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Okinawa is Japan's subtropical south: coral beaches, clear water and a culture of its own. Buses are slow and infrequent outside Naha, so a hire car is the best way to reach the beaches and sights in the north of the island.
Car hire prices in Okinawa
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naha Airport | €560 | €759 | €822 |
| Naha city | €560 | €759 | €822 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 10 November 2026. About this price
What's included in the price
Excess refunded in full
If the desk charges the excess after damage, Sunny Cars refunds it.
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
Not included: Expressway tolls (an ETC card is available at the desk); fuel; child seats and other extras you add at the desk; traffic fines and parking.
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year, plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name, for the deposit.
- Deposit
- Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Picking up your car in Okinawa
You can collect your car at Naha Airport or in Naha city. The airport is close to the centre; from there the Okinawa Expressway runs north to Nago in about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Free cancellation
Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts. After that, the full price of the booking applies.
Driving in Okinawa
- Traffic drives on the left. Most hire cars in Japan are automatics.
- Sort out your licence before you fly. Most licences, including those from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, need an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation from JAF. Without it the desk cannot hand over the car.
- Tolls are paid by card. Ask for an ETC card at the desk, for a small fee; it records the expressway tolls and you settle them when you return the car.
- Naha is congested. Traffic in and around Naha is slow at rush hour; leave early for trips north.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Okinawa cost?
A week of car hire in Okinawa starts at €560 for a small car, €759 for a mid-size car and €822 for a large car or SUV. That is the total for seven days, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 10 November 2026.
Is there an excess when I hire a car in Okinawa?
Excess refunded in full. If the desk charges the excess after damage, Sunny Cars refunds it. Updated 10 November 2026.
Can I cancel my car hire in Okinawa for free?
Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts. After that, the full price of the booking applies.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Okinawa?
Yes. Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
Do I need a car in Okinawa?
For Naha alone, the monorail is enough. For the beaches, the aquarium and the north of the island a car is by far the easiest way to travel.
Day trips by car
- Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, on the Motobu Peninsula, about 2 hours north.
- Kouri Island, reached by a long bridge over turquoise water, about 1.5 to 2 hours north.
- Cape Manzamo, cliffs above the sea on the west coast, about 1 hour north.
- Shuri Castle and the old royal sites, in Naha itself.
When to go
October to April is warm and fairly dry. The rainy season runs from about May to June, and July to September is the typhoon season, when storms can close roads and ferries for a day or two.