Do I Need an International Drivers License to Rent a Car in Japan?
 

This may sound like a silly question but the title says it all.

Yes. The rental agency may not ask you for it but it is required for insurance.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...ar_rental.html

Just go to AAA...Bob gets his there. You need a passport photo, or they will take one there for you.

The confirmation email I got from ToCoo (the end booking is with Nissan) stresses that we must take our international permits, our regular permits and our passports when collecting the car. In the UK, it cost us just £5.50 to get the international permits from the post office, we filled in a form, took in a photo each and they were able to do it on the spot.

I went to AAA this morning with my pre-filled application form, which I had downloaded from the AAA website. At AAA they took my photo and processed my application - about 10 minutes to do it all. The license is good for 1 year and you can specify when you want it to go into effect.

Not just for a regular rental, but I was turned away by Toyota at its Mega Web on Odabai for a test drive, for lacking an IDP.

AAA cost in MA $15 and good only for 1 year

Yup $29 for permit and photos...

Don't forget to get them to show you how to use the gps before you leave which will prob be in Japanese unless you rent from a Nissan rental. You need to fill gas just before returning and if to the same outlet they will have map of preferred gas stations to use(ie ones close to their lot).

You MUST bring back the receipt of the gas fill when you turn in your car. BTW filling gas in Japan is a pleasure as most have actual service where fill your gas for you and they wipe you windshield,check tires, etc.

Aloha!

Ooh I wouldn't have thought to bring in receipt, though I do usually keep all such but good to know HT.

The car rental company will often have a form for the gas station to fill out. And they will also give you a map of gas stations near your rental location, even if it's not the location. For example, JR at Hakata gave us a map of the stations nearby their Kagoshima-Chuo loction where we would return our car.

Same thing when we rented on Yakushima.