Tsushima Car Rental Guide 2026: Why Quality Matters & Booking Tips
Planning a trip to Tsushima in 2026? Discover why a quality car rental is essential for exploring its hidden gems and scenic routes. Prioritize safety over saving a few dollars!
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Planning a trip to Tsushima in 2026? Discover why a quality car rental is essential for exploring its hidden gems and scenic routes. Prioritize safety over saving a few dollars!
Tsushima Car Rental Comparison! Why I Only Recommend Companies with Well-Maintained Vehicles © Text & Photos / Mrs. Ohrai |
Is it possible to travel in Tsushima
without a rental car?
For those planning a trip to Tsushima,
this is the most common question I get.
My answer is always the same.
You can go, but
you won't experience even half of Tsushima's true charm.
Tsushima is larger than you might think.
Starting from Hitakatsu,
driving along scenic coastal roads,
stopping by tranquil shrines and hidden cafes,
and visiting local foodie spots,
I believe a Tsushima rental car is almost essential.
"Which company should I rent from?"
You might think the cheapest option is the best, but
I want to tell you that's absolutely not the case when you're abroad.
After trying several companies myself,
and reading reviews from Tsushima travel forums,
I've learned some tips for choosing a rental company,
my recommended companies,
and suggested vehicles based on your group size.
I'll share them with you.
01. The Biggest Difference I Felt Using Tsushima Car Rental Companies
There's a company I used to use often.
But I started to feel that this place was
a bit more expensive than others.
So, I tried booking and using
a slightly cheaper option,
and my mind completely changed.
Some companies had older vehicles,
which made me feel uneasy while driving,
and I also had experiences where the vehicle's maintenance or interior cleanliness
didn't meet my expectations.
Furthermore, some cars lacked navigation systems
and rear parking sensors, which made me flustered on unfamiliar roads.
More importantly, since Japan drives on the left,
unlike our country,
if the car's condition isn't good,
the tension is bound to increase even more.
As someone traveling with family,
I realized that what's more important than saving a few tens of dollars
is returning home safely after the trip.
So, when booking a rental car in Tsushima,
remember that the first thing to check isn't the price,
but the vehicle's maintenance condition, insurance options,
and actual user satisfaction.
The companies I'm introducing today are ones
that I've used multiple times and had high satisfaction with,
and even now, when I plan a trip,
they are the first places I check for bookings.
02. Two Recommended Hitakatsu Car Rental Companies You Can Trust
While there are several car rental companies in Hitakatsu,
I only recommend two places.
These are Budget Rent-a-Car Hitakatsu Branch and
Tsushima Hotel Hitakatsu Hybrid Rent-a-Car.
Both companies have well-maintained vehicles
and offer insurance options,
allowing you to use them with peace of mind
for family trips or when traveling with your parents.
① Budget Rent-a-Car Hitakatsu Branch
This is the place I use most often.
Since my first use,
I've booked multiple times,
and the most satisfying reason has always been the vehicle's condition.
Most vehicles were neatly maintained
and the interiors were clean.
What's more, there are many cars that are practically new,
providing a sense of stability while driving.
Another reason I like them is
the availability of NOC insurance.
When driving in Japan,
you might worry about potential accidents or vehicle damage,
but if you sign up for NOC insurance,
the psychological burden is greatly reduced.
Budget Rent-a-Car Hitakatsu Branch
operates alongside a gas station,
making car returns incredibly convenient.
Without needing to search for a gas station like with other places,
you can handle both return and refueling at once,
allowing you to enjoy your last leg of the trip with ease.
Just looking at the price,
it might feel a bit expensive,
but considering the car's condition, insurance, and ease of return,
you'll realize it's absolutely not expensive.
If you're traveling with children
or driving in Japan for the first time,
this is an agency I highly recommend.
② Tsushima Hotel Hitakatsu Hybrid Rent-a-Car
The company I've been most interested in lately
is Tsushima Hotel Hitakatsu Hybrid Rent-a-Car.
The biggest feature here
is that they operate hybrid vehicles.
This is the only place in Tsushima
where you can rent a hybrid vehicle.
Their 660cc hybrid vehicles
can accommodate up to 4 people,
and come standard with rear parking sensors,
making parking less stressful even for novice drivers.
They also support Bluetooth connectivity,
allowing you to conveniently use music or navigation audio
while on the go.
Most importantly, as hybrid vehicles,
they boast excellent fuel efficiency, which means
you can reduce your fuel costs on long-distance trips.
That's a definite plus!
Fuel costs can really add up in your travel budget, so this is a significant advantage.
The pick-up location is Tsushima Hotel Hitakatsu, which is conveniently located near Hitakatsu Port,
making it easy for first-time visitors to find.
What I also liked is that you can choose plans that include both collision damage waiver (CDW) and Non-Operation Charge (NOC) insurance,
allowing you to enjoy your trip with peace of mind,
even in unexpected situations.
If you usually prioritize fuel efficiency and modern features,
this place will be a highly satisfying choice for you too.
03. Why I Recommend Budget Rent-a-Car Izuhara if You're Renting in Izuhara
If you're using Izuhara Port
to return to Korea,
don't hesitate, just use this company.
The place I recommend
is Budget Rent-a-Car Izuhara.
Their vehicle maintenance is also excellent.
There aren't many rent-a-car companies in Izuhara,
and finding one with well-maintained vehicles
is even harder.
But with Budget Rent-a-Car Izuhara around,
you don't have to worry.
Their vehicles are impeccably maintained,
and they offer a diverse range, from models most frequently used by travelers
to vehicles perfect for family trips.
Notably, you can choose from 4-seater 660cc models, 5-seaters,
and even 8-seaters,
making it easy to book according to your travel party size.
This company also offers collision damage waiver (CDW) and NOC insurance,
which can reduce the burden of unexpected accidents or vehicle damage.
Trying to save a few tens of dollars
could potentially ruin your entire trip, so
I think it's foolish to agonize over the price for this.
What kind of rental cars are available in Tsushima? ↓↓↓↓
04. Tsushima Rent-a-Car Prices: How Much Will It Cost?
One of the most frequently asked questions
is about Tsushima rent-a-car prices.
The truth is, if you compare Tsushima rent-a-car prices,
for the same company, car model, and insurance conditions,
there isn't a significant difference in price.
It's actually more important to check which insurance is included,
and if any additional costs will be incurred.
For instance, the companies I recommend
mostly offer products that include liability waiver insurance and NOC insurance,
so you don't have to worry about extra costs on site.
If you refer to the attached price list,
you'll find detailed information on rental fees based on vehicle type and usage time.
If you compare prices,
there might seem to be some differences.
However, since the types of insurance differ,
while it might appear cheaper on the surface,
if an accident occurs or issues like scratches arise,
you might end up spending a much larger amount
and face complicated situations.
Always carefully check whether insurance is included in the price you pay,
and what type of insurance it is.
05. Why is it difficult to book during peak season?
Tsushima doesn't have many car rental companies.
As the number of travelers keeps increasing,
but the number of available vehicles is limited,
competition for bookings during peak season is truly fierce.
In fact, just looking at the booking statuses I've received,
certain dates were already fully booked.
Especially during summer vacation, Chuseok, and other holiday periods,
it's often impossible to book your desired vehicle type.
That's why I always book my rental car first
as soon as my travel itinerary is set.
Personally, I recommend booking at least two months in advance,
or three months if it's peak season.
This is because you'll have a wider selection of vehicle types
and prices are often more stable.
06. Where was the most convenient place to book?
In the past, I used to visit each company's website
or make reservations via Naver LINE.
However, some companies don't have websites,
and some are only operated in Japanese,
making the booking process quite challenging.
That's why I found a place where you can make super-easy bookings.
Here, you can compare:
✔ Hitakatsu Car Rental Companies
✔ Izuhara Car Rental Companies
✔ Vehicle Types
✔ Insurance Types
✔ Usage Time
✔ Prices
all at once.
Since you complete both booking and payment in Korea before departure,
you'll hardly ever face any situations where you need to make additional payments on-site
or get flustered due to communication issues.
The booking page I use allows reservations via Naver Shopping,
which means you can earn Naver Pay points.
With Naver point accumulation and additional card benefits,
you can book for the same amount even more smartly.
If you're booking under the same conditions,
I think taking advantage of these benefits
is a much more sensible approach.
Check out additional discount benefits↓↓↓↓
07. Criteria for Recommending Tsushima Car Rental Companies
Let me offer recommendations based on your travel style.
✅ If new-car-level vehicles and NOC insurance are important to you
→ Budget Rent-A-Car Hitakatsu Branch
✅ If you want good fuel efficiency and the latest features
→ Tsushima Hotel Hitakatsu Hybrid Car Rental
✅ If you're starting your trip in Izuhara
→ Budget Rent-A-Car Izuhara Branch
All three of these places are companies I've personally used
or thoroughly vetted.
They boast high satisfaction due to their excellent vehicle maintenance
and wide range of insurance options.
08. Overall Review
After traveling to Tsushima multiple times, I've come to a realization.
A great trip starts with a great rental car.
Instead of searching for a place that's a few thousand Won cheaper,
choosing a well-maintained vehicle, sufficient insurance,
and a trustworthy company will significantly increase your travel satisfaction.
That's because a car is directly linked to your safety.
I hope this post helps those who are considering renting a car in Tsushima.
Since bookings fill up quickly during peak season,
once your travel itinerary is set,
quickly compare vehicles,
and choose the company that's right for you!
Get ready for a safe and unforgettable trip to Tsushima!
Check available dates here ↓↓↓↓
Book your Tsushima eSIM with a 10% discount here ↓↓↓↓
Tsushima Hotel Hitakatsu Hybrid Rent-a-car is the only company operating hybrid vehicles. They offer 660cc hybrid cars that can accommodate up to 4 people and come standard with rear sensors and Bluetooth functionality.
Budget Rent-a-Car Hitakatsu branch operates in conjunction with a gas station, allowing you to return your car and refuel all at once. This means you don't need to search for a gas station, giving you more time to enjoy your final itinerary.
Due to fierce competition for rental cars in Tsushima during peak season, we recommend booking at least 2 months in advance. Especially during summer vacation, Chuseok, and other holiday periods, booking 3 months in advance will give you a wider selection of desired car models and more stable prices.
Tsushima rental car prices do not vary significantly if the company, car model, and insurance conditions are the same. It's more important to carefully check what type of insurance is included, such as deductible exemption insurance and NOC (Non-Operation Charge) insurance, and whether any additional costs will be incurred, rather than just the superficial price.
If you plan to return to Korea via Izuhara Port, we recommend Budget Rent-a-Car Izuhara branch. This branch offers well-maintained vehicles and a wide selection of car types, from 4-seater 660cc to 5-seater and 8-seater models.
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