Your Okinawan Adventure Starts Here: Car Hire from Kencho-mae Station

You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your UK licence. Japan doesn't recognise UK licences alone, even for short stays. Apply for your IDP from the AA or RAC before departure (approximately £5.50). Without both documents, rental companies will refuse to hand over the vehicle and you won't be covered by insurance. The IDP is valid for one year.

Yes, expect to pay a young driver surcharge of around ¥1,000-2,500 (£6-15) per day if you're under 25. Some agencies charge a flat fee instead. Age policies vary: Toyota Rent a Car sets minimum age at 21, while Times Car Rental requires 18. Always check the specific company's policy before booking, as surcharges can exceed the base rental cost for younger drivers.

Yes, you'll be driving on the left with a right-hand drive vehicle. This feels unnatural for most visitors initially. Key challenges: the steering wheel is on the right, so judgement of road position requires extra care; intersections can be confusing when turning across oncoming traffic; and roundabouts require left-turning vehicles to give way to the right. Take a few minutes in a quiet car park before setting off to adjust to the seating position and mirror angles.

Most Japanese expressways use the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system. Toll charges from Naha Airport to Chatan (approximately 20 minutes) cost around ¥700-1,100. An ETC card rental costs roughly ¥330 per day but can save significant time and hassle, especially during busy periods when manual tollbooth lanes get congested. For occasional use, cash lanes are available at every toll gate. If you plan to explore beyond central Naha, the ETC card is genuinely worth the daily rental fee.

Yes, parking is notoriously expensive in central Naha. Multistorey car parks near Kokusai Street charge ¥300-500 per 30 minutes, with daily maximums reaching ¥2,500-3,000 (£14-17). Free parking is available at large shopping centres like Depot Island and Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom — use these as base points and walk or take monorail into the city centre. Street parking is extremely limited and often restricted to local residents. Budget roughly ¥2,000-3,000 daily for parking if staying in central Naha.

Between June and October, typhoons can disrupt travel significantly. Rental companies generally permit date changes or full refunds if you cancel before vehicle collection during official storm warnings. However, if you're already on the road when a typhoon approaches, contact the rental company's emergency line immediately — they will advise on safe shelter points and extend rental periods without penalty during weather emergencies. Do not attempt to drive through active storm conditions; rental insurance typically does not cover storm damage from disregard of official warnings.