Osaka Car Rental Guide: 7 Services and Discounts for Visitors to Japan

Explore Osaka by Rental Car

Photo by Pixta

Osaka is Japan's second-largest city. Its well-developed train and subway system makes accessing sightseeing spots in the city center convenient.

However, we recommend renting a car to travel in the suburbs and neighboring areas, such as Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo, Shiga, and Wakayama!

This article introduces everything you need to know about Osaka car rentals—from rent-a-car companies offering discount services to the perfect spots for picking up your car.

Osaka Car Rental Guide

1. 7 Car Rental Services in Osaka

2. Where Can You Rent a Car in Osaka?

3. 4 Recommended Pick Up Points

Handy and Reasonably-Priced! 7 Osaka Rent-a-Car Shops

Photo by Pixta

The cost of renting a car varies on the season. This article includes coupons exclusively for MATCHA readers, and we'll also introduce services offered by rent-a-car shops known for their low prices.

*Note: Besides the seven rent-a-car shops introduced in this article, Osaka has many other discount rent-a-car outlets. Please note that many of these companies only offer services in Japanese, and you may not be able to rent a car nor be eligible for insurance as an overseas visitor.

1. Nippon Rent-a-Car

Nippon Rent-a-Car is a car rental agency with 560 locations throughout Japan. This long-established company is known for its high-quality service.

The shop offers a variety of vehicle types, from compact cars to station wagons. This makes it ideal for traveling with a few passengers, families, and large groups. Please refer to their official website in English.

By using the discount for MATCHA readers, you'll receive 10% off the car rental fee.

Get 10% off with Nippon Rent-a-Car (English)!

2. Nissan Rent a Car

Nissan Rent a Car is a service provided by Nissan Motor Corporation, a world leader in car manufacturing. You can rent cars with beautiful designs utilizing the latest technology.

They also have an English website. If you make a reservation on their MATCHA-affiliated site, you'll receive 10% off your rental fee. See the link below!

Get 10% off with Nissan Rent a Car (Japanese)!

3. AXCELIA (Kansai Airport only)

At AXCELIA, you can rent a fuel-efficient hybrid car or even a seven-seater minivan at a reasonable price. They opened their Kansai Airport location in April 2024.

Their official website offers services in several languages, including English.

4. JR Rent-a-Car (JR Stations only)

JR Rent-A-Car is operated by the Japan Railways Group (JR). They have locations inside major JR stations, including Shin-Osaka Station and Osaka Station.

When you purchase a JR train ticket and a car rental together at JR Rent-A-Car, you'll receive discounts on JR tickets and express fares. Please refer to their official English website.

5. Toyota Rent a Car

TOYOTA Rent a Car is Japan's largest car rental service. They proudly rent out Toyota cars that are safe and have good gas mileage.

Although they don't offer discounts, we recommend them for their reliable service.

6. Times Car Rental

Times CAR RENTAL, which also offers parking and car sharing services, is another Japanese car rental company. There aren't any discounts here either, but they offer a high level of trustworthy service.

7.Klook

Customers can also make car rental reservations on the experience reservation site Klook. Please use this website to compare the prices of various services before choosing a rental car.

Click here to rent a car with Klook!

Where Can You Rent a Car in Osaka?

There are rent-a-car shops in various parts of Osaka. However, we recommend considering some of the points listed below for our overseas visitors.

Recommended Airport and Main Stations

Photo by Pixta

Many staff members at Japanese rent-a-car shops aren't used to serving overseas visitors, so the application procedure can often take some time.

With that in mind, we recommend using a location inside an airport or major station, such as Kansai Airport or Osaka Station. The paperwork will go more smoothly here.

Another benefit of using a location in an airport or major train station is that you won't have to carry large suitcases around.

Choose a Shop Near Your Intended Sightseeing Spot

Hanshin Expressway Loop 1 Route 　Photo by Pixta

Streets in the heart of Osaka are often congested. The Hanshin Expressway Loop 1 Route, which runs through the city center, also has rather confusing connecting streets and street junctions.

It's not uncommon for drivers to take the wrong expressway off-ramp or miss their intended off-ramp by not making the necessary lane change in time.

Considering this, choosing a car rental shop near your destination is best.

Regarding streets in Osaka, please take a look at Let's Drive the Hanshin Expressway.

Our Top 4 Recommended Pick Up Points

Next, we'll introduce the best pick-up points for overseas visitors renting a car in Osaka, as well as sightseeing spots close to the shop and nearby car rental shops.

1. Kansai Airport

Photo by Pixta

Kansai Airport is an overseas airport in Osaka. There's a service counter inside the airport, so you can easily access the car rental outlet. Another bonus is that the staff is used to serving overseas visitors.

The airport is located on an island. To get there or back, you'll need to use the connecting bridge. Please note that the bridge toll for compact cars is 730 yen and 940 yen for regular cars.

Easily Accessible Sightseeing Spots

For Wakayama Prefecture and spots such as Mt. Koya, Shirahama, and Kumano Kodo, renting a car at Kansai Airport will help you reach your destination smoothly.

Car Rental Shops Near the Airport

Inside Kansai Airport, you'll be pleased to find Nippon Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent a Car, Toyota Rent a Car, Times Car Rental, and Orix Rent a Car.

Also, AXCELIA, which rents minivans ideal for group trips, offers a convenient airport shuttle bus service.

Karunori Rent a Car also offers a shuttle bus service from Rinku-Town Station, just one station from Kansai Airport.

Get 10% off with Nippon Rent-a-Car at Kansai Airport (English)!

Get 10% off with Nissan Rent a Car at Kansai Airport (Japanese)!

2. Nankai Namba Station

Photo by Pixta

Nankai Namba Station is about 40 minutes from Kansai Airport by train. This station serves as a gateway for entering Osaka from Kansai Airport.

The station is also a convenient starting point when going on a tour of greater Osaka.

Nankai Namba Station sits in the middle of Osaka's largest shopping and entertainment district, Namba. The streets are often congested, so please exercise caution when driving in this area.

Easily Accessible Sightseeing Spots

In addition to Nara Prefecture, it's also close to sightseeing spots in Osaka Prefecture, such as Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tempozan Park, and Legoland.

Recommended Car Rental Shops

Conveniently located nearby is the Nankai Namba Station South Exit Nippon Rent-a-Car office and Times Car Namba Station office. If you walk toward Namba Station, you'll also find offices for Nissan Rent a Car and Toyota Rent a Car.

Get 10% off with Nippon Rent-a-Car Nankai Namba Station (English)!

Get 10% off with Nissan Rent a Car at JR Namba Station (Japanese)!

3. Osaka Station & Umeda Station Area

Photo by Pixta

JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station are located in the heart of Osaka. After initially visiting spots within the city by train and subway, these stations are convenient car rental spots when wanting to explore the suburbs.

Easily Accessible Sightseeing Spots

Some easy-to-get-to-spots include Amanohashidate, the town of Ine, Kobe, and Awaji Island.

Car Rental Shops Near the Station

JR Rent-a-Car has an office near JR Osaka Station. Also near the station are Nippon Rent-a-Car, Toyota Rent a Car, and Nissan Rent a Car.

Get 10% off with Nippon Rent-a-Car at Osaka Station (English)!

Get 10% off with Nissan Rent a Car at Osaka Station (Japanese)!

4. Shin-Osaka

Photo by Pixta

Shin-Osaka Station is along the Shinkansen route. We recommend renting a car at Shin-Osaka Station when coming to Osaka by Shinkansen from Tokyo and other points.

Easily Accessible Sightseeing Spots

Shin-Osaka is situated north of the just-mentioned Nankai Namba Station and Osaka Station. We recommend Shin-Osaka for spots in Kyoto, such as Kyoto City and Amanohashidate, as well as Kobe and Awaji Island.

Car Rental Shops Near the Station

Nippon Rent-a-Car, JR Rent-a-Car, Toyoto Rent a Car, and Nissan Rent a Car are all nearby.

Get 10% off with Nippon Rent-a-Car at Shin-Osaka Station (English)!

Get 10% off with Nissan Rent a Car at Shin-Osaka Station (Japanese)!

Let's Enjoy a Road Trip in Osaka!

There are many great driving spots in the Osaka area.

Using this article as a reference, please rent the car that's perfect for your needs. Then fully enjoy your travels in the Kansai Region!

Main image by Pixta (Ise-Shima Skyline, which is about 3 hours from Osaka)