A rental car adventure in Japan with your family is a fantastic opportunity to create unforgettable memories. However, if you’re traveling with small children, there are important rules and recommendations regarding child seats that you’ll want to confirm in advance.
Do You Need a Child Seat When Renting a Car in Japan?
Yes, absolutely!
Japanese law mandates that all children under the age of 6 must use a child seat when traveling in a vehicle. This is stipulated in Article 71-3, Paragraph 4 of the Road Traffic Act. Taxis are an exception to this rule.
Therefore, when you rent a car in Japan, make sure to either rent a child seat or bring your own.
Types of Child Seats
Child seats come in various types, designed to fit children at different stages of their growth. Here are the main types:
Infant Car Seats (for babies)
- Approximate Age:Newborn to about 1 year old (under 70 cm height, under 13 kg weight)
- Feature: These are primarily used rear-facing to safely support a newborn’s delicate neck and head.
Child Car Seats (for toddlers)
- Approximate Age: 1 year to about 4 years old (under 100 cm height, 9-18 kg weight)
- Feature: Many models support both rear-facing and forward-facing installation.
Booster Seats (for older children)
- Approximate Age: 3 years to about 11 years old (over 100 cm height, 15-36 kg weight)
- Feature: Used until the child can properly use the car’s seatbelt.
High-back booster:
This type has a backrest and seat combined. It offers head and side protection, providing high safety.
Backless booster (seat only):
This type raises the child’s height so the car’s seatbelt fits correctly over their shoulder. It’s compact and easy to install, but less safe than the high-back booster as it lacks side protection.
Left: Junior Seat, Right: Child Seat
High-back booster:
This type has a backrest and seat combined. It offers head and side protection, providing high safety.
Backless booster (seat only):
This type raises the child's height so the car's seatbelt fits correctly over their shoulder. It's compact and easy to install, but less safe than the high-back booster as it lacks side protection.
Left: Junior Seat, Right: Child Seat
Important Safety Information
Can I install a child seat in the front passenger seat?
For safety reasons, we do not recommend installing a child seat in the front passenger seat. Here are the main reasons:
- Airbag Danger: The passenger seat airbag is designed to protect adults. If the airbag deploys during a collision (at speeds of 100-300 km/h), the impact can be extremely dangerous for a child, potentially causing serious or fatal injury.
- Impact in an Accident:In a head-on collision, the front passenger seat typically receives the greatest impact, and there’s a higher risk of flying debris like glass fragments.
- Driver Distraction:Having a child in the front seat can distract the driver, increasing the risk of an accident.
Will the rental car staff install the child seat for me?
Proper installation of a child seat is essential for your child’s safety. Legally, the person responsible for safe driving, meaning the driver of the vehicle, is responsible for installing the child seat.
While rental car staff may assist you if you’re unsure how to install it, please note thatthe final safety check and responsibility ultimately rest with the driver.
Make Your Trip in Japan More Comfortable with JAPANC.R.C.!
If you’re planning a family trip to Japan, a campervan from JAPANC.R.C. will surely be an unforgettable experience! Since it combines transportation and accommodation, you can enjoy a free and comfortable journey.
About Child Seat Rental at JAPANC.R.C.
At JAPANC.R.C., we prioritize the safety and convenience of our customers and their children. That’s why we offer child and booster seat rentals at affordable rates to support your comfortable journey.
Rental Fee:
Both child seats (newborns to ~4 years) and booster seats (3 to under 6 years) are available for2,200 JPY(tax included) per time.
You can add these as options when booking your campervan. This saves you the trouble of bringing your own, making your family trip more secure and comfortable from the start.
Why not rent a campervan from JAPANC.R.C. and create special memories with your children in Japan?