FAQs

Rental Requirements

Q

What kind of driver's license do I need?

A

You must have a valid driver's license to rent and drive a vehicle in Japan.
Please click here for information about driver's license.

Q

I hold an international driving permit. Can I rent a vehicle?

A

Your internatinal driving permit must be issued under Convention on Road Traffic of September 1949 (Geveva Convention).
*Holders of international driving permits issued in accordance with Vienna Convention (1968), by EU, or permits with other formats are NOT permitted to drive in Japan.
*An authorized Japanese translation issued by Japan Automobile Federation or embassy is required if the driver holds driver's license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Taiwan, and Monaco.

Q

If I forget to bring my license that day, can I still rent a vehicle?

A

Unfortunately, unless you present your license at the time of departure you will not be able to rent a vehicle.Driving without a license is a violation of traffic laws.Please do not forget your license.

Q

Are there situations where I won't be able to rent a vehicle even if I possess a valid license?

A

Nippon Rent-A-Car can refuse to execute the rental agreement when the customer appears to be under the influence of alcohol, when the driver shows up at the rental counter differs from the driver specified at the time of reservation, and when the customer failed to pay fees or return the vehicle in the previous rental. Other situations may apply. For details, see Article 9, CHAPTER 3 of the TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RENTAL.

Reservations

Q

How can I make a reservation?

A

Reservations can be made online via the Nippon Rent-A-Car website, or by calling the English Service Desk. For details, see here.

Q

How can I change or cancel a reservation?

A

Changes: Please make a new reservation online, then cancel the previous reservation.
Cancellations: Cancellations can be made online, by telephone, or by email.

Q

Will a cancellation fee apply when cancelling a reservation?

A

When cancelling a reservation within 6 days of the departure date, a specified cancellation fee will apply. If no contact is made within one hour after the reserved time, the reservation will automatically be cancelled. However, reservations that are cancelled on the same day as they are made will not incur a cancellation fee. For more details, see here.

Q

Can you arrange for a driver?

A

Unfortunately, customers must arrange a driver on their own. Please understand that rental car companies are prohibited by law from acting as drivers themselves, introducing drivers, or acting as intermediaries. Thank you for your understanding.

Q

Do rates differ depending on the rental period?

A

There are High season and Regular season in each region and the rates cary respectively. For details, see here.

Vehicle categories/options

Q

Until what age are child seats required?

A

According to the Japanese Road Traffic Law, the driver is required to have children under the age of 6 use a child safety seat when riding in a vehicle. Please see here for further information including Nippon Rent-A-Car's own guidelines.

Q

Can I reserve winter tires option?

A

You can reserve winter tires option when reserving a vehicle. If you cannot select options on reservation page, please contact English Service Desk.
Winter tires option needs an additional charge (Winter Tires: 2,200-3,300 yen per day). Winter tires option fee may be free if your pick-up office is in major snowfall area. For more details, please see here.

Q

Can I reserve a car navigation system?

A

All vehicles are equipped with Multi-Lingual GPS.
However, please note that there is a possibility that Japanese-language GPS will be assigned to your vehicle.
*Japanese-language GPS supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Q

Can I reserve a non-smoking vehicle?

A

All passenger cars and minivans are no smoking.
All cargo vans, trucks and dry vans are smoking.

Q

Can I return my vehicle to a different rental locations?

A

You can return your rental car to a different location other than where you rented it (One-Way rental) subject to availability.
Some car models and locations may not be available through the One-Way rental. Additional one-way fees may be charged. For details, please see here.

Insurance and coverage

Q

Do I need to purchase insurance in addition to the base vehicle rental fee?

A

As the base rental fee paid by customers includes basic insurance and coverage, additional insurance is not required in order to rent a vehicle. However, a separate charge is required for enrollment in the collision damage waiver (CDW) system.

Q

What is the difference between Recommended course and Regular course?

A

Accident compensation differs for Recommended course and Regular course.
Regular course
・Bodily injury coverage: unlimited
・Property damage coverage: 30 million yen
・Vehicle coverage: market value of vehicle
・Personal injury coverage: 30 million yen
Recommended course
・Bodily injury coverage: unlimited
・Property damage coverage: unlimited
・Vehicle coverage: market value of vehicle
・Personal injury coverage: 50 million yen
*Additionally, the recommended course includes 'four major services for peace of mind. For details, see here.

Q

What is the collision damage waiver (CDW) ?

A

CDW is an optional coverage which waives the customer's responsibility for paying deductibles regarding rented vehicle and property damage caused in the event of an accident. For details, please see here.

Q

What is the non-operation charge (NOC)?

A

If a vehicle requires repair or cleaning due to a traffic accident, theft, break down, scratch, or other causes not attributable to Nippon Ren-A-Car, the customer will be charged an NOC as part of the compensation for loss of use during the repair or cleaning of the vehicle. For details, see here. If you accept ECO (Extra Coverage Option), you will be waived NOC.For details on ECO, please see here.

Payment

Q

When should payment be made?

A

Please settle the payment at the time of car pick-up at the pick-up location. Payment for extended rental period,
fuel charges and toll fees on ETC card must be paid upon returning.

Q

Can payment be made with any credit card?

A

Nippon Rent-A-Car accepts payments made with most major credit cards (single charge only).For more details, see here.

Q

How are rates calculated?

A

Rates for Nippon Rent-A-Car are determined based on vehicle class and rental period. For details, see here.

Q

Does the rental fee change depending on the distance driven?

A

Rental rates do not change depending on driving distance. Rates include unlimited kilometers.

During use

Q

What is required on the day of rental?

A

On the day of rental, you will need

(1) Your or the person driving driver's license

(2) Your passport

(3) A credit card

For details, see here.

Q

Do I need to fuel the vehicle?

A

As vehicles are rented out with a full tank of gas, customers are required to re-fill their tanks with the fuel before returning their vehicle. If you are unable to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas, you will be charged for gas based on distance travelled, or on the remainder shown on the vehicle's fuel gauge. Please be aware that this may result in fuel charges higher than the actual fuel cost. For details about refueling, see here.

Q

What should I do if I'm involved in an accident?

A

In the event you are involved in an accident, please immediately take the following 3 steps. Please make sure to do all 3 of the following steps, as they include important procedures necessary to be covered by insurance and compensation coverage.

(1) Providing aid to the injured First, please provide aid to the injured.

Then, promptly move the rental vehicle out of the way of other traffic.

(2) Contact the police from the scene and report the accident. Telephone:110

Both parties, regardless of fault, are obligated to report the accident to the police. Please complete the necessary procedures, as the accident report (jiko shomeisho) will be required at a later date.

(3) Contact Nippon Rent-A-Car's Accident Reception Center

Contact the Accident Reception Center after locating your Rental Agreement.
Telephone: 0120-220-865 (International Call: 81-188889194)
For details, seehere.

Q

Do I need to carry out these procedures even for small scrapes, rather than accidents?

A

Yes, you do. Nippon Rent-A-Car treats all incidents as accidents, regardless of the degree of damage and denting, and whether or not any third parties were involved. Please carry out the above procedures for all incidents, including for those of which you are unsure. (If necessary procedures are not carried out, insurance and coverage will not apply and the customer will bear responsibility for payments.)
Additionally, be aware that in order to partially compensate Nippon Rent-A-Car for the interruption in business while the vehicle is being repaired, the following amounts will be charged, regardless of the severity of damage or length of time required for repair.

Non-operation charge (NOC)

(1) When the vehicle is returned to the scheduled rental location (vehicle can still run); 20,000 yen

(2) Other situations: 50,000 yen

Q

My plans have suddenly changed and I wish to change either my return time or return location.

A

In order to change your return time or location during your rental period, you must contact the office where you picked up the car. The staff will inform you whether it is possible, considering other reservations and other details. Be aware that excess hour charge may apply as well as one-way drop fees if necessary.