Rental Car Extensions in Japan: One-Hour Charges at Nine Companies and What to Do If You Are Late

If you may be late returning a rental car in Japan, contact the branch you left from before the return time passes, and extend. If you are late without contact, four companies including Toyota charge a penalty of double the overtime charge on top of that charge. Most companies also exclude accidents during that time from protection.

This guide compares extension charges and rules at Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki, Sky, Nico Nico and Guts. Bookings through overseas services or travel agencies can carry other terms, so also check your confirmation.

Extension charges at nine companies, and late returns without contact

Amounts include tax and are listed prices before discounts, for one hour over in a compact class.

One hour over for a compact runs from ¥1,056 at Times to ¥1,870 at Nico Nico. Guts cannot extend by the hour, and being late means a 24-hour charge.

At four companies, Toyota, Orix, JR Eki and Nico Nico, being late without contact incurs a double penalty.

One hour over for a minivan

For a Noah or Serena-class minivan: Toyota W2 ¥2,200, Nippon ¥2,420, Times W-4 ¥2,640, Orix WA(8) ¥2,970, Nissan W4 ¥2,420, JR Eki WA ¥2,530 and Sky WA ¥3,080.

When a longer rate band is cheaper

Toyota and Nissan use a longer rate band if it is cheaper than the original charge plus overtime.

For example, take a Toyota C1 booked for 12 hours (¥6,600) and returned two hours late. The original charge plus overtime is ¥6,600 + ¥1,320 × 2 = ¥9,240, but the charge for up to 24 hours is ¥8,580. The lower ¥8,580 applies, an increase of ¥1,980 (listed price, excluding CDW and options).

Plans that reduce the charge if you make contact

If you make contact at least one hour before the planned return, some plans reduce the charge.

• Nippon's Anshin course: overtime charges for up to three hours are halved. Extensions over three hours are not covered, nor are some travel products and coupons. It applies to the basic charge only
• Orix's Rent-a-Car Anshin Pack (RAP): up to one hour is free if you return during business hours. Extensions over one hour are not covered
• Nissan's Standard and Full Support plans: up to one hour is free if within the return branch's business hours. Extensions over one hour are not covered

How to extend

1. As soon as you know you will be late, stop somewhere safe and telephone the departure branch. Guts asks for contact at least one hour before the return time. Nico Nico also takes calls at its reservation centre or the planned return branch, and Sky at the branch or reservation centre.
2. Give your booking number, the return branch and planned time, and your new expected arrival. Ask whether you can extend and how much more it will cost. An extension may be refused if another booking is in place (Guts, Nico Nico).
3. Pay the extension charge. Times and Nippon settle at return. Sky takes payment at a branch by the original return date, with same-day delays settled at return. Guts takes payment in advance, by the end of the original contract.
4. If your expected arrival changes, make contact again.

For Toyota bookings paid on the Web, ask the branch whether you can extend.

Unreported extensions, out-of-hours returns and early returns

Accidents during an unreported extension

Accidents during an unreported extension fall outside protection at Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, JR Eki, Sky and Guts. At Nissan, too, CDW cannot be used for accidents during an unauthorised extension.

In that case, you pay the repair costs yourself as well as any penalty.

Returning outside business hours

Nissan accepts returns only during branch business hours.

Some Nico Nico branches have an out-of-hours return service, which lets you return after closing or before opening. Select "out of hours" as the return time when booking and sign a consent form at departure. Even if you return early, you are charged until opening time on the next business day.

Returning early

Returning early does not always refund the charge for unused time. The early-termination fee is 50% of the difference in basic charge between the planned and actual periods at Toyota and Nippon, and 50% of the charge for the unused period at Times and JR Eki.

Nippon and JR Eki give no refund if the difference from the plan is under 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a rental car extension per hour?

For a compact class: Times ¥1,056, Nippon ¥1,210, Toyota, Orix, JR Eki and Sky ¥1,320, Nissan ¥1,430 and Nico Nico ¥1,870 (listed prices). Minivans are ¥2,200–¥3,080.

How much does it cost to be late without contact?

Toyota, Orix, JR Eki and Nico Nico charge a penalty of double (200% at Orix) on top of the overtime charge. An hour late in a Toyota C1 means a ¥1,320 overtime charge and a ¥2,640 penalty. At Guts, passing the planned time means a 24-hour charge.

Is the extension charge the same with an online discount or a travel-site booking?

It depends on the company. At Orix, the extension is at the basic charge even for campaigns and travel-site bookings. At Times, with a member discount or campaign, it is calculated at that rate.

When do I pay for an extension?

At return for Times and Nippon. Sky takes payment at a branch by the original return date, and Guts takes it in advance.

Related guides

• Rental car cancellation fees in Japan
• Refuelling a rental car in Japan
• Accidents, scratches and breakdowns in a rental car