Discover Nikko Your Way: Car Hire from Nikko Station

You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your UK licence. Japan doesn't recognise UK licences alone, even for short visits. Apply for your IDP via the AA or RAC before departure—it's valid for one year and costs around £5.50. Without it, rental companies will refuse to hand over the vehicle and you won't be covered by insurance.

Good news: Japan also drives on the left, so steering on the correct side feels natural. However, most rental cars are right-hand drive with the steering wheel on the right, which takes adjustment for UK drivers accustomed to left-hand drive. Mountain roads around Nikko are narrow with sharp bends—take extra care on blind corners and don't assume oncoming traffic will stay exactly where you'd expect.

Yes, snow chains are often mandatory on roads leading to Nikko from December through March. The area sits at altitude and heavy snowfall is common—RN120 and scenic routes can close without notice. Many rental companies offer snow chains as an add-on (£10-15 per day) or include them in winter packages. Budget an extra 30-60 minutes for your journey if conditions are poor, and always check road closures at Nikko IC before setting off.

Most expressways accept cash or the ETC card (Electronic Toll Collection). Renting an ETC unit costs roughly £3-5 per day but saves significant time—toll gates have dedicated ETC lanes that don't require stopping. A one-way trip from Tokyo to Nikko costs around ¥2,000-3,000 in tolls. If you're visiting multiple toll roads, the ETC device pays for itself quickly and means you won't need to hunt for exact change at booth exits.

Nearly all rental cars in Japan run on unleaded petrol (regular, 87-89 octane). Diesel is extremely rare for passenger vehicles. Petrol stations are plentiful along major routes but many close by 8pm, and rural stations near Nikko may shut entirely on weekends. Always return your rental with a full tank to avoid refuelling charges—stations near Nikko's main attractions (like near Toshogu Shrine) have long queues during peak hours, so fill up before heading back.

Most Japanese rental companies charge a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25, typically adding £15-25 per day on top of the base rate. At 23, you'll definitely incur this fee. Some boutique local agencies near Nikko don't enforce the under-25 rule strictly, but major international chains (Nissan, Toyota, Times) will apply it without exception. Factor this into your budget—over a week, young driver fees can add £100-175 to your total rental cost.