You might be planning a trip to Japan and looking for a rental car, but…
You aren’t sure which website to check.
You’re struggling to find a car that meets your criteria or appeals to you.
You might also be wondering how to handle ETC cards!
In such cases, please take a look at “TABIRAI” the site introduced here.
“TABIRAI” is a convenient site that allows you to browse and select cars based on vehicle type, price, and various other conditions, rather than being limited to specific rental companies or manufacturers.
The major rental car companies you can search for on “TABIRAI” include:
Orix Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, Toyota Rent-A-Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, and Budget Rent-A-Car（partner company）
While other websites or rental offices often substitute your requested vehicle with a different model of a similar class—even if you specified a particular size—“TABIRAI” allows you to specifically reserve an Alphard (minivan).
You can access the official “TABIRAI” website here ➡“TABIRAI”
By following the steps on that page, you can successfully rent the specific vehicle you want.
“TABIRAI”
How to use
First, when you visit the “TABIRAI” page via the link above, you will see a screen like the one below. ➡“TABIRAI”
You can select your language from the top-right corner. Switching to English changes the display as shown below. ⇩
Use the selection boxes on the left to perform your search.
*Note: Narita Airport is located in Chiba, while Tokyo International Airport is Haneda.
*Note: You can choose to drop off the car at a different location, but please be aware that the cost may be higher as it includes the return trip to the original location. Try checking different locations to compare prices.
Now, let’s run the search. *Note: This page can be slow to load; if it doesn’t work perfectly, you can make adjustments on the next page. ⇩
Make your adjustments at the top of the page (indicated by the arrow ⇧). Scrolling down slightly changes the display, so ensure you have scrolled all the way back to the top.
Enter your exact pick-up location here, check the box for “ETC card rental,” and include it in your reservation. ⇩ Clicking “Vehicle’s Specifications” (second from the right) will display the details shown below. *Please see the section below regarding ETC cards.
Clicking “ETC card rental” (bottom right) to select it and then searching will yield results like those shown below.
Use the sort button (center-right) to sort by price (highest to lowest), and options such as a guaranteed Alphard rental will appear at the top of the list.
⇩ The top result is for a guaranteed Alphard, while the one below it is for an Alphard/Vellfire or equivalent model (meaning you might receive a different vehicle).
Once you find a vehicle you like, proceed to make your reservation.
“TABIRAI” page ➡“TABIRAI”
ETC Card
Using an ETC card makes driving on Japanese expressways much more convenient.
If you insert the card into the vehicle’s built-in ETC unit, you can pass through toll gates without stopping.
While a Japanese driver might exceed a cost of 2,400 yen after driving just over 80 km, foreign tourists can rent a vehicle with an “expressway pass” that allows for unlimited highway driving for a flat rate of 2,400 yen per day.
For foreign visitors wishing to use ETC cards on Japanese expressways, the most cost-effective and convenient approach is to arrange a package deal with the rental car company that includes both the ETC card rental and an unlimited-use expressway pass designed for foreign tourists (such as TEP or HEP).
The specific procedures and important points to note are as follows:
1. Renting an ETC card from the rental car company
ETC cards for foreign visitors cannot be issued on their own unless the applicant holds a Japanese credit card. Therefore, it is standard practice to request one as an optional add-on when renting the vehicle.
2. Great value with unlimited-use expressway passes for foreign visitors
When renting an ETC card, signing up for an “Expressway Pass” (available exclusively to foreign visitors) allows for unlimited highway driving at a fixed rate, resulting in significant cost savings.
- Japan Expressway Pass (JEP): Covers expressways across all of Japan.
- Regional Passes: Available for travel in specific areas, such as Hokkaido (HEP), Tohoku (TEP), Central Japan (CEP), and Kyushu (KEP).
- Requirements: You must present your passport (showing “Temporary Visitor” status) and a driver’s license valid for driving in Japan.
3. How to Use the ETC Card
- Inserting the Card: Insert the ETC card into the vehicle’s onboard ETC unit.
- Payment: You can pass through “ETC-only lanes” at expressway toll gates without stopping. Toll charges incurred are settled in a lump sum at the rental office when you return the car.
For more details on using ETC, please visit this website (Shuto Expressway Company):➡https://www.shutoko.co.jp/en/index/faq/etc/
Summary
We have introduced “TABIRAI”—a site where you can choose from a wide range of rental cars in Japan—and the ETC card.
We hope you make the most of them.
“TABIRAI” Page ➡“TABIRAI”