Central Nippon Expressway Pass-Coverage?

Hi everyone,

I've been to Japan many times but this is the first time I'll be renting a car. the JP toll system makes things massively confusing though, especially coming from Canada where these things basically never exist. I initially rented from Budget, the cheapest, but they don't have many locations with ETC cards and they don't offer the CEP pass.

Now I'm trying to fnd out about the CEP with other rental companies, but I'm confused as to whether it's like the JR pass and covers everything, or a discount pass that lets me pay cheaper tolls . All I can see online are vague descriptions of it.

The official page (http://hayatabi.c-nexco.co.jp/page/?id=88) itself doesn't make it clear whether this means I can travel unlimited on included expressways with no charge beyond what I paid for the pass.

In any case I'll just summarise here in any case to make any much-appreciated responses easier!

The CEP map here is kind of confusing. Can anyone confirm that all the routes marked in orange are covered by the CEP, including ie. Fujisawa - Shizuoka - Nagoya? (http://hayatabi.c-nexco.co.jp/img/cms/1498204258084.pdf)

Does the CEP actually allow unlimited travel for a set time on applicable toll roads? (ie. I pay the 8000 yen or whatever it is and get unlimited driving on applicable expressways)? Or do I still have to pay some kind of flat rate at each toll?

Thanks for any advice guys, renting a car in Japan and dealing with the scarcity of locations providing ETC cards etc etc etc has been such a headache, I'm totes grateful for any advice.

It is simple.

Only "CEP" can be purchased at a partnering car rental company.

As there are limited numbers of ETC cards, reservation is necessary only in advance.
(All cars are wearing card slot of ETC no worry)

CEP discounted service offered by expressway company "Central Nippon Expressway",
so you can not book at car rent company's web,
but you can order additional anytime after you arrive in Japan. (but pls contact them ASAP.)

The vallidity roads are shown on that map as Orange line,
but car rent fee, fuel cost and drop-off fee are belonging car rent company,
so it is not included in CEP, also parking fee no related.

In Google MAP all the toll roads are written in same fat Orange color using,
but roads without ETC gates are also included, so pls compare with PDF carefully.
(most gate "street view" works, very easy to confirm)

"ETC system" is just yr car can thru at the tollgate without getting paper tickeat and payment,
so no extra payment if passed over hundreds times in and out while valid periods of CEP.
http://global.c-nexco.co.jp/en/etc/
https://rent.toyota.co.jp/eng/service/option.html#anc_etc

If still wondering, you can also send the same question directly to Central Nippon Expressway.
https://highwaypost.c-nexco.co.jp/sys/inquiry/en-entry/agree/


(small tips)
Although you do not have to remove the card every time,
if you start the engine without inserting it, a message "Pls, insert a card!" out,
then after reading the card, "confirm it." and card's expiration date announced.
https://youtu.be/_OsW_KvaU-c
https://youtu.be/RY7wUG6Irxs
(In some models can switch to English or simple sound only, but not so many.)

Car navigation(Japanese calling "car-navi" only) system can be operated in English, no worry.
(Navigating message also in English) https://youtu.be/VxE_PS-54Js
Using ETC is only in Japan, so do not just assume the use of foreign drivers.
ETC will not speak frequently like a car navigation system.

However, pls be careful ETC doesn't to tell you about insert the card forgetting before tollgates,
only when start and stop the engine. (except type of car navigation including)
https://youtu.be/e8iItsgkEZs

ETC machine position is different depends on car,
on dashboard type requires attention to gettiing heat in summer.
http://www.jaf.or.jp/eco-safety/safety/usertest/temperature/detail2.ht...
(It is not easy to break, but)

ETC slot body can not be removed.

Finally, do not forget learn about traffic rules and more basics.
http://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/topics/toukei/chousa/h20keikaku/e/e_all.pdf

Thank you so much! You put so much time into such a detailed and helpful answer and I am super grateful. Thank you!

I have found some more information for others' convenience:

1. You must rent a standard-size car. Keijidousha/kei-cars are no good.

2. You must have an ETC card as well as the CEP. Be sure your rental office has both, as some agencies show locations that have CEP but not the ETC card.

3. NEXCO says the CEP period doesn't have to match the rental period. However, your rental company may force you to only have a CEP that matches your rental period.

So you cannot have the CEP for 3 days for example on a 5 day rental. This was my experience with Times Rental Car.

4. You must make your reservation online (be sure to look for discounts. Discounts such as Times' 25% off rentals booked 30 days in advance, are not given to you unless you book through the campaign link!). Then, call the rental company up and ask for the CEP and the ETC card to be reserved for you at your rental pickup office.

For people like me from Canada or other nations where toll roads don't even exist, Japan's toll system is a major headache and expense when deciding to go beyond trains and have the freedom of driving. The expressway passes available to us are pricey but still save a ton and are well worth the peace of mind of not dealing with expensive tolls, tolls that are even more pricey without an ETC card.

Hello daisukidayo - this was a really informative Q&A.

How was your experience using the CEP?

Did it indeed cover all the expressways within the stipulated area, and thus you did NOT need to pay ANY additional tolls?

Were there any tolls that were not covered by the CEP (times or exclusive dates)?

thanks for your help :)

For tourists, from October 2017 there will be an unlimited expressway pass available, similar to what the JR Pass does for trains:

http://www.newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/121195.php