How to find a cheap car hire deal in Ōtsu
Pick up a cheap rental car in Ōtsu for an average of £115 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, making booking quick and easy.
£33 is the cheapest daily price you'll find for a rental in Ōtsu.
Staying a while and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? £222 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.
Book early to lock in the best price for a Ōtsu car hire. Besides saving money, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.
Line up your ride with NIPPON Rent A Car, Orix or National. They're some of the most trusted providers in the city.
The coverage NIPPON Rent A Car or another supplier includes with your Ōtsu car hire can vary, so be sure to go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.
Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for cheaper deals. Check 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes need to move vehicles from one location to another, which means you can bag some fantastic one-way prices on a car for rent in Ōtsu.
Avoid any unexpected fees by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Go wherever the road takes you by booking a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you like without paying more.
Best value car hire options right now
Taking first place for value is this company, with average prices of £70 a day.
Offering daily rates of around £69, this provider comes in next.
The third option also stacks up well on price. Pick up one of their rentals for roughly £86 a day.
If you're still weighing up what kind of ride you need, choose something from the Mini rental category. It's the most widely booked type of car in Ōtsu.
Compare car hire types in Ōtsu
Small: Whether you're navigating busy cities or taking a short trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect easy handling and great mileage.
Medium: A top choice when you need something that's easy to drive but with some added perks. This category covers compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg room compared to smaller options.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this Ōtsu car hire category. Also known as full-size, they pack plenty of power for open-road performance. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for country roads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and advanced safety features.
Van: Select this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Ōtsu that makes light work of heavy loads. Featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's equipment, baggage or groups of people.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Ōtsu car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so compare before you commit.
Upgrade your ride with handy extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. These features can make your trip more comfortable and stress-free when you rent a car in Ōtsu.
Good to know
Check each provider's age requirements before booking your rental in Japan. Rules can vary, and added costs or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, simply uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' filter and enter your age to explore your options.
Kids coming with you? Car seat laws vary depending on where you are, and the best setup may depend on their age, height and weight. Be sure to add the right one to your Ōtsu car hire reservation.
You'll be asked for a few things when picking up your rental car: your physical driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Your booking will flag any other must-haves.
If you've never driven in Japan, be aware that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.
Follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 55kph (35mph) in built-up 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 on the road in this destination is around 8am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.
The Japanese yen (JPY) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and outings. Pay by card when it's convenient, but have some cash ready when electronic payments aren't accepted.
Japanese is the language most often spoken across the country.
Best hotels in Ōtsu for drivers
Spend less time circling for a parking space and more time making the most of Kamuroan. Around 8 kms (5 miles) from central Ōtsu, it comes with parking, room service and internet access.
Moksa gets things right with parking and features like a 24-hour front desk and air conditioning. It's roughly 6 kms (4 miles) from the city centre.
Browse through the range of hotels in Ōtsu for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find exactly what you're after. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to limit results to EV-friendly stays.
Once you've found a car hire deal in Ōtsu and your hotel, all that's left is deciding where to explore first. Get things started with top attractions such as Hieizan Enryakuji, Gardens and Ukimido.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Ōtsu
Keep travelling to Osaka. Around 48 kms (30 miles) southwest of central Ōtsu, it's home to must-do sights like Dotonbori and Osaka Castle.
Hotel Plaza Osaka and RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection by IHG are popular accommodation options with parking in Osaka.
Or collect your cheap car hire in Ōtsu and drive around 97 kms (60 miles) east to Nagoya. Featuring Nagoya Castle and Sakura Park, its attractions speak for themselves.
Nagoya has some good places to stay such as Dormy Inn Premium Nagoya Sakae and the b Nagoya. Both give you somewhere to leave your car while you're here.
Keep the wheels turning and road-trip it to Hamamatsu, roughly 177 kms (110 miles) east of Ōtsu. Make your first stop Itsukushima Shrine, then head to Sunflower Season.
Book a room at Okura Act City Hotel Hamamatsu or Comfort Hotel Hamamatsu. They make it a breeze to discover everything Hamamatsu has to offer. They come with space for your wheels too.
