Three tips to rent a car in Japan at special price

Related articles: A complete guide of Japan Rental Car

Here are three useful tips to rent a car in Japan at special price.

1. Compare items of several car-rental companies with online reservation services

In Japan, there are many reservation services that can compare and review plans of multiple car-rental companies at once. Like Tabirai and ToCoo! are typical examples. Just like making hotel reservations through online booking systems such as Expedia, Booking.com or Agoda, there are also online car reservation systems that provide various rental car services at a very reasonable price than regular price (fixed price) stated on official websites. The discount rates may reach up to 60 to 70%.

2. Complete your registration within 2 to 4 months before your visit

Many car rental comparison and reservation websites offer “Early Booking Discount”, that users will enjoy a discounted price by booking early. It is best to reserve a rental car right after your flight schedule has been confirmed. As most of car-rental companies won’t charge you a cancellation fee if you cancel your reservation at least 24-hours prior to the scheduled date of use, so if there is a possibility of using a rental car, let ‘s make a reservation first.

There are also some car rental comparison and reservation websites that car reservations on the date of up to 6 months ahead are available. However, there is a possibility that car rental products and services are not fully offered if your reservation goes too early. Making your registration within 2 to 4 months before your visit is probably the best time.

In particular the consecutive holidays in Japan such as the Golden Week in early May, summer season (especially in mid-August), the Silver Week in late September and around the new year season, many car rental products and services may go out of stock. Keep these thoughts in mind when making car reservations for your trip at these times.

3. Use “Expressway Pass” to gain discount services

In Hokkaido, Kyushu, Tohoku, Chugoku/Shikoku, Chubu area, there is a special product called “Expressway Pass” which allow foreign visitors for unlimited driving on expressways at a fixed price. Since it is a set with ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card, you can use the expressways freely and enables the payment of expressway tolls without having to stop. This service helps broaden your choices during your trip in Japan.