Renting a Car in Tokyo: When It Pays Off, Costs and Parking

Short answer: train or car?

Tokyo has one of the densest rail networks in the world, and the city centre is built around it. A rental car adds parking costs and time at every stop, so the right choice depends on where you are going, not on the car itself.

When trains are the better choice

For a few days in central Tokyo, we recommend not having a car. JNTO, the Japan National Tourism Organization, notes that parking can be difficult to find in urban centres and that you may be penalised if you do not park in a designated space. Its road-trip checklist adds that parking in larger cities "can really add up" and that free hotel parking is common in rural areas but not in cities.

In practice, a day of sightseeing in the centre means paying for a car park at every stop, finding it in narrow side streets, and paying expressway tolls each time you use the urban expressway. The train takes you to the door of most sights, and the car simply waits at your hotel at a nightly fee.

When a car is the better choice

A car is worth it as soon as you leave the dense rail area or need to carry people and luggage:

• Day trips and short road trips: the Mt Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes area, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula and the Boso Peninsula are easier with a car when you want several viewpoints, onsen and restaurants in one day.
• Families: no transfers with pushchairs, and a child seat in the car. Child seats are available on request, subject to availability.
• Luggage: five seats, three large suitcases and 605 L of boot space (1,620 L with the rear seats folded).
• Airport days: the car goes from the terminal to your first destination without changing trains with suitcases. Go on hands over and takes back cars from 09:00 to 20:00, so plan both times inside that window.

Before you drive, read our guide to Japan's road rules for visitors. If you plan to drive in snowy areas in winter, winter tyres are needed: please ask us before you book.

Costs to expect

We do not quote typical fuel or car-park prices, because they change by week and by street. Read the price on the pump and on the car-park sign. Ask us about ETC card availability before your trip. For self-service pumps, see how to refuel a rental car in Japan.

How parking works in Tokyo

Parking on the street is prohibited almost everywhere in Tokyo. Use a paid car park and pay before you leave.

Coin parking (コインパーキング)

Small unmanned car parks, often a few spaces between buildings. Three common types:

1. Lock-plate type: park in a numbered bay; a plate rises under the car after a few minutes. To leave, enter the bay number at the machine and pay; the plate goes down.
2. Gate type: take a ticket at the barrier on entry and pay at the machine or the exit gate.
3. Gateless camera type: a camera reads the number plate; pay at the machine with your bay or plate number.

The sign shows the price per time unit, day and night rates, and often a maximum charge (最大料金). Read the conditions: a maximum often applies once only or to set hours. 満 means full, 空 means spaces available.

On-street parking meters

Some streets have time-limited parking sections with meters or ticket machines. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police explain that you pay before parking, the machines take 100-yen coins only, the sign shows the hours and the time limit (for example 60 minutes), and you cannot extend. Staying longer is a parking violation.

Hotel parking

Ask your hotel before you book: whether it has parking, whether you must reserve, the price per night, and whether you can drive in and out. Many city hotels use mechanical car parks with size limits, so give them the size of our car: 4,570 × 1,800 × 1,480 mm (length × width × height).

Park and ride

If you keep the car while staying in Tokyo, leave it at the hotel and take the train into the centre. At your destination outside the city, park once and walk or use local transport. The easiest park and ride is having no car in Tokyo at all, as shown below.

No-parking enforcement and fines

• Who checks: police officers and parking enforcement officers put a yellow tag (放置車両確認標章) on illegally parked cars. A short stop also counts if the driver cannot drive the car away immediately.
• How much (ordinary car, Tokyo Metropolitan Police):

• What to do: go to the police station written on the tag, then pay at a bank or post office. Keep the receipt and show it to us at return.
• If you do not pay: the notice comes to us as the car's registered user. Under our rental terms the fine is the driver's responsibility: we pay it and charge you the amount plus a ¥3,300 handling fee to the card saved at booking, after emailing you an itemised statement. Towing costs are also paid by the driver.

Recommended pattern: Tokyo by train, car from Haneda

1. Arrive at Haneda and take the train to your hotel. No car, no parking fees.
2. See Tokyo by train and subway.
3. On the day you leave Tokyo, go back to Haneda and pick up the car at Terminal 3, P5 car park, 8th floor, between 09:00 and 20:00. The handover takes about 30 minutes because your documents are checked online in advance. See the Terminal 3 pick-up guide.
4. Drive to Mt Fuji, Hakone, Izu or the Boso Peninsula, with no city-centre parking to worry about.
5. Return the car at the same place before your flight, with a full tank and any fines paid. If your flight leaves before 09:00 or late at night, return the car by 20:00 the day before.

Book online at least 48 hours ahead: check availability and book. Keep our emergency and driving guide on your phone during the trip.