TRAVEL GUIDES / Getting Around

Rental Cars in Japan: Practical Guide to IDPs & Airport Pickups

A rental car can unlock the right part of Japan - or create an expensive headache in the wrong one. Decide where driving actually earns its place.

JAPAN TRAVEL FIELD GUIDE

Public guide preview

Choose the part of your trip that actually benefits from a car before choosing the rental. Use this guide to work through documentation, pickup location and the onward route, then consider where parking and city travel could reduce the advantage of driving.

Inside the guide

Check the driving-document route relevant to your circumstances.
Allow for the transfer between the airport and rental branch.
Compare the whole driving day, including parking and tolls, with alternatives.

KEEP GOING

A car changes the rest of the itinerary.

Next, check parking, seasonal conditions and where rail or taxis are still the better tool so the rental solves a problem instead of creating one.

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