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Kanazawa is a city of gardens, samurai streets and geisha districts on the Sea of Japan coast. With a car you add the thatched villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama and the coast of Fukui to your trip.
Car hire prices in Kanazawa
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanazawa | €560 | €679 | €1307 |
| Komatsu Airport | €560 | €679 | €1307 |
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 Kanazawa
You can collect your car in Kanazawa or at Komatsu Airport, about 40 minutes south-west. The city itself is compact and easy on foot or by bus; 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 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.
- Tolls are paid by card. Ask for an ETC card at the desk, for a small fee; it records the expressway tolls and you settle them when you return the car.
- Winter brings snow. From about December to March, snow is common on the roads inland; ask for winter tyres at the desk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Kanazawa cost?
A week of car hire in Kanazawa starts at €560 for a small car, €679 for a mid-size car and €1307 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 Kanazawa?
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 Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa?
Yes. Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
How far is Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa by car?
About 1 to 1.5 hours by expressway.
Day trips by car
- Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, villages of thatched farmhouses, about 1 to 1.5 hours south-east.
- Tojinbo, basalt cliffs on the Fukui coast, about 1.5 hours south-west.
- Eiheiji, a Zen temple in the cedar forest, about 1.5 hours south-west.
- Kaga Onsen, hot spring towns near Komatsu, about 45 minutes.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons. Winter is snowy, especially inland, and Kenroku-en garden is famous for the ropes that protect its trees from the snow.