Car Hire at Beppu Station

Yes, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory for most foreign nationals. Your home country licence alone is not sufficient. The IDP must be obtained before arrival—it's not available in Japan. Accepted IDPs comply with the 1949 Geneva Convention. Processing takes 1-2 weeks in most countries, costing around £15-20. Carry both your original licence and IDP at all times; police checkpoints are common.

Japan drives on the left, which is the opposite of the UK, US, and most European countries. This is one of the biggest adjustment challenges. Steering wheels are on the right side of the vehicle. Take extra care at junctions, roundabouts, and when overtaking. Many rental companies offer brief orientation sessions. Budget an extra 30 minutes at pickup to acclimatise before hitting busy roads.

Most Japanese expressways operate via ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) cards, which are usually included in rental vehicles. Tolls are calculated by distance and can add up quickly—a 100km journey typically costs ¥2,000-3,000 (approximately £10-15). Cash lanes still exist but are less common. Consider the Hokkaido/Kyushu Expressway Pass if touring beyond Beppu, which caps tolls at around ¥2,000 per day. Without any pass, a 200km round trip could cost £25-40 in tolls alone.

The minimum age is generally 18, but most rental companies apply surcharges for drivers under 25. Young driver fees typically range from ¥1,000-3,000 (£6-18) per day. Some companies refuse to rent to under-25s entirely or charge significantly higher deposits. Premium cars and 4WDs often have higher age thresholds (25-30). Book early and read the small print—last-minute young driver bookings can be refused at the counter.

Beppu city itself sits at sea level and rarely sees heavy snowfall, but nearby mountain routes (including access to Mt. Tsurumi and the greater Oita region) can experience icy conditions from December through February. Snow is not common on coastal Beppu roads. If your itinerary includes mountainous inland Oita, winter tyres are strongly recommended and sometimes mandatory on certain roads. Check your rental agreement—some companies offer winter tyre packages for ¥2,000-4,000 per day. Chains are rarely needed for city driving.

Street parking is scarce in central Beppu. Most shopping centres, hotels, and attractions offer dedicated car parks at ¥200-500 (£1-2) per hour, or a flat rate of ¥800-1,500 (£5-9) per day. Some temples and onsen areas have free parking. Watch for metered spaces in commercial zones—parking violations carry fines of ¥10,000-15,000 (£60-90). Always check for resident-only parking zones, which are clearly marked in Japanese and English.