Renting a car in Okinawa may seem like it involves a lot of steps, and there are plenty of car rental companies and attractions to consider — fees are also charged differently than in Taiwan, and insurance is an absolute must. This article rounds up everything you need to know about local Okinawa car rental rules, from booking to using ETC on the expressway — read this and you will be an Okinawa car rental pro, ready for a safe, smooth road trip.

Image source: pexels

Okinawa car rental fees and rules

When choosing an Okinawa car rental company, it is best to pick a well-known, widely used brand for better peace of mind. Here is a quick comparison of the fees, billing methods, and services offered by three common rental companies, to help you compare and decide:

Comparing Okinawa car rental companies

Rental companyTimes CAR RENTALOTS RENT-A-CARToyota Rent a CarOrix Rent-a-CarNIPPON  Rent-A-Car
Billing methodHourlyDailyTieredTieredDaily
Chinese-language service★★★★★
ETC rentalApprox. ¥300 (~NT$100)Approx. ¥300 (~NT$100)Approx. ¥300 (~NT$100)Flat-rate ETC
¥3,000 (~NT$1,000) for up to 120 hours, plus ¥1,000 (~NT$200) for every additional 24 hours		Approx. ¥800 (minimum 2-day rental fee)
One-way
drop-off fee		Free within 20kmPriced by distancePriced by distancePriced by distancePriced by distance
GPS system★★★★★
Image source: Wikipedia

Okinawa car rental FAQ

Q: Must the person who booked the car also be the driver?

A: The driver's passport name must be entered at the time of booking, so the driver and the person who booked the rental are effectively the same person.

Q: Do you drive on the left or right in Okinawa?

A: All of Japan drives on the left, with right-hand-drive vehicles.

Q: How do you pay tolls with ETC when renting a car in Okinawa?

A: You can add an ETC unit when renting the car — tolls on the expressway are then automatically charged via the ETC card's IC chip, with no cash needed

Q: What do you do if you receive a ticket during the rental period?

A: Report to the nearest police station immediately and pay the fine, while also notifying the rental company. Complete the process as instructed by police before returning the car; if you would rather have the rental company pay the fine on your behalf, they will charge an additional handling fee.

Q: What do you do if you are in an accident during the rental period?

A: Report it to the police immediately and contact the rental company's branch.

Recommended Okinawa road trip destinations

The biggest advantage of a self-drive trip is flexibility — you can go wherever you like, and plan your itinerary far more freely. Here are three recommended Okinawa road trip destinations, offering both cultural depth and stunning natural scenery:

Image source: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium official website
AttractionHighlightsGetting there
ASHIBINAAOkinawa's only large-scale outlet mall, roughly 1.4 times the size of the Tokyo Dome, housing over fifty fashion and designer brand boutiques.After exiting the expressway, turn left, then left again at the Nakachi intersection, and right at the Onaga-kita intersection in front of Tomigusuku City Hall.
Okinawa WorldA well-known cultural and historical attraction in southern Okinawa, home to several traditional houses within the grounds, plus a daily taiko drum performance that draws plenty of visitors.Exit the expressway and head south on National Route 507, turn left onto Prefectural Route 48 to the Inamine (South) intersection, then continue straight onto Prefectural Route 17.
Okinawa Churaumi AquariumHome to an unforgettable giant tank recreating Okinawa's Kuroshio Current environment, where whale sharks, manta rays, and over seventy other rare marine species glide gracefully overhead.Exit the expressway and switch from National Route 58 to National Route 449, then follow the road signs.

Okinawa car rental insurance, explained at a glance

We strongly recommend buying insurance when renting a car in Okinawa, for that extra layer of protection in case of an accident. Here is a quick table breaking down the coverage options:

Compulsory insuranceIn the event of an accident, the insurer compensates any third party for death or injury.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)Waives your deductible in the event of an accident. Costs roughly ¥1,100–2,200 (approx. NT$300–500).
Non-Operation Charge (NOC)Covers the rental company's loss of business income while a car is being cleaned or repaired after an accident — with NOC coverage, you do not have to pay this fee. Costs roughly ¥3,000 on average (approx. NT$1,000).
CDW+NOCSome Okinawa rental companies offer a combined package, letting travellers mix and match based on their needs.

Beyond renting a car for your Okinawa road trip, bring along a DJB Daijobu Unlimited ULTRA SIM too — pick it up at the airport and get online the moment you land! With 5G speeds connecting directly to Japan's three major carriers, no deposit required, and super lightweight, it is the perfect travel companion for checking the weather, live traffic, and planning your route! One SIM, and your whole trip is in your hands!