Discover Japan by Car

Japan is one of the world's most rewarding countries to explore by car. While the country is famous for its world-class train network, driving unlocks a completely different Japan — scenic mountain roads, coastal highways, ancient temples in the countryside, and hidden hot spring towns that public transport simply cannot reach. With NICONICO Rent A Car by Europcar, travelers can pick up a vehicle at major international airports across Japan and set off at their own pace. Whether you're chasing cherry blossoms in spring, skiing in Hokkaido in winter, or following a coastal drive through Kyushu in autumn — Japan rewards the self-driving traveler like nowhere else.

📎 Reference: NICONICO Rent A Car — English Top Page

Why Drive in Japan?

Freedom beyond the cities: Japan's bullet trains connect city centres — not the countryside, coastlines, or mountain villages. A rental car opens up off-the-beaten-path destinations that most visitors never see.
Comfort and convenience: Avoid crowded rush-hour trains and heavy luggage handling. Travel at your own schedule, stop wherever you like, and reach destinations with no train or bus service.
Great value for groups: Traveling with 3 or more people? A compact rental car (from ¥4,600/day with NICONICO) can be significantly cheaper than purchasing multiple train tickets — especially over several days.
Iconic driving experiences: From the lavender fields of Hokkaido to the volcanic landscapes of Kagoshima and the UNESCO heritage streets of Nagasaki, Japan offers some of Asia's most memorable scenic drives.
24/7 multilingual support: NICONICO Rent A Car provides a round-the-clock multilingual call centre, including three-way calls with Japanese police for emergencies — ideal for international visitors.

📎 Reference: Renting a Car in Japan — Why & How

Key Driving Destinations

Tokyo & Kanto Region

Pickup locations: Narita International Airport (NRT) / Haneda Airport (HND) / Shin-Yokohama

Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region offer an exciting blend of urban energy and natural escapes. Renting a car at Narita or Haneda airports lets visitors move freely between neighbourhoods and day-trip destinations — avoiding Tokyo's famously crowded subway system entirely.

Drive times from Narita Airport:

Tokyo city centre (Asakusa, Tokyo Tower, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku) — approx. 1 hour
Kamakura & Yokohama (Kanagawa) — approx. 1.5–2 hours
Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko — approx. 2.5–3 hours
Nikko — approx. 2 hours
Hakone — approx. 2.5–3 hours

Must-see highlights: Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple and the iconic Kaminarimon lantern gate, Tokyo Tower night views, Ueno Park (cherry blossoms in spring), and the vibrant shopping districts of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku.

📎 Reference: Tips for Driving in Tokyo from Narita Airport

Osaka & Kansai Region

Pickup location: Kansai International Airport (KIX)

The Kansai region is Japan's cultural heartland, home to ancient capitals and a concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites unmatched anywhere in the country. Kansai International Airport serves approximately 29 million passengers per year — making it the third busiest airport in Japan and the natural gateway to the region. A rental car makes it easy to cover multiple cities and historical sites in a single day.

Drive times from Kansai Airport (KIX):

Downtown Osaka (Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Namba, USJ) — approx. 40 minutes
Kyoto (Kiyomizudera, Arashiyama, Gion, Kinkakuji, Nishiki Market) — approx. 1 hr 20 min
Nara (Todaiji Temple, Nara Park with free-roaming deer) — approx. 1 hr 10 min
Kobe — approx. 1 hour
Wakayama / Koyasan (Mt. Koya — sacred Buddhist mountain) — approx. 1.5 hours

Cultural highlights: Kyoto alone has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Nara has 8. Kansai hosts two of Japan's three major cultural festivals — the Tenjin Festival (Osaka, July) and the Gion Festival (Kyoto, July). Osaka's local cuisine — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, Kuromon Market seafood — is a major draw for food-loving travelers.

📎 Reference: Scenic Driving in Osaka (and Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama)

Hokkaido — Japan's Great Northern Island

Pickup location: New Chitose Airport (CTS), Sapporo

Hokkaido is Japan's second-largest island and its most famous self-drive destination. With vast open roads, low traffic density, and spectacular natural scenery across every season, it is a dream for road trip enthusiasts. Snow tires are included free of charge during winter, and the multilingual GPS system (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese) makes navigation simple for international visitors.

Suggested self-drive itinerary from New Chitose Airport:

Sapporo (30 min from airport) — city centre, Odori Park, Sapporo Snow Festival (February), fresh Hokkaido sushi and seafood
Otaru (approx. 1 hr from New Chitose) — picturesque canal town, historic winter-wonderland streets, world-renowned cheesecake at LeTao, fresh king crab stalls
Niseko Ski Resort (approx. 2 hrs from New Chitose) — world-famous powder snow, ski/snowboard courses for all levels, private hot spring baths at boutique hotels
Furano & Biei (peak: July) — lavender fields, patchwork rolling hills, Blue Pond
Shiretoko Peninsula — UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, brown bears, dramatic cliff coastlines
Lake Shikotsu — stunning caldera lake on the southern return route from Niseko

Expressway tip: The Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) offers foreign visitors unlimited expressway access across the island at a flat rate — ideal for multi-day road trips. Available from NICONICO Rent A Car at New Chitose Airport.

📎 Reference: Self-Drive: New Chitose Airport to Niseko Ski Resort

📎 Reference: Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP)

Kyushu — Volcanoes, History & Hot Springs

Pickup locations: Fukuoka (FUK) / Nagasaki (NGS) / Kumamoto (KMJ) / Kagoshima (KOJ)

Japan's southernmost main island combines dramatic volcanic scenery with rich samurai history, unique local cuisine, and some of the country's finest hot spring (onsen) culture. Kyushu is compact enough to drive from north to south in approximately 6 hours (380–420 km), making it ideal for a multi-city road trip.

Fukuoka — Gateway to Kyushu

Japan's fastest-growing city and ramen capital — try Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen at Ichiran's flagship store in Tenjin
Yatai (open-air street food stalls) around Tenjin and Nakasu — a unique Fukuoka cultural experience, rare in Japan
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine — one of the most visited shrines in Kyushu, attracting 8.5 million visitors per year
Yanagikawa — charming canal town (approx. 70 min from Hakata); scenic boat cruising through waterways

Nagasaki — Where East Meets West

Nagasaki's unique history as Japan's principal trading port with the outside world for centuries has given it an international character unlike any other Japanese city.

Nagasaki City: Oura Church (26 Holy Martyrs Basilica, UNESCO), Glover Garden, Nagasaki Chinatown, Dejima trading post, Megane Bridge, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Mount Inasa — one of Japan's top three night views
Unzen Hot Springs (approx. 1 hr 10 min from Nagasaki Airport) — classic onsen resort town
Shimabara Castle (approx. 1.5 hrs from Nagasaki)
Huis Ten Bosch (Sasebo) — large-scale Dutch-themed theme park and resort
Warship Island (Hashima/Gunkanjima) — UNESCO-listed abandoned coal mining island
Local cuisine: Nagasaki Champon noodles, Sara Udon, Sasebo Burger

Drive times from Nagasaki Airport: Nagasaki City 1 hr | Sasebo 1 hr 20 min | Unzen 1 hr 10 min | Fukuoka 1 hr 50 min | Kumamoto 2 hr 30 min

Kumamoto — Castles & Volcanoes

Kumamoto Castle — one of Japan's most celebrated feudal castles
Mt. Aso (approx. 1 hr from Kumamoto city) — one of the world's largest volcanic calderas, still actively steaming; Chisasenri plateau offers dramatic panoramic views
Yufuin (Oita Prefecture, approx. 2.5 hrs from Fukuoka) — tranquil hot spring resort town famous for Lake Kirin with its iconic torii gate in the water

Kagoshima — Volcano, Onsen & Wild Islands

Sakurajima — Japan's most active volcano, dramatically visible from Kagoshima City; Yunohira Observatory and Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate (submerged in lava a century ago)
Senganen Garden — traditional Japanese garden with Sakurajima as its backdrop
Kirishima Onsen & Ibusuki Onsen — world-class hot spring resorts; Ibusuki is famous for its unique natural sand baths (sunamushi)
Yakushima Island (UNESCO World Natural Heritage) — 90% forested, ancient cedar forests said to have inspired the Ghibli film "Princess Mononoke"; accessible by ferry
Tanegashima Island — Japan Space Centre; beautiful beaches
Local gourmet: Kagoshima Wagyu beef, Kagoshima black pork (kurobuta), Satsuma cuisine

Drive times from Kagoshima City: Kirishima 1 hr 10 min | Sakurajima 1 hr (+ ferry) | Ibusuki 1 hr 20 min

📎 Reference: Driving in Kyushu (Fukuoka)

📎 Reference: Scenic Drive in Nagasaki (and Saga)

📎 Reference: Tips for Driving in Kagoshima

📎 Reference: Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP)

Driving Requirements for Foreign Visitors

International Driving Permit (IDP) Most foreign visitors require a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the Geneva Convention of 1949. The IDP must be obtained in your home country before traveling — it cannot be obtained after arrival in Japan. Cost is approximately $20 USD in most countries. Visitors from Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Estonia, Monaco, and Taiwan may drive with only a legal Japanese translation of their home license (no IDP required). Translations can be ordered online through the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

Countries requiring IDP (selected): Asia: Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom Americas: Canada, United States of America (Full list available at niconicorentacar.jp)

Key rules:

Minimum age: 18 years old
Drive on the LEFT side of the road; steering wheel on the RIGHT
No right turn on red (unlike the US)
Speed limits: city roads 60 km/h; expressways 100 km/h
Seat belts required for all passengers; child seats required for children under 6
Zero tolerance for drink driving

📎 Reference: International Driving Permit — Japan Guide

📎 Reference: Complete Driving Guide for Tourists & Foreigners

Practical Driving Tips

ETC Cards (Electronic Toll Collection): Japan's expressways use an electronic toll system. Adding an ETC card to your rental (approx. ¥324/day) lets you pass through toll gates at low speed without stopping for cash — highly recommended for any highway driving. Tolls are settled when you return the vehicle.
In-car GPS navigation: All NICONICO Rent A Car vehicles include a built-in multilingual GPS system (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese). Japan's roads can be complex — highway entrances appear unexpectedly, and city intersections can split in five directions. In-car GPS is significantly more reliable than smartphone navigation, especially in rural areas.
Expressway Passes: Foreign visitors can purchase flat-rate unlimited expressway passes for Hokkaido (HEP) and Kyushu (KEP) — saving substantially on toll costs during multi-day road trips. Available at NICONICO Rent A Car shops.
Parking: Japan has two main parking lot types: coin gate parking (most common in cities) and flat-plate locking systems. Both are straightforward; most accept card payment. Parking in central Tokyo can be expensive — budget ¥300–800/hour in urban areas.
Seasonal road conditions: Spring (Mar–May): Cherry blossom season; parks and scenic routes can be congested on weekends. Summer (Jul–Aug): Peak season in Hokkaido; coastal routes in Kyushu and Shikoku are spectacular. Autumn (Sep–Nov): Foliage season — highly recommended for scenic drives nationwide. Winter (Dec–Feb): Snow tires included free of charge at Hokkaido pickups; mountain routes in central Honshu require extra care.
Accident support: Approximately 1 in 100 rented vehicles has a minor incident. If involved in an accident, contact NICONICO's 24/7 multilingual call centre immediately. They will initiate a three-way call with Japanese police on your behalf — eliminating the language barrier at one of the most stressful moments of a trip.

📎 Reference: Complete Driving Guide — ETC, Highways, Parking, Traffic Signs

NICONICO Rent A Car by Europcar — Pickup Locations

All locations offer free airport shuttle service to the rental shop.

Location	Airport Code	Region
Narita International Airport	NRT	Tokyo / Kanto
Haneda Airport	HND	Tokyo / Kanto
Shin-Yokohama Station	—	Kanagawa / Kanto
Kansai International Airport	KIX	Osaka / Kansai
New Chitose Airport	CTS	Hokkaido (Sapporo)
Fukuoka Airport	FUK	Kyushu
Fukuoka International Airport	FUK	Kyushu
Nagasaki Airport	NGS	Kyushu
Kumamoto Airport	KMJ	Kyushu
Kagoshima Airport	KOJ	Kyushu

📎 Reference: NICONICO Rent A Car — All Locations

Vehicle Highlights

NICONICO Rent A Car offers a carefully selected range of vehicles suited to every type of Japan road trip, starting from ¥4,600/day including basic insurance and GPS navigation.

Compact cars: Ideal for city driving and Japan's narrow streets; best value for solo travelers and couples. Models: Toyota Yaris, Toyota Aqua, Toyota Roomy
Standard cars: Comfortable ride for families and longer highway journeys
Minivans: Perfect for groups of 5–8 travelers or those with large luggage
Camping cars / RVs: Available for Hokkaido and Kyushu — the ultimate freedom for multi-day adventures

All rentals include:

Built-in multilingual GPS navigation (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Basic insurance coverage (CDW)
Free airport pickup / drop-off shuttle
ETC card option (approx. ¥324/day — highly recommended)
Snow tires at Hokkaido locations during winter season (no extra charge)
24/7 multilingual emergency call centre

📎 Reference: NICONICO Rent A Car — Vehicles & Rates

📎 Reference: NICONICO Rent A Car — Insurance Plans

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