If you are considering renting a car, there are a number of reputable car rental companies to choose from in the vicinity of Kyoto Station.
You can compare the rates and book a car rental online through our search engine, it’s easy and fast to use!
Around Kyoto Station, major rental companies include JR Eki Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent a Car, Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, and Orix Rent a Car.
Nippon Rent-a-car at Kyoto Station
Several offices are on or near the Hachijo side of the station, close to the Shinkansen and highway bus exits. Locations, opening hours, return rules, and one-way rental options can differ by company and branch, so confirm the exact office on the company’s official site before booking.
Most of the major companies listed above provide English-language pages or shop-finders. Before deciding whether or not to rent a car though, there are a number of things you need to consider.
Toyota Car Rental at Kyoto Station
What are the legal requirements?
Most short-term visitors need a valid driver’s license from their home country and an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention in order to rent a car in Japan. An International Driving Permit is not issued in Japan, so it must be obtained before arrival. An IDP issued under another convention, such as the 1968 Vienna Convention, is not valid in Japan.
Drivers with licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan can drive with their original license and an official Japanese translation, subject to the one-year-from-entry limit and other rules explained by JAF and the police. JAF accepts translation applications online, and issuance can take around one to two weeks, so drivers who need a translation should allow enough time after arrival before renting a car. Drivers should also carry their passport and check the exact requirements before booking.
Times Car Rental
Do you need to rent a car?
Renting a car might be a worthwhile option if you intend to explore rural areas of the Kansai region that are less accessible by train or bus. Renting a car may also be an economical option if you are traveling with a group of people who can share the cost.
However within Kyoto city itself we do not recommend using a car. Traffic is heavy, streets are narrow and parking can be both elusive and costly. Besides Kyoto has such an excellent public transport system of buses, trains and subways, that within the confines of the city, renting a car seems quite unnecessary.
Having said that, there are some areas in the vicinity of Kyoto that are best visited by car. The village of Miyama deep in the scenic Kitayama mountains is famed for its thatched roof houses and ancient folk traditions. It is possible to visit this area by bus, but much easier and quicker by car. Another location is the Shogunzuka Mound at Shoren-in Temple which is accessible via the Higashiyama Driveway. The Shogunzuka Mound has the best views over the city of Kyoto, and the night views from here are legendary. During the day it is possible to hike to this location along a forested mountain path, but at night this location is only accessible by car. Further afield, there are many small towns, beaches and camping grounds on the seacoast of northern Kyoto Prefecture that are best explored by car.
Is it expensive to rent a car?
Rental costs vary by company, vehicle class, season, insurance and waiver choices, one-way fees, and options such as ETC cards or child seats. As a rough benchmark, Toyota Rent a Car’s English price list gives mini/compact 24-hour basic fees from 10,340 yen for C0/C1 classes and 12,100 yen for C2, before any extras or special conditions. The car will usually come with a full tank of gas and should be returned to the company with a full tank also. Fuel prices change week by week, so check your rental company’s fuel policy and the latest official fuel-price survey when budgeting.
Finding your way around
Major roads, towns and cities have English signage but more rural areas do not. However, almost all rental cars are fitted with GPS satellite navigation systems. The GPS might have English on the menu, but in case it does not, ask your car rental company to show you how to use it before your departure. They can also program the navigation system for you with your destination’s address or telephone number. Also, just to be on the safe side, it might be a good idea to buy an English-Japanese road atlas in advance.
The Rules of the Road
The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) publishes foreign-language editions of “Rules of the Road”, its guide to Japan’s traffic rules. Availability and format can change, so check the JAF page before you travel.
And remember the first rule of the road in Japan: driving is on the left!
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 20-Jun-2026.
