CAR RENTAL IN HIROSHIMA
Collect a car at Hiroshima Airport or Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, then head for coastal towns, islands and historic sites across western Honshu. Central Hiroshima is easier to explore by tram and on foot; a car is most useful for exploring the wider Setouchi region.
Plan your Hiroshima rental ↗Choose dates to compare options · Rates and availability vary by location and provider
Hiroshima Airport is east of the city, while Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport can suit some western Hiroshima and Miyajima itineraries. Compare flight times, branch hours and the exact rental-car handover point before booking.
Distances and times are approximate. Traffic, toll routes and rental branch locations can change the journey.
The main gateway for the region. The airport’s RENT-A-Car.Port is about a three-minute walk from the passenger terminal via the second-floor pedestrian bridge; participating companies and collection arrangements differ.
Check Hiroshima Airport rental-car access ↗See the airport bus route ↗A smaller domestic option west of Hiroshima, useful for some Miyajima and western-region trips. Rental-car counters are in the arrivals area; check flight schedules and branch availability before choosing it.
See Iwakuni Airport’s Miyajima access guide ↗Check airport services ↗Heading to Miyajima? Leave the rental car at Miyajimaguchi and take the passenger ferry. Parking near the pier is more practical; island roads and parking are limited, and many sights are best reached on foot.
A rental car in Hiroshima is most useful once you leave the city. Use it for coastal towns, rural stops and a longer Setouchi itinerary. The Peace Memorial Park and central sights are easier by tram and on foot; collect a car when you are ready to explore farther.
Explore Setouchi road trips ↗For a Hiroshima car rental, compare airport and city pick-up branches, the total price for your dates and luggage space. A compact car suits a couple; a minivan gives a group more room.
Easy to park and a good fit for two.
More room for bags and long days.
Room for people, luggage and day bags.
Vehicle models, seating and luggage capacity vary by rental company. Check the details before booking.
Start with the daily rate, then add insurance options, tolls, fuel and any extras. Each rental company sets its own cover, fees and fuel policy.
Daily rate, insurance cover and any excess waiver. Check limits and exclusions.
Fuel, expressway tolls, parking and an ETC card fee.
Child seat, winter tyres, additional driver or one-way fee.
Using expressways? Ask whether the car has an ETC device and whether you can rent an ETC card. Ask how the rental company bills tolls and whether the ETC card has a rental fee.
Returning in another city? Check the one-way fee and whether the branch accepts your return location before you book.
Spring and autumn are popular for city visits and coastal drives. Summer is hot and humid, while rain and typhoon conditions can affect plans. Inland hills and mountain routes may feel cooler than Hiroshima city, so check local forecasts before setting out.
Mild days draw visitors to gardens, parks and the waterfront. Reserve early around cherry blossom dates and Golden Week.
Early summer is often rainy, followed by hot, humid weather. Keep water in the car and leave room in your schedule for changing conditions.
Comfortable days suit longer drives toward Onomichi and the islands. Autumn foliage dates can bring extra visitors to popular sites.
City and coastal trips are generally milder than higher inland routes. Ask the rental company about tyres if heading into colder areas.
Season planning: Hiroshima official visitor guide and JNTO weather by season. Rental prices depend on provider, car class and exact dates. This is a trip-planning guide, not collected rental-price data.
Hiroshima is a useful base for exploring the Setouchi coast, but not every stop needs a car. Visit the Peace Memorial Park on foot or by tram, then pick up a rental for the coast, smaller towns and a longer island-hopping itinerary.
Places to see from Hiroshima: Miyajima, Kure, Iwakuni, Onomichi, Shimanami Kaido and Saijo.
Take the ferry across to the island and explore its shrine, waterfront and walking paths. Park on the mainland at Miyajimaguchi; the passenger ferry takes about 10 minutes.
Plan the Miyajima ferry crossing ↗Head to the port city of Kure for naval and shipbuilding history, waterfront views and museums. Check current museum access, parking and opening information before your visit.
Explore Kure’s Yamato Museum ↗Pair the famous arched bridge with a riverside walk and the castle area above town. It makes a rewarding westbound day trip; check local parking and seasonal access.
Read JNTO’s Kintaikyo Bridge guide ↗Explore hillside lanes, temple paths and the old port-town atmosphere. Choose a public car park and continue on foot through the compact historic centre.
See Onomichi visitor information ↗Cross bridges and islands on this celebrated route between Onomichi and Imabari. The expressway route includes tolls; allow a full day or stay overnight, and check one-way rental return rules before committing.
Check the official expressway route guide ↗Visit a cluster of historic breweries and learn about Saijo’s sake-making heritage. If tasting is part of the plan, decide on a designated driver or use public transport.
Discover Saijo’s brewery district ↗Trip-planning sources: Destination links include Hiroshima’s official visitor guide, Miyajima Tourist Association, JNTO and the Honshu–Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company. Drive times vary with traffic, tolls and weather; confirm access, parking and ferry details before departure.
Japan drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. Mountain roads in inland and higher areas can have different conditions from central Hiroshima. Check weather, road access and any winter equipment required for your route.
Check your documents
Many visitors need a paper International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Rules depend on where your licence was issued; check before travel.
Budget for the full trip
Compare the rental rate, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking before you choose a car.
Carry your passport, home licence and the permit or translation required for your licence.
Ask which fuel the car takes and whether you must return it with a full tank.
Walk around with staff. Point out any scratches and save a few photos before leaving.
Ask about ETC, navigation language, child seats, winter tyres and the rental company’s emergency number.
Check the details that can change your plans, from licence rules to ferry and toll arrangements.
Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) is the region’s main air gateway east of the city. Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport (IWK), in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a smaller domestic option west of Hiroshima. Compare flight availability with your route and rental branch.
Yes. Hiroshima Airport has a RENT-A-Car.Port about a three-minute walk from the passenger terminal, with several participating rental companies. Confirm your provider’s collection point and opening hours before arrival.
Many visitors need a paper International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention, carried with their home licence. Some countries and regions use a Japanese translation instead. Check the rules for the country that issued your licence before you travel.
Drivers keep left, and most cars have the steering wheel on the right. Take extra care at intersections and when leaving a parking space if you usually drive on the other side.
Book early for Golden Week, summer holidays and major autumn foliage dates. Rates vary by provider, car class, pick-up branch and exact dates, so compare the full rental total.
Yes, but park at Miyajimaguchi and take the passenger ferry to Miyajima; island parking and access are limited. For Shimanami Kaido, plan tolls, time and your return branch in advance.
Children under six must use a child seat in Japan. Ask the rental company to add the right seat to your reservation, then check its fit when you collect the car.
Check the rental, insurance options, fuel, expressway tolls, parking and any one-way return fee. Check which items the quoted price includes.
Many expressways charge tolls. Drivers can pay at supported toll gates or use an ETC card with the car’s ETC device. Ask the rental company about card availability and fees before you set off.
Some companies allow one-way rentals, often with an extra fee and location restrictions. Check the return branch before you confirm your booking.
Confirm the car’s condition, fuel type and return policy. Set up navigation, check any ETC card or child seat, and save the rental company’s contact number.
For licence rules and current travel guidance, see the Japan National Tourism Organization’s guide to renting a car. Confirm licence documents with the issuing authority and rental company before travel.
KAWAII RENTAL · KAWAII-RENTAL.COM
Kawaii Rental brings local trip details together so you can compare a route and a rental with fewer surprises.
Where available, we link to airport, tourism, park and rental-provider information near the facts it supports.
Our guides flag the details that affect a real handover: licence documents, collection instructions, cover, fuel, ETC and vehicle condition.
Distances are estimates. Prices, fleet and seasonal access vary by date, branch and provider. Confirm the current terms before you travel.