Rent a Car in Tokyo

Tips for renting a car in Tokyo

While Tokyo has one of the most efficient public transportation systems in the world, renting a car in Tokyo can be an excellent option for travelers planning to explore regions beyond the metropolitan area. The city itself is best navigated by train and subway, but a rental vehicle provides flexibility for discovering Japan’s countryside, mountain regions, coastal destinations, and national parks.

Major rental companies including Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent a Car, Times Car Rental, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and ORIX Rent-A-Car operate from both Narita and Haneda airports, as well as throughout the city. Compact vehicles are particularly popular due to urban parking limitations and Japan’s narrow roads.

A rental car allows visitors to explore destinations such as Mount Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama, the Japanese Alps, Fuji Five Lakes, Nagano, Matsumoto, Izu Peninsula, and countless smaller towns that are difficult to reach efficiently by rail alone. Many travelers also use Tokyo as the starting point for broader road trips across Honshu.

Driving in Japan is generally safe, organized, and well maintained. Visitors should remember that traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road. Expressways are modern but often include toll charges, while parking in central Tokyo can be expensive. For travelers interested in exploring beyond the capital’s extensive rail network, renting a car provides exceptional freedom and convenience.