<p>First, make a booking on their website. They have Japanese, Chinese, and English options. This takes about five minutes.</p>

First, make a booking on their website. They have Japanese, Chinese, and English options. This takes about five minutes. (Photo: Selena Hoy)

Easy Peasy at Times Car Rental

Car rental in Japan made painless

Selena Hoy Dec 12, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>First, make a booking on their website. They have Japanese, Chinese, and English options. This takes about five minutes.</p>

<p>Rock up to the Times Car Rental kiosk near you. This is the Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel location. </p>

<p>Fill out the required paperwork. If you have an international driver's license, you'll also need to present a passport. For a Japanese driver's license, no passport is necessary. This paperwork took less than ten minutes. </p>

<p>Key in hand, you'll proceed to pick up the car. The Note has radio keys that you can keep in your pocket. Less likely that you'll lock yourself out of the car that way. </p>

<p>Before taking off, the attendant will go over any pre-existing damage to car the car and you'll sign a waiver. Be sure to check to make sure any nicks or dents you can find on the car are shown in the paperwork. </p>

<p>Time to drive! I got a shiny new Nissan Note, which got excellent gas mileage - a round trip from Shin Yokohama to Tochigi took only 1/4 a tank of gas. </p>

<p>If you're in a pay garage, they'll give you a parking card like this to get out. The paperwork was also available in English and had handy tips like basic traffic laws in Japan, as well as all the contracts and explanations.</p>

<p>The car I rented came with a navigation system, with a choice of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or English. Made getting to my destination very easy. </p>

<p>Upon returning the car, you'll need to fill the tank back up to full, and keep the receipt to show that you've done so. There's also an option to return the car with a partial tank, and you'll pay a (slightly) premium price per liter. </p>

<p>Don't forget to enjoy the beautiful scenery! Enjoy the drive!</p>

Renting a car in Japan doesn't have to be a hassle. My experience at Times Car Rental was friendly and fast, and their language support was quite good too. All told, it took about ten minutes from the time I walked up to the counter to the time I had the key in hand and was getting into the car. Renting a car is a great way to explore those hidden parts of Japan that are not accessible by public transportation, and a good way to get a feeling for the landscape on your own schedule.

Selena Hoy

Selena Hoy @selena.hoy

Curious person loves coffee shops, walking, vegetarian food, thunderstorms, and puttering.