Rental Car Kansai Airport – Location and tips

Are you wondering if you could get a rental car at Kansai International Airport? Rent-a-car is very convenient especially if your destination is not close to the station.

In this article, Firstly I will show you how to get to the rental car shop at Kansai International Airport with photos. Secondly, I will explain the features of each rental car company. Last but not least, I will also show you what you should be careful of when driving a car in Japan.

Rental Car Kansai Airport – Location –

Rental car shops are located on the first floor of “Aero Plaza”. It is the complex facility that contains Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport. Aero Plaza is connected to Kansai Airport station and Kansai Airport Terminal 1 building. You can walk to Aero Plaza from the arrival floor at terminal 1 building. It takes only 5 minutes to walk.

Rental Car Kansai Airport – How to get to the rental car shops area –

First of all, the arrival gates for international flights at Kansai Airport are located on the first floor. There are two gates and that is North gates and South gates. As I mentioned, rental car shops are located at Aero Plaza which is a different building. You can access Aero Plaza only through the bridge on the second floor. Go up to the second floor either by elevator or escalator
(As of 2022 April, Escalators are not in service).

Entrance of Aero Plaza is over the train station gate. So, firstly you should head towards the station. It will be smooth if you get out from Exit D or E on the second floor.

Then, You will find Kansai Airport train station on both sides as you walk through.

Aero Plaza is over the train station, so keep going straight.

Now you are at the entrance of Aero Plaza. The rental car shops are located on the West side of the building. After entering Aero Plaza, turn left and go toward west.

Here you go, you have arrived at the rental car shops!

Rental Car Kansai Airport – List of rental car company –

There are 5 rental car companies at Kansai International Airport. That is Nippon Rent-A-Car, Nissan Rent-A-Car, Toyota Rent-A-Car, Orix Rent-A-Car and Times Rent-A-Car. Let’s check the difference one by one.

Nippon Rent-A-Car

This is the company located on the second floor that you should find first. The feature of Nippon Rent-A-Car is that it opens long hours.While other 4 companies close at 20:00 at latest, Nippon Rent-A-Car opens till 23:00. So this company will be the only choice if you wish to rent a car after 20:00.

Times Rent-A-Car

Another rental car company that you find on the second floor is Times rental car. The feature of this company is that you can drop off the car at other branches in the city central area such as Namba or Umeda. So this company will be the choice if you need the car only one way. Shortcoming of this company is its opening hours. It closes at 18:00, so you need to get to the shop by at least before 17:30, if you wish to rent a car from this company.

Orix Rent-A-Car

Orix rental car is the one that is offering the most competitive price. It tends to be more reasonable compared to the other 4 companies. For example, it costs around 15,000JPY if you book a two nights and three days plan. If your first priority is the price, I recommend this company.

Toyota Rent-A-Car

Toyota is one of the most famous Japanese car brands in the world. The company has been running a rental car business for many years and it is the biggest company in the rental car industry. From Toyota Rent-A-Car, you can choose from a variety of Toyota cars. And also you can drop off the car at many of branches in the city like Times Times Rent-A-Car.

Nissan Rent-A-Car

Nissan is the No.3 company in the car industry. But I don’t see any merits of Nissan Rent-A-Car overcome other companies. Personally I suppose there is no point taking this company.

Driver License for driving in Japan

I have shown you how to rent a car at Kansai Airport so far. But actually you need a license to drive in Japan. Here I will show you information about driver’s licenses to drive in Japan.

Companies you do not need an International Driver’s license.

If you are from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Monaco, you do not need to get the International Driver’s license. However, you need an official translation of your driver’s license. Ask the embassy or consulate for the translation before traveling to Japan.

Companies you NEED an International Driver’s license.

Except for Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Monaco, you need an International Driver’s license (IDP) in order to drive in Japan. Make sure to apply for the license before traveling to Japan. I found a website that shows how to get an International Driver’s license (IDP) here. International Driver’s License Required in Japan

Drive on the left in Japan.

One thing you need to be careful when driving in Japan is that you need to drive on the left side.

In the world, roughly 70 countries including Japan are driving on the left side. Countries that used to be the colony of the United Kingdom tend to be driving left.

Driving left countries:
United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Kenya, South Africa

In the world, driving on the right side is the majority. More than 160 countries are using the drive-left system..

Driving right countries:
USA, Canada, Most of European countries other than the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, African countries

Accordingly, right-hand drive is common in Japan. Therefore, unlike the country with left-hand drive, a right turn is a large turn and a left turn is a small turn in Japan. If you are used to driving on the right with left-hand, you have to be careful about the difference!
Here I attach the link for Traffic Rule in Japan.

Rental Car Kansai Airport – Summary –

In this article, I introduce the location of rental car shops, and how to get there. There are 5 rental car companies. Each one has features, so you can choose one of them according to your priority. Also, I showed some information regarding international driver’s licenses and tips for driving in Japan.

Hiring private transfer

If you found it is too dangerous driving in Japan, Hiring private transfer can be another choice. We, Kens Osaka Taxi, is offering private transfer service from/to Kansai International Airport(KIX), charter taxi, or chauffeur service in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe etc. Contact us if you need our service.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day!

Ken