “NicoPass” and you can rent a compact car from ¥2,525.
Compared to major companies, most classes cost around half. It’s geared toward long rentals, which makes it great for trips.
However, the renter must complete procedures in Japanese.
They don’t accept contracts via interpreters or translation apps, so be careful if you’re not confident in Japanese.

Ones Rent-a-Car is a budget car rental service with approx 360 locations across Japan.
They use pre-owned cars to keep costs down and offer great deals.
Their pricing is geared toward long-term rentals. Great for a full day of long-distance driving or multi-day road trips.
But options are limited. No one-way drop-offs or ETC cards.

TOCOO! is Japan’s first rental car booking service for international visitors.
It lists around 100,000 cars per day and has around 3,000 locations nationwide, mainly near airports and major stations.
Every booking comes with a free in-car Wi‑Fi device. You’ll also find plans to match your needs, like the TOCOO! Expressway Pass (TEP) for unlimited expressway use during your rental, Early Bird deals, and a Full Coverage Plan that includes all protection options.
The official website supports English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Thai. Customer support is handled by native speakers of each language.
Japanese users can use it too, but it’s especially recommended for visitors to Japan.

Tabirai is a Japan travel booking site that shares the fun and appeal of local trips straight from the destination.
To help you travel better, it also offers an affordable rental car comparison service.
It focuses on the six major companies mentioned above (excluding JR Eki Rent-a-Car) and only offers quality plans.
Its biggest draw is ease of use. No sign-up needed, and it’s just three steps: search, enter your details, and book.
All plans include collision damage waiver, a nice safety net.
There are over 4 million total bookings and a 94% satisfaction rate in user surveys. A solid track record.

A rental car service operated by AirTrip, a discount airfare comparison site.
If you already use AirTrip, it’s convenient. You can earn points on the same familiar site (not redeemable yet). It compares 12 rental car companies.
Listings focus on locations near airports, and you can book a car together with flights and hotels. That’s a big draw.
You can arrange your whole trip in one go. With everything on one platform, managing it is easier.
They also run regular promotions and perks, so with the right timing you can get a good deal.

JAPAN C.R.C. is one of Japan’s largest campervan rental specialists.
They offer a wide range, including their original “Robinson 771” and the popular Hiace cab-conversion “Serengeti.”
Use by inbound travelers is surging, with visitors from Taiwan and Hong Kong making up over 50%.
Many enjoy routes like touring Hokkaido, the Tohoku region, and drives around Mt. Fuji.
They’re rapidly expanding capacity and improving foreign-language websites and operations to make it easier for international visitors.
They plan to keep improving their services, so inbound travelers can expect especially strong support.

Omoshiro Rent-A-Car offers a unique experience that stands out from typical rental companies.
The biggest draw is its lineup of rare models you hardly see in Japan, or even worldwide. You can choose from a wide range of domestic and imported brands.
They’re quick to add the latest sports cars to the fleet.
Professional inspections and alignment adjustments are done so you can enjoy high-performance cars with confidence.
It’s a great way to try rare and premium cars that are hard to own or maintain.