Sendai Airport Car Rental: Top 5 Services for Travel in Northern Japan

Effortless Adventures in Tohoku! Rent a Car at Sendai Airport

Photo by Pixta

Tohoku has many attractions, including Matsushima and Zao in Miyagi Prefecture, Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture, and Chuson-ji Temple in Iwate Prefecture.

Sendai Airport is highly recommended as a starting point for your Tohoku trip. With many car rental shops available, you can head to your destination right after arriving at the airport. This article introduces recommended car rental shops at Sendai Airport.

We'll also provide information on budget-friendly driving options like the Tohoku Expressway Pass and suggested driving routes. We hope you'll use this guide as a reference for your future travels.

Sendai Airport Car Rental Guide

Top 5 Recommended Car Rentals at Sendai Airport

At Sendai Airport, there are counters for 7 different car rental companies. The counters are located right in front of the domestic and international arrival gates. Since the counters are unattended, you should use the phone on the desk to contact them. There is a shuttle service from the airport to the rental locations.

	Business Hours	Location	Languages
TOYOTA Rent a Car	Jan 1-Jan 3: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, Jan 4-Jan 31: 7:00 AM–9:30 PM, Feb 1-Dec 31: 7:00 AM-9:30 PM	Google Map	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai
NISSAN Rent a Car	8:00 AM–8:00 PM	Google Map	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai
Nippon Rent-A-Car	8:30 AM–7:00 PM	Google Map	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai
Times Rent-a-Car	9:00 AM–7:00 PM, Dec 31-Jan 3: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM	Google Map	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean
ORIX Rent a Car	8:00 AM–8:00 PM	Google Map	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean
Budget Rent a Car	8:00 AM–8:00 PM	Google Map	Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean
Eco Car Rental	9:00 AM–7:00 PM	Google Map	Japanese

Below are five recommended companies that support multiple languages and are suitable for overseas tourists.

1. Nippon Rent-A-Car

Photo is for illustration purposes.
Nippon Rent-A-Car, a major and long-established rental car company with 560 locations nationwide, offers a variety of vehicles suitable for different needs. The Sendai Airport location operates from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

One of its attractions is the wide range of vehicles available, from compact cars to minivans that can accommodate 7 to 8 people.

Additionally, all vehicles come standard with multi-language navigation systems (note: some vehicles may have Japanese-only navigation), and it is possible to drop off the car at a different location for an extra fee.

MATCHA offers a 10% discount coupon for Nippon Rent-A-Car for overseas tourists, which you can access here. Be sure to take advantage of it!

10% Discount! Book Nippon Rent-A-Car
*Some vehicles may be equipped with Japanese-only navigation systems.

2. NISSAN Rent a Car

Photo is for illustration purposes.

NISSAN Rent a Car, operated by one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. It offers rental services that focus on drivability, fuel efficiency, and comfort.

At the Sendai Airport location, open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, you can find vehicles featuring Nissan's unique e-POWER technology alongside the globally acclaimed SUV X-TRAIL, available for relatively low rental prices.

Additionally, many of the vehicles are only available for rent through their official website. If you apply through MATCHA, you'll receive a 10% discount on NISSAN Rent a Car. Be sure to make your reservation using the link below!

3. TOYOTA Rent a Car

Photo is for illustration purposes.

TOYOTA Rent a Car, operated by Toyota's rental subsidiary, offers an extensive lineup of vehicles across Japan. The Sendai Airport location operates from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Jan 1–Jan 3), 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM (Jan 4–Jan 31), and 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM (Feb 1–Dec 31).

As the largest car rental company in Japan, Toyota offers a wide selection of vehicles for rent, including luxury cars.

Reserve TOYOTA Rent a Car on Klook

4. ORIX Rent a Car

ORIX Rent a Car, ranked as the second largest in the industry, has a Sendai Airport location, which is open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

One of the attractions of ORIX Rent a Car is that it is not affiliated with a specific manufacturer, allowing a diverse range of vehicle options for rent. They also offer commercial vehicles such as trucks, which makes them a popular choice for users needing to move.

Reserve ORIX Rent a Car on Klook

5. Budget Rent a Car

Budget Rent a Car is an American rental car company, operating in over 120 countries with approximately 3,500 locations. They offer a variety of discount campaigns, including early bird rates.

The Sendai Airport location operates from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. They also provide vehicles equipped with studless winter tires from December 1 to April 30.

Travel Times and Highway Fees from Sendai Airport to Major Tourist Spots

Sendai City Photo by Pixta

Below are the travel times and estimated highway fees when using a rental car from Sendai Airport to major cities and tourist spots. This can serve as a reference for planning your trip.

Sendai City (Miyagi Prefecture): 40 minutes
Matsushima (Miyagi Prefecture): 40 minutes (Estimated highway fee: 1,090 yen)
Zao (Miyagi Prefecture): 1 hour 30 minutes (Estimated highway fee: 2,350 yen)
Chuson-ji (Iwate Prefecture): 1 hour 30 minutes (Estimated highway fee: 3,650 yen)
Yamagata City (Yamagata Prefecture): 1 hour (Estimated highway fee: 2,350 yen)
Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata Prefecture): 2 hours (Estimated highway fee: 2,960 yen)
Morioka City (Iwate Prefecture): 2 hours 30 minutes (Estimated highway fee: 5,400 yen)
Aomori City (Aomori Prefecture): 4 hours 30 minutes (Estimated highway fee: 8,700 yen)

Popular Driving Routes and Tourist Attractions in Tohoku

Hachimantai Aspite Line Photo by Pixta

Tohoku is home to many breathtaking driving routes and tourist destinations. Here are some top sightseeing destinations.

Zao Highline - Zao Ecoline (Miyagi Prefecture): This mountain road around Zao offers stunning views of fresh green foliage and autumn leaves, in addition to the breathtaking scenery of Zao's symbol, the volcanic crater Okama, located near the summit parking area.

Hachimantai Aspite Line (From Iwate Prefecture to Akita Prefecture): A 27 kilometer course that crosses Hachimantai from the Gozaisho area in Iwate Prefecture to Toroko Onsen in Akita Prefecture. The snow walls created by winter snow removal turn into snow corridors, best viewed from mid-April to early May.

Chokandai Observatory (Aomori): An observation deck located at the highest point of the so-called Tatsudomari Line Road, which stretches about 20 km from Kodomari to Cape Ryuh at the tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula. On clear days, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tsugaru Strait and possibly glimpse Hokkaido.

Convenient "Tohoku Expressway Pass" for Traveling in Tohoku

If you plan to explore Tohoku, it's recommended to use the Tohoku Expressway Pass designed for overseas visitors.

This pass allows unlimited travel on the expressways in Tohoku for a set fee. Plans are available for 2 days (4,100 yen) to 14 days (12,200 yen).

Given the expansive nature of the Tohoku region, traveling by expressway is advisable. This can often provide savings of over 50% compared to standard toll fees, so be sure to take advantage of it.

The Tohoku Expressway Pass can be reserved through specific rental car companies like NISSAN Rent a Car and Nippon Rent-A-Car (ETC cards with unlimited pass functions will be provided). Be sure to inquire about this service when renting your vehicle.

Things to Keep in Mind When Reserving and Driving a Rental Car

Photo by Pixta

In recent years, more expressways in Japan require ETC cards for passage. It's recommended to rent an ETC card along with your vehicle. Companies like NISSAN Rent a Car and Nippon Rent-A-Car offer this option for around 300 yen.

The Tohoku region typically experiences snowfall from mid-December to late February. Make sure to choose a vehicle equipped with studless winter tires as an option. Some rental companies might have delayed availability for studless tires, so always check during your reservation.

Additionally, be cautious of whiteouts that reduce visibility and icy conditions on the roads. We recommend referring to articles detailing tips and precautions for driving in snowy conditions.

Enjoy Your Tohoku Trip with a Rental Car!

Use this article as a guide to finding the perfect rental car for your journey!

Main image by Pixta