Pets in a Japanese Rental Car: Fees, Carriers and Car Classes at Nine Companies

Taking a pet in a Japanese rental car follows the same pattern at most companies: you apply when you book, and you bring your own carrier. What varies is the pet fee, the eligible car classes and the regions where pets are refused. This guide compares Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki, Sky, Nico Nico and Guts, checked on 1 November 2026.

The rules below come from each company's Japanese domestic service. If you hold a foreign licence and book through an overseas or English service, your driving documents and booking route differ, so ask the pickup branch to confirm the pet arrangement for that reservation. Our licence and IDP guide covers the documents you need to drive.

Pet conditions at nine companies

All eight companies that accept pets require them to travel in a carrier. Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan and JR Eki set the limit as a pet that fits a carrier within 70×90×75cm. Guts prohibits pets. If a pet is found to have been carried, Guts can charge ¥100,000 plus its NOC (non-operation charge, a fee for the time the car cannot be rented out).

Orix's fleet varies by branch, so ask the branch when you book. At Nippon, too, the eligible models change by region and branch. Even if your class appears in the table, confirm with the branch that it has that car. Nissan does not accept pets on Self Ride Go, which lets you drive off without stopping at the branch, or on e-Share Mobi.

From application to return

Booking and applying for pet travel

1. Choose a branch that accepts pets and a car in an eligible class.
2. Book the car and apply to the branch for pet travel at the same time.
3. Give the type of animal, its weight, the number of animals, the outside dimensions of the carrier, and the number of passengers and bags.
4. Ask about the pet fee, where the carrier goes and how to get the consent form.

At many companies, an online booking alone does not count as a pet application. Times and Orix accept applications only by telephone. Nippon asks you to telephone the departure branch after booking online. JR Eki also uses a telephone call to the branch, and its online-booking discount cannot be used. At Sky, choose a pet plan or option in Kyushu. In other districts apart from Hokkaido and Okinawa, consult the branch in advance; the automatic online booking does not take these requests.

If you turn up with a pet without having applied, Times states that it will refuse the rental even when you hold a reservation. Nippon, Orix, JR Eki and Nico Nico may also refuse without prior contact.

At JR Eki, finding a pet-friendly car takes time, and a booking made on the class-selection screen can still fall through. Telephone early once your dates are set, so there is time to discuss another car.

Carrier and floor covering

You supply the carrier. Orix and Sky do not lend carriers at the branch. At Nippon, a soft or hard carrier is fine as long as the pet's body cannot get out.

A carrier close to 70×90×75cm takes up room in the luggage space that suitcases would otherwise use. Tell the branch the details in this form: "one dog, X kg, carrier X×X×Xcm outside, two adults, two suitcases". Then check that the carrier and the bags will both fit. Our car size and luggage guide explains how to choose a car by passengers and bags.

Departure and rules in the car

You sign a pet consent form during the departure procedure. Toyota, Orix, Nissan and JR Eki have you sign at the counter. For Times and Sky, sign the form from the company's website and bring it with you. For Nippon, too, download the form, sign it and bring it on the day.

Keep the pet in its carrier while driving. Times and JR Eki also prohibit giving food or water in the car. Check on your pet during breaks, after you have stopped the car.

Before returning the car, look for hair or dirt on the seats and in the luggage space. If something has been soiled, tell the branch during the return procedure.

Costs and exceptions

If dirt or smells remain

The pet fee only covers carrying a pet under the rules. Torn seats, hair or waste, and smells that need cleaning or repair are charged on top of it, as listed above. At Orix, if you carry a pet without submitting the consent form and dirt or smells remain, you are also charged the actual cost and non-operation compensation.

How protection plans apply

A plan that waives the NOC does not necessarily waive it for soiling by a pet. Nippon's NOC waiver (ECO) cannot be used for an NOC caused by soiling or smells that are not the company's responsibility.

JR Eki accepts no responsibility for a pet's injury or illness, and excludes them from its insurance and protection plans.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs, including guide dogs, service dogs and hearing dogs, are handled separately from the pet rules. Toyota, Nippon and Orix deal with them case by case. Nissan, JR Eki and Sky ask to see documents under the Act on Assistance Dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities and similar rules, and JR Eki may refuse a rental if you forget them. At Times, bring a government-issued certificate.

Animals other than dogs and cats

Toyota, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki, Sky and Nico Nico accept only dogs and cats. Times also accepts small animals such as small birds, rabbits and hamsters, up to 10kg and in a carrier within 70×90×75cm. At Nippon, ask the branch you will use about any animal other than a dog or cat.

Checks before booking

• Whether your pet is a dog or cat, and whether its weight and the carrier's outside dimensions fall within the company's limits
• Whether your branch accepts pets (this varies by branch at Nico Nico and by district at Sky)
• Whether you have booked a car in an eligible class
• Whether you have telephoned the branch after booking online to apply for pet travel
• A carrier and, for Toyota, a picnic sheet to go under it
• The consent form for Times, Sky or Nippon (signed and brought with you)
• Whether the places you will eat, visit and stay accept pets

A pet allowed in the car may not be allowed into the places you stop. Do not plan on leaving it in the car during meals; agree with your companions how you will take breaks. If you are unsure whether a long drive suits your pet, ask your vet.

Frequently asked questions

Which companies allow a pet without a carrier?

None of the nine. Toyota, Nippon, Times, Orix, Nissan, JR Eki, Sky and Nico Nico require a carrier, and Guts prohibits pets. Assistance dogs are handled separately from the pet rules.

Can I take a dog over 10kg?

Toyota sets the limit at 10kg or less, and Times, Orix and JR Eki at up to 10kg. Nippon says up to about 10kg, treats the size as a guide and notes that it differs for some cars, such as commercial vehicles. Nissan sets a condition only for the carrier size and lists no weight. Sky has models where it refuses by carrier and pet size. For a dog over 10kg, consult a Nippon, Nissan or Sky branch, giving the weight and the carrier's outside dimensions.

Is cleaning charged on top of the pet fee?

Yes, when marked dirt or smells remain after return and cleaning or repair is needed. The amount depends on the company. Nippon, Orix and Sky charge the actual cost plus NOC ¥20,000, and JR Eki the actual cost plus ¥20,000 in non-operation compensation (see the table above).

Can I rent with a pet in Hokkaido or Okinawa?

Sky's Hokkaido and Okinawa branches do not accept pets, even in a carrier. The other companies' guidance does not refuse pets by region. The eligible classes and number of cars vary by branch, so ask the branch you will use.

Related guides

• Accidents, scratches and breakdowns in a rental car
• Suitcases and car sizes for rental cars in Japan
• CDW and NOC in Japanese rental cars