Fukuoka Airport Car Rental Review 2026: Costs & ETC

For my recent trip to Fukuoka, I planned a two-night stay in the neighboring hot spring town of Beppu.

To make the journey seamless, I decided to book a rental car directly from the airport.

Today, I'm breaking down everything you need to know about renting a car in Japan, including costs, driving tips, and how the ETC toll system works!

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Even if you're an experienced driver back home, the thought of getting behind the wheel in Japan can be a little intimidating.

It is completely normal to feel a bit anxious about navigating foreign roads.

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The biggest hurdle for most Westerners is driving on the left side of the road.

My first time driving in Japan was exactly a year ago in Saga Prefecture. Because it was a quiet rural area with slow-moving traffic,

I adapted quickly and had a safe, stress-free trip.

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Fast forward to 2026, and I found myself renting a car once again,

this time starting from Fukuoka.

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Wondering what documents you need, how to navigate Japanese roads,

or if an ETC card is really necessary?

I've got you covered with all the essential details.

How to Rent a Car in Japan

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My main consideration when planning this trip was the budget.

While taking a highway bus or a JR train to Beppu were definitely options,

the costs can add up quickly.

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Compared to Fukuoka, Beppu is quite spread out.

Getting to certain attractions is incredibly inconvenient without a vehicle.

Public transportation exists, but the wait times between buses can be frustratingly long.

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I use Klook frequently for international travel,

so I checked if they offered Japanese car rentals.

They do, and the booking platform is surprisingly detailed and user-friendly.

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You don't just select a car model;

you can actually compare different rental companies side-by-side.

It made the process so convenient.

The pricing was highly competitive, so I went ahead and booked immediately.

3-Day Fukuoka Airport Rental Costs

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So, what's the bottom line?

For a 3-day, 2-night rental, including comprehensive Klook Protector insurance,

the total came to just ~$136, which was much cheaper than I expected.

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You can check out the booking page using the link below.

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Check Fukuoka Car Rentals on Klook

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Of course, that ~$136 isn't the final out-of-pocket expense.

You still need to factor in gas and highway tolls (ETC).

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I'll break down those extra costs in detail below.

Keep in mind, my experience is based solely on booking through Klook!

Picking Up at Relax Rent-A-Car

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I chose a company called Relax Rent-A-Car,

which offers convenient airport pickup.

It's not within walking distance of the terminal,

but they provide a free shuttle that takes about 7 minutes.

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They pick you up when you arrive and drop you off at the airport

for free after returning the car.

The staff member who picked me up was fluent in three languages.

Communication was an absolute breeze.

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The staff was incredibly friendly and upbeat,

making the whole check-in process fast and stress-free.

Once you complete your Klook reservation, they send you a message the day before

with the exact pickup location.

They even included a helpful video showing exactly how to get there.

Required Documents and the ETC Card

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You absolutely must bring the right documents.

You need three things: your Passport, your home country's Driver's License,

and a valid International Driving Permit (IDP).

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Remember that an IDP is only valid for one year from the date of issue.

Since my trip to Saga was exactly a year ago,

my old permit had expired,

so I had to get a fresh one before this trip.

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Make sure you check your local AAA or equivalent issuing authority for the latest requirements.

While you can sometimes apply by mail,

it's usually a quick same-day process if you apply in person at a local branch.

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Next, let's talk about the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card.

It works exactly like E-ZPass or FasTrak in the US.

It costs a little extra to rent, but it is 100% worth the convenience.

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Fumbling with cash and paper tickets at toll booths

when you don't speak the language is a major headache.

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I had to pay a non-refundable rental fee

of 1,200 JPY for the card itself.

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This was clearly stated during the booking process,

so it wasn't a surprise.

Always read the fine print on your reservation details!

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When approaching a highway toll gate, look for the purple signs

labeled "ETC".

You just drive through slowly, and the gate opens automatically.

It's completely hassle-free and removes all the guesswork.

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Any tolls you accrue on the ETC card

are simply paid at the rental counter when you return the car.

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My roundtrip from Fukuoka to Beppu

racked up 5,560 JPY in tolls.

Highway tolls in Japan are notoriously pricey, so factor this into your budget.

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The car's built-in GPS was entirely in Japanese, making it useless for me.

I brought a phone mount from home,

though the Relax rental actually had one installed.

I highly recommend packing your own just in case so you can use Google Maps comfortably.

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My Honda N BOX was a very recent model.

It had plenty of USB charging ports,

and excellent modern safety features.

Driving Tips & Returning the Car

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Driving on the left side of the road is hard to explain—

you just have to experience it.

It feels completely backward at first, but you'll get the hang of it quicker than you think.

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The trickiest part is returning home and accidentally turning on your windshield wipers

instead of your blinker!

Since all the traffic flows on the left, you honestly just follow the car in front of you.

It really takes the pressure off.

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Here are the main differences to watch out for:

1. US: Right turn on red. Japan: Unprotected left turns.

2. US: Protected left turn arrows. Japan: Protected right turn arrows.

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So when you're waiting to turn right,

you have to remember to cross over into the far lane,

just like a left turn back home.

Once your brain maps that "right turn = wide turn," you'll be driving like a local.

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Before returning the vehicle, you need to fill up the gas tank

at the nearest station to the rental lot.

You must return it with a full tank.

Surprisingly, gas prices in Japan were quite reasonable.

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I received the car with a full tank,

and returned it with about two bars left.

Filling it back up

cost around 3,300 JPY, which is incredibly fuel-efficient for a road trip of that distance.

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A quick warning: Japanese gas stations are color-coded,

and the pumps are labeled in Japanese.

Don't just guess! Ask your rental company exactly

which color pump (regular, premium, or diesel) your car takes.

I actually messaged Relax Rent-A-Car from the gas station just to be 100% sure.

Why Renting Elevates Your Trip

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When you compare the cost of a rental car to buying multiple JR train tickets

or highway bus passes,

the price difference isn't as massive as you might think.

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If you're traveling with friends or family,

renting a car is almost always the more economical choice.

Plus, it unlocks access to hidden gems

and rural towns that are nearly impossible to reach on foot.

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The drive from Fukuoka to Beppu

was fairly long, but having a car meant we were on our own schedule.

We got to see everything on our bucket list without worrying about bus timetables.

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The mobility was unbeatable.

We easily visited both the local aquarium and the ropeway in one day.

Don't Forget Insurance!

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Car insurance is absolutely mandatory, not optional.

I opted for Klook Protector.

Without it, you could be on the hook for massive

out-of-pocket expenses if an accident happens.

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The Relax staff member gave a very clear

(and highly entertaining) explanation of the coverage.

He showed us photos of completely totaled cars

and explained that unless the damage is that catastrophic, you're generally fully covered.

(Though, of course, terms vary based on the situation).

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As I mentioned earlier, the ~$136 base price for the 3-day rental

included this premium insurance.

When you add in the ETC tolls and the gas,

my total out-of-pocket expense for the entire road trip was around ~$200 to ~$208.

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Even for a solo traveler, the convenience justifies the cost.

For couples or families,

it's a no-brainer—it's cheaper, vastly more comfortable, and gives you total freedom.

Just take it slow, stay focused on the left side of the road, and you'll be fine!

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That wraps up my detailed 2026 review

of renting a car in Japan.

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Booking Relax Rent-A-Car through Klook with their convenient Fukuoka Airport pickup

exceeded all my expectations.

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Search and Book Your Car on Klook

📍 Fukuoka Airport
778-1 Shimousui, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0003 Japan

📍 Relax Rent-A-Car (Fukuoka International Airport Branch)
5-chōme-13-14 Nishitsukiguma, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0857 Japan

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