“No refuelling” (満タン返し不要) means you return the car with whatever fuel is left, without stopping at a petrol station. In a kei car (Japan’s smallest class of car) or a compact car, a loop of Miyakojima of about 100 km uses 5 to 6 litres of petrol, or around ¥1,000, so the money at stake is small. What you save is the errand: finding a station near the store, filling up, and leaving time for it before your flight.
On the last day of a trip, hunting for a petrol station on the way to the airport is a familiar small stress. Rental cars in Japan are normally returned full, so the last stop of the holiday is planned around a fill-up. A “no refuelling” option removes that step, but it is often a paid extra, and whether it is worth it depends on how you travel.
The full-to-full rule
A standard rental in Japan is handed over with a full tank and returned with a full tank. You refuel shortly before returning, in the way the company specifies. Some name stations near the store, and some ask for the receipt.
If you return the car without refuelling, the company settles the fuel itself. Some charge by distance driven and some by the amount missing. Depending on the company’s rate and handling fee, this can cost more than filling up yourself.
Self-service stations are common. Regular petrol is the red nozzle (レギュラー); yellow is high-octane and green is diesel. Putting in the wrong fuel is expensive, so check the label inside the fuel flap or ask the staff.
Two kinds of “no refuelling”
The same name covers two different things.
- A paid option: you pay a fixed amount and return the car without refuelling. Compare the price of the option with the petrol you expect to use.
- Included in the rate: you return without refuelling at no extra charge. Whether you use it or not, the amount you pay does not change.
For a paid option, compare it with the cost of the fuel. A kei car or compact car does roughly 15 to 20 km per litre.
| Distance | Fuel used | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50 km | 2.5–3.3 L | ¥450–600 |
| 100 km | 5–6.7 L | ¥900–1,200 |
| 200 km | 10–13.3 L | ¥1,800–2,400 |
The table assumes 15 to 20 km per litre and ¥180 per litre. Actual figures depend on the car, how you drive and the price on the day.
A driving loop around Miyakojima is about 100 km. If you drive 150 to 200 km over a three-day stay, for example, the petrol comes to about ¥2,000. If the option costs more than that, filling up yourself is cheaper on paper.
Think about the errand, not the money
The main benefit is not the petrol money. It is the errand you no longer have before returning the car.
With full-to-full, before you return you need to:
- find an open station near the store you are returning to
- stop and fill up, and wait your turn if it is busy
- take that time out of your last plans
On a day with a fixed flight time, that margin shortens your last stop. Without the refuelling step, you do not have to leave early just to fill the tank.
Who it suits
It suits you if
- you plan to sightsee on the last day before heading to the airport
- you return in the late afternoon, when stations and roads are busier
- you are travelling with children and want fewer errands before the return
- you would rather not look for a station in an unfamiliar place
A paid option may not suit you if
- you rent for a short time and hardly drive
- there is a station next to the store and you have time to spare
When it is included in the rate, the amount you pay after booking is the same either way. When you compare companies, though, compare the total price including insurance and the shuttle, not this feature alone.
What to check before you book
Conditions differ even when the wording is the same. Three things to look at:
- Is it an extra charge, or included in the rate?
- Is there a minimum fuel level on return (for example, at least a quarter of a tank)?
- Is it excluded for certain booking sites or rate plans?
At Luana Rent a Car
No-refuel return is included in our displayed price. You receive the car with a full tank and return it at any fuel level. There is no extra charge, no charge based on the remaining fuel and no receipt to show. On a long driving day, top up along the way as you need.
This applies to all plans booked on this site or the booking system (monthly rentals and some plans on other booking sites differ). Returns are accepted until 18:00. The last free shuttle to Miyako Airport leaves at 17:45, so return in time for it if you need a ride to the airport. See No need to refuel for details.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I return a full-to-full rental without refuelling?
The company charges for the fuel at its own rate, based on the distance driven or the amount missing. Depending on that rate and any handling fee, it can cost more than filling up yourself.
Can I fill up at any petrol station before returning?
Some companies specify stations near the store or ask to see the receipt. Check when you pick up the car.
Is there an extra charge for no-refuel return at Luana Rent a Car?
No. It is included in all plans booked on this site or the booking system (monthly rentals and some plans on other booking sites differ). There is no charge based on the remaining fuel.
Rates and conditions in this article were checked on October 13, 2026. Each company’s rates and rules can change, so please confirm on its official pages before you rent.
Written by Luana Rent a Car, Miyakojima store. Rates and conditions are confirmed at the store.
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