Kyoto Car Rental: Airport Pickups and Day Trips by Car

Quick summary: Kyoto car rental works best for trips beyond the city, not for sightseeing within it. Kyoto has no airport of its own, so most visitors pick up a car at Osaka Kansai International Airport, Osaka International (Itami) Airport or Nagoya Airport. Central Kyoto has narrow streets, busy traffic around the main temples and limited parking, while trains, buses and walking cover the city well. A rental car comes into its own for countryside, mountain and lakeside day trips that the rail network serves less conveniently.

At a glance
Airport in the city	None; use Osaka or Nagoya
Main gateway	Osaka Kansai International
Closest airport	Osaka Itami
Driving side	Left
License	International Driving Permit, generally
Best use	Day trips beyond the city
Tours	Featured tours

Compare car rental at Osaka Kansai Airport

Where can you pick up a rental car for Kyoto?

Airport	Good for	Guide
Osaka Kansai International	International arrivals	Kansai Airport car rental
Osaka International (Itami)	Domestic flights, closest to Kyoto	Itami Airport car rental
Nagoya Airport	Arrivals from central Japan	Nagoya Airport car rental

Do you need a car in Kyoto?

Not for the city itself. Gion, Fushimi Inari and the central temples are easier on foot, by bike or by public transport. See car rental or tours?

Where can you drive from Kyoto?

Day trip	Tours
Nara’s temples and deer park	Nara tours
Osaka’s food streets	Osaka tours
Mountain trails north of the city	Hiking tours
Heritage sites across the region	UNESCO sites
Scenic countryside and villages	Photography tours
Longer trips beyond Kansai	Multi-day tours

What do you need to know before driving?

Japan drives on the left, expressways charge tolls, and most visitors need an International Driving Permit. See driving in Japan.

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Frequently Asked Questions