6 Car Rental Services at Kansai International Airport

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Renting a car is handy when heading to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and other destinations in western Japan. In addition to discount coupons, this article features 6 car rental shops at Kansai Airport and explains the pros and cons of renting a car at the airport.

Written by

shizuka

Assistant Media Producer.

Born in Tokyo and raised in downtown area, I am a mother of one child (INFJ-A).

In September 2021, I joined MATCHA as an editing assistant.

I also hold a qualification in USDA-certified ORGANIC SUGARING, a hand hair removal technique.

My hobbies include going out with my son and researching properties on my smartphone (I used to work in the real estate industry).

Eating Korean food and watching Korean dramas are my daily stress relief activities.

Photo by Pixta

The Kansai region is home to several of Japan's important sightseeing spots including Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. The gateway to this region is Kansai International Airport (Kansai Airport).

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Today's article introduces recommended car rental shops at Kansai Airport.

Car Rentals at Kansai Airport

The Advantages of Renting a Car at Kansai Airport
The Disadvantages of Renting a Car at Kansai Airport
Car Rental Services at Kansai Airport
1. Nippon Rent-a-Car
2. Nissan Rent a Car
3. Times Car Rental
4. Toyota Rent a Car
5. Orix Rent-a-Car
6. Axcelia: For Those Who Want to Rent a Minivan
How to Rent a Camper

Get 10% off on Nippon Rent-a-Car

The Advantages of Renting a Car at Kansai Airport

Wakayama's popular spot, Kumano Kodo's Nachi Waterfalls. Photo by Pixta

There are many car rental agencies in Osaka Prefecture and also in Osaka City. Among these, renting a car at Kansai Airport has some advantages as mentioned below.

1. Kansai Airport is close to Shirahama, Mt. Koya and Other Wakayama Spots

Kansai Airport is located in the southwest part of Osaka, so it has easy access to Wakayama Prefecture sightseeing spots such as Shirahama, Mt. Koya, and Kumano Kodo.

2. Easy for Groups of People and No Need to Carry Heavy Luggage

When you have heavy suitcases or are moving about with children, going to the station every time to take a train can be really tiring. At times like this, it's so much easier to leave the airport directly by rent-a-car.

3. Many Options Available

There are many car rental agencies near Kansai Airport, so you'll have many options regarding price, type of vehicle, and so on. It'll be a cinch to find the car that suits you best.

The Disadvantages of Renting a Car at Kansai Airport

Photo by Pixta

For those thinking of touring Kyoto or the Kobe area, it might be more convenient to rent a car after arriving in Osaka or at Nankai Namba Station.

But when going to Kyoto from Kansai Airport you will need to pass through the center of Osaka. The loop line is complicated and people often exit the expressway at the wrong place. So if you don't feel confident in navigating these streets, it might be a good idea to rent a car near your intended destination.

*When using the limited express train, it takes about 40 minutes to get to Nankai Namba Station from Kansai Airport. The one-way fare is about 1,000 to 1,500 yen.

If you'd like to rent a car after arriving in Osaka or Kyoto, please also see the MATCHA article directly below. It explains how to get to Osaka and Kyoto from Kansai Airport. It also introduces the most economical car rental agencies near Osaka and Kyoto and how best to use them.

Car Rental Services at Kansai Airport

Photo by Pixta

Five car rental agencies have counters inside Kansai Airport.

The various counters are located in Aeroplaza. Aeroplaza is about three minutes on foot from Terminal 1 via the second floor connecting passage. From Terminal 2 it takes about seven minutes by complimentary shuttle bus.

Also, each car rental agency allows you to pick up your car right near their shop. This is convenient because you won't have to waste time with a pick-up and drop-off.

	Business Hours	Location	Language Support
Nippon Rent-a-Car	8:00 - 21:00	Google Map (Japanese)	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai
Nissan Rent a Car	08:00 - 20:00	Google Map (Japanese)	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai
Toyota Rent a Car	08:00 - 20:00	Google Map (Japanese)	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai
Orix Rent-a-Car	08:00 - 20:00	Google Map (Japanese)	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean
Times Car Rental	08:00 - 20:00	Google Map (Japanese)	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean

Please note that other car rental shops do not have counters at the airport. However, Axcelia offers a service that will dispatch a car to the airport for you.

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1. Nippon Rent-a-Car

Photo is for illustration purposes only

Nippon Rent-a-Car is a big, long-established car rental company with 560 locations throughout Japan.

Its main appeal is the large variety of different car models to choose from. In addition to compact cars, they also rent many minivans which can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Their car navigation systems which are installed as standard equipment (*), support multiple languages. For an extra fee, you have the option of a one-way car rental (no return required at the original location) which is highly attractive.

MATCHA is now offering international visitors a discount coupon for 10% off on Nippon Rent-a-Car. So please make use of this special offer!

*Some cars might be equipped with Japanese-only car navigation systems.

Get 10% off Nippon Rent-a-Car

2. Nissan Rent a Car

Nissan Rent a Car is owned and operated by Nissan Motors, one of the world's leading car manufacturers.

Nissan Rent a Car offers a variety of vehicles including cars equipped with an original technology known as e-Power, as well as X-Trail, an SUV that's highly acclaimed worldwide. These cars—which focus on driving performance, fuel efficiency, and a comfortable interior—can all be rented out at relatively inexpensive prices.

When making a reservation through MATCHA, visitors get a 10% discount on Nissan Rent a Car. Please be sure to check out the link down below!

3. Times Car Rental

Photo is for illustration purposes only

Times Car Rental is a company that also provides parking areas and car sharing services.

Times Car Rental was originally a subsidiary of Mazda, but they offer a wide variety of vehicle rentals in addition to Mazda products. They have many convenient services including one-way rentals for an extra fee.

Make a reservation with Times Car Rental (Kansai Airport) on Klook

4. Toyota Rent a Car

Photo is for illustration purposes only

Toyota Rent a Car is managed by Toyota Rental and Leasing, an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Toyota Rent a Car is the largest company in the rental car industry. With 1,200 locations throughout Japan, they own the largest number of rental cars. They also have an extensive lineup of Toyota rental cars including luxury models.

Make a reservation with Toyota Rent-a-Car on Klook

5. Orix Rent-a-Car

Orix Rent-a-Car is the second largest company in the rental car industry.

Orix Rent-a-Car is not tied to a specific car manufacturer, so customers can rent from a wide selection of different car models. The company also handles trucks and commercial-use vehicles, so many people apparently rent these for moving purposes.

Make a reservation with Orix Rent-a-Car on Klook

6. Axcelia: Ideal for Those Who Want to Rent a Minivan

Axcelia specializes in luxury model cars and minivan-class vehicles. Toyota and Nissan minivans can accommodate from five up to nine passengers. These can be rented for a reasonable price at just 7,500 yen and up per day.

Axcelia has shop locations in Osaka City. But for an extra fee, they also offer a satellite service in which they can dispatch a car to Kansai Airport for you.

MATCHA is currently offering a 10% discount coupon for Axcelia car rentals. Please be sure to check this bargain out.

Get 10% off on a minivan or luxury car rental with Axcelia

7. When You Want to Rent a Camper

Photo by Pixta

The car rental companies introduced in this article mostly feature regular-sized cars.

However, if you have aspirations of traveling around Japan in a camper (recreational vehicle, RV), please see the MATCHA article down below. It gives information on companies that rent campers for international visitors. There's also a MATCHA discount inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it best to make a reservation beforehand?

Yes. In recent years, traveling by rent-a-car has become popular in Japan (including Osaka). In some cases it's not possible to rent a car unless you make a prior reservation. During Japan's Public Holidays it can be particularly difficult to rent a car. So we recommend making a reservation as soon as possible.

What do you need to be aware of when driving in Osaka?

Compared to other prefectures and regions in Japan, many areas in Osaka are prone to traffic congestion. Also, driving along unfamiliar streets for long periods of time can be tiring, so we recommend taking a break.

The loop line that runs through the heart of Osaka has complicated streets, so there have been accidents when drivers tried to change lanes. Even when you aren't able to make your intended lane change, please avoid sudden braking or trying to force your car into a different lane. When driving, please allow yourself enough time so that you can take the next appropriate off-ramp.

Are there also rent-a-car shops besides the ones in Kansai Airport?

Yes. In the case of Osaka, there are plenty of shops in and around the Nankai Namba Station, Osaka Station, and Shin-Osaka Station areas. There are also many car rental shops in Kyoto, especially in the Kyoto Station area.

Enjoy Your Kansai Trip With a Rental Car!

Central Osaka and Kyoto both have convenient public transportation. But when going outside the city or traveling in a large group, renting a car is so handy.

Using today's article as a reference, please find the rental car that suits your individual needs the best!

Read also

Main image by Pixta

Written by

shizuka

Assistant Media Producer.

Born in Tokyo and raised in downtown area, I am a mother of one child (INFJ-A).

In September 2021, I joined MATCHA as an editing assistant.

I also hold a qualification in USDA-certified ORGANIC SUGARING, a hand hair removal technique.

My hobbies include going out with my son and researching properties on my smartphone (I used to work in the real estate industry).

Eating Korean food and watching Korean dramas are my daily stress relief activities.

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.