How to Rent a Luxury Car in Japan: Complete Guide to Imported and Sports Cars

Introduction: what changes when you rent a luxury car in Japan

Maybe you want a weekend drive in a European saloon. Maybe you want an open-top car for an anniversary, or a quiet, refined Japanese car for a long day on the road. Whatever the reason, learning how to rent a luxury car in Japan is mostly about knowing what to ask before you book.

The big rental chains focus on standard classes. Once you look beyond them, fewer companies offer the cars, and the terms vary more from one to the next. This guide does not give one fixed answer. It walks through what to check, in order, so you can compare options with confidence.

How is renting a luxury car different from a standard rental?

The basic rhythm is the same: book, collect, drive, return. What changes is how much you need to confirm around those steps.

The kinds of car this guide covers

• Imported cars: each brand has its own approach to the cabin and controls. The steering wheel position and switch layout can take a little getting used to.
• Open-top cars: the appeal is the open sky. They usually have smaller boots and are more exposed to the weather.
• Sports cars: built for the pleasure of driving. Low seating and fewer seats give them a different character from an everyday car.
• Japanese luxury cars: quiet, comfortable and well suited to long, unhurried distances.

What you will need to check more carefully

A more valuable car means insurance cover and accident handling deserve closer attention. Age and driving-experience conditions, pick-up arrangements and payment methods also differ between companies. The sections below take each in turn: where to rent, insurance, age and licences, payment, location, and the steps from booking to return.

Where to rent: major chains or specialist companies

Neither is simply better. It depends on what matters most to you.

Major rental chains

The usual strengths of a large chain are a wide network of branches and a well-organised booking system. Some offer premium or imported classes, but the choice of models and branches may be limited. Check which branch actually has the car you want before planning around it.

Specialist luxury and imported car companies

Specialists may focus on particular brands or types of car, which can make it easier to request a specific model. Their number of locations and way of operating vary widely. When you enquire, ask about cover and conditions, and how much of a walkthrough of the car you will receive.

Choosing by purpose

• A drive or road trip: think about comfort over the distance and how much luggage you will carry.
• An anniversary or special day: check whether you can request a specific car and whether pick-up times are flexible.
• A photoshoot: confirm in advance that photography use is allowed. Location permits are a separate matter from the car.

Insurance and cover: what to ask

Cover differs between companies and can differ between car classes within the same company. Before you book, it helps to ask the following.

What is covered, and how far

• How far third-party injury and property damage are covered
• How damage to the car itself is handled
• Whether additional cover is offered, and what it includes
• Whether any situations fall outside the cover

Excess and what happens after an accident

Ask whether you could face any out-of-pocket costs after an accident or breakdown, and how the period when the car cannot be used is treated. Note the emergency contact number, the steps to follow and whether roadside assistance is available before you set off. The less familiar the car, the more reassuring it is to know the plan in advance.

Age and driving licences: check before you book

Age and experience conditions

Whether a company sets conditions on age or years of driving experience, and what they are, differs from company to company. Check the official terms or ask when booking. If more than one person will drive, confirm the conditions for each driver.

Which licences allow you to drive in Japan

According to the National Police Agency, to drive in Japan you need one of the following (Road Traffic Act, Articles 64 and 107-2):

• A Japanese driving licence
• An International Driving Permit issued under the Geneva Convention
• A foreign licence from an eligible country or region, accompanied by a Japanese translation from a designated organisation

A Japanese licence can be used for as long as it is valid.

International Driving Permits and translated foreign licences

An International Driving Permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. With an International Driving Permit or a foreign licence, you can drive for one year from the date you landed in Japan, or until the licence expires, whichever comes first.

The foreign licences eligible for use with a Japanese translation are those from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan. The National Police Agency lists who can prepare the translation, including the issuing authority, embassies and consulates in Japan, and JAF.

If you live in Japan and want to convert a foreign licence to a Japanese one, you apply in person at a driving licence centre or similar office of the prefectural police covering your address. One condition is that you stayed in the issuing country for a total of at least three months after obtaining the licence.

Whichever document you hold, confirm with the rental company that it will accept it when you book.

Payment and other things to confirm

Payment methods

Accepted payment methods vary by company. Check which cards or other methods are accepted, whether the card must be in the driver’s name, and whether you pay when booking or at pick-up.

Other details worth checking

• The fuel type and the refuelling arrangement at return
• Whether there are any mileage rules
• What happens if you return the car late
• How changes and cancellations are handled
• Whether a navigation system or child seat is available
• Smoking and pet policies

Choosing where to rent

Renting near an airport or station lets you set off straight from your arrival. A city branch can be a calmer place to sit down and hear about the car. Luxury cars may only be available at certain locations, so start with where the car you want is, then build your plans from there.

Pick-up and return locations

Whether you can return the car somewhere other than where you collected it varies by company. If you only need the car one way, ask early. With an unfamiliar car, a pick-up point where you can ease in gently is more comfortable than one that drops you straight into heavy traffic.

Starting from Nagoya

Nagoya is a natural starting point for both coastal and mountain roads, and the right car changes with where you are going. For ideas, see our guides to day drives from Nagoya and Tokai seasonal drives.

From booking to return: step by step

Before you book

Confirm the model, the driver conditions, the cover and the payment method. Settle the date, time and pick-up location early.

At pick-up

Show your licence and walk around the car with the staff member, inside and out. If you notice any marks, ask for them to be recorded there and then. This is also the time to ask about the lights, wipers, navigation and, on an open-top car, the roof.

On the road

Drive gently for the first stretch while you get a feel for the brakes and steering. With a wide or low car, take care on narrow streets, over kerbs and steps, and when entering or leaving car parks. Take breaks early if you feel tired.

At return

Before returning, check the refuelling arrangement and look through the car for belongings. At return, go over the car’s condition with the staff and mention anything you noticed.

Renting an open-top or sports car

The pleasure of an open-top car is the wind and the light. It also means more exposure to sun, temperature and sudden rain, so a hat and an extra layer are worth bringing. Roof operation varies by car, so ask how and when to open and close it at pick-up.

Boot space is often small, so think ahead about whether two people’s luggage will fit. Sports cars sit low, and getting in and out or judging the view around you can take some adjustment. Setting the seat and mirrors carefully before you leave is the first step to an enjoyable drive.

About TŌNORI

TŌNORI (遠乗り) is a car rental service planned to open in Nagoya in 2027, offering Japanese and imported cars. You can see the cars we are featuring on the line-up page.

FAQ

Is renting a luxury or imported car different from a standard rental?

The basic steps are the same. What changes is the number of things to check: cover, age conditions and pick-up arrangements in particular. See the section on how luxury rental differs above.

What should I check before renting an imported or sports car?

Four things: the scope of cover and what happens after an accident, the age and licence of each driver, the payment method, and the pick-up and return locations. Check the refuelling and return arrangements too.

How much do insurance and age conditions differ between companies?

They differ by company and sometimes by car class. Rather than relying on general rules, check the official terms of the company you plan to use, or ask when booking.

Should I choose a major chain or a specialist?

If branch coverage and easy booking matter most, a major chain may suit you. If you want a particular car, a specialist may be the better fit. Start from your purpose and the location that is easiest to collect from.

In summary

Good preparation makes a luxury rental easy to enjoy. Check the cover, age and licence conditions, payment and the pick-up and return locations before you book, and on the day you can focus on the car and the road.

TŌNORI is preparing to open in Nagoya. If you would like to follow along, you can become a member. Members will receive 10% off their first rental, with eligibility details announced at launch.

Reference

• National Police Agency, For holders of foreign driving licences: https://www.npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/have_DL_issed_another_country.html