Hello! 🖐️🖐️ Today, I’ll share my experience with OTS Rent-a-Car during my trip to Okinawa. Renting a car in Okinawa can significantly enhance your travel experience, offering flexibility and convenience. This was my third visit to Okinawa, and unlike my previous trips where I relied on public transportation, I opted for an Okinawa rental car this time due to the island’s unique transportation challenges. Here’s a guide to booking a rental car and my firsthand review of the experience.
Booking and Comparing Okinawa Rental Cars
When planning your Okinawa trip, if you’ve already booked your flight tickets, you might be considering renting a car. After much deliberation, I booked with OTS Rent-a-Car via jalan.net. My decision was based on three main factors:
- Is the company reputable and reliable?
- Do they provide multilingual support?
- Is it cost-effective?
Jalan.net, although exclusively in Japanese, offers extensive comparisons of rental car companies. Using a browser’s auto-translate feature makes navigating the booking process manageable. Jalan.net is a widely trusted platform among locals, allowing you to search and compare numerous options easily. 👍
A major advantage of Jalan.net is its discount coupons. These change frequently, but I snagged a 4,200 yen discount for bookings over 25,000 yen. My reservation, initially 27,500 yen, dropped to 23,300 yen, including premium insurance. Compared to other rental options, which averaged around 33,000 yen, this was a great deal.
[Booking a rental car on Expedia]
Picking Up Your Rental Car at OTS
On my first day, I stayed at a hotel near Kokusai Street to recover from an early flight and picked up the car the following day from the DFS T Galleria location. Conveniently situated right next to Omoromachi Monorail Station, it was easy to reach.
Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license and passport. OTS staff handled the process efficiently, offering multilingual support in English and Korean, which was a big plus. 👍
After completing the paperwork, they handed over the car keys and necessary documents. Be sure to keep these documents safe—they contain crucial information like the return location and accident procedures.
I opted for the Omakase Plan, a random car assignment at a discounted rate. To my surprise, I was given a box-style car—probably the most economical choice, but it got the job done! 😊
Adjusting to Driving in Okinawa
Since Japan follows left-hand traffic, OTS provided a helpful circular sticker to remind me of this difference. For added caution, you can request beginner or foreign driver stickers at the desk, which I highly recommend using.
Before heading out, inspect the car for any scratches or damages and document them with photos or videos. If unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask the staff.
For navigation, I used Google Maps, but found it somewhat unreliable at times. If your car comes with a built-in GPS system, it might be a better choice. Before leaving the parking area, I practiced driving around a bit to get comfortable.
My Experience Driving in Okinawa
We rented a Honda N-Box, a compact yet spacious Japanese kei car. Though its 660cc engine struggled to go beyond 80 km/h, this wasn’t an issue since Okinawa’s highways are limited and speeds rarely exceed 60 km/h. The car’s height added a sense of openness, and it was clean and well-maintained.
The trunk, though not large, had sufficient vertical space. It accommodated both a 20-inch and a 29-inch suitcase without issue. For groups of up to three adults, this setup should work perfectly. 👍
The backseat proved useful for storing smaller items or enjoying snacks and meals. Its ample space made for a comfortable experience.
Driving around Okinawa with a rental car allowed us to stop at scenic spots at our leisure—something you can’t easily do when relying on public transportation. This flexibility made the trip all the more enjoyable!
Returning the Rental Car
Before returning the car, you’ll need to fill up the tank. I found a nearby self-service gas station using Google Maps, which had English instructions and was easy to use. To avoid any issues, keep your fuel receipt to show at the rental office.
Navigating to the DFS return location can be tricky, as GPS might not guide you to the exact spot. Use the map code 33188293*64, provided in the rental documents, for precise directions.
Upon return, present the original paperwork to the staff. They’ll inspect the car thoroughly, even if you’ve purchased insurance. After the “all clear,” my return process was complete. Before saying goodbye, I snapped a photo of the car as a memento of our journey.
[Booking a rental car on Expedia]
Final Thoughts
This was my third trip to Okinawa, and having a rental car made it significantly more enjoyable and hassle-free. While there are some differences from driving in Korea, you’ll quickly adapt with a bit of preparation.
I highly recommend OTS Rent-a-Car for its excellent service, multilingual support, and affordability. If you’re planning a trip to Okinawa, give them a try for a more convenient and flexible travel experience! 👍👍
[Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa – Club Room Review]
