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Hiroshima lies on the Seto Inland Sea, with Miyajima's floating shrine gate to the west and the island-hopping Shimanami Kaido to the east. A car links these sights easily and lets you stop in the quiet harbour towns between them.
Car hire prices in Hiroshima
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima Airport | €548 | €679 | €822 |
| Hiroshima city | €548 | €679 | €822 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 10 November 2026. About this price
What's included in the price
Excess refunded in full
If the desk charges the excess after damage, Sunny Cars refunds it.
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
Not included: Expressway tolls (an ETC card is available at the desk); fuel; child seats and other extras you add at the desk; traffic fines and parking.
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year, plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name, for the deposit.
- Deposit
- Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Picking up your car in Hiroshima
You can collect your car at Hiroshima Airport, about 50 minutes east of the city, or in Hiroshima itself. Inside the city the trams are easier; take the car for the trips out.
Free cancellation
Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts. After that, the full price of the booking applies.
Driving in western Japan
- Traffic drives on the left. Most hire cars in Japan are automatics.
- Sort out your licence before you fly. Most licences, including those from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, need an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation from JAF. Without it the desk cannot hand over the car.
- Save on tolls with the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass. Visitors from abroad can buy a flat-rate pass for unlimited expressway driving in ten prefectures of western Japan, including Hiroshima for a set number of days. It works with an ETC card from the rental desk; ask the desk whether they can add it.
- Speed limits are low. Usually 80 to 100 km/h on expressways and 40 to 60 km/h in towns.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Hiroshima cost?
A week of car hire in Hiroshima starts at €548 for a small car, €679 for a mid-size car and €822 for a large car or SUV. That is the total for seven days, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 10 November 2026.
Is there an excess when I hire a car in Hiroshima?
Excess refunded in full. If the desk charges the excess after damage, Sunny Cars refunds it. Updated 10 November 2026.
Can I cancel my car hire in Hiroshima for free?
Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts. After that, the full price of the booking applies.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Hiroshima?
Yes. Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
Can I take the hire car to Miyajima?
It is best not to. Park at Miyajimaguchi and take the passenger ferry; the island is small and easy to explore on foot.
Day trips by car
- Miyajima, with the great torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Drive to Miyajimaguchi, about 45 minutes, park and take the short ferry.
- Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido, a chain of bridges across the islands to Shikoku, about 1.5 hours east.
- Iwakuni and the wooden Kintai Bridge, about 1 hour south-west.
- Kure, the naval port and its museums, about 45 minutes south-east.
When to go
Spring and autumn are mild and clear. June and early July bring the rainy season; summer is hot and humid.