Okinawa OTS Rent-a-Car Review: Booking, Driving Tips, and Honest Experience
Hello! 🖐️🖐️ Today I’m sharing my experience using OTS Rent-a-Car during my latest trip to Okinawa. If you want the freedom to explore the island at your own pace, renting a car is easily the best choice. This was my third visit to Okinawa, and unlike my previous trips using public transport, I decided to rent a car this time for more flexibility. Here’s a complete guide to booking a rental car in Okinawa and what you can expect from OTS Rent-a-Car.
How to Book and Compare Okinawa Rental Cars
If your flights are already booked, you might be wondering how to get around Okinawa efficiently. After doing some research, I chose OTS Rent-a-Car through jalan.net. My decision came down to three things: is the company reputable, do they offer multilingual support, and is the price competitive?
- Is the company reputable and trustworthy?
- Do they offer multilingual support?
- Is the price competitive?
Jalan.net is only in Japanese, but it’s widely trusted and lets you compare a ton of rental options. If you use a browser’s auto-translate, booking is pretty straightforward. The site is reliable and well-known in Japan, making it easy to find good deals and honest reviews.
Another perk of using jalan.net is the frequent discount coupons. I got a 4,200 yen discount on bookings over 25,000 yen, so my total dropped from 27,500 yen to 23,300 yen, including full insurance. Other companies were quoting around 33,000 yen for similar coverage, so this felt like a win.
[Booking a rental car on Expedia]
Picking Up Your OTS Rental Car
I spent my first night near Kokusai Street to recover from an early flight, then picked up my car the next day from the DFS T Galleria branch. It’s right next to Omoromachi Monorail Station, so getting there was really convenient.
Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license and passport. The OTS staff were helpful and processed everything quickly, with support in English and Korean, which made things much easier.
Once the paperwork was done, I got the keys and all the necessary documents. Hold on to those—they have details about your return location and what to do in case of an accident.
I booked the “Omakase Plan,” which gives you a random car at a discounted price. I ended up with a small boxy car—not flashy, but perfect for getting around and very budget-friendly.
Getting Used to Driving in Okinawa
Since Japan drives on the left, OTS gave me a sticker to remind me. You can also ask for a beginner or foreign driver sticker, which is helpful for signaling to other drivers that you’re new.
Before leaving, take a good look at the car for any scratches or dings—snap some photos just in case. And if you’re not sure about something, don’t hesitate to ask the staff.
I mainly used Google Maps for directions, although it wasn’t always perfect. If your car has built-in GPS, that might actually work better. Before heading out, I drove around the parking lot to get comfortable with the car and driving on the left.
My Okinawa Driving Experience
We drove a Honda N-Box, a popular Japanese kei car that’s small outside but surprisingly roomy inside. The 660cc engine isn’t powerful (it tops out at about 80 km/h), but that’s fine since Okinawa’s speed limits are low anyway. The car was clean and comfortable, and the extra height gave it a more spacious feel.
The trunk isn’t huge, but it’s tall. We fit both a 20-inch and a 29-inch suitcase without trouble. For groups of up to three adults, this setup works just fine.
The backseat was great for keeping shopping bags or having snacks. It was comfortable, with enough space for long drives.
Having a rental car in Okinawa let us stop at scenic spots whenever we wanted—something that’s pretty much impossible with public transport. That flexibility really made the trip more enjoyable.
Returning Your Rental Car
Before returning the car, fill up the tank. I found a self-serve gas station nearby using Google Maps, and it had instructions in English, so it was easy. Remember to keep the fuel receipt to show the staff when you drop off the car.
Finding the DFS return location can be a bit tricky since not all GPS systems will take you right there. I used the map code 33188293*64 from the paperwork, and that led me straight to the spot.
At drop-off, hand over your paperwork and the staff will check the car. They’re thorough, even if you bought insurance. Once you get the all-clear, you’re good to go. I took a quick photo with the car as a memory of the trip.
[Booking a rental car on Expedia]
Final Thoughts
This was my third Okinawa trip, and having a rental car made everything so much smoother and more fun. Driving in Japan is a bit different from home, but you’ll get used to it quickly.
I’d recommend OTS Rent-a-Car for their friendly staff, multilingual support, and reasonable rates. If you’re heading to Okinawa, renting a car really opens up the island and lets you travel your way.
