Japanese Rental Car Rules Compared: Payment, Extensions, Smoking, Pets and One-Way at Nine Companies

Japan's major rental companies have similar rules in many areas, but they differ on payment methods, extensions, smoking, pets and one-way rentals. This guide compares Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki, Sky, Nico Nico and Guts topic by topic, checked on 1 November 2026.

Each table summarises the company's Japanese FAQ, usage guide, rental terms and price pages. Overseas and English booking services can have different conditions, and visitors with a foreign licence should read the licence table and our licence and IDP guide first.

How to read the tables

The tables shorten what each company's FAQ, usage guide, rental terms and price pages say.

• Many companies state that conditions vary by branch. Make the final check with the branch you book and on the booking screen.
• Amounts include tax and are the listed prices before member and other discounts.
• "Compact" means Toyota C1, Nippon Standard, Times C-1, Orix SA, Nissan P2, JR Eki S, Sky S, Nico Nico S and Guts C-1.
• Where two NOC (non-operation charge) amounts appear, they are for when the car can be driven back to the planned branch and when it cannot.
• A blank cell means the point is not stated in the sources for that table.

Payment methods

Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan and JR Eki treat credit card payment as the norm. When you pay cash, many companies ask for an identity document or a credit card as well as your licence. The identity documents include utility receipts and residence records issued within two to three months (Toyota also accepts a My Number driving licence). The accepted documents differ by company, so check the guidance of the company you booked.

These rules are for domestic bookings. Overseas booking services set their own payment conditions: for example, Toyota's overseas service does not accept debit or prepaid cards. Our documents guide compares them.

Extensions and late returns

Every company requires approval for an extension, usually from the departure branch, and can refuse if another booking is in place. Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, JR Eki, Sky and Guts exclude accidents during an unreported extension from protection.

If you make contact at least one hour before the planned return, Nippon's Anshin course halves overtime charges for up to three hours. Orix's Rent-a-Car Anshin Pack (RAP) and Nissan's Standard and Full Support plans, on the same condition, make up to one hour free of extra charge.

Smoking

Smoking in a Nissan non-smoking car costs a ¥77,000 penalty (including the cost of restoring the car), separate from NOC. Nissan, Times and Nico Nico state that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco are also not allowed in non-smoking cars.

Age, new drivers and foreign licences

Nico Nico attaches a passenger condition for beginners. If the contract holder or a driver has held a licence for under one year, someone with three or more years' licence must ride along from departure. Protection also differs for younger drivers and beginners: at Nico Nico, under-21s and those licensed under one year cannot join extra protection, and Guts' CDW (collision damage waiver) is closed to those licensed under one year, under 21 or 70 and over.

Licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan can be used at Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki and Sky with a Japanese translation. Licence periods and age conditions in the first columns are domestic rules for Japanese licences. Nippon's overseas service states that there is no age restriction for drivers aged 18 and over.

Mileage limits

Guts' limit is 300km per 24 hours. For example, driving 400km in 24 hours costs ¥1,100 for the extra 100km (100km × ¥11). On a long-distance trip, compare the total with other companies.

Pets

At Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan and JR Eki, the pet must fit a carrier within 70×90×75cm, which you supply. Many companies do not accept online-only applications and need a telephone call to the branch, so contact the branch as soon as you book. If dirt or smells remain, Nippon and Orix charge the actual cost of repair and deodorising plus NOC ¥20,000. JR Eki and Times charge the actual cost plus non-operation compensation, which is ¥20,000 at JR Eki and ¥20,000–¥30,000 at Times.

Winter tyres and chains

Many companies fit winter tyres as standard in snowy regions in winter. Even so, Nippon and Times charge per day, and Toyota and Nissan apply season or winter charges. If you need chains at a company that does not lend them (Nippon, Times), bring your own.

Nippon's English guidance requires winter tyres on one-way rentals from non-snowfall areas into its designated snowy areas from 1 December to 31 March, and does not accept those rentals on normal tyres.

ETC cards

ETC is Japan's electronic toll collection. A card goes into the unit in the car, and tolls are charged to it.

At companies that do not lend cards (Times, JR Eki, Guts), bring your own. Even companies that lend them limit the branches or number of cards. ETC units are standard at Toyota, Nippon, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki and Nico Nico (except some cars). At Times, some models do not have one, and at Guts it is an option. Our ETC card guide has the details.

Child seats

Fees are charged per rental at some companies (Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix) and per 24 hours at others (Nissan, JR Eki, Nico Nico). Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Sky and Nico Nico may refuse the rental if you have a child under six and have neither booked nor brought a seat. Renters fit the seat themselves at many companies, so see our child seat guide for the steps.

One-way rentals

One-way rentals are most restricted at Guts (no), Nico Nico (generally no) and Sky (within a district only). If you return to another branch without approval, the terms at Nippon, Orix, Nissan and Sky set a penalty of 200% of the transfer cost, JR Eki 300% and Nico Nico double. Times requires payment of the actual cost, including transfer, and of damages.

Cancellation fees

The rates are the same at many companies, but the caps vary widely, from ¥6,000 at Nippon to ¥20,000 for a Toyota wagon. At every company, a booking is treated as cancelled if there is no contact one hour after the planned departure time. At Toyota, Nippon, Times and Sky, change or cancel a booking made through a travel agency or another company's website with whoever took it.

Checks before booking

• If paying by cash or debit card, whether the company accepts it, and the documents needed
• Every driver's licence, and whether those licensed under one year or under 21 can join protection
• If carrying a pet or a child under six, contact with the branch and a child seat booking
• For long drives, any distance limit; for snowy regions, winter tyre equipment and charges
• If returning to another branch, whether one-way is possible, and who to contact if you may be late

Frequently asked questions

Which companies accept debit cards?

Nippon Rent-A-Car treats credit cards as the norm and also accepts debit cards. Toyota accepts them at the counter, but not for Web payment. Sky accepts them for advance online payment. Nissan does not accept debit cards. For overseas bookings, check that service's own rules.

How much is an hour's extension? How many times more if I do not call?

One hour over for a compact is ¥1,056 at Times, ¥1,210 at Nippon, ¥1,320 at Toyota, Orix, JR Eki and Sky, and ¥1,430 at Nissan. At Nico Nico, an extension of up to one hour costs ¥1,870 for class S. If you are late without contact, the Toyota, Orix and JR Eki terms set a penalty of double the overtime charge on top of the overtime charge. Nico Nico's terms set a penalty of double the basic charge for the overtime.

What happens if I smoke in a non-smoking car?

If cleaning or repair keeps the car out of use, you pay NOC (from ¥20,000 at many companies). Nissan sets a ¥77,000 penalty, separate from NOC. Toyota's Anshin W Plan does not waive the NOC for smoking in a non-smoking car. At Nissan, Times and Nico Nico, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco are treated the same.

Can I rent if I am newly licensed or under 21?

All nine companies rent to drivers licensed under one year. At Nico Nico, though, someone with three or more years' licence must ride along from departure. Under-21s cannot join Nico Nico's extra protection or Guts' CDW. Toyota has age limits at some branches, and Guts has age or licence-period limits at some branches.

How do budget companies differ from the majors?

Guts does not include vehicle cover in the insurance in its charge. Its mileage limit is 300km per 24 hours, and its NOC is ¥30,000 even if the car can be driven. It has no one-way rentals, child seat rentals or pet travel, and generally does not rent on an IDP. Nico Nico generally does not offer one-way rentals, and requires a passenger with three or more years' licence if anyone is licensed under one year. Nico Nico's CDW does not waive the vehicle deductible for a single-vehicle accident, such as hitting a utility pole or guardrail (the Perfect protection does).

Which companies allow a pet without a carrier?

Every company that accepts pets requires a carrier (Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki, Sky, Nico Nico). Guts does not accept pets.

Do cars have studless tyres in winter?

In snowy regions such as Hokkaido, Tohoku and Hokuriku, Toyota, Nippon, Times, Nissan and Sky fit them as standard in winter. The periods vary by company and region; at Toyota, Nippon, Times and Nissan, Hokkaido starts around November and other regions from December. In less snowy regions they are an option, from ¥2,200 at Toyota (passenger cars), Nippon, Times, Nissan and Sky.

Related guides

• Accidents, scratches and breakdowns in a rental car
• CDW and NOC in Japanese rental cars
• Rental car cancellation fees in Japan
• Refuelling a rental car in Japan
• Compare rental-car companies in Japan