❓ FAQ — Self-drive car rental Japan

At least 24 hours; during peak seasons like sakura/Golden Week/Obon, it's recommended to book 1 month in advance.

A Visa/Mastercard/JCB/Amex credit card in the driver's name is required to secure the booking and as a security deposit.

Free changes are allowed up to 48 hours in advance. Cancellations: 7 days or more in advance for a 100% refund, 3–7 days for a 50% refund, less than 3 days for no refund.

Cancellation fee schedule: 7 days prior - free, 3–6 days prior - 20%, 1–2 days prior - 30%, same day - 50%, no-show - 100%.

If you are more than 1 hour late from the scheduled pick-up time, the booking will be automatically cancelled and 100% of the reservation fee will be forfeited. Please notify us via LINE/WhatsApp in advance if your flight/train is delayed.

Yes — please notify the store at least 1 day before the return time. Fees will be calculated according to the daily rate, which may be more expensive than early booking prices.

Yes — message OlaChill on LINE/WhatsApp or send an email to support@olachill.com. The online system is still the fastest, with instant quotes available.

Yes — one-way fees range from 5,000–20,000 JPY depending on the route and company. Popular routes include within Hokkaido and Honshu.

Counters at airports/major train stations (open 7:00–22:00). After-hours returns usually incur a fee of 1,000–3,000 JPY.

Yes — most companies offer a free shuttle bus from the airport to the pick-up counter (5–15 minutes). The counter is usually located next to the terminal.

Online booking via OlaChill: NO deposit — only card pre-authorization. At the counter: 30,000–50,000 JPY depending on car class (released after 7–14 days).

Nearly 100% of rental cars are automatic transmission (AT). Manual transmission is only available for campers or special vehicles.

No. All rental cars in Japan have unlimited mileage.

Yes, but the name on the booking must match the driver's name upon pick-up; an IDP + national driving license must be presented.

National driving license + International Driving Permit (IDP) Geneva 1949. Some countries (Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Taiwan, Monaco, Estonia) use an official JAF translation.

Mandatory Geneva Convention 1949. NOT accepted: Paris 1926, Vienna 1968, or Washington — will be rejected at the pick-up counter.

These 7 countries do not have the Geneva IDP — an official translation from JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) is required instead. The fee is ~3,000 JPY, and it takes 1–2 working days at a JAF office in Japan.

1 year from the date of issue. An expired IDP cannot be used — you need to reapply before coming to Japan.

An International Driving Permit issued by your country's transportation authority (AAA, RACV, DVLA, CAA…). The fee is ~20–40 USD, and it is valid for 1 year.

All 4 items are mandatory: 1) Geneva 1949 IDP (or JAF translation), 2) original domestic driver's license, 3) passport, 4) credit card in the main driver's name. Missing one item = unable to pick up the car.

Minimum 18 years old and holding a driver's license for ≥ 1 year. Some companies require 21+ for SUV/luxury vehicles, and 25+ for camper vans.

Possibly — if the license shows signs of multiple replacements due to loss/violations, the rental company has the right to refuse. Bring a supporting certificate if available.

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): waives vehicle damage costs in case of a collision. NOC (Non-Operation Charge): a fee for lost revenue when the vehicle is out of service for repairs, 20,000–50,000 JPY. Purchase both CDW + NOC for 100% exemption.

1) Stay safe, turn on hazard lights. 2) Call the police at 110 (mandatory by law). 3) Call the car rental company's hotline (number on the rental agreement). 4) Take photos of the overall scene + the other party's documents.

Yes, if it's an IDP Geneva 1949 issued by the Vietnamese Department of Transport (booklet format, not a card). Bring both your Vietnamese license + IDP.

Yes — select the 'English GPS' add-on for 550 JPY/day when booking. You can enter destinations using map codes, phone numbers, or English names.

Most cars from model year 2022+ support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via a USB port — you can project English Google Maps from your phone onto the car screen.

Yes — 540 JPY/day, please book in advance. Child seats are mandatory for children under 6 years old according to Japanese law.

Passenger cars (kei/compact/SUV/luxury) = NON-SMOKING. Smoking in the car will incur a 30,000–50,000 JPY deodorization penalty. Some trucks/campers have separate smoking compartments.

Yes — free of charge. The additional driver must bring their IDP + national license + passport to the registration counter when picking up the car.

Based on the number of seat belts — kei 4, compact/midsize/SUV 5, minivan 7–8, camper 6. Children still count as one person.

An additional fee of 5,000–20,000 JPY applies, depending on the route. One-way rentals within Hokkaido and Honshu are common. Transfers to other islands (Kyushu, Okinawa) are generally not supported.

Yes — 330 JPY/day. It's used for automatic toll gates and is significantly cheaper than paying cash.

Yes — 660 JPY/day, provided at the car pick-up counter. Alternatively, using your own eSIM is more convenient.

Check the sticker inside the fuel cap: Regular 91 (red), High-octane / Premium 95+ (yellow), Diesel (blue). Using the wrong fuel will damage the engine, and the customer will be responsible for all repair costs.

Mandatory — refuel the tank completely at the nearest gas station before returning the car, and KEEP THE RECEIPT as proof. Returning the car not full → penalty of 2,500–5,000 JPY + fuel cost.

On the LEFT (similar to the UK, Australia, Singapore). The steering wheel is on the right. Roundabouts are driven clockwise.

Regular roads 50–60 km/h, expressways 80–100 km/h (some new sections 120). Speed cameras are very common.

Approximately 25 JPY/km. Tokyo→Osaka is about 13,000 JPY. For multi-day trips, we recommend purchasing an ETC Pass (Tourist) for 7,500 JPY/3 days.

Studless tires (winter tires without studs) — DO NOT use snow chains. They are mandatory in snowy regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Nagano.

From December 1st to March 31st, they are mandatory in: Hokkaido, Tohoku (Aomori/Iwate/Akita/Yamagata/Miyagi/Fukushima), Koshinetsu (Niigata/Nagano/Yamanashi), Hokuriku (Toyama/Ishikawa/Fukui), San-in (Tottori/Shimane). No winter tires = vehicle delivery refused.

Yes — mandatory in Hokkaido + Tohoku from November to April. Add-on 1,080 JPY/day. Without snow tires: the rental company will refuse to deliver the vehicle.

Coin parking is common (200–600 JPY/hour). Ports/airports offer free parking for vehicle returns. DO NOT park outside the lines — fine of 15,000 JPY + vehicle towed.

The renter bears 100% responsibility — pay the fine at the police station (15,000–25,000 JPY) + towing fee if applicable (approximately 30,000 JPY). Report immediately to the rental company for assistance with procedures.

Book it along with your vehicle reservation (330 JPY/day) or rent it at the pickup counter. ETC reduces toll fees by 25–30% compared to cash payments.

Service Area (SA): toilets, convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, sometimes onsen. Parking Area (PA): toilets + vending machines. Michi-no-Eki (regular roads): local produce markets + restaurants.

Currently, it's ~170–180 JPY/liter for Regular 91. Premium 95 is about ~10 JPY/liter more expensive. Diesel is ~150 JPY/liter. Stations in suburban areas are 5–10 JPY cheaper than central Tokyo.

Self (セルフ): 3–5 JPY/liter cheaper, you pump it yourself. Press the screen → select Regular/Premium/Diesel → insert card/cash → pump. Full-service (フルサービス): staff will pump for you, it's more expensive but they offer free window cleaning and oil checks.

Visa / Mastercard / JCB / Amex. A credit card in the main driver's name is required at the counter for a security deposit of 30,000–50,000 JPY (which will be released after 7–14 days).

Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, American Express, Discover. Debit and prepaid cards are usually NOT accepted at the counter (a real credit card is required).

Some companies accept cash for the final payment, but a credit card is still required for the security deposit. Some companies require 100% credit card payment.

Yes — High Season (cherry blossoms late March to early April, Golden Week April 29–May 5, Obon mid-August, New Year's December 28–January 5) is 30–80% more expensive than Regular Season. Book early to get lower prices.

No — all rental cars in Japan come with unlimited mileage. You only pay based on the number of days + add-ons + fuel + tolls.

Over 1 hour: charged according to the overage price list (~1,000–2,000 JPY/hour). Over 6 hours: charged as a full day. Notify in advance if you need an extension to get a better rate.

No. The quoted price includes the vehicle + basic insurance + tax. Add-ons (CDW+, child seat, snow tyre, ETC) are displayed before confirmation.

Reservation deposit is 0% (card pre-authorization only). Counter deposit: 30,000–50,000 JPY depending on the car class.

Pre-authorization release is automatic after 7–14 days. Cancellation refunds: 5–10 business days to the payment card.

1) PRIORITIZE SAVING LIVES — call an ambulance at 119 if anyone is injured. 2) Report to the police at 110 (MANDATORY by Japanese law, even for minor scratches — not reporting = loss of insurance). 3) Call the car rental company's hotline (number on the rental agreement or stickered inside the car).

If CDW IS PURCHASED: only responsible for NOC (Non-Operation Charge) 20,000–50,000 JPY. WITHOUT CDW: responsible for the full damage, which can exceed 150,000 JPY+. It is recommended to purchase CDW + NOC to be 100% exempt.

Insurance is void if: driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, not having a valid license/IDP, not reporting to the police immediately after an accident, violating the contract (allowing an undeclared person to drive, driving off-road…), damage due to natural disasters/war.

Contact the car rental office immediately — most companies keep lost items for 30 days. After that, they transfer them to the police. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to retrieve.

JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) provides 24/7 roadside assistance: call 0570-00-8139 (#8139 from a Japanese phone). Or call the car rental company's hotline — they will coordinate JAF for free. Roadside assistance fees: usually free for members/renters.

Yes — JAF has a 24/7 English hotline (0570-00-8139). OlaChill also provides support via Zalo/LINE/email with a multilingual team.

8:00 AM–11:00 PM JST (Japan Standard Time). 24/7 emergency support is available via the car rental company's hotline and JAF #8139.