Renting a automotive in Okinawa considerably enhances the pliability and comfort of exploring the island at your personal tempo. With a private automobile, you’re not certain by the schedules and routes of public transportation, permitting for a extra tailor-made and immersive expertise of your Okinawa itinerary.
Throughout my journey to Okinawa, I made a decision that it makes extra sense to hire a automotive and get to discover extra factors of curiosity. Seems, it was the proper factor to do, as public transport isn’t as environment friendly and dependable in Okinawa as it’s on mainland Japan. Apart from, there are various points of interest that are inaccessible by bus.
On this information, I’ll share hire a automotive in Okinawa, what paperwork that you must get your rental and drive across the island for peace of thoughts.
Learn how to hire a automotive in Okinawa
The automotive rental in Okinawa is a bit more uncommon because it depends on phrase of mouth. Because of this you’ll usually get an organization really helpful to you by somebody who’s already stationed in Okinawa or has lately visited the island. That’s to not say that you simply can not discover Japanese rental giants there, like TOYOTA Lease a Automobile or NIPPON Lease-A-Automobile. It’s simply that locals know finest, they usually normally have higher vehicles of their arsenal.
After some analysis, I made a decision to hire my automotive from Hey Lease a Automobile. I’m not affiliate with them, I simply need to enable you to save money and time. The method? A bit of unorthodox, too. However don’t fear, I’ll clarify.
1. Examine the form of vehicles obtainable in inventory. They usually replace them on the principle web page.
2. Get in contact with them by way of Whatsapp. They’ve slightly QR code on the web site which hyperlinks to their quantity. Inform them your dates of journey, the automotive you have an interest in and the kind of insurance coverage you need. I like to recommend getting an automated transmission automotive, ideally an SUV or cross, and full complete insurance coverage.
3. Somebody will get again to you (keep in mind the time distinction) and clarify the kind of vehicles they’ve in inventory and the way a lot it’s going to value. They despatched me footage of the precise automotive I’d get.
4. You agree with them, they usually ship you a contract by way of e mail. As a part of their settlement with Hey Lease a Automobile, they provided us a free airport pickup.
5. Whenever you arrive, connect with the wifi on the airport (or your personal pocket wifi) and inform them you’ve got arrived. They may choose you up and drive you to their rental workplaces. With visitors and every thing it took round 20 minutes to get there.
6. Examine all papers and signal the contract. Be sure to triple examine that you’ve got complete insurance coverage included. Examine the kind of gasoline your automotive wants.
7. Ask the workers for an ETC card. This can value additional, but it surely comes preloaded with cash which, in my expertise, was greater than sufficient for the entire period of my journey. I actually did use the expressways quite a bit. The ETC card permits you to use to go the expressways gates a lot, a lot sooner, saving you plenty of time. It’s all automated while you enter and exit the expressways and the toll is mechanically deducted from that ETC card.
8. Examine the automotive, and take some footage if you happen to see any injury. The automotive we obtained was in pristine situation and really clear. You’ll discover the tank is full and that you must return the automotive with a full tank as properly. There are some fuel stations across the rental workplace, so be aware of them for while you return.
9. Arrange the automotive, examine the indications, and familiarise your self with the dashboard. Then, you’re good to go!
What papers do you want for renting a automotive in Okinawa
To hire a automotive in Okinawa, you’ll need one of many following sorts of licenses:
- Your passport, a driver’s license from your own home nation AND a world driving allow (worldwide guests)
- A Japanese driver’s license (residents of Japan)
- A Japan Operator’s Allow for Civilian Automobiles (US Forces)
Learn how to drive in Okinawa
Needless to say driving guidelines and indicators in Japan may be totally different from what you’re used to. For everybody’s security, ensure that to be taught and perceive these native visitors rules and indicators earlier than hitting the street.
Left-hand visitors
In Japan, keep in mind that autos function on the left aspect of the street, and the driving force’s seat is on the proper. There are a couple of international locations on the earth that drive on the left, together with the UK, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Seat Belts
It’s obligatory for all occupants within the automobile to put on seat belts. Failing to take action may end up in fines.
Ingesting and Driving
Japan enforces a strict no-tolerance coverage for ingesting and driving. It’s unlawful to drive drunk, even when the consumption occurred the day earlier than.
Cell Cellphone Use
Utilizing a cell phone for calls or texts whereas driving is prohibited and might result in fines.
Baby Seats
Youngsters beneath six have to be secured in an applicable baby seat. Rental firms typically supply baby seats, both complimentary or for a nominal price. Guarantee to specify your want for one when reserving your automobile.
Site visitors Lights
In Japan, together with Okinawa, visitors lights observe the acquainted inexperienced, yellow, and crimson system used globally. Nevertheless, do notice that the inexperienced within the visitors lights is extra akin to a turquoise quite than the deep inexperienced we usually get in different international locations.
- Inexperienced Mild: Signifies you’ll be able to proceed. You’re allowed to go straight, flip left, or flip proper, assuming there’s no oncoming visitors and it’s secure to take action.
- Yellow Mild: Alerts to decelerate and put together to cease. Should you’re too near the cease line or if stopping might result in a hazardous state of affairs, you’re permitted to proceed by way of the intersection.
- Crimson Mild: Means cease. No turns, both proper or left, are allowed when the sunshine is crimson.
- Inexperienced Arrow (Proper Turns): If there’s a inexperienced arrow whereas the principle mild is crimson, you’re allowed to make a proper flip within the path of the arrow.
- Inexperienced Arrow (Left Turns): Equally, a inexperienced arrow with a crimson mild means you may make a left flip following the arrow’s path.
Japanese Highway Indicators
Crucial factor to recollect is how the cease signal seems like. It’s an inverted crimson triangle with the phrase Cease on it (in Japanese).
You’ll discover some areas of the street are lined in crimson. That’s to sign that it’s a harmful zone, extra susceptible to accidents. It’s crucial to pay additional consideration and be extra vigilant.
Expressways
On Japanese expressways, you’ll discover toll gates labeled “ETC 専用,” indicating they’re completely for autos geared up with the Digital Toll Assortment System. Solely vehicles fitted with the required ETC machine and holding an energetic ETC card can go by way of these gates. In case your automobile lacks ETC tools and a card, you must proceed by way of gates marked “一般” (Normal)
When driving in Okinawa, adhering to the pace restrict is essential, particularly since limits could lower primarily based on climate and street circumstances. Listed below are some important pointers to observe:
- Lane Utilization: On expressways, the left lane is usually for cruising, whereas the proper lane is reserved for overtaking. After passing, you must return to the left lane when it’s secure to take action.
- Lane Self-discipline: Keep away from driving on lane markings, as it will probably result in accidents. It’s essential to remain inside your lane and preserve a gradual course.
- Expressway Guidelines: Keep in mind, expressways are one-way roads. U-turns, driving within the unsuitable path, or reversing are unlawful and extremely harmful.
- Following Distance: Preserve a major distance from the automobile in entrance of you to scale back the chance of collisions. This distance ought to be doubled in wet circumstances.
- Emergencies: In case of an emergency, stopping on the expressway is just allowed on the shoulder. Make sure you sign to oncoming visitors and, if doable, transfer past the guardrail for security.
Learn how to park in Okinawa
Most vacationer points of interest have their very own free parking. For instance, once I went to Okinawa World, Nago Pineapple World, Cape Hedo, Cape Zanpa and Southeast Botanical Backyard, all of them had their very own parking areas. Nevertheless, locations like Bise Fugi Tree Highway had paid for parking.
Some eating places will even have their very own parking spots, however they’re fairly uncommon. Most inns in Okinawa include free parking for his or her friends.
Discovering free or road parking will be fairly difficult, with many choosing coin-operated parking heaps. These heaps typically use a singular system that may be unfamiliar to newcomers: locking plates. Effectively, it was definitely new to me.
Whenever you park in an area geared up with one, it mechanically raises and secures your automobile in place. To depart, you could pay on the parking zone’s fare machine, which calculates your price primarily based on the parking area quantity you enter. After cost, the locking plate is lowered, liberating your automotive. Remember that the plate will return to its preliminary place after a set time, so it’s essential to exit the area swiftly post-payment. Please ensure that to have money (cash particularly) with you. Belief me, from expertise, you’ll want to save your self the half an hour bother looking for an ATM to get money out.
Oh, earlier than I neglect, in Okinawa, drivers wish to reverse park into an area. It’s fairly uncommon to simply pull in, as we’re used to within the West. You’ll discover simply how neat the parking areas are in Okinawa.
Driving suggestions for Okinawa
I already talked about that getting an automated transmission is essential. It’s a lot simpler to drive and permits you to pay extra consideration to the roads and indicators round than on altering gears. Apart from, this turns out to be useful when taking smaller roads within the nationwide park.
Naha is busy! I used to be truthfully shocked to see what number of vehicles are left and proper, and there’s a lot of heavy visitors. It’s nothing like driving on mainland Japan, the place it feels much more chill.
The roads are properly maintained, however we had been advised the asphalt in Okinawa accommodates limestone, so be additional cautious when it’s moist and wet as it will probably get extra slippery.
Within the occasion that you must cease your automotive as a result of an emergency, reminiscent of an earthquake, it’s essential to take action with out abruptly lowering your pace. Activate your hazard lights to alert different drivers as you step by step decelerate. Rigorously examine your environment to make sure it’s secure, then pull over to the left aspect of the street. As soon as stopped, flip off your engine and stay inside your automobile till the shaking has ceased.
Be sure to have a pocket Wi-Fi throughout your journey and use Google Maps for navigation. It’s quite a bit simpler, plus every thing shall be in English for you.
When fuelling, you most likely gained’t must get out of your automotive. Most fuel station attendants gasoline for you, then take cost out of your automotive window. Fairly neat!
Take note of your environment, however have a number of enjoyable! Driving in Okinawa is definitely plenty of enjoyable, because it’s a fantastic vacation spot. You’ll like it a lot!
Continuously Requested Questions
Can foreigners hire a automotive in Okinawa?
Sure, foreigners can hire a automotive in Okinawa so long as they’ve a legitimate passport, a driving licence from their very own dwelling nation and an Worldwide Driving license. It’s really helpful to get complete insurance coverage when renting a automotive in Okinawa to your peace of thoughts.
Are you able to hire a automotive in Japan as a foreigner?
You’ll be able to hire a automotive in Japan as a foreigner. We rented a automotive in Okinawa, and it was a a lot simpler of a course of than anticipated. I simply wanted to have my paperwork prepared, signal the contract papers, and I used to be good to go. I’m actually glad I rented a automotive as I obtained to see a lot extra of the island.
How a lot does it value to hire a automotive in Okinawa?
It value us round 100,000 yen to hire a automotive for 9 full days in Okinawa. This included complete insurance coverage for peace of thoughts and the preloaded ETC card which was sufficient for the entire period of the journey. We obtained a white Toyota Raize 2023 with automated transmission for this cash, which I feel it’s an absolute discount. I’d positively advocate it!
How simple is it to drive in Okinawa?
It’s really easy to drive in Okinawa as everybody respects the indicators. Simply be sure to familiarise your self with the Japanese street indicators and keep in mind to drive on the left-hand aspect. Naha it’s busier than different cities, however the remainder of the Okinawa island feels actually chilled and laid again. Driving on each expressways and smaller roads was very simple. Parking areas are massive sufficient too, simply notice that Okinawans like to reverse park.
