Renting a car in Kumamoto is a good option if you have a valid driving license and don’t want to buy or import a vehicle. Driving a car around the city and beyond will give you more flexibility than using public transport, meaning that you can explore local attractions without having to worry about car maintenance.
Here’s an overview of car hire in Kumamoto.
Driving in Japan
Japan has many drivers as well as a well-developed road network. Cars travel on the left side of the road, similar to countries such as the UK and Australia. The driving age for standard cars is 18, and drivers must pass a test and get a license. Expats can exchange licenses from their home country, the process depends on the country of origin. Japan’s Road Traffic Act contains the main rules of the road, and speed limits range from 20km/h in built-up residential areas to 100km/h on expressways.
Requirements to Rent a Car in Kumamoto
As in the rest of Japan, you’ll need either a valid Japanese driving license or an international driving permit (IDP) to hire a car in Kumamoto. Most car rental companies also ask for your passport or other valid photo ID before assigning you a vehicle.
Although you can legally drive and rent a car from the age of 18 in Japan, some rental companies have higher minimum age requirements (e.g., 21 or 25), so check before looking to hire. The rental firm usually has basic liability insurance, but you can often purchase extra coverage, for example to protect your own belongings or cover medical costs in the event of an accident.
How to Rent a Car in Kumamoto
Car rental in Kumamoto is fairly straightforward. Once you’ve found a suitable hire company, you can choose your vehicle. Most companies have a range of automatic and manual cars. You can usually book online and arrange a pick up, or you can visit a rental depot and complete the necessary paperwork there. You’ll need to pay the fees and deposit, and agree to a return time and location.
Car Rental Costs in Kumamoto
Hire costs depend on the type of vehicle but you can expect to pay around 7,000-8,000 yen for 24 hours on average. This ranges from around 5,000 yen for smaller and cheaper cars, to up to 15,000 yen for larger or top-range vehicles. Some firms offer shorter 12-hour rental periods. Typically, the vehicle will have a full tank of petrol when you pick it up and you will be expected to top it up before returning.
You can check hire prices using a comparison tool such as this one here.
Car Rental Companies in Kumamoto
Popular vehicle rental firms in Kumamoto include:
円周率３パーセント, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
