Hello!
This is Yakushima Guide's shimaasobi (^^)!
For those of you thinking, ""Let's go to Yakushima!"", are your travel plans going smoothly?
You still need to book transportation and accommodation, and you also need to find out which tour to join.
With so much to do, one thing that's easy to forget is to ""reserve a rental car in advance!""
Rental cars are a convenient option for those planning a solo trip.
However, even if you plan to rent a car after arriving in Yakushima during peak season, it can be hard to find one available (lol).
Here, we'll introduce rental car companies on Yakushima, by area (Miyanoura, Airport, Anbo), along with information on pick-up and drop-off options and recommendations.
Please refer to reviews and other information to choose the best rental car for you (*^^*).
The blog below introduces accommodations and things to bring to Yakushima! If you're interested, please take a look! (^^)
We also provide useful information here! Please take a look if you'd like♪
Useful Information About Rental Cars on Yakushima Island
Pickup, and Drop-off Information on Yakushima, a Island with Three Entrances
First, it's important to remember that Yakushima has three entrances. : Miyanoura Port (high-speed boats and ferries), Anbo Port (high-speed boats), and Yakushima Airport (airplanes).
If you're flying to and from the airport, we recommend choosing a rental car company near the airport. However, since The high-speed ferry departs and arrives at different ports depending on the time, you may end up arriving at Miyanoura Port and returning at Anbo Port.
Furthermore, depending on the weather, high waves may prevent the boat from departing, and you may have to return by plane instead of your original plan. Knowing that "this can happen" will help you act calmly in an emergency (^^)/.
As a result, many rental car companies have introduced systems for pick-up and drop-off at ports and airports.
*Depending on the company or office, additional fees may apply depending on the location and time (outside business hours, etc.), and pick-up, delivery, and drop-off services may not be able. Therefore, we recommend that you always confirm details online, by email, or by phone after making a reservation.
If this is your first time experiencing this system, you might be a little surprised.
(I was surprised when I learned about this system the first time I came to Yakushima. ^^;)
But enjoying the island, including these kinds of things, is what traveling is all about.(*^^*).
Advance reservations are recommended! Yakushima has fewer rental cars than you might think.
When I went to Okinawa some time ago, I thought, ""Unlike Yakushima, Okinawa is a big island, so I can rent a car once I get there."" I tried to book the day before, but all the companies listed online were fully booked, so I had to quickly change my travel plans. (lol)
Apparently, having a large number of cars means high maintenance costs, so they only bring cars from off the island during busy periods like long holidays, Golden Week, and Obon!
""Oh, so what do you do on a normal day?""
""We manage with the number of cars we have now (wry smile).""
Wait!? I had no idea there was such a situation...
In fact, some companies on Yakushima also reduced the number of vehicles due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the number of vehicles has increased slightly recently, another problem has arisen. Due to a labor shortage on Yakushima, there aren't enough people to dispatch and wash vehicles, so sometimes they can only prepare this many vehicles (^_^;). Yakushima's population is also decreasing year by year, so...
Advantages of renting a car on Yakushima
There are many benefits to renting a car.
First, you can plan your trip at your own pace without worrying about time.
First, you can travel early in the morning, at night, or when there are no buses.
First, the only public transportation around the island is the local bus. (And even then, it only runs once an hour, maybe...)
First, if you only join a morning (half-day) tour, you can enjoy sightseeing and driving in the afternoon.
First, you can sightsee while carrying large luggage such as backpacks and suitcases.
First, it's cheaper to travel with two or three people than alone.
These are just a few of the benefits I can think of.
The only thing left to decide is what criteria to use when choosing a rental car company!
Recommended car rental companies near Miyanoura
Suzuki Rental Lease Yakushima Miyanoura
TEL: 0997-42-1772 / 0120-80-1772
Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM (year-round) 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (October 1st - March 18th) Open every day
Pickup/Dispatch/Drop-off: Please inquire about pick-up/drop-off outside of the Miyanoura area.
Free drop-off at Miyanoura Port and Airport
An additional 1,000 yen (excluding tax) will be charged for drop-off in the Anbo area
Suzuki Rent a Car Yakushima Miyanoura Branch Website
Book with Rakuten Rent a Car
Destino Rental Car Yakushima Branch
TEL: 0997-42-1100
Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Pickup/Dispatch/Drop-off: Free pick-up and drop-off from Miyanoura PortBook with Jalan Rent-A-Car
Reservation with Rakuten Rent a Car
Tabirai Rental Car Reservation 
※For online reservations, choose Destino! Plus, it has a gas station attached, making it super convenient for returning your car!
Matsubanda Rental Car Miyanoura Office "Yakushima Furusato Market" Interior
Business hours: 9:00~18:00
Pickup/drop-off/vehicle dispatch: Miyanoura Port/airport - free pick-up/drop-off
Accommodation/Pick-up and drop-off fees: 550 yen for the port, 1,100 yen for the accommodation (Miyanoura - Anbo, further distances must be discussed)
Matsubanda Rental Car Miyanoura Office Website
*Conveniently, you can rent and return the bike at our Miyanoura and airport stores.
ORIX Rent-A-Car Yakushima Miyanoura Counter
Business hours: 9:00~17:00
Pickup, car dispatch, and drop-off: Miyanoura Port - Free pick-up and drop-off
ORIX Rent-A-Car Yakushima Miyanoura Counter Website
Toyota Rent-a-Car Yakushima Branch
Business hours: 8:00-18:00 (April 1st to July 31st), 8:00-20:00 (August 1st to March 31st)
Pickup, vehicle dispatch, and drop-off: Miyanoura Port - free pick-up and drop-off
Toyota Rent-a-Car Yakushima Branch Website
*Please note that we do not share vehicles with Toyota Rent-A-Car at the airport, so you cannot rent a car at the Yakushima branch (Miyanoura) and drop it off at the airport branch.
Terada Rental Car
Business hours: 8:30~19:00
Pickup and drop-off: Free pick-up and drop-off from Miyanoura Port, Airport, and Anbo Port
Car delivery and drop-off from accommodations, etc.: Free from Miyanoura, 1,000 yen from Issou to Anbo
※A local rental car shop where you can ask any questions.
Budget Rent-A-Car Miyanoura Port Office
Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Open daily
Pickup/Drop-off Services: Free pick-up and drop-off from Miyanoura Port
J Net Rental Car Yakushima Branch
Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM, 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (October 1st - March 15th)
Pickup, Pickup, and Drop-off Services: Free pick-up from Miyanoura Port and the airport
¥1,100 from Anbo Port and the Anbo area
J-Net Rent-A-Car Yakushima Branch Website
Book with Jalan Rent-A-Car
Reservation with Rakuten Rent a Car
Wing Rental Car Yakushima Branch
Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM, 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (October 1st - March 15th)
Pickup, Pickup, and Drop-off Services: Free pick-up from Miyanoura Port and the airport.
¥1,100 from Anbo Port and the Anbo area.
Wing Rent-A-Car Yakushima Branch Website
Recommended car rental companies near the airport
Times Car Rental Airport Store
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, open daily
Pickup/Drop-off Services: Free airport pick-up/drop-off, negotiable for Anbo Port
Times Car Rental Airport Store Website
Book with Rakuten Rent-A-Car
Tabirai Rental Car Reservation
*There is no staff on-site, so reservations are required.
The Miyanoura store has closed.
Nippon Rent-A-Car Yakushima Airport Office
Business hours: 8:00~18:00
Pickup, car dispatch, and drop-off: Free pick-up and drop-off to Miyanoura Port, the airport, and Anbo Port
Nippon Rent-A-Car Yakushima Airport Office Website
Book with Rakuten Rent-a-Car
Tabirai rental car reservation
※We recommend booking online! We also offer free transfers from both the port and the airport!
ORIX Rent-A-Car Yakushima Airport Branch
Business hours: 9:00~18:00
Pickup/drop-off/vehicle dispatch: Free airport pick-up and drop-off
ORIX Rent-A-Car Yakushima Airport Branch Website
Book with Rakuten Rent-A-Car
Tabirai rental car reservation
Yakushima Airport Rental Car NAVI
Business hours: 8:30~19:00
Pickup, car dispatch, and drop-off: Pick-up, car dispatch, and drop-off are free at the airport, and available at Miyanoura Port and Anbo Port for an additional 550 yen
Yakushima Airport Rental Car NAVI website
※This car rental company is staffed entirely by women and willing to help with any questions you may have.
Nissan Rent-a-Car Yakushima Airport Branch
Business Hours: 8:00~18:00 (Business hours may change during the New Year holidays)
Pickup/drop-off services: Normally not available (3-minute walk from the airport)
Nissan Rent-a-Car Yakushima Airport Branch Website
Book with Rakuten Rent-A-Car
Toyota Rent-A-Car Yakushima Airport Branch
Business Hours: 8:00-18:00 (April 1st to July 31st) / 8:00-20:00 (August 1st to March 31st)
Pickup/Vehicle Delivery/Drop-Off: Free airport pick-up, Anbo Port car delivery/drop-off ¥1,100
Toyota Rent-A-Car Yakushima Airport Branch Website
*Please note that we do not share vehicles with Toyota Rent-a-Car in Miyanoura, so you cannot rent a car at the airport branch and drop it off at the Yakushima branch (Miyanoura).
Matsubanda Airport Office
Business hours: 9:00~18:00
Pickup, vehicle delivery, and drop-off: Free pick-up from Miyanoura Port and airport
Vehicle delivery and drop-off fees: 550 yen for the port, 1,100 yen for the accommodation (between Miyanoura and Anbo; further distances require consultation)
Matsubanda Rental Car Airport Office Website
*Conveniently, you can rent and return the bike at our Miyanoura and airport stores.
Recommended car rental companies around Anbo
ORIX Rent-A-Car Anbo Counter
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pickup/Dispatch/Drop-off: Free pick-up/drop-off from Anbo Port
ORIX Rent-A-Car Anbo Counter Website
Anbo Shinjiyama Rental Car
Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Pickup/Drop-off Services: Free pick-up/drop-off from ports, airports, and hotels (fees apply in some areas; please inquire).
Anbo Shinjiyama Rental Car Website
NicoNico Rent-A-Car Yakushima Anbo Branch
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Pickup/Dispatch/Drop-off: Usually not available (2-minute walk from Anbo Port)
NicoNico Rent-A-Car Yakushima Anbo Branch Website
Points to remember when actually renting a car
Do you prefer to borrow it all the time or only borrow it when you need to use it efficiently?
Many people come to Yakushima to trek to Jomon Sugi and Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge.
However, Jomon Sugi takes a full day, so you might end up leaving your rental car behind, which would be a waste. In such cases, a tour with transportation is one option.
On the other hand, if you plan to visit Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge, Yakusugi Land, or take a half-day kayaking or canyoning course in the morning, and then spend the afternoon sightseeing at your leisure, renting a bike during your stay is also convenient.
When driving a rental car on Yakushima, be careful of accidents and getting lost!
This may be true in any rural area, but if you're driving early in the morning or at night, it's surprisingly easy to get lost, as there are few streetlights outside of prefectural roads, many roads look similar, and signs are difficult to see.
Though things are gradually improving, there are still some areas where car navigation systems are not properly registered. Therefore, it's best not to rely too much on navigation and to check the map beforehand.
Also, in the south and west, deer sometimes jump out onto the road, so it's dangerous at night if you don't use highlights (you really do run into them ^^;).
I could go on and on about this, but even just researching the location of your accommodation and the places you want to go in advance can make a huge difference, so it's a good idea to check with people other than the driver as well.
Can't reserve a rental car? Don't give up! What to do if...
Some companies accept ""waitlists.""
Unfortunately, sometimes a trip can be canceled if someone suddenly develops a fever the day before the trip, or if a companion can't make it. (I've had clients like this too ^^;)
Another thing to consider is that rental car companies that aren't registered with online reservation sites like Jalan Rent-A-Car, Rakuten Rent-A-Car, and Tabirai Rent-A-Car may have spaces available. In fact, when my friend came to the island, he was able to rent a car this way! (However, there were times when he couldn't rent a car, so it's not guaranteed.)
I've summarized the information below, so please feel free to call or email me!
Rent-a-car shops to try when there are no rental cars available on Yakushima
| Store Name | Phone Number | Business Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Rent-A-Car Yakushima Branch (Miyanoura) | 0997-42-2000 | 8:00 - 18:00 |
| Toyota Rent-A-Car Airport Branch | 0997-43-5180 | 8:00 - 18:00 |
| Matsubanda Rent-A-Car (Miyanoura Branch/Airport Branch) | 0997-43-5000 (All locations) | 9:00 - 18:00 |
| Budget Rent-A-Car (Miyanoura) | 0997-49-1877 (All locations) | 8:30 - 18:00 |
| Terada Rent-A-Car (Miyanoura) | 0997-42-0460 | 9:00 - 19:00 |
| One's Rent-A-Car (Airport) | Online reservations only (no phone calls) | 9:00 - 18:00 |
| Yakushima Airport Rent-A-Car NAVI (Airport) | 0997-43-5068 | 8:30 - 19:00 |
| Nico Nico Rent-A-Car (Anbo Branch) | 0997-47-1300 | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Anbo Shinjiyama Rent-A-Car (Anbo) | 090-4341-6632 | 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM |
Summary
So, this time we've introduced you to Yakushima's rental car companies, by area (Miyanoura, Airport, Anbo), along with information on car pickup and drop-off, and recommended information. What did you think?
Even while traveling, it's a good idea to check the weather forecast, wave height, etc. for peace of mind. (^o^)
(If you're unsure about transportation options on your way back, it's a good idea to ask your lodgings!
Locals are used to it, after all.^^;)
Of course, you can still enjoy Yakushima without renting a car by using local buses, taxis, and tour shuttles, so try planning your own original trip.
We also offer island tours, kayaking, SUP, canyoning, Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge, and Yakusugi Land, so please take a look if you're interested.
I hope this helps you with your travel planning! ＼(^o^)／.