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  2. Harimap in English: Himeji, Kobe, Arima and Awaji Travel Guides
  3. Do You Need a Rental Car in Hyogo? Himeji, Kobe and Awaji by Train and Bus

Do You Need a Rental Car in Hyogo? Himeji, Kobe and Awaji by Train and Bus

Checked against official sources on October 9, 2026 · 日本語版: 兵庫旅行でレンタカーは必要？

GETTING AROUND HYOGO

Usually, no car needed

Himeji Castle, the Kobe waterfront, Arima Onsen and Awaji Island Park are all easy by train or bus. Rent a car only for days with several far-flung stops.

Driving? Bring a 1949 Geneva IDP

Car or no car, by destination

Four favourite trips that work without a carFrom the official access pages
Destination Without a car Car helps if…
Himeji Castle About 20 min on foot from Himeji Station, or bus to Otemon-mae Rarely — you still walk uphill inside
Kobe waterfrontMeriken Park 5 min from Minato Motomachi (Kaigan Line), 15 min from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Not needed; city parking adds cost
Arima Onsen Kobe Electric Railway to Arima Onsen Station You combine it with other mountain stops
Awaji Island Park Direct bus from Kobe Sannomiya, ¥950 one way You also visit other parts of the island

Can you drive in Japan on a foreign licence?

MOST COUNTRIES

International Driving Permit

It must be issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention by a country that is party to it. Permits in other formats, such as the Vienna Convention format, are not accepted.

SWITZERLAND · GERMANY · FRANCE · BELGIUM · MONACO · TAIWAN

Licence + official translation

Carry your licence with an official Japanese translation from an approved body, such as the issuing authority, its embassy or consulate in Japan, or JAF.

Either way, you can drive for up to one year from the day you landed in Japan, or until the permit or licence expires — whichever comes first. Rental companies will not hand over a car without the right document. Check the National Police Agency page for your country.

Worked example: Sannomiya to Awaji Island Park

Kita-Awaji West Coast Line (timetable revised July 18, 2026)
Outbound 9:45 Sannomiya → 10:28 Awaji Island ParkShinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal (not Mint Kobe)
Return 16:30 Awaji Island Park → 17:14 SannomiyaAbout six hours in the park
Booking Not neededUnreserved seats, first come first served
Stop F car park (Nijigen no Mori)Some buses only go to Kosoku Maiko
A car beats the bus only if it costs less than thisAdult fare ¥950 one way · return trips
Group Bus, return Compare with
1 adult ¥1,900 Car total for the day
2 adults ¥3,800 Car total for the day
4 adults ¥7,600 Car total for the day

“Car total” = rental + insurance + any extra equipment + fuel + expressway tolls + parking. Visiting other places on the island? Add those bus fares and compare again. The park has free car parks, plus paid lots A1 and A2 that are free for the first 3 hours.

If you do rent a car

Four ways to keep it simple

  • Rent only for the days you need it — a car parked at a city hotel costs money and time.
  • Pick up where you arrive (for example Himeji, if you come by Shinkansen).
  • Compare the total: rental, insurance, equipment, fuel, tolls and parking.
  • Collision damage waiver and the NOC (non-operation charge, paid if the car can’t be rented out after an accident) are separate. A plan with the waiver may still leave you paying the NOC.

Plan the rest of your trip

Himeji Castle: tickets and accessAwaji Island day trip from KobeArima Onsen day trip

Official sources used for this guide

All Harimap guides in English