Ibaraki Car Rental Discount 2026: Explore Japan’s Hidden Gems

Exploring Ibaraki, Japan, by Rental Car

A Special Discount Event for 2026

If you're planning a trip to Ibaraki Prefecture, one of Japan's charming, lesser-known regions, you'll quickly discover that getting around requires a car. The beautiful sights and local attractions are spread out, making a rental car not just convenient, but virtually essential for an authentic exploration.

That's why Ibaraki Prefecture is offering an incredible deal for tourists, allowing you to rent a car for as little as ~$7! It's a fantastic way to unlock the region's hidden treasures without breaking the bank.

Ibaraki Car Rental Discount Event

Enjoy Ibaraki with a ~$7 rental car. – Ibaraki Airportwww.ibaraki-airport.net

To take advantage of this fantastic offer, you'll need to stay at least one night at an accommodation within Ibaraki Prefecture.

The rental rates for two people are incredibly affordable:

24 hours: ~$7

48 hours: ~$20

72 hours: ~$47

Please note that insurance is separate.

While there's also an event offering free one-way bus fares from Mito Station or Ishioka Station to Ibaraki Airport, I highly recommend opting for the rental car. Bus schedules are often limited, and with such low rental car prices, the freedom and flexibility a car provides are well worth it!

Booking Your Rental Car

Toyota Rent-a-Car Official Siterent.toyota.co.jp

You can book your rental car directly through the official Toyota Rent-a-Car website. A crucial tip: to be eligible for on-site payment, you must book through the Japanese version of their official website. If you book through an international (or non-Japanese) site, you'll likely be required to pay by card upfront, which can make cancellations a hassle.

When accessing the site, make sure to keep the language set to Japanese. If you switch it to English, you might be redirected to an international site. Instead, simply use your browser's built-in translation feature (like Chrome's or Edge's) to navigate the Japanese pages.

I booked the most affordable C1 class with insurance included. Don't be alarmed if your reservation confirmation email shows a higher price, like ~$60; this is just the standard rate, and the discount will be applied when you pay at the counter.

Picking Up Your Rental Car at Ibaraki Airport

Once you arrive at Ibaraki Airport, head to your right, following the signs for car rental.

You'll see a Toyota Rent-a-Car sign, but that's not the exact location! You need to exit the building to your left from there.

Look for a green sign in the distance – that's the Toyota Rent-a-Car Ibaraki Airport branch. It's not far from the airport, just a short 3-5 minute walk.

Since it's not a bustling hub, I was immediately greeted by staff without needing to take a waiting number. Simply present your reservation details, passport, and international driver's permit. I had the Ibaraki rental event page ready, but the staff proactively mentioned the discount themselves!

I paid on-site by card, and the total, including insurance, came out to just ~$19. Before you drive off, you'll be given an accommodation certificate. You'll need to get this stamped by your Ibaraki hotel's front desk – they're usually happy to help!

This was the vehicle we received. While there were only two of us, it was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate four people.

The trunk easily held two carry-on suitcases with plenty of room to spare.

My husband, who had previous driving experience in Sapporo, quickly adapted to driving on the left side of the road within about 10 minutes. The car's navigation system connected seamlessly via Bluetooth to his phone, so we used Google Maps for directions, which worked perfectly.

When returning the car, you're expected to have a full tank of gas. However, as of late 2026, many of the gas stations near Ibaraki Airport seem to be out of business (even if Google Maps says they're open — I've reported it!). We ended up explaining the situation to the rental car staff and paid an additional charge of ~$7, which was a bit steep. There was only one operating gas station nearby, but it closed surprisingly early. If you're in a rush, it might be better to just return the car and pay the surcharge!

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about renting a car in Ibaraki!