Can tourists rent a car in Japan?

Find out what license documents visitors need, how long they can drive, what a rental usually includes, and when a car is or is not the right choice.

Published October 20, 2026 at 7:07 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Yes, visitors can rent a car in Japan if they hold a valid driver's license from home plus either an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention or, for a few countries, an official Japanese translation of the license. Rental companies also look at your passport and age, and reservations in advance are strongly recommended.

Yes, with the right documents

Tourists can rent and drive a car in Japan, but the paperwork must be in order before you reach the rental counter. The National Police Agency explains that a driver without a Japanese license needs either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a foreign license accompanied by a Japanese translation. Either option is valid for up to one year from the date of entry into Japan, and also only while the underlying license remains valid.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department adds that only an IDP issued by a country that signed the 1949 Geneva Convention is recognized. Permits issued under other treaties, such as the Vienna Convention, are not valid, even when the issuing country also signed the 1949 Convention. Because an IDP is normally issued in your home country, apply for it before you fly, and carry it together with your own license.

The license translation route

A few countries are on a different track. According to the National Police Agency, holders of licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan can drive in Japan with their own license plus a Japanese translation of it. Official lists can be updated over time, so check the current list for your country. The translation must be an official one, so confirm with the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or the embassy of the issuing country which translation is accepted.

JAF's English page says applications are made online only and from within Japan, and it gives an average processing time of about 2 to 3 business days for the six places above and longer for other countries. Because processing takes several business days, arrange the translation before you plan to collect the car, or sort it out before you travel if your home embassy can supply one. Check the current JAF and embassy pages for the details that apply to you.

Booking and what the rental counter checks

Reserve in advance, especially in peak seasons and for popular models. Japan's national tourism organization advises booking ahead with a car that has an English-capable GPS and requesting items such as a child seat or snow tires at the same time. Some companies let you pick up and drop off at different places, which can suit a one-way road trip.

At the counter, staff generally ask for your passport, your home license, your IDP or translation, and a payment card. The legal driving age in Japan is 18, but individual companies set their own minimum ages and conditions, so check the rental company's terms. Companies usually provide a 24-hour hotline for accidents and emergencies, and it is reasonable to ask staff to explain the car's controls and the ETC toll card before you drive away. Request an English-language guide for the car if one is available.

Costs to expect

The tourism organization lists the main costs as the rental fee, petrol, tolls, taxes and insurance. Rental prices vary by season, car size and company, and the sources read for this guide do not give specific figures, so check a rental company's current price list. Parking can also be a major expense in cities, where it is often costly and hard to find.

Insurance deserves attention. Rental rates commonly include some basic cover, and optional extras may be offered on top of it, so ask exactly what is and is not covered if there is an accident. Read the terms before you sign, and ask staff to explain in English or on a translated sheet. Expressway tolls are charged separately, and an ETC card usually comes with the rental car, so ask for one when you reserve.

Who it suits and who may prefer trains

A rental car works well outside the big cities, where public transport can be infrequent. The tourism organization notes that outside major cities, renting can be convenient and economical, especially for groups. Rural Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, Tohoku and countryside areas near Mount Fuji are common examples. Families with children can also like the flexibility, as children under six must use a child seat.

Cars are usually a poor choice for central Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, where trains are fast and parking is scarce. Older travelers who prefer to avoid long walks can still use taxis in cities. Travelers who have never driven on the left may want to avoid complex city roads on their first day and begin with quieter rural roads.

Common mistakes

The most common problem is arriving without the correct permit. An IDP issued under the wrong convention will not be accepted, and an expired permit or license is not valid either. Another mistake is forgetting the one-year limit from the date of entry, which matters for long stays. A third is relying on a phone map in remote areas, where reception can be weak; the tourism organization says you can enter a destination's phone number or a Mapcode in many car navigation systems.

Visitors also sometimes underestimate the rules. Using a phone while driving is prohibited, and drink-driving is strictly prohibited, so do not drive after drinking even a small amount. Level railway crossings require a full stop, and rural fuel stations often close at night. Roadside stations called michi-no-eki offer rest, food and toilets, and there are over 1,160 across Japan.

Planning tips and next steps

Decide first whether your route actually needs a car. If it does, check your home country's IDP rules, apply early, and reserve the car with the language and equipment options you need. Before leaving the lot, ask staff to show you the fuel type, the ETC card and how to use the navigation system.

Plan fuel stops, since rural stations often close at night. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Check the National Police Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department, JAF and your chosen rental company for current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do visitors need to carry the IDP and the original license?

Yes. An IDP is generally valid only together with the license that it was issued from, so carry both while driving. Also carry your passport. The permit alone is not enough, and a foreign license without an accepted IDP or translation is not enough either.

How long can a visitor drive with an IDP?

According to the National Police Agency, the permit or translation is valid for up to one year from the date of entry into Japan, as long as the underlying license stays valid. Longer stays or residents follow different rules, so check with the police or a license center.

Can drivers from right-hand-traffic countries rent a car in Japan?

Yes, in principle. Japan's cars are right-hand drive and traffic keeps to the left, and nothing in the license rules bars visitors from countries that drive on the right. Take extra care at turns and on first drives, and ask the rental staff for a quick walk-through of the controls.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book 99 Things Japan Does Better Than Anyone Else is available on Amazon.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: Which International Driving Permit do I need to drive in Japan?, Is it worth renting a car in Japan to see the countryside? and Converting a Foreign Driver's License in Japan: Process and Preparation.