Nagano has 17 rental branches: choosing by trip
This guide compares rental branches at Nagano Station and Matsumoto Station in Nagano Prefecture: eight at Nagano Station and nine at Matsumoto Station, making 17 branches from nine companies.
It shows which station suits your trip, how branches are laid out around each exit, how winter tyres and hours change, and how rates differ on Japanese and foreign licences.
- Arriving at Nagano Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen: Nagano Station's branches are the natural choice. On the Zenkoji side are Toyota, Orix, Eki Rent-a-Car and Times. On the east side are Nippon, Nissan and J-net. Eki Rent-a-Car is on the first floor of the MIDORI station building.
- Heading for Matsumoto, Azumino or the highlands: Matsumoto Station's branches suit you. Nippon and Orix Matsumoto Ekimae are on the Alps side (west). Seven branches, including Toyota, Eki Rent-a-Car, Times, Nissan and J-net, are on the Castle side (east).
- Renting at Nagano and returning at Matsumoto, or the reverse: Nippon, Toyota, Orix and Eki Rent-a-Car have branches at both stations and accept returns to other branches. Orix Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter does not offer one-way rentals.
- Renting in winter: studless tyres are standard at Nissan's two branches and J-net Matsumoto Ekimae from 1 December to 31 March, and at Nico Nico Matsumoto Josei from November to April. Winter tyres and four-wheel drive are separate equipment.
- Keeping the cost down: on standard compact rates before discounts for a Japanese licence, Guts at Nagano Station (¥4,070 for 24 hours) and Nico Nico at Matsumoto Station (¥5,610) are lowest. Guts includes no vehicle damage cover and limits you to 300 km per 24 hours. Among major companies, Eki Rent-a-Car is ¥8,470 and Toyota ¥8,580. Foreign-licence prices and eligibility differ; see the rates section.
The tables below list hours and one-way availability for all 17 branches, with links to their branch pages.
Nagano Station and Matsumoto Station compared
The two stations differ in how branches sit around each exit and in closing times.
- Nagano Station: closest are Eki Rent-a-Car, in the station building to the left of the Zenkoji Exit, and Nissan, 1 minute on foot from the bottom of the east-exit pedestrian deck. Toyota Nagano and Orix are 3 minutes from the Zenkoji Exit, J-net 4 minutes from the East Exit, Nippon 6 minutes and Times about 10 minutes. Guts Nagano is 14 minutes from the station.
- Matsumoto Station: Nippon is directly in front of the Alps Exit. Eki Rent-a-Car is 100 m to the right from the Castle Exit, and Orix's bus-terminal counter is 1 minute from the station. Toyota is 3 minutes, Times about 4 minutes and J-net 6 minutes on foot. Nissan (about 500 m) and Nico Nico (12 minutes on foot) are farther away.
The latest closing at both stations is 20:00, and Times closes at 18:00. Some branches shorten their hours in winter. Branches at Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport, Karuizawa and Sakudaira are not compared here.
| Pickup place | Branches | Earliest opening and latest closing | Branches offering one-way rentals | Lowest compact reference rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nagano Station | 8 (8 companies) | 08:00–20:00 | 4 | Guts Rent a Car: ¥4,070 |
| Matsumoto Station | 9 (8 companies) | 08:00–20:00 | 4 | Nico Nico: ¥5,610 |
Nagano Station branches
| Branch | Regular hours | One-way rental |
|---|---|---|
| Nippon Nagano Station East Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Toyota Nagano | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Nagano Ekimae | 08:00–19:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Nissan Nagano Station East Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Not stated |
| Times Nagano | 09:00–18:00 | Not offered |
| Eki Rent-a-Car Nagano Station | 08:00–19:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| J-net Rent a Car Nagano Station East Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Not stated |
| Guts Rent a Car Nagano | 09:00–19:00 | Not stated |
Matsumoto Station branches
| Branch | Regular hours | One-way rental |
|---|---|---|
| Nippon Matsumoto Station Alps Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Toyota Matsumoto Ekimae | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Matsumoto Ekimae | 08:00–19:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter | 09:00–19:00 | Not offered |
| Times Matsumoto Ekimae | 09:00–18:00 | Not offered |
| Nissan Matsumoto Ekimae | 08:30–19:00 | Not stated |
| Eki Rent-a-Car Matsumoto Station | 08:00–19:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| J-net Rent a Car Matsumoto Ekimae | 08:00–20:00 | Not stated |
| Nico Nico Matsumoto Josei | 08:00–20:00 | Not stated |
Nine rental companies in Nagano compared
The table groups the 17 branches by company. Nico Nico is at Matsumoto Station only and Guts at Nagano Station only. The other seven have branches at both stations.
| Company | Nagano Station | Matsumoto Station | Return to another branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Rent a Car | Nagano 08:00–20:00 | Matsumoto Ekimae 08:00–20:00 | Available within and outside the prefecture |
| Nippon Rent-A-Car | Nagano Station East Exit 08:00–20:00 | Matsumoto Station Alps Exit 08:00–20:00 | Available |
| Orix Rent a Car | Nagano Ekimae 08:00–19:00 | Matsumoto Ekimae 08:00–19:00 (from 09:00, November to March); Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter 09:00–19:00 | Available (not at the Bus Terminal Counter) |
| Nissan Rent a Car | Nagano Station East Exit 08:00–20:00 (shorter in winter) | Matsumoto Ekimae 08:30–19:00 | Not stated on the branch page |
| Times Car Rental | Nagano 09:00–18:00 | Matsumoto Ekimae 09:00–18:00 | Does not accept cars rented elsewhere |
| Eki Rent-a-Car | Nagano Station 08:00–19:00 | Matsumoto Station 08:00–19:00 | Available |
| J-net Rent a Car | Nagano Station East Exit 08:00–20:00 | Matsumoto Ekimae 08:00–20:00 | Not stated on the branch page |
| Nico Nico Rent a Car | — | Matsumoto Josei 08:00–20:00 (until 19:00 on Sundays and public holidays) | Generally not available (company rule) |
| Guts Rent a Car | Nagano 09:00–19:00 (closed Wednesdays) | — | Not available (company rule) |
Some branches shorten their hours or close over New Year; the branch pages in the tables above show the dates.
Rental service
J-net Rent a Car
Matsumoto and Nagano Station East Exit
Compare branch and vehicle choices, regional plans and equipment.
View official location and service information- Vehicles and service
- Passenger cars and minivans; ask the branch about winter equipment and 4WD conditions.
- Coverage
- Check deductible and NOC protection and eligibility by branch and class.
Matsumoto Ekimae is 6 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Station and 3 minutes from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal for expressway buses. The streets around the station are a tangle, so search the branch name in a map app. Nagano Station East Exit is 4 minutes on foot from the station; a map search by address may not find it, so search by branch name. Both open daily 08:00–20:00, have no shuttle and do not store private cars.
From 1 December to 31 March, all cars at Matsumoto Ekimae have studless tyres. Four-wheel drive is optional, not standard. The J3 compact standard rate is ¥10,450 for 24 hours and ¥8,800 for each further day, with CDW at ¥1,100 a day.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Nippon Rent-A-Car
Nagano Station East Exit and Matsumoto Station Alps Exit
Choose a vehicle class around your passengers, luggage and pickup location.
- Location in this guide
- Nippon Matsumoto Station Alps Exit
- Vehicles and service
- Passenger cars, SUVs and minivans; availability varies by location and date.
- Coverage
- CDW and ECO are separate options for the accident excess and non-operation charge.
Matsumoto Station Alps Exit is directly in front of the Alps Exit. On departure, you can check in and issue the paperwork by touching your smartphone. Nagano Station East Exit is 6 minutes on foot from the East Exit, and its branch page has a PDF route from the Shinkansen gates. Both open daily 08:00–20:00. Over New Year, both open 09:00–18:00 on some days, and Matsumoto Station Alps Exit closes on 1 January 2027.
For cars rented elsewhere, Nagano Station East Exit accepts all classes and Matsumoto Station Alps Exit accepts vehicles up to 2-tonne trucks. Under the company's rules, branches in Nagano Prefecture and similar areas have studless tyres as standard from 1 December to 31 March, with a winter season charge of ¥330 a day.
The N-B compact standard rate is ¥8,910 for 24 hours. CDW does not remove the NOC; ECO is the separate scheme that waives it.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Toyota Rent a Car
Nagano and Matsumoto Ekimae
Compare plans by branch, vehicle class and the conditions of your trip.
- Location in this guide
- Toyota Matsumoto Ekimae
- Vehicles and service
- Passenger cars, minivans and SUVs; check the model and equipment in your booking.
- Coverage
- The Anshin W plan combines the deductible waiver with an NOC waiver.
Nagano is 3 minutes on foot from the Zenkoji Exit of Nagano Station, and Matsumoto Ekimae is 3 minutes from Matsumoto Station, behind the bus terminal. Both open 08:00–20:00, and 09:00–18:00 from 31 December to 3 January. Neither has a shuttle.
Both accept returns to branches in and outside the prefecture. Matsumoto Ekimae excludes vehicles on number 1 plates from one-way use and has a 2.0 m height limit. Under the company's rules, branches in Nagano Prefecture and similar areas have studless tyres as standard from 1 December to 31 March, at season rates.
The C1 compact standard rate is ¥8,580 for 24 hours on a Japanese licence. CDW alone leaves the NOC (¥20,000 or ¥50,000). The Anshin W Plan waives the NOC and also covers repair or replacement of a punctured tyre.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Orix Rent a Car
Nagano Ekimae and two at Matsumoto Station
Compare vehicle classes, locations and coverage for your itinerary.
- Location in this guide
- Orix Matsumoto Ekimae
- Vehicles and service
- Compact cars, minivans and other classes; vehicles and equipment depend on the branch and plan.
- Coverage
- Check the deductible waiver and Rental Car Anshin Pack (RAP) for NOC and other benefits.
Nagano Ekimae is 3 minutes on foot from the Zenkoji Exit and opens daily 08:00–19:00. It also offers Touch de Rental, a self-service plan you can start at any hour. Its conditions differ from normal bookings, and the 24-hour unstaffed counter at the same address is excluded from one-way use.
Matsumoto Ekimae is 5 minutes on foot from the Alps Exit (west) and opens 08:00–19:00 from 1 April to 31 October and 09:00–19:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter on the Castle side is 1 minute from the station, but it is a 5-minute walk from the counter to the departure car park, and one-way rentals are not available. Staff are present only for booked times, so contact the branch if your schedule changes.
Nagano Ekimae and Matsumoto Ekimae accept departures for and returns from other branches, excluding Hokkaido, Okinawa and outlying islands. If you need winter tyres, book a car labelled studless. The SA compact standard rate is ¥9,900 for 24 hours, and the Rental Anshin Pack (RAP) waives the NOC and covers puncture tyre costs up to ¥20,000.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Nico Nico Rent a Car
Matsumoto Josei, 12 minutes on foot from the Castle Exit
Compare standard, member and app rates for a short rental or day trip.
- Location in this guide
- Nico Nico Matsumoto Josei
- Vehicles and service
- Available classes vary by branch. Check the vehicle and collection and return times.
- Coverage
- The deductible waiver, Plus and Perfect plans have different coverage scopes.
Matsumoto Josei is inside an ENEOS petrol station, 12 minutes on foot from the Castle Exit of Matsumoto Station and 5 minutes from JR Kita-Matsumoto Station. It opens 08:00–20:00 Monday to Saturday and 08:00–19:00 on Sundays and public holidays. Studless tyres are standard from November to April, and all cars are two-wheel drive. It does not store customers' cars. Nico Nico has no branch at Nagano Station.
The S class standard rate is ¥5,610 for 24 hours and ¥5,610 for each further day. Basic CDW (¥1,100 a day) leaves the vehicle excess after a single-car accident; Perfect cover removes it. One-way rentals are generally not accepted.
Company sources and verification dates
Reference rates: nine companies
The table shows each company's standard rates: regular season, before discounts, tax included, for a Japanese licence. Winter tyre charges are not included.
| Company and class | First 24 hours | Each additional day | Basic CDW per day | 48 hours with basic CDW | 7–8-seat minivan, 24 hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guts Rent a Car (C-1) | ¥4,070 | — | ¥1,100 | — | ¥8,580 | No vehicle damage cover in the rate; 300 km per 24 hours |
| Nico Nico (S) | ¥5,610 | ¥5,610 | ¥1,100 | ¥13,420 | ¥15,180 | Basic CDW leaves the vehicle excess after a single-car accident |
| Eki Rent-a-Car (S) | ¥8,470 | ¥7,150 | ¥1,100 | ¥17,820 | ¥22,550 | — |
| Toyota (C1) | ¥8,580 | ¥7,260 | ¥1,100 | ¥18,040 | ¥20,900 | — |
| Times (C-1) | ¥8,855 | ¥7,920 | ¥1,100 | ¥18,975 | ¥22,770 | — |
| Nippon (N-B) | ¥8,910 | ¥7,150 | ¥1,100 | ¥18,260 | ¥22,550 | — |
| Nissan (P2) | ¥9,790 | ¥7,700 | ¥1,650 | ¥20,790 | ¥24,090 | — |
| Orix (SA) | ¥9,900 | ¥7,920 | ¥1,100 | ¥20,020 | ¥22,660 | — |
| J-net Rent a Car (J3) | ¥10,450 | ¥8,800 | ¥1,100 | ¥21,450 | ¥23,650 | — |
On a foreign licence, Toyota uses a separate rate list: C1 is ¥10,340 for the first 24 hours and ¥8,690 for each additional 24 hours, against ¥8,580 and ¥7,260 in the table. To rent on a foreign licence, bring an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention and your passport, or, for licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, the licence with a Japanese translation and your passport.
Nico Nico requires the renter to complete the contract in Japanese, without an interpreter or translation app, and some branches do not accept an IDP; Guts generally does not rent on an IDP.
The cover names and prices that remove the NOC are compared in CDW and NOC.
Pickup and return in Nagano
Renting in winter
The period when winter tyres are standard, and their price, depend on the company and branch. Nissan's two branches and J-net Matsumoto Ekimae make studless tyres standard from 1 December to 31 March, and Nico Nico Matsumoto Josei from November to April. Guts Nagano charges for studless tyres from 1 December to 31 March. Under company rules, Toyota, Nippon and Times also fit them as standard at Nagano branches and similar areas from 1 December to 31 March, with a season rate or a daily charge.
Winter tyres and four-wheel drive are separate equipment: four-wheel drive is optional at J-net, and all Nico Nico cars are two-wheel drive. Having the equipment does not mean the road you want is open, so on days in the mountains check road restrictions and whether your destination is open. See also the guide to winter road closures.
Winter and New Year hours
Nissan Nagano Station East Exit opens 08:30–19:00 from 1 to 29 December 2026 and from 5 January to 28 February 2027, and 09:00–17:00 from 30 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. Orix Matsumoto Ekimae opens at 09:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Over New Year, Nippon, Toyota and J-net open 09:00–18:00 on some days, and Guts closes.
Renting at Nagano and returning at Matsumoto
Name the return branch when you book. Times does not accept cars rented elsewhere, and Orix Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter does not offer one-way rentals. Toyota Matsumoto Ekimae does not accept vehicles on number 1 plates and has a 2.0 m height limit. One-way fees depend on the company. Nippon and Orix charge nothing when the branches are less than 20 km apart, and a distance-based charge beyond that.
Heading back to the station
When you come back from the highlands or mountains, allow time for refuelling, the return and the walk to the station when choosing your train. Times closes at 18:00, and Orix, Eki Rent-a-Car, Guts and Nissan Matsumoto Ekimae at 19:00. For a late return, choose a branch open until 20:00.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rent at Nagano Station or Matsumoto Station?
Nagano Station suits you if you arrive on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and tour Nagano city or the north of the prefecture. Matsumoto Station suits you if you head for Matsumoto, Azumino or the highlands. Both stations have many branches within walking distance, and the latest closing is 20:00.
Which company has the lowest rate?
On standard compact rates before discounts for a Japanese licence, Guts at Nagano Station is ¥4,070 for 24 hours and Nico Nico at Matsumoto Station ¥5,610. Guts includes no vehicle damage cover and limits you to 300 km per 24 hours. Among major companies, Eki Rent-a-Car is ¥8,470 and Toyota ¥8,580. Some companies charge for winter tyres, so compare the same dates, class and equipment in the booking.
Can I rent at Nagano and return at Matsumoto?
Nippon, Toyota, Orix and Eki Rent-a-Car have branches at both stations and accept returns to other branches. Times does not accept cars rented elsewhere, and Orix Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter does not offer one-way rentals. A one-way option is not always free, so name the return branch in the booking and check the amount.
Do cars have studless tyres in winter?
They are standard at Nissan's two branches and J-net Matsumoto Ekimae from 1 December to 31 March, and at Nico Nico Matsumoto Josei from November to April. Under company rules, Toyota, Nippon and Times also fit them as standard at Nagano branches and similar areas from 1 December to 31 March, with a season rate or a daily charge. Four-wheel drive is a separate choice.
Can I rent at any time of day?
No staffed branch is open 24 hours. Orix Nagano Ekimae offers Touch de Rental, a self-service plan you can start at any hour, but staffed hours are 08:00–19:00 and its conditions differ from normal bookings.
Guides to read before booking
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-11-01
- Toyota Matsumoto Ekimae: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nippon Matsumoto Station Alps Exit: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Orix Matsumoto Ekimae: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Orix Matsumoto Station Bus Terminal Counter: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Times Matsumoto Ekimae: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nissan Matsumoto Ekimae: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Eki Rent-a-Car Matsumoto Station: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- J-net Rent a Car Matsumoto Ekimae: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nico Nico Matsumoto Josei: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Nippon Rent-A-Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Toyota Rent a Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Orix Rent a Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Times Car Rental: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nissan Rent a Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Eki Rent-a-Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- J-net Rent a Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Nico Nico Rent a Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyota Nagano: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nippon Nagano Station East Exit: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Orix Nagano Ekimae: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nissan Nagano Station East Exit: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Times Nagano: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Eki Rent-a-Car Nagano Station: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- J-net Rent a Car Nagano Station East Exit: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Guts Rent a Car Nagano: branch information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Guts Rent a Car: rate schedule (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyota Rent a Car: foreign-licence rate schedule (official page, in English) · 2026-11-01
- Eki Rent-a-Car: licences accepted at departure (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Sky Rent a Car: drivers with foreign licences (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Nico Nico Rent a Car: international-licence contract requirements (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Guts Rent a Car: booking FAQ on international licences (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
