On this page
Quick answer
A private car with a driver makes the biggest difference on days with a lot of luggage, day trips from Tokyo, shopping days, and when you want to see as many places as possible in fewer days, such as in Kyoto, where the famous sights are spread across the city. A day (8 to 10 hours) in a Toyota Alphard costs about AED 1,600 to 3,000, depending on the company and whether the driver speaks English. Book a licensed hire car with a green number plate, never a private car offering rides.
Last verified: 31 October 2026. Prices change with the season and the company, so check when you book.
Trains in Japan are excellent, but with children, luggage or limited days, changing trains and waiting for buses takes more time and energy than most visitors expect. This guide explains when a private driver is worth it, what it costs and how to book one safely.
Taxi, private driver or airport transfer?
| Taxi | Private driver (hire car) | Airport transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Hail one or use an app; pay by the meter | Book in advance for a set number of hours | Book in advance for one fixed trip |
| Best for | Short trips in the city | A full day of sightseeing, day trips | Arrival and departure with luggage |
| Driver waits for you | No | Yes, with your bags in the car | No |
| English | Rarely | Often, if you ask for it | Often |
6 times a private driver makes your trip easier
1. You want to see more places in fewer days
- In Kyoto, the famous sights are at opposite ends of the city. By bus and train, you usually see one or two areas a day; with a car, two or three
- In Tokyo, a car joins up places that are far apart by train, such as Asakusa, Shibuya and Odaiba
- See our 2-day Kyoto route by car below
2. Travel days with a lot of luggage
- Moving between hotels, or from Tokyo to a ryokan in Hakone or at Mount Fuji, means carrying suitcases up and down station stairs and through crowds
- With a car, your bags go from one hotel door to the next, and you can stop for sightseeing on the way
- On arrival and departure days, a private transfer from Haneda or Narita takes you and your luggage straight to your hotel
3. Day trips from Tokyo
- Mount Fuji, Hakone and Nikko need several changes of train and bus. By car, you go door to door and come back when you want
- See the day trips table below
4. Shopping days
- In Ginza, Shibuya or Omotesando, your bags stay in the car while you walk to the next shop
- The car can also take you to outlet malls outside the city, such as Gotemba Premium Outlets near Mount Fuji, about 1.5 hours from Tokyo
- At the end of the day, everything goes straight back to your hotel
5. Travelling with small children or older parents
- The driver drops you at the entrance and picks you up there, so there is less walking
- You can rest in the car between sights, and change plans if a child is tired
- Ask for child seats when you book
6. Planning your day around prayer times and halal meals
- The driver waits while you pray at a mosque or prayer room
- You can reach halal restaurants that are far from a station
- See our guide to mosques and prayer rooms in Tokyo
How much does a private driver cost in Japan?
| Service | Price guide |
|---|---|
| Tokyo, 10 hours, Toyota Alphard (up to 5 people) | About AED 1,600, with highway tolls included |
| Kyoto, 8 hours, Toyota Alphard (up to 6 people) | From about AED 1,800 |
| Kyoto, 4 hours, Toyota Alphard | From about AED 1,200 |
| Larger van (Toyota Hiace, up to 9 people), 8 to 10 hours | About AED 1,700 to 2,300 |
| Premium companies with English-speaking drivers | About AED 2,400 to 3,000 for 8 hours |
Converted from prices on booking sites and company websites on 31 October 2026.
Check what is included. Some prices include highway tolls; most do not include parking and entry tickets. Ask about the charge for extra hours, often about ¥10,000 (about AED 245) an hour, and whether the driver speaks English.
Kyoto’s main sights in 2 days by private car
Kyoto’s best-known sights are at opposite ends of the city: Fushimi Inari in the south, Kiyomizu-dera in the east, Kinkaku-ji in the north and Arashiyama in the west. By bus and train, you can usually see one or two areas a day. With a car, two days are enough for the main sights, without rushing.
Day 1: south and east
- Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha. Go early, before the crowds, to walk under the red torii gates
- Midday: Kiyomizu-dera and Ninenzaka. The driver drops you at the bottom of the slope and picks you up nearby. Have lunch in the area
- Afternoon: Gion. Walk the old streets in the late afternoon light
Day 2: north and west
- Morning: Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion
- Afternoon: Arashiyama. The bamboo grove and the Togetsukyo Bridge, with time to walk
Between sights, the drive is usually about 20 to 40 minutes, more in traffic during the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons.
Only one day in Kyoto? Choose two or three places, for example Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji, and leave the rest for another trip.
Going on to Nara? It is about an hour from Kyoto by car. See our Nara day trip from Kyoto for the deer, the Great Buddha and a family plan.
Day trips from Tokyo by private car
| Day trip | By car from central Tokyo | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone | About 1.5 hours | Lake Ashi, Owakudani, onsen |
| Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi | About 2 hours | Mount Fuji views, the Chureito Pagoda |
| Nikko | About 2 to 2.5 hours | Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls |
A day trip by car avoids changing trains with children. For a night at a ryokan on the way, see our top 10 ryokan with private onsen.
What to check before you book
- A green number plate. In Japan, licensed taxis and hire cars have green number plates. Carrying paying passengers in a private car without a licence, called shirotaku, is against the law, and drivers are being arrested at airports. Book through a licensed company
- An English-speaking driver, if you need one. Many companies charge more for this
- Child seats. Ask for them when you book, with your children’s ages
- What is included: highway tolls, parking, fuel and the charge for extra hours
- Luggage space. An Alphard takes about 4 large suitcases with a family inside; for more, book a larger van
- The driver is not a guide. Drivers usually wait with the car and do not go into temples with you. For a guided visit, book a licensed guide separately
Book a car yourself
Planning a trip to Japan?
Tell us your dates and the places you want to see. We plan your days and arrange a licensed car and driver where it helps.
Plan my trip with a private carOr see our Japan tour packages from Dubai.
How much is a private driver in Japan for a day?
About AED 1,600 to 3,000 for 8 to 10 hours in a Toyota Alphard, depending on the company, the city and whether the driver speaks English. Highway tolls and parking are often extra.
Can you see all of Kyoto in one day by car?
Not comfortably. Kyoto's main sights are spread across the city. With a car, you can see two or three areas in a day, so two days are enough for the main sights.
Do private drivers in Japan speak English?
Some do. Ask for an English-speaking driver when you book, as it often costs more.
Is it safe to book a driver through social media?
Only if the company is licensed. Licensed taxis and hire cars have green number plates. Carrying paying passengers in a private car without a licence is illegal in Japan.
Can the driver wait while we pray?
Yes. A private driver waits for you, so you can stop at a mosque or prayer room during the day.
