Hire A Car In Matsuyama, Japan — Competitive Prices With A Practical UK Guide

Carry The Right Licence Documents: Most visitors need both their home driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention (plus passport). Japan does not accept all IDP formats, so confirm before you fly.

Expect Tolls On Expressways: Routes to Imabari and beyond often use tolled expressways. Consider an ETC card (or ETC rental) for smoother toll gates, and budget extra for bridge/expressway sections.

Know Fuel Types And Refuelling Etiquette: Most rentals use regular petrol (レギュラー). Many stations are self-service: select fuel type, pay at the machine, then refuel. Return policies often require a full tank—keep the receipt just in case.

Plan Parking In City Areas: Central Matsuyama and Dōgo can be busy; use paid car parks and check maximum height limits if you have an SUV/van. For popular sights, arrive early to secure convenient parking.

Check Weather And Seasonal Road Conditions: Mountain roads can be foggy, icy, or closed seasonally. Before heading towards highland areas (e.g., Ishizuchi), check local road updates and allow extra time for slower sections.

Use Japanese Place Names In Navigation: Some navigation systems work better with Japanese names or phone numbers. Save key destinations (e.g., Imabari, Uchiko, Ozu) and keep offline maps as backup for rural stretches.

Pick The Right Car Size For Rural Roads: Compact cars are easier for narrow streets and small car parks in historic towns. If you plan longer drives with luggage, choose a slightly larger hatchback for comfort without losing manoeuvrability.