Car Hire In Fuji, Japan: Explore Mount Fuji On Your Own Schedule

Compare competitive prices and use this comprehensive UK-focused guide to pick the right collection point, insurance and add-ons for stress-free driving around Fuji.

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Fuji Car Hire Guide For UK Travellers

Hiring a car for Fuji is often the easiest way to reach trailheads, lakes (Kawaguchiko and beyond), viewpoints and rural onsen areas on your own schedule—especially early morning or outside peak train/bus times. For UK travellers, the main adjustments are driving on the left (same as the UK), understanding Japanese road signs and speed limits, and arranging the right documents (a valid UK licence plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention). Costs can be competitive for couples or families when you factor in time saved and access to less-served areas, but be prepared for tolls on expressways, seasonal congestion around Mount Fuji, and limited parking in some popular spots.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) – Gateway For Driving To Fuji

Haneda is a common arrival point for UK travellers and has multiple on-airport and nearby rental desks. Pick-up here suits travellers who want to drive straight to the Fuji area (typically 2–3 hours depending on traffic). Advantages: long opening hours, wide vehicle choice, English-language support, and easy add-ons like ETC toll cards and child seats. Disadvantages: city traffic leaving Tokyo, higher toll exposure, and potential drop-off fees if returning elsewhere. Navigation: follow airport signage for 'Car Rental' counters (Terminal 1/2/3) and the designated pick-up areas; confirm the exact shuttle/pick-up instructions in your voucher as some brands use short shuttle transfers.

Shin-Fuji Station Area (Shinkansen Access)

A practical collection point if you arrive by bullet train and want to avoid Tokyo driving. Pros: straightforward access, quick exit towards major roads, and often calmer pick-up compared with airports. Cons: smaller fleets than big airports, limited after-hours returns, and you may need to book ahead during weekends/holiday seasons.

Fujinomiya Station / City Centre

Convenient for exploring the southern Fuji area, including Fujinomiya trails and local attractions. Pros: easy to combine with local accommodation, shorter drives to some trailheads, and typically simpler parking than larger cities. Cons: fewer automatic transmission options at short notice (book early if you prefer automatic), and limited stock of larger SUVs/MPVs in peak periods.

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Airport Pick-Up: More Choice, Longer Hours, Easier Add-Ons

Collecting at a major airport (commonly Haneda or Narita for Fuji-bound trips) typically offers the widest vehicle selection, clearer English support, and convenient extras such as ETC toll cards and child seats. It can be great value if you are travelling as a pair or family and want to drive directly into the Fuji region, but factor in expressway tolls and urban traffic at peak times.

Discover Top-Rated Car Hire Near Mount Fuji

Read genuine customer reviews and compare trusted local car rental agencies across the Fuji region to find the right vehicle for your journey.

Rental company	Rating	Avg. Daily Rate	Pickup Method/Distance	Security deposit	Key Advantages
Best Overall	4.3 9800+ reviews	$129	15.5 mi from Fuji Downtown	-	●Friendly and professional staff ●Quick and efficient service ●Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
	1.5 420+ reviews	$299	15.6 mi from Fuji Downtown	-	●Quick pick-up and return ●Great value rates ●Well-maintained vehicles
	1.0 74 reviews	$64	15.4 mi from Fuji Downtown	-	●Standard pickup and return process ●Competitive pricing structure
	0.0 Not available	$126	15.5 mi from Fuji Downtown	-	●Wide car selection ●Quick pick-up and return ●Convenient pick-up locations

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental

Last updated: Jun. 13 2026

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A Comprehensive Guide to Refuelling in Japan

This guide offers essential tips for navigating petrol stations in Japan, covering self-service and full-service options, payment methods, and fuel types.

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Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

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Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

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10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

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Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Shizuoka Airport and Station capture 60% of pickups in the Fuji region, with Toyota Rent a Car leading at 25-30% market share nationally."

Booking Patterns

"Compact cars dominate at 45% in the Fuji region, while SUV demand surges 20% for coastal routes, with 65-68% booking 1-2 weeks ahead."

Customer Pain Points

"Hidden fees concerns affect 52-56% of renters, with airport surcharges of ¥2,000-5,000 being the most commonly cited issue."

Data Sources

QEEQ internal booking databse
Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Statistics 2024
Statista - Japan Car Rental Market Outlook 2024/2025
Mordor Intelligence - Japan Car Rental Market Report 2024
JTB Tourism Research - Japan Travel Trends 2024
Japan Car Rental Association - Seasonal Trends Report 2024
Statista - Fleet size of auto rental enterprises in Japan 2025
Consumer Affairs Agency Japan - Complaint Statistics 2024
Japan Tourism Agency Consumer Survey 2024-2025
J.D. Power Japan Rental Car Satisfaction Study 2024

Popular Self-Drive Routes & Trips From Fuji, Japan

Route Options:

Fuji City To Lake Tanuki & Mount Fuji Foothills Loop

Scenic nature loop2–3 hours (driving time ~1–1.5 hours, excluding stops)

A relaxed loop through the western foothills of Mount Fuji, ideal for lakeside views, short walks and clear-day panoramas. Best in the morning for calmer winds and cleaner visibility.

Lake Tanuki (Tanukiko), Asagiri Kogen (Asagiri Highlands), Road Station Asagiri Kogen (Michi-no-Eki), Shiraito Falls, Otodome Falls

Fuji City To Numazu & Uchiura Bay Coastal Drive

Coastal scenery and seafood2.5–4 hours (driving time ~1–1.5 hours, excluding stops)

A coastal route to Suruga Bay for port-town atmosphere, sea views and fresh seafood. Add an aquarium visit or a short detour to viewpoints depending on time.

Numazu Port, Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium, Senbonhama Park, Uchiura Bay, Awashima Marine Park

Fuji City To Miho-no-Matsubara & Shimizu Bay Drive

Cultural coastline and viewpoints3–5 hours (driving time ~2 hours, excluding stops)

A classic Shizuoka-area drive combining pine-grove coastline with bay views and a lively harbour district. On clear days, Mount Fuji silhouettes beautifully across the water.

Miho-no-Matsubara, Hagoromo-no-Matsu, Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Shimizu Fish Market (Kashi-no-Ichi)

Popular Day Trips:

Shiraito Falls & Asagiri Highlands Half-Day Escape

4–6 hours

An easy half-day trip for waterfalls, highland scenery and roadside local produce. Great if you want nature without a long drive.

Fuji Five Lakes Highlights (Kawaguchiko Focus)

8–10 hours

A full-day classic around Mount Fuji’s northern lakes. Prioritise Lake Kawaguchi for viewpoints, lakeside cafés and photo stops; start early to beat traffic.

Izu Peninsula Sampler (Coast, Onsens & Views)

10–12 hours

A longer day trip for dramatic coastline, small seaside towns and optional hot-spring breaks. Choose one coast (west or east) to keep it comfortable.

Shizuoka City Culture & Food Drive

7–9 hours

Combine viewpoints, shrine history and a harbour food stop. Ideal if the mountain is cloudy and you prefer urban comfort with scenic lookouts.

Car Rental Planning Tips (Fuji Area)

Bring The Right Licence Documents: Japan typically requires an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva) alongside your home licence and passport (or a recognised Japanese translation for certain countries). Check eligibility before you fly.

Plan For Expressway Tolls: Motorways are fast but can be pricey. Consider adding an ETC card and in-car unit via your rental to streamline toll gates, especially on busy routes towards the Fuji Five Lakes and Shizuoka.

Fuel Up Before Rural Detours: Around Asagiri Highlands and some lake-side areas, petrol stations can be spaced out and may close earlier. Refuel when you see a convenient station if your tank drops below half.

Time Your Drive For Better Mount Fuji Views: Visibility is often best in the early morning, with clouds more likely later. If Fuji views are your priority, start at sunrise and keep your best viewpoints first.

Expect Paid Parking At Major Sights: Popular areas like Kawaguchiko, Miho-no-Matsubara and waterfall car parks often charge a fee. Carry some cash or a charged IC card where accepted.

Check Seasonal Road Conditions: Winter can bring icy patches in higher elevations (Asagiri, lake areas) and occasional closures. Ask your rental company about tyres (winter tyres) and avoid late-night mountain roads if temperatures drop.

Use Navigation With Japanese Place Names Ready: Save destinations in your map app and keep key locations written in Japanese (or copy-paste). This helps with in-car navigation and when asking locals for directions.

Driving Around Mount Fuji: Essential Japan Road Travel Guide

Your complete guide to car hire, speed limits, fuel prices and drink-driving rules when exploring the Fuji region by road in Japan

LANGUAGES

Japanese

CURRENCY

JPY

DRIVE ON

Left-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+81

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$70 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

40-60 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

80-100 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.03% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.06/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.74/L - $1.18/L

TRAVELER RATING

4.0 / 10

Hiring a Car Near Mount Fuji: FAQs

Practical answers on driving rules, tolls, insurance and winter roads for a self-drive trip around Mt Fuji

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive around Mt Fuji?

Yes. Foreign visitors must carry a valid International Driving Permit (Geneva 1949 convention) plus their home licence. Japan's rules are strict, and British, US, Australian and most EU licences are not accepted on their own. Your IDP must be issued before you arrive in Japan and presented together with the original licence at the rental desk.

Which side of the road do people drive on near Mt Fuji?

Japan drives on the left. If you are used to driving on the right (UK, US, Canada, mainland Europe), take extra care at roundabouts, when overtaking, and at multi-storey car park exits. Most rental cars at Fujiyoshida, Kawaguchiko and Mishima stations are right-hand drive, which makes motorway toll booths and drive-throughs easier to handle.

How do I pay expressway tolls around Mt Fuji?

Most rental cars are fitted with ETC, a Japanese electronic toll tag linked to a card at pickup. You simply use the green ETC lanes and the cost is billed to your rental contract. Cash lanes exist but queues can be long, especially around Fuji and the Chuo Expressway at weekends and during Golden Week.

Is it safe and sensible to drive up to the Fuji Fifth Station in winter?

The Subaru Line is closed to private cars from around mid-October to late April. In winter, even lower roads such as the Yamanaka or Subashiri approaches can have black ice and snow above roughly 1,200 m. Carry winter tyres or chains, drive slowly, and check the Fuji Subaru Line live camera before setting off.

What is the minimum age to rent a car near Mt Fuji, and are there young-driver fees?

Most major suppliers (Toyota, Times, Nippon, Budget) set a minimum rental age of 18-21, but drivers under 25 almost always pay a Young Driver surcharge of roughly JPY 1,100-2,200 per day. Drivers over 65 are generally accepted without an extra fee, though a few operators cap the maximum age at 75.

Do I really need the full insurance package when hiring a car around Fuji?

Basic third-party liability in Japan is low (a few million yen), so the optional CDW, plus a Non-Operation Charge waiver and the “Exemption Compensation” package, is strongly recommended. The Fujisubaru and Hakone mountain roads have frequent rockfall, deer crossings and tight hairpins, where scratches and cracked headlights are common claims for foreign visitors.

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