Japan Car Rentals
Driving in major cities such as Tokyo is typically problematic because of the high cost of parking and tolls, along with the massive amount of cars on the road. If your trip to Japan involves going out of the big city into the country, then car rentals are one of the few ways to get there without many hassles.
Renting a car in Japan can be done at the airport or at a convenient location near your hotel.
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Requirements
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Before a rental company lets you drive one of its cars, you have to obtain an international driving permit. You can obtain one of these permits from the Automobile Association of America. You need to bring $15, two passport photos and your American driver's license. It takes up to two months from the date of the application, so plan ahead.
The minimum age for driving in Japan is 18 years.
Japanese Car Rental Companies
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Some of the local car companies that are large brands in Japan are: Toyota Rentacar, Mazda Rentacar, Nissan Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar and Orix Rentacar. All of these companies with the exception of Orix have websites that are translated to English. However, paperwork will have to be filled out in Japanese when the car is actually rented. Ask at the counter for an English translation of the terms and conditions, but do not be surprised if one is not available.
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Foreign Car Rental Companies
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Several companies familiar to Americans such as Budget, Avis and Hertz also can offer some car rental services in Japan in partnership with local companies. However, check the rates of the Japanese companies first as historically they tend to be lower.
Average Cost
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While price can vary depending on season, type of car rented and which city it came from, the average price for a small vehicle similar to a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla is 6,000 Yen or $64 U.S. per day, as of time of publication. A larger car such as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord can run $100 per day. Also, all cars come with a mandatory $10 a day insurance fee.
Car Rental Service
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ToCoo is a car rental service similar to the American Expedia website, which shows the rates of all car companies. They also have an English support section which assists in answering any additional questions. This company provide maps and location information for car pick-up.
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References
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