Reservation and pick-up process

Before departure

STEP 1 Confirm the documents

Please check that you hold a driver's licence usable in Japan. Rental819 serves only adults aged 18 or older; if you are under 18, we are unable to provide motorcycle rental services.

Documents required before renting:

• Passport (presented at the time of rental)
• Credit card (bring more than one in case there is a problem when swiping)
• Driving licence: if you are a Hong Kong or Macau driver, bring your HK/Macau licence and your International Driving Permit. If your licence was issued in another country, please contact us first to confirm.

STEP 2 Select a branch

RENTAL819 has stores all over Japan and every branch can provide rental services. If you cannot communicate in Japanese, we will arrange a branch with English- or Mandarin-speaking staff. On the form, enter the region where you want to rent; if you have a preferred store, list it. Pick-up and return must be at the same store.

STEP 3 Choose a motorcycle

If you already have a bike in mind, list your top three on the form and we will arrange them in order of preference and availability. If you're not sure, ask our staff based on the bike's weight, seat height, drivetrain, type and engine capacity.

Additional points to note when choosing a bike:

• A vehicle 50cc or under, or one whose registration lists only a single seat, cannot carry a passenger
• The Capital Expressway (e.g. the Central Ring Road, the Bayshore Route) cannot carry passengers
• Motorcycles under 125cc cannot use the expressway
• Vehicles over 50cc must park in a motorcycle space; those 50cc or under may park in a bicycle space

The accessories each bike can take (such as ETC / tail box / side box) vary, so confirm the details before renting. Some branches offer ETC card hire so you can use automatic toll payment on the expressway.

STEP 4 Select the date

You can book up to four months in advance, and at least one week ahead. Reservations are first-come, first-served, so book early to secure your preferred bike. Each shop also has different closing days, on which you cannot pick up or return a vehicle.

STEP 5 Fill out the rental form

Fill in your personal details, pick-up and return times, and whether you need a helmet or other accessories. Once we receive your details, we will send a confirmation email within 3–5 working days; once you have it, you're ready to go.

After arriving

STEP 6 On the day of rental

When renting, please present the following valid documents:

• Passport
• International and national driving permits
• Appropriate motorcycling gear (including but not limited to a helmet, anti-fall jacket, anti-fall trousers and motorcycle boots)

It takes about 15 minutes to explain the contract and insurance and check the bike, so please arrive before your scheduled time. After you sign the rental contract, we photocopy your passport and licence; once the bike is checked before departure, you can set off.

STEP 7 Return the car

We fill the tank when you rent, so please return the bike with a full tank of the specified fuel. If it is not full on return, we charge back the fuel difference. After checking the fuel level, exterior and performance, if there are no problems the rental is complete. (If you rented an ETC card, all tolls are also settled on return.)