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Kyoto's temples and old streets are best seen on foot, but a car opens up the countryside around the city: thatched villages, Lake Biwa, the mountain shrines of Kurama and the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Car hire prices in Kyoto
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | €548 | €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 Kyoto
You collect your car in Kyoto. The city's streets are narrow and parking is scarce, so pick up the car on the day you head out, not on the day you arrive. Osaka's airports are about 1 to 1.5 hours away.
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.
- Leave the car outside the old centre. Gion and Higashiyama are crowded with pedestrians; park at your hotel or a coin car park and walk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Kyoto cost?
A week of car hire in Kyoto starts at €548 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 Kyoto?
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
Yes. Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
Is it worth hiring a car in Kyoto?
Not for the city centre, where buses, trains and walking are easier. A car is worth it for the countryside and coast around Kyoto, and for travelling on to other regions.
Day trips by car
- Miyama, a village of thatched farmhouses in the hills, about 1.5 hours north.
- Amanohashidate, the pine-covered sandbar on the Sea of Japan, about 2 hours north.
- Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, about 30 minutes east.
- Nara, about 1 hour south.
When to go
Kyoto is at its best in spring, with cherry blossom from late March, and in autumn, when the maples turn red in November. Both seasons are busy; book early.