When it comes to traveling in Kyoto, many visitors choose to stay in the city center and visit temples and shrines by bus or subway. But if you want to explore the true charm of Kyoto—those hidden gems nestled in valleys and by lakesides—renting a car for self-driving is the most efficient option. This article won't tell you which rental car shops are in front of Kyoto Station; instead, it takes a more practical angle: how to pick up a car in Kyoto and head north and east to explore the surrounding world of this ancient capital.
Why Rent a Car in Kyoto?
Kyoto's statistics show that over 70% of foreign tourists use public transportation, which also means the city center suffers from particularly severe traffic congestion and parking problems. Conversely, the real value of renting a car in Kyoto isn't in the city center, but in its role as the "Northern Kansai Hub." Kansai Airport (KIX) has a direct Shinkansen to Kyoto Station, and from Kyoto heading north you can reach Lake Biwa and Mount Hiei, while to the northeast lie hidden Japan Sea destinations like Ine Town's Funaya boats and Amanohashidate. These places have infrequent public transportation, but driving takes only 1-2 hours to reach—this is the core advantage of renting a car in Kyoto.
Recommended Self-Driving Routes:
The first recommended route is "Mount Hiei + Lake Biwa." Starting from Kyoto Station, it's about a 40-minute drive to Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, which is a sacred Japanese Buddhist site featuring temple complexes over a thousand years old. During autumn's red maple season, self-driving allows you to depart early and avoid the tourist crowds. From there, head down to Omi Hachiman by Lake Biwa, which has a well-preserved ancient town commercial district. Renting a jet boat to tour the lake starts at around ¥3,000—much cheaper and more flexible than the large tour boats.
The second route is "Ine Town + Amanohashidate." Ine Town is rated as one of "Japan's 15 Most Beautiful Rural Scenery," and driving from Kyoto takes about 2 hours, passing through Miyama Town's thatched-roof village. The highlight of this route is Ine's Funaya—traditional seaside buildings, some now converted into coffee shops. Self-driving allows you to arrive in Ine in the evening and find accommodation facing the bay, then drive just 15 minutes the next morning to the View Land observation deck on Amanohashidate for a complete view of the bay's arc. Parking is very convenient on this route, with most attractions having large parking lots costing around ¥500-800 per day.
The third route is "Arashiyama + Kurama." While many people take the Arashiyama train on this route, the advantage of self-driving is that it can reach areas the train can't. A 20-minute drive east from Arashiyama leads to Mount Kurama, which is famous for Kurama Temple and Kibune Kurama Onsen. In summer, you can experience Kawadoko cuisine (sitting on cooling platforms built over the river), with per-person spending around ¥2,500-4,000—既消暑又有氣氛. Self-driving also lets you avoid the evening return crowds from Arashiyama and drive back to the city at your leisure.
The fourth recommended route is "Nara + Yoshino." Driving from Kyoto to Nara takes only 40 minutes, and during Yoshino Mountain's cherry blossom season (typically early April), self-driving offers more flexibility than other transportation. Chiyo Village on Yoshino Mountain is a newly established alpine botanical garden with admission under ¥1,000, and you can drive between all the cherry blossom viewing spots on the mountain without backtracking.
The fifth route is "Kobe + Arima Onsen." Driving from Kyoto to Arima Onsen takes about 1 hour. Arima Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Kansai, with public bath fees around ¥800-1,500. Self-driving allows you to stay at a ryokan in the hot spring area, where one-night with two-meal packages cost around ¥8,000-15,000—cheaper and more spacious than city hotels on weekends.
Fees and Practical Information:
The cost of renting a car in Kyoto ranges from around ¥5,000-8,000 per day for an economy car during the off-season (January-March, June-September); during peak season (cherry blossom season in April, autumn foliage in October, New Year's), prices can reach ¥12,000-15,000. Insurance costs around ¥1,000-2,000 per day, and Full Coverage is strongly recommended since there are higher collision risks when driving on mountain roads.
The advantage of picking up a car at Kansai Airport is that the airport has complete rental car service locations, so you can pick up your car and depart immediately after landing, saving the transfer time to Kyoto. You can also return the car at Kansai Airport, avoiding the transportation costs of returning to the city.
Regarding business hours, airport locations are typically from 8 AM to 8 PM, while city locations mainly operate from 9 AM to 7 PM. When reserving, the "airport return" option is strongly recommended—this makes the starting point and endpoint of your trip the same, so you won't waste time on transportation after returning the car.
Travel Tips:
First, the parking problem in Kyoto isn't about finding a space—it's about the cost. Mechanical parking towers in the city center charge ¥400-600 per hour, which can exceed the daily rental fee over a full day. The solution is: park at your accommodation's parking lot, then take public transportation into the city for sightseeing. The car's real purpose is for driving to remote hidden gems.
Second, weather in Kyoto's mountain areas changes quickly, especially during the rainy season and typhoon season (June-October). Be sure to check real-time road information before departing. Some mountain roads are closed during typhoons—checking "road information" in advance can prevent wasted trips.
Third, rental cars in Japan are calculated by 24-hour periods, not calendar days. If your flight returns late in the day, renting for the entire morning works out better than hourly calculations—this is worth noting when planning your budget.
Fourth, for self-driving trips around Kyoto, it's recommended to stay 2-3 nights for an in-depth experience rather than making day trips. This saves travel time on both legs of the journey, and allows you to experience the hidden gems in the early morning or evening when there are no other tourists—these are the moments when self-driving truly shows its greatest value.
