Mishima Station is a practical rental-car base for Izu, Hakone, and Fuji routes after arriving by Shinkansen.
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The cleanest use case for Car Rental at Mishima Station is a Shinkansen arrival followed by a road loop into the Izu Peninsula, Hakone, or the Fuji Five Lakes area. Mishima puts you outside central Tokyo traffic, yet close enough to rail that you can step off the train, collect a compact car, and start driving in minutes.
Do not rent just to see central Mishima. The city itself is easy by foot, bus, and train; the car starts paying off when your plan includes ryokan check-ins, rural viewpoints, luggage, children, or several stops that do not sit neatly on one rail line.
Compare live car stock before you commit to one counter, because station inventories can disappear around weekends, Mount Fuji weather windows, and Japanese holidays.
Who Should Pick Up A Car Here?
Mishima Station is the right pickup point for travelers who want rail speed from Tokyo or Kyoto, then road flexibility for Izu, Hakone, and Fuji-side stops. Renting here is less useful for a Tokyo-only trip or a simple Mishima overnight.
The strongest plan is train in, car out, sleep outside the station area, and return the car before taking the Shinkansen onward. That pattern avoids city driving at the start, keeps toll and parking time under control, and lets you reach places where buses thin out after late afternoon.
- Rent for Shuzenji, west Izu coast drives, ryokan stays, and waterfall or viewpoint stops.
- Rent for Hakone if you have luggage, rain, or a hotel away from the ropeway and bus spine.
- Skip the car for central Mishima, Numazu by rail, Atami by train, or a simple one-night stop beside the station.
Mishima Station Car Rental: Costs And Counter Choices
Mishima Station rental prices usually start around the high-$40s for a short small-car hire and rise with car size, hours, insurance choices, and one-way returns. Current published Japan rates show small and standard classes from about $48 to $65 for up to 6 hours, with 24-hour hybrid or midsize classes around $90 before extras.
Published base rates are only the first number. The counter total can change with collision-damage coverage, non-operation charge coverage, ETC card handling, fuel, child seats, winter tire stock, and a different return location.
| Choice Or Check | Why It Matters | Current Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Small or standard car | Enough for two adults with light luggage on Izu and Hakone roads | About $48–$65 (¥7,810–¥10,560) for up to 6 hours at published Japan rates |
| 24-hour hybrid or midsize class | Better for a full Izu loop or Fuji-side day with highway time | About $90 (¥14,520) for a Toyota C3-class 24-hour base rate |
| Wagon or van | Useful for families, ski bags, or four adults with luggage | From about $77 (¥12,430) for up to 6 hours in current Nippon Rent-A-Car listings |
| ETC card | Expressway toll gates are easier when the car has a card and onboard unit | Tolls are billed after use; rental-card availability depends on the company and branch |
| One-way return | Returning in another city can save time on a linear Japan trip | Branch-specific surcharge; confirm the return city before paying |
| Child seat | Japanese rental counters may not have walk-up stock in the right size | Reserve ahead; fees and seat classes vary by company |
| Full-tank fuel return | Returning short on fuel can trigger counter refueling charges | Pay local pump price near Mishima and keep the receipt until drop-off |
| Winter tire request | Hakone and Fuji approaches can see winter conditions when Mishima is clear | Seasonal stock and fees vary; request during booking, not at the desk |
Counters Near The North And South Exits
Mishima Station has rental counters on both sides of the tracks, so the right branch depends on which exit you use. Shinkansen arrivals often favor the North Exit, while the South Exit works well for the local bus terminal and central Mishima hotels.
Toyota Rent a Car lists its Mishima Shinkansen Exit branch at 1-10-25 Bunkyo-cho, a 2-minute walk from the North Exit Shinkansen ticket gate, with 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. hours and a listed Nov. 12 closure. Nippon Rent-A-Car lists its Mishima Station South Exit branch at 17-54 Ichibanchō, a 1-minute walk from the South Exit terminal, also with 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. daily hours.
Nissan, ORIX, and J-net inventory also appears in Mishima-area comparison searches, but the nearest live pickup can shift by date and car class. Choose by exit first, then price, then return rules; crossing the station with luggage is possible, but it is not the part of the trip you want to rush.
What Documents Do US Drivers Need?
US travelers need a valid US driver’s license, passport, credit card, and the correct International Driving Permit before driving in Japan. The counter can refuse the rental if the permit is missing or issued under the wrong convention.
Japan recognizes only International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, per the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department IDP rules. A US traveler should get the permit before leaving the United States and carry both the permit and the original US license in the car.
Plan for left-side driving, tight roadside parking, and Japanese navigation by phone or map code. Toyota’s Mishima branch publishes a map code, and many rental counters can set the car navigation to a phone number, hotel name, or saved destination if you ask before leaving.
Counter tip: Take photos of the car, fuel gauge, odometer, and any existing scratches before you leave the lot. The process takes two minutes and makes the return easier.
Costs, Add-Ons, And Route Checks
The cheapest workable car is usually a compact or standard class, not the smallest kei car. A kei car can be fine for two people and a short Mishima Skywalk run, but a standard compact feels better on expressways, Hakone climbs, and luggage-heavy Izu routes.
Budget for more than the counter rate. Expressway tolls, parking, fuel, and coverage choices can turn a cheap base fare into a higher day cost, especially if you drive to Fuji Five Lakes or return the car in another city.
- Ask whether the car has an ETC onboard unit and whether you can rent an ETC card.
- Set the return branch in the contract, not just in your own plan.
- Check the last fuel station near the branch before you leave Mishima.
- Save the branch phone number in case road closures or train delays change your return time.
Where To Stay After The Drive
Mishima is a practical overnight base if you want an easy morning return, a Shinkansen departure, or a lighter hotel bill than Hakone. Numazu and Nagaizumi can also work when station-area rooms are full or weekend rates jump.
Search stays near Mishima Station if the car is due early, or widen the map toward Numazu if you want more evening dining and easy parking choices.
Easy Routes From Mishima By Car
Mishima works best for short road loops rather than long point-to-point drives across Japan. The table below gives practical route targets from the station area, with ranges that can swing in rain, fog, holiday traffic, or winter road conditions.
| Route From Mishima | Typical Drive Time | Car Makes Sense When |
|---|---|---|
| Mishima Skywalk | About 15–25 minutes | You want to pair the bridge with Hakone or a ryokan check-in |
| Moto-Hakone And Lake Ashi | About 35–55 minutes | You have luggage or a hotel away from the main bus stops |
| Shuzenji Onsen | About 35–50 minutes | You are sleeping at a ryokan or visiting several Izu stops |
| Numazu Port | About 20–35 minutes | You want seafood, parking control, and an easy return to Mishima |
| Gotemba Outlet Area | About 40–65 minutes | You plan to shop, carry bags, or continue toward Fuji |
| Kawaguchiko | About 1 hour 30 minutes–2 hours | You are chasing Fuji views and do not want to route back through Tokyo |
| Matsuzaki Or Dogashima | About 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours 30 minutes | You want west Izu coastal scenery where rail coverage is weak |
Rent If, Skip If
Rent from Mishima if your trip leaves the rail corridor: Shuzenji plus west Izu, Hakone with luggage, Fuji-view detours, or a rural inn with limited bus service. Skip the car if your plan is Mishima city, one nearby hotel, or a train-friendly hop to Numazu or Atami.
The best value move is simple: take the Shinkansen to Mishima, pick the rental branch on the exit you will actually use, drive the loop, sleep where parking is easy, and return the car before your next train. That gives you the flexibility of a car without dragging one through Tokyo or paying for idle parking beside a station hotel.
References & Sources
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.“Valid International Driving Permit In Japan.”States which International Driving Permits are valid for visitors driving in Japan.