Times Car Share 2026: The Complete Guide

Times Car: "a car around the corner, from 15 minutes"

Times Car (formerly Times Car Share / タイムズカーシェア) is a service where members share cars parked in neighborhood parking lots, renting them by the hour. Unlike a rental car, there's no counter to visit: you walk to the car in a nearby lot, get in, and put it back where it was when you're done. That's it. It has one of the largest station networks of any car-sharing service in Japan, and its biggest strength is density: in cities, there's usually a car within a few minutes' walk.

In a nutshell, it's a great fit for people who don't need to own a car but really do need one a few times a month. Trains and a bicycle cover your daily life, but you want a car for a big haul at the home center, driving the kids to lessons, or a quick weekend trip out of town. It slots neatly into those gaps in city life. On the other hand, "heavy" use, like a one-hour round-trip commute every day or driving hundreds of kilometers every weekend, tends to get expensive as the distance and time charges (explained below) pile up, and another option may well be cheaper.

The costs you stop paying don't show up next to the price

We said in the last section to compare monthly totals, not per-use prices. That's because the costs that disappear when you stop owning a car aren't listed alongside the usage fee. Parking, insurance, inspections and taxes go out whether you drive or not. If you only compare per-use prices, that "disappearing" side drops out of view entirely.

Shopping has costs like this too. After the purchase price come storage, upkeep and, eventually, disposal. We rarely think about them, but the bigger the item and the less often you use it (say once or twice a year), the more these hidden costs weigh. The fewer times you use something, the higher the real cost per use, because owning it costs you just as much during the time you don't use it.

That doesn't mean renting is always the better deal. For heavy users, owning ends up cheaper, and ownership comes with a priceless benefit: you can use it whenever you like. The point here isn't about which wins. It's simply that the cost of owning something builds up the whole time you have it, not only when you use it.

So when deciding whether to buy, it helps to jot down where you'll keep it and how much hassle it'll be to get rid of next to the price. Neither appears on the price tag, but both reliably matter more for big items, and you won't feel them on the day you buy. Conversely, if something is easy to store and easy to part with, you can go ahead and decide on price alone (→ The order for buying bulky gear).

What makes Times different from other services

People tend to assume all car-sharing services are the same, but Times Car has several rules of its own, and knowing them makes a big difference to how convenient it is and how much you pay. The first things to understand are how time is billed and how fuel works.

15-minute blocks make it great for short errands

Times Car bills usage time in 15-minute increments. For short trips like "30 minutes to the supermarket" or "an hour to haul something big from IKEA," you pay for exactly what you use. Rental cars usually charge by the day, so these quick hops are where car sharing really shines. You can also book just minutes ahead, so you can head out right after the idea hits you.

Fuel and insurance included, and refueling is actually welcome

Fuel and car insurance are already included in the usage fee. Each car has a dedicated fuel and car-wash card, so when the tank runs low you just fill up the designated way, and you don't pay for it. In fact, refueling or washing the car a certain amount may earn you perks such as a discount on usage time (time gets credited back), so topping up for the next person actually pays off. It's the opposite of rental cars, which make you return the car with a full tank.

A round-trip service: return it where you got it

Times Car is basically round-trip: you return the car to the station you rented it from. It's safest to assume one-way drop-offs (returning elsewhere) aren't supported, so you can't drive there and take the train back. Plan your routes around errands that bring you back to where you started.

Your first booking through to return, with the common snags

The flow itself is simple: sign up → book → unlock and drive → return. But first-timers often get stuck in a few places, so we've added real examples of where people tend to trip up along with the steps.

1. Sign up and license check (takes a few days)Apply on the official website or app, and you can start once your driver's license is approved. You can also choose a digital membership card that works entirely on your smartphone. Approval can take a few days, so "I need it tomorrow" may be too late. If you have plans to drive, get registered early.
2. Pick a station and car, then bookFind a nearby station on the app's map and choose the car, pickup time and return time. You set the return time upfront, which is unusual, and if you make it too short you'll be scrambling to extend. Weekends and evenings fill up fast, so book by the day before if you definitely need a car.
3. Unlock and get in at the stationGo to the station at your booked time. Unlock the door by tapping your membership card or using the app. The key is kept inside the car, so use it to start the engine. Some people panic when they can't find a key, but just remember: use the dedicated key in the glove box or another designated spot.
4. Refueling and trouble on the roadWhen fuel runs low, use the in-car card at a designated gas station. In case of a breakdown or accident, contact the support center listed in the car right away. The golden rule: don't move the car on your own judgment; call first.
5. Return it to the original stationBring the car back to the same bay by the end time, park it in the designated spot, lock it and complete the return. You can extend in the app, but you can't extend if the next booking is already taken. This is the scariest moment for beginners, so if you might run late, try extending early, or set a return time with plenty of buffer from the start.

Check these in this order before signing up, so you won't have to backtrack

Car sharing isn't a "buy a product" kind of purchase, but once your membership card is issued, canceling and rejoining is a hassle, so checking before you sign up is effectively your "inspect before you buy." Get the order wrong and you may realize only after the card arrives that there's no usable station. Going through the list below is the safe approach.

1. Is there a station along your daily routes?Search around three points: not just home, but also your workplace, your family's home and the stations you often use. If they don't line up, you'll waste time getting to the car every time, and the advantage of 15-minute billing disappears completely.
2. The car classes and number of cars at that stationAt a station with only one car, you're out of luck as soon as someone else books it. Check whether there are several stations within walking distance and whether you'd have alternatives.
3. Does your driver's license meet the conditions?Check how long you've held your license, its expiry date, and whether your address change has been registered on it. If anything is out of date, the membership review will stall and your card will be delayed.
4. How you'll receive the card and when you can startWaiting for it by mail versus picking it up the same day at a counter changes when you can start. If you have a deadline, like "I need it for my move next week," check this first.
5. The monthly base fee and how it's treatedWhether the base fee is credited toward usage changes how much a month without driving hurts. If you only drive a few times a year, understand this before you join.
6. Payment method and smartphone setupCheck the expiry date of the credit card you'll register and whether your phone can run the booking app. Booking, extending and unlocking all assume a smartphone, so be careful if you'll mostly use underground lots with poor reception.

One more thing people often overlook: check the return rules. The basic rule is to return the car where you got it, and one-way use generally isn't possible. If you were planning to "drive there, take the train back," you'll need to rethink your whole plan now. Find out after joining, and your plans could fall apart entirely.

Pricing has three layers: time × distance × packs. Here's where you can lose money

Car-sharing prices aren't a simple daily rate like rental cars. Time charges, distance charges and pack rates overlap, and if you use the service without understanding this structure, it can end up costing more than you expected. Amounts vary by plan, car model and season, so this section gives you a "map of how to think about it."

Time charges: the base fee that rewards short use

This is the base fee for the time you use, adding up in 15-minute blocks. Rates differ by car class (compact, minivan, SUV and so on), and bigger cars tend to cost more per hour. Short trips are often covered by the time charge alone, and this is the sweet spot for car sharing.

Distance charges: the add-on that bites on long drives

Distance charges are easy to overlook. They don't apply on short trips, but the rules may say that once you exceed a certain time or distance, a per-kilometer charge is added for every km you drive. A classic car-sharing trap: you use it for a long trip because the time charge is cheap, then get a surprise bill from the distance charge when you get back. On days you'll drive far, always estimate the cost, including distance charges, with the official price simulator before you leave.

Pack rates: discounts for longer use, with night packs a good bet

A "pack" (パック) is a discounted bundle of time plus a set distance. There are 6-, 12- and 24-hour options, and for longer use they're much cheaper than stacking up time charges. The ones to look out for are night packs (夜間パック). If you borrow a car after work and return it the next morning, you avoid the pricier daytime hours and can keep costs down. If you know you'll use it for half a day or more, simply booking the right pack from the start changes what you pay.

Also, some plans have a monthly base fee (月会費). For people who drive many times a month it barely matters, but for occasional users, paying it in months you don't drive slowly adds up. Think about how often you'll actually use it, and compare with no-fee plans or other pay-per-use options so you don't make the wrong call.

Choosing the right station: don't just go by distance

How happy you are with car sharing depends less on price and more on whether the car you want is free, nearby, when you need it. Times Car stations are spread nationwide, using Times hourly parking lots and parking spaces at shopping centers and apartment buildings, but how usable they are varies a lot by location. Here's what to look for.

1. Single-car stations leave you stuck when that car is booked. Jump on a station just because it's close on the map, and you may find its only car already reserved with no alternative. Make a station with several cars your "home base," even if it's a bit farther, so you have backup for last-minute bookings.

2. Mechanical and underground lots take time to get the car out. At stations in multi-level or underground parking, you may wait several minutes for the car. With billing in 15-minute blocks, that wait is a quiet waste. Prioritizing flat, ground-level stations that are easy to get in and out of makes short trips more efficient.

3. Suburbs and rural areas are less dense. Coverage is generous in cities, but stations become sparse in the suburbs and countryside. Before registering, always check the app map to see how many cars there actually are around your home and workplace. In areas with few cars, the other services covered later may give you more options.

Avoid "booked it but couldn't use it": car size and parking limits

A surprisingly common problem with car sharing is getting stuck on site even though the booking went through. Since you're not buying the car, it's easy to forget about measurements, but every trip raises a compatibility question: can this car actually go where you're going?

Height limits in multi-level parking

The most common case is a car that won't fit in the mechanical parking at your destination. Many standard mechanical pallets limit vehicle height to around 1,550mm, so minivans, SUVs and cars with roof rails physically won't go in. Compact cars usually fit, but tall kei cars and tall wagons are borderline. Check whether your destination's parking is mechanical first, then choose the car class, and you'll avoid most mishaps.

Stations that are hard to get in and out of

Stations themselves can be tricky too. Cars kept underground or on mechanical pallets take time to retrieve, and if you're not used to it, just getting the car out can eat several minutes. Since you're billed in 15-minute blocks, those minutes matter. The same goes for narrow bays between pillars and corner spots that need several turns. For your first time, try it during daylight with plenty of time to spare.

Will your stuff actually fit?

Assuming "it'll fit if I fold the back seats" often turns out wrong. For items like these, you may need to choose a different car class.

• Child seats: Which seats support ISOFIX and how far the rear seats slide. In some models, mounting one in the second row means the front passenger seat can't move forward
• Bicycles: Even with the front wheel off, you can't stand a bike up if the cargo area isn't tall enough
• Long items (skis, tension rods, curtain rails): Whether they fit depends on whether the front passenger seat folds down
• Several suitcases: Cargo depth with the rear seats in use matters. With a full load of passengers, there's almost no cargo space left

EV and charging requirements

If you choose an EV, check the charging port standard (CHAdeMO is the main one for fast charging) and the rules on battery level when returning. You may be required to return the car with a certain charge left, and if you don't know this, you'll lose time stopping to charge on the way back. EVs are quiet and comfortable to drive, but the big difference from gasoline cars is that you need to factor charging time into your booking.

Found scratches, dirt or a fault? Who to tell and what to say

Because it's a shared car, however the previous user treated it gets passed on to you. Get the first steps wrong and you could be blamed for damage you didn't cause, so it's worth memorizing the procedure.

The 30 seconds before you get in

After unlocking, don't drive off right away; walk once around the car. Check the corners of the bumpers, the bottom edges of the doors, the wheels and around the fuel cap. If you find existing scratches or dents, call the call center on the spot and have them make a record. Do the same inside: look for stains on the seats, strong smells and anything left behind. If you set off without checking, you'll have no way to show "it wasn't me" if someone points it out after you return.

The first thing to do if there's trouble while driving

Flat tire, warning light, dead battery or accident: in every case, don't look for a repair shop or arrange repairs yourself. The rule is to stop somewhere safe and contact the call center listed in the car. For accidents, whether involving injuries or only property damage, you must also report to the police; failing to do so can void the coverage.

Understand the coverage system once

Car-sharing fees include basic coverage, but if you cause an accident, you can be charged for the period the car is out of service for repairs (something like a "loss of use" fee, or 休車補償). There's usually an optional add-on to reduce this, and you choose whether to add it each time you book. If you're planning a long drive, night driving, snowy roads or unfamiliar areas, adding it gives you peace of mind. For everyday shopping, it's a judgment call.

If the last user left it dirty

Used as an ashtray, spilled drinks, sand everywhere: these also need to be reported. Use it without saying anything, and if the next user reports it, you could be treated as the cause. On the flip side, if you made a mess, wipe it up with the supplies in the car if it's minor, and if you left a smell or a big stain, report it honestly. Smoking is generally prohibited, and violations incur additional charges.

Fuel and car-wash rules

When fuel drops below a certain level, the standard practice is to refuel using the dedicated card in the car. Refueling or washing the car is rewarded with a discount on usage time, but think of it less as "an obligation" and more as a handover for the next person, and you won't hesitate.

After joining, what matters more than unit price is the cost of days you can't get a booking

The costs that matter over long-term use sit a little apart from what's on the price list. Plan for them, and you'll be much happier in your second and third years.

How to think about the monthly base fee

The monthly base fee is often credited toward your usage, so if you drive even once a month, it doesn't feel like much. But if you go three months in a row without driving, it's become a fee for doing nothing. There may be a plan type for people who only drive a few times a year, with no base fee but higher time charges, so make a habit of checking your usage history every six months to see if your plan still fits.

The real body blow: the times you can't get a car

If your nearby station has only one car, weekend mornings will almost always be booked. When you can't get it, you have to walk to a farther station, change your plans or switch to a taxi. This switching cost isn't on any price list, but it's the part that affects your actual yearly spending and time the most. The fix comes down to having several stations within walking distance and booking regular trips (lesson pickups, weekend grocery runs) well in advance.

How you book changes your cost structure

Prep that saves hassle every time

Keep everything you bring each time in one bag, and you'll get on the road faster: a phone charging cable and adapter, shopping bags or eco bags, sanitizing wipes and rain gear. Sanitizing wipes are especially practical with car sharing, where you never know what state the last user left the car in. With kids, you might also bring your own portable booster seat so you're not dependent on which cars have one.

Also, the longer you live without a car, the longer the gaps between drives. Hitting the expressway or snowy roads after six months off is a lot to ask, so when it's been a while, the realistic approach is to get your feel back with a short, nearby booking first. Being easy to use for this kind of warm-up is exactly where 15-minute billing shines.

Living alone, raising kids, or just gave up your car: the right approach differs

With the same car-sharing service, what works, and what to avoid, changes with your lifestyle. Figure out which group you fit into and adjust everything from choosing a station to how you book.

Living alone in the city, driving a few times a month

This is the best fit. If there's a station within a 5-minute walk, compact cars will cover nearly everything. What to avoid is picking a big car "just because". Time charges go up, you'll struggle to maneuver in tight city parking, and it ends up eating into your booked time. The smart move is to switch to a wagon or van only when you have a clear reason, like hauling large furniture from IKEA.

Families with small kids, for pickups and weekend outings

The biggest burden is installing and removing a child seat every time. Availability and seat types vary by station and car, so lean toward sticking with the same car. Book the same model at the same station repeatedly and you'll get the seat installation and packing down by muscle memory. Avoid grabbing whatever's free that day at random; you'll start by reading the manual every time and leave late.

Just gave up your car and still think like an owner

Treat it like your own car and costs will balloon. When you owned a car, time spent parked didn't feel like it cost anything, but with car sharing you're charged while it's parked too. So plans where you spend a long time at the destination (movies, dinners, day trips to hot springs) are the worst fit. Decide up front to take the train for these, shift them to hours covered by a pack, or use a rental car.

Rural areas: you have one car but want a second

Station density is the challenge. The test here is whether you can comfortably reach a station from home by bike or on foot. If it's over 15 minutes each way, it's not a realistic substitute for a second car. On the other hand, if there's a station by the train station or a shopping center, daytime use on days you're already heading to the station for work can work well.

Sharing one contract among several people

If several family members will drive, the proper approach is for each to register as a member. If an unregistered person drives, the coverage may not apply, so avoid even "just taking over the wheel for a bit." Riding as a passenger is fine. If you're planning long drives where a couple takes turns, sort this out when you join.

Choosing a car class, and EVs as an option

Even at the same station, cars come in several classes. Choose based on three things: number of people, amount of luggage and ease of driving.

• Compact class: The go-to for 1–2 people on short trips. Cheap per hour and easy to handle on narrow roads and in parking lots, so a safe "first car" if you haven't driven in a while.
• Minivan / wagon class: For families, groups of four or more, or days with big loads. It costs more per hour, but it's more comfortable and safer than cramming everything into a compact and stressing out.
• SUV class: For when you need both cargo space and seating, or for suburban outings with some rough roads.

If you have kids with you, note that child seat / booster seat availability differs by car model and station. You may be able to filter for compatible cars on the booking screen, but numbers are limited, so if you definitely need one, reserve early.

More stations now have EVs (electric vehicles). If you'd like to properly try driving an EV but aren't ready to buy one, car sharing is the perfect place to test it. That said, EVs come with things gasoline cars don't, like judging the range and planning charging. The first time, get used to it on short errands and read up on the charging rules in the app or official guide beforehand.

Car share vs rental car: use "3 hours" and "100km" as your guide

Car sharing and rental cars both let you borrow a car temporarily, but they're clearly good at different things. You don't need to pick just one; using each for what it does best is the smartest approach. As a rough dividing line, ask: is it shorter or longer than 3 hours, and closer or farther than 100km?

In short, for nearby round trips of 2 hours or less, car sharing is by far the easiest and cheapest. But for touring far afield all day, starting and ending in different places (one-way), or road trips covering hundreds of kilometers, rental cars come out ahead because you pay a flat daily rate without distance charges piling up. If you're not used to driving and want someone to walk you through it in person the first time, a rental car will also feel safer.

Practical choices between Careco, Orix and Times

Times Car isn't the only car-sharing service. Major alternatives include Careco (カレコ, Mitsui's Car Shares) and Orix CarShare (オリックスカーシェア), each with its own service area, car lineup and pricing. Which is cheapest depends on where you live and how you use it, so don't decide by comparing specs side by side alone.

The top priority is how many stations there are in your daily area. However cheap a service is, it's useless if there are no cars near your home or workplace. Times is strong in some areas, while other services are denser elsewhere, so checking each company's app map for your own area may seem roundabout, but it's the most reliable way to compare.

You can sign up for more than one service, and some people use Times as their main service and register with Careco as a backup because there's a car near home. But holding multiple plans with monthly fees doubles your fixed costs, so stick to one main service plus one backup to keep costs under control.

Looking more broadly, there are also peer-to-peer car sharing, where you borrow cars registered by private owners, and car leasing and subscriptions, where you have a car to yourself for months or years. Once you're driving more, say definitely every weekend, a dedicated car may become cheaper than car sharing. If you feel your usage growing, compare costs with How to choose a car lease and How to choose a car subscription.

Taxis, subscriptions or a used kei car: where to draw the line

We've already compared car-sharing services, but where people really hesitate is one step earlier: is a car even the right choice? Here's how to split it by situation.

Car sharing vs taxis

If you spend 2 hours or more at your destination, car sharing keeps charging you while you wait. It's not unusual for a round-trip taxi to work out cheaper. On the other hand, for multi-stop trips, like hitting the home center, the supermarket and a recycling facility in one day, car sharing wins hands down. You can leave your stuff in the car and move on to the next stop, which a taxi can't match.

Car sharing vs subscriptions and leases

The guide is how many times a month you drive and whether you can secure parking. At three or more times a week, or daily for commuting, the hassle of booking becomes a burden in itself. Once you start valuing a car that's always there when you want it, that's your sign to lean toward ownership. But renting a parking space in the city means monthly fixed costs plus handling the parking certificate (車庫証明) and insurance yourself. Factor that hassle into your comparison.

Mixing and matching is also an answer

You don't actually need to pick just one. Car sharing for weekday shopping, a rental car for the few trips home or vacations each year, and a taxi on drinking nights is probably the most natural combination in cities. Distance charges pile up on long car-share trips, so switch to considering a rental car as soon as you see a plan that's over 100km each way. Draw that one line and you'll avoid any big miscalculations.

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