# Car sharing in Japan (Times, Orix, Anyca) for foreign residents

URL: https://japanhow.com/driving/cars/car-sharing-japan-foreigners/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 27, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, Times Car says it does not accept overseas driver's licenses or international driving permits at sign-up, so you need a Japanese license. Orix Car Share asks for a driver's license and a credit card in your own name, but its FAQ does not say whether a foreign license counts. Times charges ¥880 a month plus ¥220 per 15 minutes in its basic class. Orix plan A charges ¥250 a month plus ¥240 per 15 minutes. We could not load Anyca's pages, so its rules are unconfirmed.

## Key facts

- Times Car, foreign or international license: Not accepted
- Times monthly fee: ¥880
- Orix plan A monthly fee: ¥250
- Card needed: Credit card in your name

Car sharing in Japan works for foreign residents only if you hold the license the provider accepts. As of October 2026, **Times Car says it does not accept overseas driver's licenses or international driving permits**, so you need a Japanese license (日本の運転免許証). Orix Car Share asks for a driver's license and a credit card in your own name, and does not say whether a foreign license counts. We could not load Anyca's pages, so we do not state its rules.

## Can I use a foreign license or international permit for car sharing?

For driving on the road, yes, for a limited time. The National Police Agency (警察庁) says an international driving permit or a foreign license with an approved Japanese translation is valid for the shorter of **one year from the day you landed in Japan** or the license's validity. An international permit itself is valid for one year from issue.

Car sharing is a different test. A company decides who can become a member, and Times Car answers the question directly: overseas licenses and international permits "cannot be accepted" (海外発行の運転免許証、国際免許証は受付できません). Holding a permit that is legal on the road does not get you a Times membership.

Orix's FAQ lists a driver's license (運転免許証) as the document you need. It says nothing about foreign licenses or permits. Ask its individual-customer support form before you pay for anything, and keep the answer.

If you plan to stay, the practical route is to get a Japanese license. See [how to convert a foreign license in Japan](/driving/license/convert-foreign-license-japan/) and [international driving permit rules](/driving/license/international-driving-permit-japan/).

## What do Times and Orix ask for when you join?

| | Times Car (タイムズカー) | Orix Car Share (オリックスカーシェア) |
|---|---|---|
| License | Japanese license; overseas license and international permit refused | Driver's license (運転免許証); foreign license rule not stated |
| License age | Any, including under 1 year | Any |
| Credit card | In your own name: VISA, JCB, AMEX, Mastercard, Diners, EPOS | In your own name: JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, Diners |
| Not accepted | Name on card must match name on license | Debit cards, V-preca, e-money |
| Joining | Web (from about 15 minutes), web then a store, a briefing, or web with a card by post | Web, with a screening (審査) that can take time |
| Minimum contract | None | None; no cancellation fee; 90 days before you can re-join |
| Language | Japanese pages | Japanese pages |

Times keeps a scan of your license because rental operators must record who each car was lent to. A damaged or unreadable license can lead to refusal. If your name changed through marriage, Times accepts the license or a certificate of residence (住民票) showing both names. The 住民票 must not show a registered domicile or My Number and must be under 3 months old.

Neither page we checked lists a residence card (在留カード) as a sign-up document. Do not assume it replaces a license.

The card rules matter if you have a short credit history. See [credit cards for foreigners in Japan](/money/cards/credit-card-for-foreigners-japan/).

## How much does car sharing cost?

Prices below are from each provider's page on 27 October 2026, tax included. Rates change, and both providers run campaigns.

| | Times Car, basic class | Orix, plan A | Orix, plan B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | ¥880 (counts toward usage) | ¥250 | ¥0 |
| Time charge | ¥220 per 15 minutes | From ¥240 per 15 minutes | From ¥350 per 15 minutes |
| Cap, up to 6 hours | ¥4,290 | ¥4,190 (standard class) | ¥6,490 (standard class) |
| Card issue fee | ¥0 without a card, ¥1,650 with | not checked | not checked |

Orix says fuel and insurance are included in the time charge. Orix adds ¥20 per km, but distance is free for reservations of 6 hours or less, except with the night pack. We did not collect Times' distance charges or other classes, so these columns are not a full price comparison. Cost is not the main hurdle for most foreign residents: the license is.

## What about Anyca?

Anyca is a separate service from Times and Orix. We could not load Anyca's own pages when researching this article, so we do not describe how it works or state its rules. Before you register, read its help center on driver registration and ask whether a foreign license or international permit is accepted. Also ask how insurance and accidents are handled.

## When is car sharing the wrong choice?

If you hold only a foreign license or an international permit, car sharing at Times is closed to you. Traditional rental companies have their own rules. See [renting a car in Japan as a foreign resident](/driving/cars/rent-a-car-japan-foreign-residents/). If you are thinking about owning, read [buying a car in Japan as a foreigner](/driving/cars/buying-a-car-in-japan-foreigner/) and [car insurance in Japan](/driving/cars/car-insurance-japan-foreigners/).

This page is information, not advice on your own case. For questions about your status of residence or license conversion, ask your prefectural police license center or a licensed immigration specialist (行政書士).

**More guides:** [Convert a foreign license](/driving/license/convert-foreign-license-japan/) · [International driving permit](/driving/license/international-driving-permit-japan/) · [Rent a car](/driving/cars/rent-a-car-japan-foreign-residents/) · [Buy a car](/driving/cars/buying-a-car-in-japan-foreigner/) · [Car insurance](/driving/cars/car-insurance-japan-foreigners/)

## Questions people ask

### Can a foreigner use car sharing in Japan?

Yes, if you meet the provider's rules. Times Car says it does not accept overseas licenses or international permits, so you need a Japanese license. Orix does not publish a rule for foreign licenses: ask before you join.

### Can I join Times Car with an international driving permit?

No. Times Car's FAQ says overseas driver's licenses and international permits cannot be accepted for membership, even though the permit lets you drive in Japan for up to a year.

### Do I need a credit card for car sharing in Japan?

Yes, in your own name. Times accepts VISA, JCB, AMEX, Mastercard, Diners and EPOS. Orix accepts JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX and Diners, and rejects debit cards, V-preca and e-money.

### Is there a minimum contract for Times or Orix?

No. Both say there is no minimum contract period. Orix also charges no cancellation penalty, but you cannot re-join for 90 days after leaving.

### Is car sharing in Japan available in English?

The Times and Orix join and FAQ pages we checked are in Japanese only. Plan to use a translation tool and keep the Japanese terms from this page for the sign-up forms.

## Sources

- [国際免許証を持っているのですが、入会手続きは可能ですか？](https://share.timescar.jp/faq/join/02.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [自分名義のクレジットカードを持っていませんが入会できますか？](https://share.timescar.jp/faq/join/06.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [運転免許証とクレジットカードの氏名が違うのですが、入会できますか？](https://share.timescar.jp/faq/join/07.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [入会時に運転免許証の写しはなぜ必要なのですか？](https://share.timescar.jp/faq/join/19.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [入会手続き時に支払いは発生しますか？](https://share.timescar.jp/faq/join/05.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [最低契約期間はありますか？](https://share.timescar.jp/faq/join/13.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [個人入会 (fees and join methods)](https://share.timescar.jp/tcp_guide/join.html), Times Car (タイムズカー) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [入会・退会 FAQ (個人)](https://www.orix-carshare.com/faq/join/), ORIX Car Share (オリックスカーシェア) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [料金プラン](https://www.orix-carshare.com/plan/), ORIX Car Share (オリックスカーシェア) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
- [外国免許・国際免許で運転する場合](https://www.npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/have_DL_issed_another_country.html), National Police Agency (警察庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)