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Why Nova?
Tell us your dates and destination, and within minutes, you will receive an excellent car rental quote from Nova Car Hire. You can choose from 26,000 locations across the world, and booking takes just a few clicks. With the buying power of 1.5 million customers and the experience of an online car hire broker in business since 1997, you are assured of sharply discounted rates, whether you book online or over the phone.
Customer Service
Exceptional customer service is something you will enjoy when you rent a car from Nova Car Hire. We have served 1.5 million satisfied customers already, providing them with more than 12 million rental days worldwide since 1997. Most bookings are completed swiftly online, but if you have any questions or issues you want to discuss with one of our experienced customer service representatives, just give us a call.
Airport Location
Kansai International Airport is an international airport 38 km southwest of Osaka Station. Located on an man-made island in Osaka Bay, off the Honshu shore, it lies within the three municipalities of Izumisano, Sennan, and Tajiri, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
Picking Up Your Car
The car rental counters at Kansai Airport are located a three-minute walk from the passenger terminal building via the second floor connection corridor.
Currency
Japan's unit of currency is the yen. These come in bills of 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, and in six kinds of coin - from 1 yen to 500 yen. Bureaux de change are widely available for the exchange of foreign currency, although most big hotels and duty-free shops accept traveller's cheques and some foreign currencies (dollars, euros). Most other businesses do not accept foreign currency, however.
Climate
Located in the humid subtropical climate zone, Osaka has four distinct seasons. Winters are usually mild, with temperatures averaging 9.3 °C (49 °F) in January and snowfall a rare occurrence. Spring is mild to start, but it soon turns hot, humid, and wet. The rainy season (Tsuyu) occurs between late May and early July. Summers are extremely hot and humid.
Events
Osaka is unique fusion of the modern and the ancient, and you can see how successfully today's Osakans celebrate their history in their wonderful parades and festivals.
Toka Ebisu
Continuing a grand tradition that began during Osaka's commercial heyday, in the Edo Period (17th to19th Century), Toka Ebisu brings together thousands of people to pray for happiness and business success. The highlight of the festival is the glittering Good Luck Palanquin parade on January 10th, when some 600 celebrities, geisha, and fuku-musume (good luck girls) distribute lucky charms to visitors.
Tenma Tenjin Plum Festival
Plum festivals are a big thing in Japan, and Osaka celebrates its own renowned plum trees between February and May. See the ancient, sacred plum tree at Osaka's Temmangu Shrine and sample plum wine.
Otaue Rice Planting Festival
Events associated with rice planting are celebrated across Japan, but the festival at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine stands out for the way it recreates the grand ceremonial rituals according to ancient procedures. Held on June 14th, it features spectacular dances and songs, including the Sumiyoshi Odori, an energetic performance by 150 young girls.
Tenjin Matsuri
Dating back more than a millennium, the Tenjin Matsuri is one of Japan's greatest festivals and the world's most outstanding boat festival. The July festival is held at the Tenman Shrine and celebrates traditional Japanese performing arts including kagura music and bunraku theatrical performances. A highlight is the land procession, featuring some 3,000 people in period costume parading beside portable shrines.