Why is there a shortage of rental cars in Fukuoka?
1.Rental cars are convenient for traveling in Fukuoka.
One of the major reasons for the shortage of rental cars in Fukuoka is that renting a car is almost essential for sightseeing in the area.
While popular districts such as Hakata, Tenjin, and Nakasu around Hakata Station are located close enough to be explored on foot, visiting places like Itoshima or Uminonakamichi requires some form of transportation such as a train or a car.
In particular, Itoshima is home to many nature-rich attractions such as beaches and Shiraito Falls. However, due to its geographical characteristics, there are few train lines that run close to the main sightseeing spots, making a car essential for getting around.
Uminonakamichi, which connects Fukuoka City and Shikanoshima, can be accessed by train. However, it is also widely known as a scenic driving route with open ocean views on both sides, making it an even more enjoyable experience when explored by car.
As a result, having a rental car makes traveling around Fukuoka much more convenient and allows visitors to fully enjoy the attractions, which in turn contributes to the high demand and frequent shortage of rental cars.
2.Because renting a car is a more cost-effective way to get around.
If you travel around Fukuoka using only trains from Fukuoka Airport, rail transport will naturally become your main mode of travel. However, train fares can be surprisingly expensive, and in many cases, renting a car can actually be cheaper.
For example, if you travel by train to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the trip from Fukuoka Airport to Dazaifu Station costs at least 630 yen one way, or 1,260 yen round trip.
Similarly, if you travel to Nishitetsu-Nishinagata Station, the nearest station to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, it costs about 740 yen one way from Fukuoka Airport, or 1,480 yen round trip.
As you can see, transportation costs for sightseeing in Fukuoka can add up more than expected. In particular, when traveling in a group, renting a car can often help reduce overall transportation expenses, which is one of the reasons why demand for rental cars is so high.
3.Because a rental car is essential for sightseeing around Fukuoka Prefecture.
A representative sightseeing destination near Fukuoka is Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that renting a car is almost essential when traveling there from Fukuoka.
If you travel from Fukuoka Airport to Huis Ten Bosch by train, you will need to take the JR limited express Midori or a Shinkansen transfer from Hakata, which often takes over two hours. By car, however, the journey takes only about 1.5 hours from Fukuoka.
In terms of cost, a train trip typically costs around 3,500 to 4,500 yen per person one way, while highway tolls for a car are approximately 4,000 yen in total.
As you can see, when visiting tourist destinations in the surrounding prefectures from Fukuoka, using a car can save both time and, in many cases, money as well. For this reason, many travelers choose to rent a car.
It’s recommended to book your rental car in Fukuoka early.
In this article, we have explained in detail why rental cars are in short supply in Fukuoka.
When sightseeing in Fukuoka, renting a car not only allows for a more comfortable and fulfilling travel experience, but also helps reduce transportation costs, especially when traveling in groups.
In addition, rental cars are extremely useful when traveling from Fukuoka to nearby prefectures such as Nagasaki, so planning your trip with the assumption that you will rent a car can also expand your range of sightseeing options.
That said, as mentioned in this article, rental cars in Fukuoka are currently in short supply. To avoid the trouble of being unable to secure a reservation, it is highly recommended to book your rental car at the same time as your flight once your travel dates are confirmed.
