Review: Renting a Car with Toyota Rent a Car to Drive to Mount Fuji in November

Last November, I wanted to try driving to Mount Fuji. I chose to drive there in the morning and return to Tokyo in the evening, so I spent a long time researching where to rent a car. In the end, I settled on Toyota Rent a Car.

Booking wasn’t as difficult as I thought:

1. First, go to the website https://rent.toyota.co.jp/th/. The website has Thai language support.

2. Then, select the branch where you want to pick up the car that is closest to you. I recommend choosing the Shinjuku Station 3-chome branch, as it’s convenient for getting on the expressway immediately without having to go through too much of the city.

Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rDB6m4veL34YEMt29

(Please note this link might not be valid; you’ll need to find the correct Google Maps link for the branch).

You can also choose to return the car to a different branch than the pick-up location, but there might be additional charges. When I asked the staff, they said that if the distance isn’t too far, they usually don’t charge extra, but you need to inform them on the day you pick up the car.

3. The next step is to choose the car model you want. This time, I chose a Yaris hatchback hybrid in the Standard category, a fully equipped Class C2 car, which cost 13,700 JPY per day (approximately 3,500 Thai Baht).

4.After that, you can enter your booking information and double-check the pick-up date. Then, a cost summary will appear.

If everything is correct, click confirm. The total cost was around 16,000 JPY, which already included insurance and the expressway card. Additionally, I recommend getting a JAF/ETC expressway card. Toyota will have an option to add this.

It’s more convenient, cheaper, and you don’t have to waste time paying with cash.

After confirming, you will receive an email confirming all the booking details. Double-check everything again a few days before your pick-up date.

Car Pick-up at the Branch

On the day of travel, I recommend going a bit early. The branch opens at 08:00. Just show your passport, booking email, and international driving permit. Then, the staff will ask for your payment method. I paid with my Travel Card and received an additional 5% discount, which was great.

Before picking up the car, I recommend taking photos and videos all around the car, checking for any scratches or dents, to prevent having to pay extra when you return the car. (It’s best to protect yourself beforehand! Hehe.)

Then, the staff will explain the basic operation of the car, how to use the expressway card, the car’s navigation system, and how to adjust the seats. After that, you sign the car rental agreement and you’re ready to go.

How to Navigate: Is Google Maps Good?

I recommend using the car’s built-in navigation system as it’s quite convenient. It provides very detailed instructions, including which exit to take, which lane to be in, and where the rest stops are.

With the built-in map, you can search using phone numbers from Google Maps. Enter the phone number of the restaurant or place you want to go. Searching by phone number seems to be the easiest method I’ve tried. There’s also a Map Code system, which you can also find through apps.

A little tip: If you can’t find a location on the built-in map, try setting a nearby shop as your destination. Once you reach the Kawaguchiko area, you can switch to Google Maps for navigation. However, you’ll need to look at your phone, and there’s a risk of getting a ticket from the police. Therefore, if possible, using the car’s built-in map is the best option.

Questions:

• Are the expressway tolls expensive? For my one-day round trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji (Kawaguchiko) and back to Tokyo, the expressway tolls were approximately 6,600 JPY. You pay this when you return the car.
• How much was the fuel? The car I drove was a small hybrid, and I drove very slowly that day. I only refueled about 1,650 JPY worth of gasoline. I recommend paying with cash, otherwise, they will put a hold on the amount in your credit or debit card.
• Where do you refuel? If you return the car to the same Toyota Rent a Car branch, they will have a map of nearby gas stations. The gas station closest to the return point is recommended. Before returning, you should fill up the tank and keep the receipt. If you forget, they might charge a little extra when you return the car.
• How much is parking? I once parked for about 1,000 JPY.

It’s recommended to check the parking situation and fees for each location beforehand. Having a list of phone numbers before your trip can save a lot of time searching.

Renting a car and driving yourself offers a new perspective different from taking trains and buses. Finally, I hope everyone enjoys their travels. I apologize for any mistakes I made and thank you for reading all the way to the end.

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