SIGNATURE Self-drive · Tokyo Bay · from age 18

Drive a JDM legend
to Daikoku PA.

Q: What do I need to drive in Japan?

A valid driving licence from home, a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit (IDP), and your passport. Minimum age 18. Carry all three originals whenever you drive — photocopies aren't accepted.

Q: I'm under 25 — can I rent?

Yes. Every car can be rented from age 18, with no minimum years-licensed requirement and no young-driver surcharge (stricter insurer conditions override this if they apply). Renting under 25 →

Q: Do I drive alone, or is someone in the car with me?

Self-drive rentals are yours to drive alone — no one rides along. On the Daikoku Night Drive, an English-speaking host rides in your passenger seat — navigating, sharing local tips and picking the best photo spots — while you do all the driving.

Q: Are the cars automatic or manual?

Toyota 86 and Fairlady Z: manual, rear-wheel drive. R35 GT-R: automatic (AWD). An automatic-only licence can't be used for the 86 or Z.

Take the wheel of a Fairlady Z or Nissan GT-R and drive with an English-speaking host in your passenger seat along the neon Wangan to Japan's most famous car meet. Car, guide, tolls and fuel — one price.

from ¥59,000per car · ~5 hours

Book the Night Drive How it works

Licensed rental No. 2506 · zero-deductible insurance

Licensed rentalFIRSTDRIVE · No. 2506

From age 18No minimum licence years

Zero-deductible insuranceOn every booking

Native EnglishFrom booking to keys

What we offer

Choose your drive.

Most guests start with the Night Drive. Want more time behind the wheel, a track day or a car of your own? It's all here.

Most booked

Daikoku Night Drive

Drive to the legendary car meet with your own English-speaking host riding shotgun. Car, guide, tolls & fuel included.

from ¥59,000

24-hour rentals

The GT-R R35 or Fairlady Z for a whole day — the Wangan, Hakone, Mt. Fuji, wherever you like.

from ¥110,000

Drift & simulator

Learn to drift on a real circuit with a pro coach, or practise Japan's roads on our Fanatec simulator.

from ¥20,000

JDM export

We source your dream car at Japan's dealer auctions, inspect it and ship it to your door.

Free quote

Daikoku PA Night Drive

One night. One price.

Pick your car. Everything else is included — just bring your licence, IDP and passport.

6-speed manualRWD2 seats

Nissan Fairlady Z

Z33 / 350Z · 3.5 V6 · the Tokyo Drift and Wangan Midnight car

¥59,000per car · evening, ~5 h

Book the Fairlady Z The car

AutomaticAWD4 seats

Nissan GT-R R35

3.8 twin-turbo V6 · Godzilla · automatic-only licence OK

¥79,000per car · evening, ~5 h

Book the GT-R The car

Car for the eveningEnglish-speaking host in your passenger seatTolls & fuelEnglish briefingZero-deductible insurance

How it works

Three simple steps.

Book online

Choose your car and date, pay by card. At least 3 days ahead — confirmation by email.

English briefing

Meet us at our Tokyo Bay base in Funabashi — or we pick you up free, anywhere in Tokyo. Documents, a walk-round of the car and the rules of the road.

Drive the night

With your host navigating beside you, cruise along the Wangan and over Rainbow Bridge to Daikoku PA — then back to base.

Why ARTCARS

You drive. It's legal. It's insured.

A licensed rental company

Operated by FIRSTDRIVE Co., Ltd. under rental licence No. 2506. You rent the car and drive it yourself.

From age 18

No minimum years licensed and no young-driver surcharge. Renting under 25

Zero-deductible insurance

Included on every booking, with clear terms you can read before you book. Protection

Close to Narita

Our base in Funabashi is on Tokyo Bay, a short drive from Narita Airport — and we offer free pickup anywhere in Tokyo. Native-English support throughout.

Plan your trip

Before you drive.

Driving on the Shuto Expressway in Tokyo

Guide

Driving in Japan

Guide

The Daikoku car meet

Explore

Legend spots: Initial D & more

FAQ

Quick answers.

What do I need to drive in Japan?

A valid driving licence from home, a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit (IDP), and your passport. Minimum age 18. Carry all three originals whenever you drive — photocopies aren't accepted.

I'm under 25 — can I rent?

Yes. Every car can be rented from age 18, with no minimum years-licensed requirement and no young-driver surcharge (stricter insurer conditions override this if they apply). Renting under 25 →

Do I drive alone, or is someone in the car with me?

Self-drive rentals are yours to drive alone — no one rides along. On the Daikoku Night Drive, an English-speaking host rides in your passenger seat — navigating, sharing local tips and picking the best photo spots — while you do all the driving.

What if Daikoku PA is closed that night?

It happens — police periodically close Daikoku on busy weekend nights. Closures are outside our control, so we can’t take responsibility for them — but your night drive always runs: your host simply guides you to another legendary bay-side spot (such as Tatsumi PA or Umihotaru) with the same route, photo stops and atmosphere.

Are the cars automatic or manual?

Toyota 86 and Fairlady Z: manual, rear-wheel drive. R35 GT-R: automatic (AWD). An automatic-only licence can't be used for the 86 or Z.

See all questions

Ready?

Your night at Daikoku starts here.

Fairlady Z ¥59,000 · GT-R R35 ¥79,000 — car, English-speaking host, tolls and fuel included.

Book the Night Drive

Drive a JDM legendto Daikoku PA.