Nanki-Shirahama Airport Car Rental: 6 Branches Compared

Five rental companies (six branches) at Nanki-Shirahama Airport: how to choose

Nanki-Shirahama Airport (SHM, nicknamed Kumano Shirahama Resort Airport) sits on a coastal plateau just minutes above Shirahama Onsen and is the southern air gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails and Cape Shionomisaki. Five car rental companies—operating six branches—serve the airport: four nationwide majors (Toyota, Nippon, Orix and Nissan, with Nissan running two separate Shirahama branches) plus southern Wakayama independent Rentacar 660 (operated by Shingu-based Nukui Co., Ltd.). Nippon stands right on airport grounds 40 metres left of the main exit; Toyota and Orix sit side by side across the airport road (1–2 minutes on foot); Nissan runs free shuttles from both its new Airport branch (900 m away, opened 18 July 2025) and its town branch near Toretore Market; and Rentacar 660 offers pre-booked airport/hotel pickup from beside JR Shirahama Station. Note that Times Car Rental and Budget have no staffed rental branches anywhere in Wakayama Prefecture (Times only runs member car-share bays in the airport car park), while Carsta, Ekiren and Nico Nico in town do not run airport shuttles.

This guide compares arrival walking paths vs shuttles, JAL Tokyo Haneda flight cutoffs, Kii Peninsula and Kansai one-way drops, winter mountain tyre mandates, IDP eligibility, and 48-hour reference totals.

• Match closing hours to the evening JAL Haneda flights: Japan Airlines operates three daily round-trips between Tokyo Haneda and Nanki-Shirahama—arrivals JAL213 (09:00), JAL215 (13:00) and JAL219 (17:30), and departures JAL212 (09:35), JAL214 (13:30, or 13:35 in 1 Dec–4 Jan) and JAL218 (18:20). Every branch easily covers the morning and midday flights, but the evening rotation is tight: Orix closes at 18:00, leaving just 30 minutes after JAL219 touches down at 17:30 and requiring car return before 18:00 for JAL218. Toyota and Nippon stay open until 18:30 (note that Toyota opens strictly around scheduled flights and closes temporarily between flights), both Nissan branches stay open until 19:00, and Rentacar 660 is the sole operator open until 20:00.
• Walk straight out vs lobby counter vs free airport/station shuttle: Nippon (40 m left of the 1F arrivals main exit on airport grounds) and Toyota (1-minute walk right from the exit opposite the JAL counter) skip the terminal's 1F concierge counter completely—you walk straight into their offices. Orix checks you in at its counter inside the 1F concierge area before a 2-minute walk across the road. Nissan provides free shuttles to both Nanki-Shirahama Airport and JR Shirahama Station, and Rentacar 660 provides advance-booked shuttles or vehicle delivery to the airport, JR Shirahama Station and Shirahama Town hotels.
• Free Kumano/Shingu one-way drops vs Kansai, Osaka and Nagoya traverses: if you want to drive across Kumano Sanzan and Nachi Falls and board a JR limited express train at Kii-Katsuura or Shingu, Rentacar 660 charges ¥0 for one-way drops among its four branches (Shirahama/SHM, Susami, Katsuura and Shingu/JR Shingu Station)—though it accepts cash only and has Japanese-language paperwork. For cross-prefecture one-way trips to Kansai Airport, Shin-Osaka Station, Ise-Shima or Nagoya Station, book Toyota, Nippon, Orix or Nissan.
• Foreign licences, English support and cash caution: all five companies accept a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit (IDP) with your original passport, and Toyota, Nippon and Nissan also accept Taiwanese, Swiss, German, French, Belgian and Monegasque licences paired with an official Japanese translation (Toyota and Orix provide English booking sites/desks). Remember that Nanki-Shirahama Airport has no ATM inside the terminal, so withdraw yen beforehand if using cash-only Rentacar 660 or local buses.

Compare the six Nanki-Shirahama Airport branches

Branch names link to their official pages. The numbers match the Japanese map and table and are not a ranking.

Reference prices: standard rates at five companies

This table takes each company's published standard rate for a compact car, together with the 48-hour total including basic collision damage waiver (CDW). Figures are regular-season, tax-inclusive list rates before member discounts on a Japanese licence (Rentacar 660 publishes ex-tax CDW-inclusive rates, converted here with 10% consumption tax).

• The 48-hour total combines the first 24 hours, one additional day and two days of basic CDW. Extra hours, fuel, optional winter tyres, cross-prefecture one-way drop fees and NOC waivers are separate.
• Online and member plans on the four national brands usually price below these list figures outside peak holiday periods.
• Rentacar 660's official rate sheet is quoted tax-exclusive with CDW included (¥6,000 ex-tax = ¥6,600 incl. tax for the first 24 hours; ¥5,000 ex-tax = ¥5,500 incl. tax per extra day; kei cars ¥4,000 ex-tax = ¥4,400 incl. tax; Elgrand minivan ¥10,000 ex-tax = ¥11,000 incl. tax). Unlike the four national brands—which carry unlimited third-party bodily and property liability—Rentacar 660 caps property-damage cover at ¥10 million (¥50,000 deductible) and vehicle cover at assessed value (¥50,000 deductible), and accepts cash payment only at departure.
• Toyota has member discounts of 10% and 20%.
• Nippon publishes a separate member rate schedule.
• Nissan's basic CDW is calculated on the Standard Plan at ¥1,650 a day, and applies identically at both Nissan Nanki-Shirahama Airport and Nissan Nanki-Shirahama.
• Orix offers member discounts plus a 5% web discount.

Prices can also differ by licence. On a foreign licence, Toyota C1 is ¥10,340 for the first 24 hours and ¥8,690 for each additional 24 hours before optional cover; the Toyota row above uses the Japanese-licence rates of ¥8,580 and ¥7,260. Compare payment, extension and insurance rules in Japanese rental car rules compared and basic CDW and NOC explained.

International visitors can legally drive in Japan via two routes. First, a booklet-type 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for up to one year from entry or until the IDP expires, whichever is earlier—accepted across all five companies here. Second, holders of licences issued in Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium or Monaco may drive using their original home licence together with an official Japanese translation (such as from JAF or Taiwan's motor vehicles office)—explicitly supported at Toyota, Nippon and Nissan (Orix's English FAQ and Rentacar 660's FAQ specify 1949 Geneva IDPs). Always carry your physical passport showing your landing stamp; if you pass through an automated immigration gate at Haneda or Kansai, ask an officer for an entry stamp. See driving in Japan on a foreign licence.

From 1F arrivals to your car: direct walk, lobby counter and free shuttles

Nanki-Shirahama Airport is a compact regional terminal (building open 08:00–18:45, JAL check-in counter 08:10–18:00, gift shop 08:10–18:20, café 08:30–18:00). On 1F beside domestic arrivals, the concierge area houses general information, coin lockers, same-day luggage delivery to Shirahama Town hotels/ryokan (¥1,500 per bag, accepted until 13:30), and the indoor rental counter—but there is no bank or convenience-store ATM anywhere inside the terminal. Pickup splits cleanly into three workflows:

• Skip the indoor counter and walk straight to the office (Nippon and Toyota): neither Nippon nor Toyota uses the 1F concierge counter. For Nippon (08:00–18:30), step out of the 1F main entrance and walk 40 metres left on airport grounds—no road crossing or shuttle wait. For Toyota (08:30–18:30), turn right inside the 1F lobby, exit through the left-hand doorway opposite the JAL counter, and walk straight right for 1 minute across to 2926-1059. Because Toyota opens around scheduled flights and closes temporarily between flights, always enter your flight number and arrival time when booking.
• Check in at the 1F concierge counter, then walk 2 minutes (Orix): Orix (08:30–18:00, open every day including New Year) receives arriving passengers at its counter inside the 1F concierge area (1622-125 Saino) before guiding you across the airport road (2 minutes on foot) to the vehicle lot next to Toyota.
• Ride a free shuttle connecting both the airport and JR Shirahama Station (Nissan and Rentacar 660): Nissan (08:00–19:00) operates two branches—Nissan Nanki-Shirahama Airport (0739-33-2523, 900 m / 2 minutes by car, opened 18 July 2025 opposite Shirahama Police Station) and Nissan Nanki-Shirahama (0739-42-4123, 10 minutes by car near Toretore Market). Both provide free shuttles to Nanki-Shirahama Airport and JR Shirahama Station, though the Airport branch is much faster for pure fly-drive trips (watch out when returning: the airport's own guide webpage still displays 0739-42-4123, so double-check which Nissan address is on your rental agreement). Rentacar 660 (08:00–20:00) meets you at the airport or delivers to Shirahama hotels when requested at the time of booking—just be sure to bring yen cash in advance and do not confuse its JR Shirahama Station office with Carsta next door at the same street number (1386-1 Katata).
• Evening flight JAL219 (17:30 arrival) and JAL218 (18:20 departure): if you fly in on JAL219 from Haneda at 17:30, avoid 18:00-closing Orix in case of baggage or weather delays; choose Nippon or Toyota (18:30), Nissan (19:00) or Rentacar 660 (20:00). On your return day for JAL218 (18:20 departure), aim to refuel in town and reach your rental lot by 17:00–17:30. Read picking up a rental car at a Japanese airport for step-by-step handover tips.

Driving to Kumano Sanzan, Kushimoto and Koyasan, plus Kii Peninsula one-way drops and winter rules

Sitting 5–10 minutes above Shirahama's beaches (Shirarahama, Engetsu Island, Sandanbeki and Senjojiki) and roughly 7 km from Nanki-Shirahama IC, SHM gives you immediate access to both coastal and mountain Kumano routes (by comparison, airport highway buses run only a few times a day at ¥2,000–¥3,200 per adult to Kushimoto, Kii-Katsuura, Shingu and Hongu):

• Tanabe (25 min, 13 km), Susami (30 min, 24 km), Kushimoto / Cape Shionomisaki (1 hr, 55 km), Katsuura / Nachi Falls (1 hr 35 min, 85 km) and Shingu (1 hr 50 min, 96 km coastal / 90 km inland): join the toll-free stretch of the Kisei Expressway south from Nanki-Shirahama IC to Susami-Minami IC, continue along coastal Route 42 past Cape Shionomisaki and the Hashigui-iwa sea stacks, and pick up the toll-free Nachikatsuura-Shingu Road to Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. For Kumano Hongu Taisha (1 hr 20 min, 61 km) and Yunomine/Kawayu Onsen, turn inland from Tanabe onto Route 311 along the Nakahechi pilgrimage valley, then follow Route 168 down to Shingu (see our Nanki and Kumano driving guide). If heading north onto tolled expressways toward Wakayama City (1 hr 30 min, 95 km) or Osaka, Toyota (¥550), Nippon (¥330, phone booking or subject to stock), Orix and Nissan rent out ETC toll cards.
• One-way Kii Peninsula drops—free local Shingu/Katsuura returns vs Kansai, Osaka and Nagoya: two distinct one-way strategies work well from SHM. For a southern Kumano traverse ending on a JR train at Kii-Katsuura or Shingu, Rentacar 660 allows free one-way drops among Shirahama (or SHM), Susami, Katsuura and Shingu (including JR Shingu Station) (cash only, ¥10M property-damage cap). For wider regional loops—such as flying into SHM, visiting Kumano and Koyasan, and dropping the car at Kansai Airport (~1 hr 40 min–2 hr direct via the Hanwa Expressway) or Shin-Osaka Station, or continuing up the east coast through Ise-Shima to Nagoya Station—use Toyota, Nippon, Orix or Nissan (Nippon's SHM office also accepts incoming one-way returns of all classes). Compare distance-based surcharges in one-way car rental in Japan.
• Winter mountain rules on Koyasan / Koya-Ryujin Skyline (2 hr 30 min, 110 km) and typhoon rain closures: because coastal Shirahama stays mild, Wakayama Prefecture is outside standard winter-tyre regions at Toyota, Nippon, Orix and Nissan—cars come on summer tyres unless requested. However, Route 371 (the Koya-Ryujin Skyline between Ryujin and Koyasan) climbs above 1,000 metres and enforces strict winter restrictions from mid-December to late March: complete nighttime closure to all vehicles from 17:00 to 07:00, mandatory winter tyres AND carrying tyre chains during daytime hours (07:00–17:00), and a 24-hour motorcycle ban. Inland Routes 311 and 168 around Hongu can also freeze at dawn in January and February, so book winter tyres specifically if heading into the mountains and check the Japan winter road closures calendar. Conversely, during heavy rain or typhoons, coastal Route 42 and the Kisei Expressway close when continuous rainfall reaches 250 mm or high waves hit coastal cliffs.
• Refuelling before climbing the airport plateau: Nanki-Shirahama Airport sits on a ~90-metre plateau (Saino) with no petrol station on airport grounds or along the terminal approach road. Fill up down in Shirahama Town (along Prefectural Routes 33/34 in Katata, Yuzaki or near Toretore Market, or along Route 42) before climbing up to your branch, and keep the receipt—especially important before the 18:20 evening flight, as many resort-town petrol stations close around 19:00 (sat-nav Mapcodes: 953583162\*60 for Toyota, 953 583 019\*64 for Nippon; see refuelling and returning a rental car and accidents, breakdowns and emergency contacts).

Frequently asked questions

Can I pick up on the evening JAL219 arrival (17:30) or return before JAL218 (18:20)?

Yes, provided you choose a branch with evening margin. Orix closes at 18:00, which leaves only 30 minutes if JAL219 lands on time at 17:30 and forces you to return before 18:00 for JAL218 (18:20). For evening flights, book Nippon (open until 18:30, 40 m from the exit), Toyota (open until 18:30, 1-minute walk—include your flight number), Nissan (both branches open until 19:00) or Rentacar 660 (open until 20:00 with pre-booked airport pickup).

What is the difference between Nissan Nanki-Shirahama Airport and Nissan Nanki-Shirahama?

Nissan Nanki-Shirahama Airport (2912-1 Shirahama-cho, 0739-33-2523) opened on 18 July 2025 just 900 metres (2 minutes by car) from the terminal opposite Shirahama Police Station, and is the faster choice for airport pickups and returns. Nissan Nanki-Shirahama (2872-5 Shirahama-cho, 0739-42-4123) is 3.4 km away near Toretore Market (10 minutes from the airport, 5 minutes from JR Shirahama Station). Both offer free shuttles to both the airport and JR Shirahama Station—just verify which branch address is on your reservation before returning.

Which branches accept an International Driving Permit or an official licence translation?

All five operators—Toyota, Nippon, Orix, Nissan and Rentacar 660—accept a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP presented with your original passport (note that Rentacar 660 conducts paperwork in Japanese and takes cash only). If you hold a Taiwanese, Swiss, German, French, Belgian or Monegasque licence paired with an official Japanese translation rather than a Geneva IDP, book with Toyota, Nippon or Nissan, which explicitly publish translation-based rental rules.

What does a two-day rental cost?

On published Japanese-licence standard rates before discounts, a compact car for 48 hours with basic CDW ranges from ¥12,100 to ¥20,790 across the five companies. Among the four credit-card-accepting national brands with unlimited third-party liability, Toyota is lowest on list rates at ¥18,040, followed by Nippon at ¥18,260, Orix at ¥20,020 and Nissan at ¥20,790 (on a foreign licence, Toyota's C1 base rate is ¥10,340 for the first 24 hours and ¥8,690 per additional day before cover). Local operator Rentacar 660 lists ¥12,100 (tax-inclusive, CDW included, cash only, ¥10 million property-damage cap).

Guides to read before booking

• Kansai Airport Car Rental: 5 Branches Compared
• Shin-Osaka Station Car Rental: 11 Branches Compared
• Nagoya Station Car Rental: 16 Branches Compared
• Nanki and Kumano driving guide: Shirahama, Cape Shionomisaki, Nachi Falls and the Kumano shrines
• Ise-Shima Driving Guide: Ise Jingu, Toba and Ago Bay Route with Map
• Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27: Mountain Road Closing and Reopening Dates
• Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return
• One-way car rental in Japan: availability and fees
• Basic CDW and the NOC explained
• Refuelling and returning a rental car
• Comparing Japanese rental car company rules
• Accidents, damage, breakdowns and parking tickets