Self-Drive Car Rental in Sendai, Japan

Compare car hire from trusted providers

Book car hire with confidence

Save big on car hire in Sendai

Find a cheap car hire deal

Search for Sendai car hire near you

Choose from 48 pick-up spots

Select your Sendai pick-up location

There are 48 car hire providers in Sendai. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Sendai

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Sendai. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
Filter locations
These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

The most popular car rental companies in Sendai

What's the most popular car to hire in Sendai?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Nissan Z is the most popular car to hire in Sendai, with prices starting from ₹2,987 per day. The Honda Fit and similar models are also popular drives in Sendai.
Nissan Z
Nissan Z22% chose this
Honda Fit
Honda Fit11% chose this
Honda Civic
Honda Civic8% chose this
Nissan Micra
Nissan Micra7% chose this
Most popular carNissan Z
Why?Comfortable, practical, good value

Sendai's cheapest car hire providers

駅レンタカー東日本 has the cheapest car hire in Sendai right now, with prices from ₹2,987 per day. You'll save an average of ₹620 per day when you book with them.
駅レンタカー東日本from ₹2,987 per day
Orixfrom ₹3,235 per day
ニコニコレンタカーfrom ₹3,646 per day
バジェットレンタカーfrom ₹3,940 per day
Book with them to save around₹620 per day

Hiring a car in Sendai: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyTimes
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily price₹ 7,029
Best time to bookLess than 1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Sendai

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Sendai car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Sendai

  • Get into the driver's seat with a cheap rental car in Sendai. With prices averaging ₹ 7,029 a day, it's a wallet-friendly way to explore on your terms. From no-frills city cars to big-capacity SUVs, we'll help you find the right rental for less.

  • The cheapest daily price for a rental in Sendai is ₹ 2,987.

  • Taking a longer break? Book a weekly rental from ₹ 20,909 and say yes to more adventures.

  • If you like to plan with precision, book about three weeks ahead to grab the best price on a Sendai car hire.

  • Europcar, Nissan Rent a Car and Times are some of the most reliable providers in the city. They're a smart place to start comparing offers.

  • Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Sendai car hire policy, whether with Europcar or a different supplier. Some companies might not include it in the base price and instead sell it separately.

  • Booking one-way could snag you a bargain on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be relocated. Just choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Sendai.

  • Avoid those steep refueling fees by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.

  • Hit the road without tracking every mile and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you travel without limits.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best value with this company. Prices average ₹ 4,102 a day.

  • Next in line, this provider offers daily rates of around ₹ 6,169.

  • The third option also performs well on price. Cruise away in one of their rentals for roughly ₹ 8,386 a day.

  • After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Compact rental category is the top choice for travellers visiting Sendai.

Flying to Sendai? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Take the hassle out of arrival day by picking up a car hire at Sendai Airport. If you're flying to Sendai through this hub, simply pick up your wheels after landing and head out. The drive to the city centre is about 14 kilometres and takes around 20 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Sendai

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Sendai may be small in size, but they're big where it counts. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, great on mileage, and just the thing for short trips.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the rental that's juuuust right! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of interior space and fuel efficiency and are good for small families and couples.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and improved tech features, this Sendai car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel ticket to adventure. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and winding backroads alike.

  • Van: With options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Sendai makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're roomy, reliable, and ready for whatever the journey demands.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Sendai car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it can be a real lifesaver if something goes wrong. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • From navigation systems to reverse cameras, the right extras can make all the difference on the road. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Sendai.

Good to know

  • Rental age requirements aren't the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you might run into extra costs or rules. Check the terms set by each supplier before booking your rental in Japan.

  • Add a car seat to your Sendai car rental reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Rules can change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest way to go.

  • You'll be asked to provide some documents when you pick up your ride. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking confirmation will spell it all out.

  • Driving in Japan might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Be aware that traffic travels on the left side of the road.

  • Local speed limits are usually about 55kph in built-up areas and around 85kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.03% applies in Japan. The safest way to stay legal to drive is to avoid drinking altogether.

  • One of the busiest times for traffic in this destination is around 8am. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.

  • You'll be using the Japanese yen (JPY) for all your purchases and expenses on your trip. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cash and cards so you always have a backup option.

Best hotels in Sendai for drivers

  • Offering parking, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sendai Nishiguchi Premier gives you the freedom to come and go as you please. This hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Sendai and also comes with ironing services and a restaurant.

  • Richmond Hotel Sendai - Reopened After Renovation on 28 Dec 2024 also works well for a trip built around driving. It features accessible parking, along with room service and internet access. Check in here and you'll be roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse through the range of hotels in Sendai for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the ideal fit. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to narrow it down to EV-friendly stays.

  • You're ready to start exploring now you've locked in a car hire deal in Sendai and your hotel. From Sendai Toshogu Shrine to Rairaikyo Gorge and Sendai Castle, there's plenty to keep you busy here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Sendai

  • Shift gears and head toward Ishinomaki. Around 48 kilometres northeast of central Sendai, you'll find must-see sights like Ishinomaki Manga Road and Ryusenin.

  • HOTEL ROUTE-INN Ishinomaki Kanan Inter and Hotel Route Inn Ishinomaki Chuo are reliable accommodation options with parking in Ishinomaki.

  • Or collect your cheap car hire in Sendai and drive around 40 kilometres west to Tendō. Featuring Shidare zakura along Kurazu River and Onsen Shrine, its highlights live up to the buzz.

  • Comfort Hotel Tendo and Super Hotel Yamagata Sakurambo-Higashine Station Front are comfortable places to stay in Tendō if you're hanging around for a while. Choose one of these and enjoy an easy pull-up-and-check-in experience.

  • There's plenty of road left if you're up for more. Motor on to Kashiwa, about 274 kilometres south of Sendai. From Akebonoyama Japanese Garden to Yutaka Inari Hongū, it makes for a well-rounded adventure.

  • Browse the room options at Toyoko Inn Kashiwa-eki Higashi-guchi or Sotetsu Fresa Inn Chiba Kashiwa. They make it a breeze to discover everything Kashiwa has to offer. They come with space for your wheels too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Sendai will set you back around ₹ 7,029 per day or ₹ 49,915 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Sendai is a compact SUV. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.

The cheapest car hire companies in Sendai are currently カースタレンタカー and バジェットレンタカー.

On average, around ₹ 49,915. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Sendai is ₹ 20,909.

If you're looking for freedom to explore Sendai, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Sendai that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Sendai.

Most places – Sendai included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ₹ 3,123 per day. The average price per day is around ₹ 9,813.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Times, Orix and NIPPON Rent A Car offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Times as the best overall in terms of experience.

We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Sendai.