Car Rental in Nagoya, Japan: A Practical Guide for 2026
Securing a car rental in Nagoya, Japan, allows you to easily explore the Aichi Prefecture and Central Japan.
With major rental hubs at Chubu Centrair International Airport and Nagoya Station, travelers can choose from top local providers like Toyota Rent a Car and Times Car Rental.
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Pick-up: train station · downtown
Pick-up points: Nagoya (all locations) · Nagoya Sakae · Nagoya Railway Station
Partner link — DiscoverCars comparisonGood to know
Driving: on the left.
Local currency: JPY.
| Minimum Driving Age | 18 years old |
| Required IDP Format | 1949 Geneva Convention (Vienna 1968 not accepted) |
| Major Hubs | Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO) & Nagoya Station |
| Key Agencies | Toyota, Times, Nippon, Orix |
| ETC Card Rental Fee | ~330 yen |
| Airport Bridge Toll | 180 yen (one-way) |
Navigating Nagoya and the surrounding Chubu region is highly efficient when you rent a car in Nagoya, Japan. As Japan's fourth-largest city with over 2.3 million residents, Nagoya serves as the perfect starting point for road trips into Central Japan. While the city itself features an excellent public transit network, having your own vehicle is indispensable for visiting scenic mountain destinations, historic villages, and coastal areas that trains cannot easily reach.
This guide covers everything you need to successfully arrange a car hire in Nagoya, Japan. You will find details on the mandatory licensing requirements, including the strict 1949 Geneva Convention rules, and step-by-step instructions for picking up your vehicle at Chubu Centrair International Airport or Nagoya Station. We also outline crucial toll information, such as the discontinuation of the regional Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP), to help you plan your travel budget accurately.
L'essentiel
To rent a car in Nagoya, Japan, drivers must be at least 18 years old. You must present a valid passport, your home country license, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued strictly under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Note that IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention are not valid in Japan. If your license is from specific countries like Germany or France, you must provide an official Japanese translation instead of an IDP.
Driving is on the left side of the road. Tolls are common on expressways, and using an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) card is highly recommended. You can rent an ETC card from agencies like Times Car Rental for a typical fee of around 330 yen. Be aware that the regional Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP) was discontinued on October 1, 2024, so tolls must be paid standardly via your ETC card. Parking in central Nagoya is widely available but rates vary heavily by neighborhood and operator.
Price overview and when to book
When booking a car hire in Nagoya, Japan, rates generally depend on the vehicle class and the season. While specific daily rates fluctuate, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak Japanese travel seasons like Golden Week, Obon, and New Year.
Standard passenger cars are the most common and economical choice. When calculating your total budget, remember to factor in mandatory extras. These include the ETC card rental fee (typically around 330 yen) and expressway tolls. For example, crossing the Chubu International Airport bridge by car incurs a one-way toll of 180 yen. Since regional toll passes like the CEP are no longer available, toll costs will accumulate based on the distance you drive, making early booking of fuel-efficient vehicles a smart way to offset overall travel costs.
Where to pick up your vehicle
The two primary hubs to rent a car in Nagoya, Japan, are Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) and Nagoya Station. Both locations host major Japanese rental agencies, including Toyota Rent a Car, Times Car Rental, Nippon Rent-A-Car, and Orix Rent-A-Car.
- Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO): Rental car counters are conveniently located at the 2F Access Plaza. After completing your paperwork at the counter, you will proceed to the 1st floor for vehicle pickup. Remember that driving to or from the airport involves crossing the airport bridge, which has a one-way toll of 180 yen.
- Nagoya Station: Ideal for travelers arriving via the Shinkansen (bullet train). Multiple rental offices are situated within walking distance of the station exits, offering quick access to the city's highway network.
Tips for trips from the city
Having a rental car in Nagoya opens up the scenic routes of Central Japan. Because the regional CEP toll pass was discontinued in late 2024, you should plan your routes carefully and use an ETC card to manage toll payments seamlessly. Driving allows you to explore mountainous regions, historic towns, and coastal areas at your own pace. Here are some of the most popular driving routes starting from Nagoya:
- Shirakawa-go: A UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
- Takayama: A beautifully preserved historic merchant town in the Hida region.
- Ise Grand Shrine: One of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines, located in Mie Prefecture.
- Gero Onsen: A famous hot spring town nestled along the Hida River.
Where to go by car
| Destination | Distance | Time | Tolls (est.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirakawa-go | ~155 km | ~2 h 15 | — | Visit historic thatched-roof farmhouses in a mountain valley. |
| Takayama | ~165 km | ~2 h 20 | — | Explore preserved Edo-period streets and sample Hida beef. |
| Ise Grand Shrine | ~130 km | ~1 h 45 | — | Visit Japan's most spiritually significant Shinto shrine complex. |
| Gero Onsen | ~100 km | ~1 h 50 | — | Relax in one of Japan's top three historic hot spring towns. |
Tolls: rates vary by country and route segment — check current pricing before you go.