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Car Hire in Japan.

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A fresh, honest approach to car rental

Great value car hire in Japan

Compare and book fantastic value car hire in Japan today with Zest Car Rental. Booking car hire in Japan with Zest ensures that you're protected and have everything you need for a fantastic car hire experience.

  • Excess insurance included
  • Free Cancellation & amendments
  • Fair Fuel Policy
  • Breakdown assistance
  • Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker

Which car rental company should I book with in Japan?

At Zest, we partner with both local and multinational providers in Japan to give you the best choice and service every time. Whether you book with Europcar or one of our other trusted providers, you can be sure of having a great car rental experience with no hidden complications. Start your holiday the right way with Zest!

EUROPCAR ALAMO

Book with Zest Car Rental in Japan!

Zest Car Rental provides a fresh and honest approach to hiring a car in Japan. At Zest, we know how important transparency is when booking car rental. Our four-step booking process is simple and hassle-free, with no hidden costs or extras. At Zest, we know when planning your trip, you shouldn’t have to sweat the details and focus on the small print. Instead, you can relax and look forward to your holiday, without getting lost in car rental complications!

We also know that sometimes, plans change. Therefore, we offer free cancellation and amendments up to 48 hours before your rental start as standard. Should you require it, we also offer enhanced cancellation protection for a small fee. This offers you free cancellation right up to the time your rental starts!

Zest Car Rental only works with carefully selected and trusted car rental providers in Japan who care as much about reputation as we do, and always put the customer first. All our providers are monitored closely, and we review customer feedback frequently to ensure you receive the best rental experience possible. Our amazing customer feedback has meant we are ranked ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot. Also, Zest Car Rental are Feefo Platinum Trusted! You can read our Feefo reviews here

Stay protected with Zest! We offer breakdown assistance in Japan as standard. Should you wish to be fully covered, we can provide you with our industry leading top-up insurance. Our top-up insurance is the top level of cover available provided by us. You’ll receive reimbursement cover against any loss or damage to the vehicle not covered by the standard car hire insurance. To find out what is covered on our top-up insurance, check out our blog! You can rest assured we’ve made things as simple as possible so you can focus on enjoying your holiday and exploring hidden gems!

If you wish to share the driving on holiday, we have negotiated a free additional driver with many of our trusted car rental providers! If your chosen provider does include a free additional driver, this will be clearly labelled on the quote page. Generate a quick and easy quote today!

All rental providers we work with operate a fair fuel policy. This means you either collect the car full of fuel then return it full or return it with the same amount provided upon collection. Hassle-free and straightforward! Learn more about fair fuel policies here

If you ever have any queries before, during or after your car rental, our friendly customer support team is here to help you. We can even provide you with a quote or make your booking over the telephone! Our U.K. based call centre is open 7 days a week. Wherever you are, Zest are! We operate a 24/7 Customer Support Telephone line for any urgent enquiries during out of office hours. 

The great inclusions Zest offers with every rental has led to us being the one and only Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker, an accolade we have earnt every year since 2017! Which? Concluded that Zest Car Rental goes ‘beyond for their customers’ and awarded Zest with a five-star rating for the clarity of the final hire cost. Fresh, Honest and Transparent! 

Should I hire a car in Japan with Zest Car Rental?

In short, yes! Hiring a car in Japan offers you the freedom to explore hidden Japanese gems only accessible by car. Kyoto, a city steeped in history and culture, is a perfect destination to explore by hire car. Start your journey by visiting iconic temples like Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), both renowned for their stunning architecture and tranquil gardens. With your own car, you can easily navigate between these historical sites and enjoy the flexibility to spend as much time as you like at each location.

Explore Stunning Japanese Architecture!

Japan's natural beauty is best appreciated with the freedom of a hire car. Drive to Hakone, a picturesque town known for its soothing hot springs (onsen) and stunning views of Mount Fuji. Hakone is home to several relaxing hot spring resorts where you can unwind in traditional baths while enjoying the mountain scenery. After your soak, embark on a scenic drive along the Hakone Skyline, which offers breathtaking vistas of Mount Fuji on a clear day. You can also explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum, showcasing an impressive collection of modern art amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.

Hiring a car in Japan

Hiring a car in Japan is highly recommended if you'll be exploring the more rural parts of the country. In these parts, public transportation can be infrequent and unreliable, so a car is helpful to help you explore. 

Driving in Japan

Driving in Japan is quite similar to driving in the UK, you'll drive on the left, overtake on the right and the steering wheel is on the right. Road signs follow international standards so it should feel familiar if you're an experienced driver.

Driving in big cities is not normally recommended due to the sheer amount of traffic. Parking in big cities is also normally quite expensive and inconvenient. Cars are more suited in Japan to rural areas where public transport isn't as reliable.

Need to contact us on rental?

We hope that your holiday and car hire collection goes smoothly, however we understand that things don’t always go to plan.

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, please let us know on +44 1362 852288.

 If you experience an issue upon collection, a member of our customer support team will be more than happy to help! Contact us and we will liaise with the car rental provider to resolve any problems.

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Travel tips and blogs

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Articles about Japan

Places to hire in Japan

  • Akita Airport (AXT)
  • Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
  • Hiroshima Airport (HIJ)
  • Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)
  • Kobe Airport (UKB)
  • Komatsu Airport (KMQ)
  • Natori Sendai Airport (SDJ)
  • New Chitose Airport (CTS)
  • Nishimuro Nanki Shirahama Airport (SHM)
  • Obihiro Airport (OBO)
  • Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)
  • Sendai Airport (SDJ)
  • Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
  • Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)

Average customer rating for car hire in Japan

(3 out of 5.00) based on 2 responses to our customer survey.

Zest's Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Japan!

  1. Tokyo Disneyland

    Experience the magic of Disney by driving to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, where you can enjoy thrilling rides and meet beloved characters in a whimsical setting.

  2. Kyoto's Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

    Visit Kyoto's iconic Golden Pavilion, a stunning Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a reflective pond.

  3. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

    Drive to Hiroshima to pay your respects at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, dedicated to the memory of the atomic bombing in 1945 and promoting peace and nuclear disarmament.

  4. Mount Fuji

    Take a road trip to Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic peak. Enjoy scenic drives around the base, or if you're feeling adventurous, hike to one of the mountain's observation points for breathtaking views.

  5. Nikko Toshogu Shrine

    Explore the historic Nikko Toshogu Shrine complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its intricate architecture, beautiful forest setting, and the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a prominent historical figure in Japan.

Japan travel guide
Japan driving guide