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Osaka is Japan's food capital and the hub of the Kansai region. With a car you reach castles, mountain temples and the coast that the trains serve less well, while Kyoto, Nara and Kobe are each about an hour away.
Car hire prices in Osaka
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka Kansai Airport | €548 | €679 | €1307 |
| Osaka Itami Airport | €548 | €679 | €1307 |
| Osaka city | €542 | €487 | €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 Osaka
You can collect your car at Kansai Airport, on an island in Osaka Bay about 50 minutes from the city, at Itami Airport, closer in for domestic flights, or in Osaka itself. If you spend the first days in the city, pick up the car when you leave: parking in central Osaka is expensive.
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.
- Speed limits are low. Usually 80 to 100 km/h on expressways and 40 to 60 km/h in towns, and they are enforced.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Osaka cost?
A week of car hire in Osaka starts at €542 for a small car, €487 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 Osaka?
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 Osaka 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 Osaka?
Yes. Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
Should I pick up my car at Kansai Airport or in Osaka?
Kansai Airport is convenient if you leave Osaka straight away. If you stay in the city first, pick up in Osaka on the day you leave and save on parking.
Day trips by car
- Himeji Castle, Japan's finest original castle, about 1.5 hours west.
- Nara, the great Buddha of Todai-ji and the deer park, about 1 hour east.
- Koyasan, the temple town in the mountains, about 2 hours south. Stay overnight in a temple.
- Kobe and Mount Rokko, about 45 minutes west.
When to go
Spring, with cherry blossom from late March, and autumn, with red leaves in November, are the best seasons. Summer is hot and humid; June and July bring the rainy season.