Rental Guide
How To Guide
Everything you need for a smooth rental experience in Osaka
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Pickup & Return
Picking up your vehicle — 3 steps
- 1Go to our rental car shop. Present valid driving license and ID document of all drivers.
- 2Verify the rental contract details and sign the printed "貸渡証" (rental certificate) on-site.
- 3Check the condition of the vehicle, then start driving!
Office location
4-chōme-3-21, Kōenminamiyata, Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan 〒546-0024
If you want to pick up the rental car at another location or out of office hours, please contact us directly via instant messaging.
ID documents required
- ▸Foreigners: Passport + valid International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention) + home country's driving license
- ▸Residents of Japan: My Number Card / Residence Card / Passport
- ▸Translation exception: Drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Taiwan, Monaco, Estonia, or Slovenia may use their original driver's licence with an official JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) translation, without needing an International Driving Permit.
Returning the vehicle — 3 steps
- 1Fill the tank at the designated gas station near our office before you return the car.
- 2Drive the car to our rental car office or the designated location as previously arranged with our staff.
- 3Check the car condition and gasoline level with our staff, and pay any additional fees or penalties if incurred.
Designated gas station address
8-chōme-11-26 Karita, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, Japan 〒558-0011
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Drive Safely
Traffic Rules in Japan
- ▸Keep to the LEFT side of the road.
- ▸Vehicles turning LEFT have right-of-way. Turning right: wait for oncoming vehicles.
- ▸Pedestrians ALWAYS have right of way at crosswalks, with or without traffic lights. Bicycles at crosswalks: wait for them too.
- ▸Stop COMPLETELY before crossing railroad tracks. Check both directions.
- ▸ALL occupants must wear seatbelts.
- ▸Children under 6 must be in a child seat.
- ▸Orange solid lines: no overtaking and no crossing.
- ▸White solid lines: lane-changing within the line is allowed; crossing is prohibited.
Speed Limits
- ▸Follow signs and road markings.
- ▸If no signs: regular roads = 60 km/h; expressways = 100 km/h.
- ▸Three-wheel vehicles (e.g. BRP Can-Am Ryker): max 80 km/h on expressways.
- ▸Speeding fines: ¥9,000–¥35,000 depending on excess speed.
Key Road Signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed limit | Do not exceed the indicated speed |
| Stop (止まれ) | Come to a complete stop before the line |
| Slow down | Reduce speed so you can stop immediately |
| No parking or stopping | Vehicles may not park or stop |
| No parking | No parking; brief stops within 5 minutes allowed |
| Train crossing | Railroad crossing ahead |
Traffic Violation Notice
If a "Notice of Traffic Violation" sticker is on your car:
- 1Go to the police station shown on the sticker.
- 2Pay the fine at a bank or post office immediately.
- 3Present proof of payment when returning the car.
If you fail to complete the above before returning the car, a penalty fee of ¥30,000 will be charged in addition to any fines.
Penalty Fine Reference
These are reference amounts only — actual fines are determined by police. Penalties scale with the severity of the violation. See the official Japan National Police Agency website for the latest figures.
| Type of Offence | Penalty Fine |
|---|---|
| Parking Violations | ¥10,000–¥18,000 |
| Speeding Violations | ¥9,000–¥35,000 |
| Mobile phone while driving (holding) | ¥18,000 |
| Ignoring traffic signals | ¥7,000–¥9,000 |
| Failure to stop at designated place | ¥7,000 |
Seasonal Safety Advisory
- ▸Watch for school zones, especially during commute hours.
- ▸Cyclists frequently overtake from the LEFT — always check before turning or stopping.
- ▸In winter (mainly December–March), tyre chains or studless winter tyres may be required in mountainous regions or when snow is forecast. Some prefectures enforce this by law.
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Parking
Important Parking Notes ⚠️
- ⚠️ Height restriction warning: Most mechanical (multi-storey) parking lots have a height limit of around 1.55 m and are not suitable for camper vans or three-wheeled motorcycles.
- ⚠️ Overnight stays (車中泊) are not permitted at every parking lot. It is the renter's responsibility to verify the rules before parking. Any fines for violations are borne by the renter.
- We recommend RV parks (露營車専用 RV Park), Michi-no-Eki (道の駅), or designated campgrounds for overnight stays.
Key rule: Parking on roads unattended is ILLEGAL. Always use designated parking lots.
Types of parking in Japan
- Parking meters: Pay in advance. No extensions. Cannot pay afterwards.
- Locking plate coin parking (コインパーキング): Note your space number. Pay at the machine to lower the locking plate before driving out.
- Shopping centre parking: Gates at entrance. Parking tickets manage time/fees. Check the free parking duration and waiving policy.
- Monthly parking (月極駐車場): Leased monthly — DO NOT park here. Unauthorised parking is trespassing.
Parking violations
- ▸Illegal to leave the car on the road unattended, even briefly. Always use designated areas.
- ▸If a parking violation sticker is affixed: go to police station, complete procedures, pay immediately.
Penalty Fine Reference
These are reference amounts only — actual fines are determined by police. Penalties scale with the severity of the violation. See the official Japan National Police Agency website for the latest figures.
| Type of Offence | Penalty Fine |
|---|---|
| Parking Violations | ¥10,000–¥18,000 |
| Speeding Violations | ¥9,000–¥35,000 |
| Mobile phone while driving (holding) | ¥18,000 |
| Ignoring traffic signals | ¥7,000–¥9,000 |
| Failure to stop at designated place | ¥7,000 |
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Accidents & Insurance
Insurance Coverage
The following are standard coverage figures. Actual deductibles and coverage limits vary by vehicle — please refer to each vehicle's detail page.
| Type | Compensation Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury | Unlimited per person (includes automobile liability insurance) |
| Property damage | Unlimited per accident (deductible varies by vehicle — see car detail page) |
| Vehicle damage | Coverage limit and deductible vary by vehicle — see car detail page |
| Personal injury | Unlimited per passenger (during ride only) |
Damages exceeding limits or not covered by insurance are fully borne by the renter or driver.
NOT covered by insurance
- ▸Rental period extended without permission
- ▸No police accident report obtained
- ▸Unlicensed driving, driving under the influence, or drug-impaired driving
- ▸Unauthorised drivers (drivers not listed on the rental agreement)
- ▸Driving on non-public roads (off-road, rough/unpaved roads)
- ▸Driving on racetracks or any beach/sand areas
- ▸Any other violation of the rental agreement
- ▸*The Company reserves the right to pursue further claims.
Steps when an accident occurs
- 1Assist the injured. Move the vehicle to a safe location. Set up warning lights.
- 2If injured: call 119 (ambulance). Report the accident to police at 110 and file an accident report.
- 3Do NOT settle claims privately — you may lose insurance coverage.
- 4Contact our staff immediately and explain the details.
Emergency Numbers
Ambulance / Fire Engine
119
Police
110
Roadside Assistance (JAF)
Japan Automobile Federation — 24h / 365 days nationwide
📞 06-6455-0123 (Kansai Call Centre)
📞 0570-00-8139 (Navi Dial)
Services: Towing, flat tires, wheels in ditch, dead battery, fuel outage, keys locked in car.
Non-Operation Charge (NOC)
If an accident, theft, breakdown, or contamination requires repair or cleaning, the rental contract is automatically terminated and the following NOC applies:
| Situation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Able to be driven to designated location | Minimum ¥20,000 |
| Unable to be driven to designated location | Minimum ¥50,000 |
No refunds for any payments made. No replacement car provided.