Car hire in Nagano, Japan

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Choose from 12 pick-up spots

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There are 12 car hire providers in Nagano. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Nagano

Hiring a car in Nagano: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyNissan Rent a Car
Most popular carCompact, People Carrier
Average daily price$131
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Nagano

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Nagano car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Nagano

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Nagano and hit the road for around $131 a day. From solo rides to family outings, we'll help you find a home that keeps up with your trip.

  • $81 is the cheapest daily price you'll find for a home in Nagano.

  • Planning a longer trip and want to explore beyond the main attractions? $559 is the lowest rate for a weekly home.

  • To land the best price on a Nagano car hire, get in early. Rates tend to rise as your travel dates get closer, and you might have less to pick from.

  • Browse the offers available with Europcar, Nissan Rent a Car and Times. They're some of the top providers in the city.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Nagano car hire policy, whether you book with Europcar or another supplier. Some companies treat it as an optional extra instead of bundling it in.

  • Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Check 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often have to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can score some great one-way prices on a car for rent in Nagano.

  • Spend less on fuel by picking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect your ride with a full tank and drop it off full, so you only pay for what you use.

  • Hit the road without tracking every mile and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore further.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average $130 a day.

  • Coming in second, this provider offers daily rates of around $152.

  • The third option also delivers savings with every booking. Expect to pay roughly $147 a day for one of their homes.

  • Need a car that covers most travel plans? The Compact home category is the number one choice for travellers visiting Nagano.

Compare car hire types in Nagano

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Nagano may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, light on fuel, and just the thing for short trips.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, it's the definition of just right. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of interior space and fuel efficiency and are suited to couples and small families.

  • Large: Long drives fly by in this Nagano car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them a great choice for families and groups of friends.

  • SUV: When adventure calls, an SUV says, 'let's go.' It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for highways, country roads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also come with extra space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Nagano that can handle a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group outings, moving or business needs.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your Nagano car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you know exactly what's included.

  • Take your ride to the next level with handy extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. These add-ons can make your drive smoother and more enjoyable when you rent a car in Nagano.

Good to know

  • Home age requirements aren't always the same across the board. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could be hit with extra charges or rules. Check what applies with each supplier before booking your car hire in Japan.

  • If you're travelling with kids, check if you should add a car seat to your Nagano car hire booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.

  • You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: your physical driver's license, extra photo ID, and a credit card with room to cover the excess. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Your booking will show the full list of what's required.

  • Driving in Japan may take some getting used to if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the left side of the road.

  • Stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 55kph in urban areas and 85kph or so on highways, unless road signs indicate differently.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Japan is 0.03%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the only way to be certain you're safe to drive is to skip the drinks.

  • Try to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • You'll be using the Japanese yen (JPY) here. Along with your debit and credit cards, consider taking some cash for smaller purchases.

Best hotels in Nagano for drivers

  • Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time relaxing at Fuchinobo. About 8 kilometres from central Nagano, it comes with parking, a spa and a 24-hour front desk.

  • Toyoko Inn Nagano-eki Higashi-guchi makes travel simpler with parking and features such as air conditioning and Wi-Fi. It's roughly 8 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse through the range of hotels in Nagano for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find the ideal fit. You can even apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to limit results to EV-friendly stays.

  • After you've locked in a car hire deal in Nagano and your hotel, all that's left is deciding where to explore first. Begin your sightseeing at big attractions like Ontakesan Shrine, Daihongan, Zenkōji Temple and Togakushi Huge Cedars Trail.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Nagano

  • Matsumoto should be on your to-do list if you're eager to visit Matsumoto-jō Castle and Myoshoji Temple. This city is around 48 kilometres south of central Nagano.

  • Reliable accommodation options with parking in Matsumoto include Ace Inn Matsumoto and Alpico Plaza Hotel.

  • Or pick up your cheap car hire in Nagano and drive around 97 kilometres southeast to Fujioka. Featuring Kairakuen and Shiroyama Park, its highlights live up to the hype.

  • Relax after a big day out in Fujioka at Onishi Kanko Hotel or Hotel R9 the Yard Fujioka. These hotels are a good choice for guests bringing their own car.

  • Keep things moving and road-trip it to Kawasaki, about 177 kilometres southeast of Nagano. First, visit Tofuku-ji Temple, then spend some time at Kawasaki Daishi.

  • Book a room at Futakotamagawa Excel Hotel Tokyu or Richmond Hotel Premier Musashikosugi. They're an ideal base for exploring everything Kawasaki has to offer. They also have parking available.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Nagano will set you back around $131 per day or $913 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Nagano is a compact crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Compact, People Carrier.
The cheapest car hire companies in Nagano are currently Alamo and Enterprise.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Nagano is currently September.
On average, around $913. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Nagano is $559.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Nagano for a whole month is $4,202. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Nagano, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Nagano that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Nagano.
Most places – Nagano included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $111 per day. The average price per day is around $138.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Nissan Rent a Car, Times and Orix offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Nissan Rent a Car as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Nagano.