How to find a cheap car hire deal in Okinawa
Pick up a cheap rental car in Okinawa for around £70 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching the best rental providers, making it easy to compare prices and book.
The cheapest daily price for a rental in Okinawa is £8.
Planning a longer trip and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? £53 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.
If you want to time it right, book about two weeks ahead to score the best price on a Okinawa car hire.
Browse the offers available with Rakuten, Relax car hire and Hello rent a car. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.
Whether you book with Rakuten or another supplier, double-check the coverage on your Okinawa car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid add-on.
Booking one-way could land you a discount on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Simply click 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Okinawa.
Avoid any unexpected fees by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Explore without limits by choosing a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you want without extra charges.
Best value car hire options right now
In the number-one spot for value is this company, with prices averaging £31 a day.
Offering daily rates of around £20, this provider is next in line.
The third option won't break the bank either. You'll pay roughly £30 a day with this supplier.
Want a car that makes sense for everyday trips? The Compact rental category is the top choice for travellers visiting Okinawa.
Flying to Okinawa? Think about an airport pick-up
Kick off your Okinawa trip quicker by picking up a car hire at Okinawa Naha Airport. The city centre is about 5 kms (3 miles) away from this airport, which is a drive of around 15 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Okinawa
Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or just planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect excellent fuel efficiency and easy handling.
Medium: A top choice when you need something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg room compared to smaller options.
Large: You've got the bags, the kids, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the space to handle it all without breaking a sweat. Great for longer journeys, this Okinawa car hire category includes full-size cars.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a commanding view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're weaving through remote countryside or zipping along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: Choose this category of vehicle when you need a car for rent in Okinawa that can handle the big jobs. Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, they're built to carry more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or large groups.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Okinawa car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or a collision. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so compare before you commit.
From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can seriously upgrade your ride. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Okinawa.
Good to know
Check each provider's age requirements before booking your car hire in Japan. Rules can differ, and added fees or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' filter and enter your age to explore your options.
If you're travelling with kids, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Okinawa car hire booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.
Come prepared to avoid delays at pick-up. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (not a screenshot or digital version) plus another photo ID. Bring a credit card with enough balance for the deposit too. If there's anything extra, it'll be listed in your booking.
Get familiar with your rental. Set up your seat and mirrors, test the brakes and blinkers, and get used to how it handles before you set off. And remember to stick to the left side of the road in Japan.
Stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 55kph (35mph) in urban areas and 85kph (55mph) or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.03% applies in Japan. The only sure way to stay legal to drive is to skip the drinks.
One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 8am. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.
You'll be using the Japanese yen (JPY) for all your purchases throughout your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cards and cash to ensure you're covered in all situations.
Best hotels in Okinawa for drivers
Pull in and enjoy your stay at Hotel Palm Tree Hill. Offering parking as well as internet access and air conditioning, this hotel is about 2 kms (1 mile) from central Okinawa.
Hotel Gran Arena makes things simpler with parking and features such as Wi-Fi and internet access. It's roughly 2 kms (1 mile) from the city centre.
Explore the full lineup of hotels in Okinawa and pick the stay that matches your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.
After you've found a car hire deal in Okinawa and the right hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, Historical Park and WWII Japanese Okinawa Surrender Site are some of the city's best experiences.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Okinawa
Nanjō has to be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Sefa-Utaki and Okinawa World Culture Kingdom. This city is about 19 kms (12 miles) south of central Okinawa.
Novotel Okinawa Naha and DoubleTree by Hilton Naha Shuri Castle are popular accommodation options with parking in Nanjō.
Hotel Sha La La and ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Okinawa Uruma Hills by IHG are comfy places to stay in Igei if you've got more than a quick stop in mind. Go for one of these and skip the stress of finding somewhere to leave your ride.
Drift off to sleep in Unedomari at either EN Resort Kumejima EEF Beach Hotel or Watermark Hotel Okinawa Kume Island. They've got a bed waiting for you and space for your wheels too.
