Choosing a rental car in Ishikawa
Ishikawa Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan coast, with Kanazawa as its capital and the Noto Peninsula to the north. There are two main places to rent: Kanazawa Station with 13 branches and Komatsu Airport with eight, 21 branches from 11 companies in all.
This guide shows which place suits your trip, how exits and airport counters work, which branches take cars rented elsewhere, winter tyres, and how rates differ on Japanese and foreign licences.
- Arriving at Kanazawa Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen: branches are on both the West (Kanazawa Port) and East (Kenrokuen) sides, and most are a walk with no shuttle. Eki Rent-a-Car is under the conventional-line viaduct, about 70 m from the ticket gate.
- Arriving at Komatsu Airport by air: the terminal has no branches. You check in at a first-floor counter or meet staff in the arrivals lobby, then take a shuttle to a branch outside the airport, 1–3 minutes by car for most. Toyota and Nico Nico close latest, at 20:00, but Toyota's airport counter closes at 19:00.
- Using Komatsu Station: the Nico Nico and J-Net branches at Komatsu Airport also run a shuttle to Komatsu Station.
- Renting at the airport and returning at Kanazawa Station, or the reverse: Nippon, Toyota, Orix and Sky have branches at both and handle returns at other branches. Orix Komatsu Airport West and Kanazawa Station Nishihonmachi Counter do not offer one-way rentals.
- Keeping the cost down: on standard compact rates before discounts for a Japanese licence, the lowest for 24 hours are Guts at Kanazawa Station (¥4,070) and One's Kanazawa Station East Exit (¥4,700). Guts includes no vehicle damage cover, and One's mainly rents used cars. Among major companies, Eki Rent-a-Car at Kanazawa Station is ¥8,470 and Toyota ¥8,580.
The Kanazawa Station comparison gives hours, routes and prices for each branch there.
Kanazawa Station and Komatsu Airport compared
The two places differ in how you reach the branch and in opening and closing times.
- Kanazawa Station: on the West (Kanazawa Port) side are Nippon, Toyota Kanazawa Station West Exit, Orix Kanazawa Station West Exit and Budget. On the East (Kenrokuen) side are Toyota Kanazawa Station Shinkansen (East) Exit, Orix Kanazawa Station East Exit, Nissan, Sky, Nico Nico and One's. A "Shinkansen Exit" in a branch name does not tell you the west side, so choose a branch on the same side as your hotel. One's opens at 07:00, and most branches stay open until 20:00.
- Komatsu Airport: Nippon, Toyota, Orix and Nissan check you in at counters in the airport and take you to the branch by shuttle. At Sky and Nico Nico, staff wait in the arrivals lobby with a sign (phone Nico Nico in advance). J-Net collects you from the stop outside the terminal (8 minutes by car to the branch). Closing times range from 18:00 to 20:00.
Walking routes for each Kanazawa branch are in the Kanazawa Station comparison. The first table below compares the two places. The tables after it list every branch, with each name linking to its branch page.
| Pickup place | Branches | Earliest opening and latest closing | Branches offering one-way rentals | Lowest compact reference rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanazawa Station | 13 (10 companies) | 07:00–20:00 | 8 | Guts: ¥4,070 |
| Komatsu Airport | 8 (7 companies) | 08:00–20:00 | 4 | Nico Nico: ¥5,610 |
Kanazawa Station branches
| Branch | Regular hours | One-way rental |
|---|---|---|
| Nippon Kanazawa Station West Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Toyota Kanazawa Station West Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Toyota Kanazawa Station Shinkansen (East) Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Kanazawa Station East Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Kanazawa Station West Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Kanazawa Station Nishihonmachi Counter | 08:00–20:00 | Not offered |
| Nissan Kanazawa Ekimae | 08:00–20:00 | Check when you book |
| Budget Kanazawa Station West Exit | 08:00–20:00 | Check when you book |
| Sky Kanazawa Ekimae | 08:00–19:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Nico Nico Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen Exit | 08:00–19:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Eki Rent-a-Car Kanazawa Station | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Guts Kanazawa Ekimae | 09:00–19:00 | Check when you book |
| One's Kanazawa Station East Exit | 07:00–20:00 | Check when you book |
Komatsu Airport branches
| Branch | Regular hours | One-way rental |
|---|---|---|
| Nippon Komatsu Airport | 08:00–19:30 | Offered, with conditions |
| Toyota Komatsu Airport | 08:00–20:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Komatsu Airport East | 08:00–19:30 | Offered, with conditions |
| Orix Komatsu Airport West | 08:30–18:00 | Not offered |
| Nissan Komatsu Airport | 08:00–19:00 | Check when you book |
| Sky Komatsu Airport | 09:00–18:00 | Offered, with conditions |
| Nico Nico Komatsu Airport Ukiyanagi | 08:00–20:00 | Check when you book |
| J-Net Komatsu Airport | 08:00–19:30 | Check when you book |
Rental companies in Ishikawa compared
The table groups the 21 branches by company. Nippon, Toyota, Orix, Nissan, Sky and Nico Nico have branches at both places. Eki Rent-a-Car, Budget, One's and Guts are at Kanazawa Station only, and J-Net is at Komatsu Airport only.
| Company | Kanazawa Station | Komatsu Airport | Return to another branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Rent a Car | West Exit and Shinkansen (East) Exit 08:00–20:00 | Komatsu Airport 08:00–20:00 (airport counter 08:30–19:00) | Available inside and outside the prefecture (not to the airport counter) |
| Nippon Rent-A-Car | West Exit 08:00–20:00 | Komatsu Airport 08:00–19:30 | Available (class limits apply) |
| Orix Rent a Car | East Exit and West Exit 08:00–20:00; Nishihonmachi Counter 08:00–20:00 | Komatsu Airport East 08:00–19:30; West 08:30–18:00 | Available (not Nishihonmachi Counter or Komatsu Airport West) |
| Nissan Rent a Car | Kanazawa Ekimae 08:00–20:00 | Komatsu Airport 08:00–19:00 | Check when you book |
| Sky Rent a Car | Kanazawa Ekimae 08:00–19:00 (shorter in winter) | Komatsu Airport 09:00–18:00 | Available to Ishikawa-area branches (a fee applies between Komatsu Airport and Kanazawa city branches) |
| Nico Nico Rent a Car | Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen Exit 08:00–19:00 | Komatsu Airport Ukiyanagi 08:00–20:00 | Generally not available (company rule) |
| Eki Rent-a-Car | Kanazawa Station 08:00–20:00 | — | Available |
| Budget Rent a Car | Kanazawa Station West Exit 08:00–20:00 | — | Check when you book |
| One's Rent-a-Car | Kanazawa Station East Exit 07:00–20:00 | — | Check when you book |
| Guts Rent a Car | Kanazawa Ekimae 09:00–19:00 (closed Wednesdays) | — | Not available (company rule) |
| J-Net Rent a Car | — | Komatsu Airport 08:00–19:30 | Check when you book |
Times Kanazawa Station stopped taking rentals on 31 October 2026 and became car-share only on 1 November. Some branches change hours over New Year or in winter, so check the date with your branch.
Rental service
Toyota Rent a Car
Komatsu Airport and two at Kanazawa Station
Compare plans by branch, vehicle class and the conditions of your trip.
- Location in this guide
- Toyota Komatsu Airport
- Vehicles and service
- Passenger cars, minivans and SUVs; check the model and equipment in your booking.
- Coverage
- The Anshin W plan combines the deductible waiver with an NOC waiver.
Toyota Komatsu Airport checks you in at the Toyota counter in the airport lobby, then takes you by shuttle to the branch by the Komatsu Kuko-mae junction (about 1 minute). The airport counter opens 08:30–19:00, shorter than the branch's 08:00–20:00. At Kanazawa Station, the West Exit branch is on the first floor of the TRL Building on the West (Kanazawa Port) side, and the Shinkansen (East) Exit branch is on the first floor of Porte Kanazawa on the East side. Both open 08:00–20:00. On 31 December, Komatsu Airport and the East Exit branch close at 18:00.
All three accept returns to branches inside and outside the prefecture, but you cannot end a one-way rental at the Komatsu Airport counter: return the car to the branch. The two Kanazawa Station branches give separate return MAPCODEs from their branch ones. As a company rule, Hokuriku branches fit studless winter tyres as standard from 15 December to 20 March, at a seasonal charge.
The standard compact rate (C1) is ¥8,580 for 24 hours on a Japanese licence. Basic collision damage waiver (CDW) still leaves the non-operation charge (NOC) of ¥20,000 or ¥50,000. The Anshin W Plan waives the NOC and also covers tyre repair or replacement after a puncture.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Nippon Rent-A-Car
Komatsu Airport and Kanazawa Station West Exit
Choose a vehicle class around your passengers, luggage and pickup location.
- Location in this guide
- Nippon Komatsu Airport
- Vehicles and service
- Passenger cars, SUVs and minivans; availability varies by location and date.
- Coverage
- CDW and ECO are separate options for the accident excess and non-operation charge.
Komatsu Airport checks you in at the counter opposite the arrivals gate and takes you to the branch by shuttle. After you return the car, the airport is 3 minutes by car. It opens daily 08:00–19:30. Kanazawa Station West Exit is 60 m left along the rotary opposite the West Exit, and opens daily 08:00–20:00. Because of the car-park height limit, 10-seat wagons and trucks can neither leave from nor return to it.
Both branches accept cars from other branches in kei and passenger car, wagon, van and kei truck classes (excluding 10-seat vehicles at Kanazawa Station West Exit). If you are heading towards Noto, Nippon asks you to check the latest road information first. As a company rule, Hokuriku branches fit studless tyres as standard from 1 December to 31 March, with a winter seasonal charge of ¥330 a day.
The standard compact rate (N-B) is ¥8,910 for 24 hours. CDW does not remove the NOC; a separate scheme called ECO waives it.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Orix Rent a Car
Komatsu Airport East and Kanazawa Station branches
Compare vehicle classes, locations and coverage for your itinerary.
- Location in this guide
- Orix Komatsu Airport East
- Vehicles and service
- Compact cars, minivans and other classes; vehicles and equipment depend on the branch and plan.
- Coverage
- Check the deductible waiver and Rental Car Anshin Pack (RAP) for NOC and other benefits.
Komatsu Airport has an East branch (08:00–19:30) and a West branch (08:30–18:00). Both check you in at a counter in the airport and take you by shuttle (about 3 minutes to East, about 1 minute to West). They are separate branches, so give the full branch name at the counter. At Kanazawa Station there are East Exit and West Exit branches (each 1 minute on foot, 08:00–20:00), and Nishihonmachi Counter, reached by bus from the station.
One-way rentals are available from Komatsu Airport East, Kanazawa Station East Exit and West Exit (except Hokkaido, Okinawa and outlying islands). Komatsu Airport West and Nishihonmachi Counter handle neither departures to nor returns from other branches.
The standard compact rate (SA) is ¥9,900 for 24 hours. The Rent-a-Car Anshin Pack (RAP) waives the NOC and covers puncture tyre costs up to ¥20,000. If you call at least 1 hour before your due time, an extension of up to 1 hour costs nothing extra.
Company sources and verification dates
Rental service
Nico Nico Rent a Car
Komatsu Airport Ukiyanagi and Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen Exit
Compare standard, member and app rates for a short rental or day trip.
View official location and service information- Vehicles and service
- Available classes vary by branch. Check the vehicle and collection and return times.
- Coverage
- The deductible waiver, Plus and Perfect plans have different coverage scopes.
Komatsu Airport Ukiyanagi is at a petrol station 1 minute by car from the airport. If you phone in advance, staff wait with a sign in front of the Information desk in the first-floor arrivals lobby. You can also walk, and there is a shuttle to Komatsu Station (book in advance). It opens daily 08:00–20:00 and offers an after-hours return service.
Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen Exit checks you in on the first floor of the Live 1 Building, about 1 minute from underground exit A-7 and about 3 minutes from the East Exit. It opens daily 08:00–19:00. The S class is ¥5,610 for 24 hours and ¥5,610 for each further day. Basic CDW (¥1,100 a day) leaves the vehicle excess after a single-car accident; Perfect cover removes it. One-way rentals to other branches are generally not accepted.
Company sources and verification dates
Reference rates and cover
The table shows standard compact rates at the 11 companies: regular season, before discounts, tax included, for a Japanese licence. Winter tyre charges are not included. A dash means the company does not publish that rate.
| Company and class | First 24 hours | Each further 24 hours | Basic CDW per day | 48 hours with basic CDW | Minivan (7–8 seats), 24 hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guts C-1 (Vitz, March, Fit) | ¥4,070 | — | ¥1,100 | — | ¥8,580 | No vehicle damage cover in the rate; 300 km per 24 hours |
| One's M (Vitz, Fit, Note) | ¥4,700 | ¥4,700 | ¥1,100 | ¥11,600 | ¥9,650 | Mainly used cars; rates vary by branch |
| Nico Nico S (Aqua, Yaris, Roomy) | ¥5,610 | ¥5,610 | ¥1,100 | ¥13,420 | ¥15,180 | Basic CDW leaves the vehicle excess after a single-car accident |
| Eki Rent-a-Car S (Fit, Yaris) | ¥8,470 | ¥7,150 | ¥1,100 | ¥17,820 | ¥22,550 | — |
| Toyota C1 (Yaris, Passo) | ¥8,580 | ¥7,260 | ¥1,100 | ¥18,040 | ¥20,900 | — |
| Budget JS (Yaris, Fit) | ¥8,580 | ¥7,040 | ¥1,430 | ¥18,480 | ¥21,010 | — |
| Sky S (Yaris, Fit) | ¥8,800 | ¥7,480 | ¥1,100 | ¥18,480 | ¥22,000 | — |
| Nippon N-B (Fit, Corolla) | ¥8,910 | ¥7,150 | ¥1,100 | ¥18,260 | ¥22,550 | — |
| Nissan P2 (March, Note) | ¥9,790 | ¥7,700 | ¥1,650 | ¥20,790 | ¥24,090 | — |
| Orix SA (Fit, Note 1.2) | ¥9,900 | ¥7,920 | ¥1,100 | ¥20,020 | ¥22,660 | — |
| J-Net J3 (Yaris, Fit, Mazda2) | ¥10,450 | ¥8,800 | ¥1,100 | ¥21,450 | ¥23,650 | — |
On a foreign licence, Toyota uses a separate rate list: C1 is ¥10,340 for the first 24 hours and ¥8,690 for each further 24 hours, against ¥8,580 and ¥7,260 in the table. To rent on a foreign licence, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention and your passport, or, for licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, the licence with a Japanese translation and your passport.
Nico Nico requires the renter to complete the contract in Japanese, without an interpreter or translation app, and Guts generally does not rent on an IDP.
The cover names and prices that remove the NOC are compared in CDW and NOC.
Pickup and return in Ishikawa
Returning at Komatsu Airport
Return the car to the branch you booked and take the shuttle to the airport. Set your navigation to the branch, not the airport. Sky asks you to be back at the branch at least 60 minutes before your flight. Toyota cannot end a one-way rental at its airport counter, so return the car to the branch.
Renting at Kanazawa Station and returning at Komatsu Airport
Name the return branch when you book. At Orix, do not confuse Komatsu Airport East and West, and choose East, which handles one-way rentals. Sky allows one-way rentals to Ishikawa-area branches, but a fee applies between Komatsu Airport and Kanazawa city branches. One-way fees differ by company: Nippon and Orix charge nothing when branches are less than 20 km apart, and a distance-based fee beyond that. Company rules are in the company rules comparison.
Renting in winter
Nissan Komatsu Airport fits studless tyres as standard from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027, and Budget Kanazawa Station West Exit from about December to about March. One's marks cars with studless tyres in the model name. As company rules, Toyota (15 December to 20 March), Nippon and Nissan (1 December to 31 March) and Sky also fit them as standard in winter at Hokuriku or Ishikawa branches. Sky Kanazawa Ekimae opens only 09:00–18:00 during part of the winter.
Days heading for Noto
Do not reuse older tour routes or travel times as they are. Check which sections are open and whether your destinations are operating for your own trip. Do not leave a long return drive to the last day, and plan so you can refuel, return the car and catch your train or flight.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rent at Kanazawa Station or Komatsu Airport?
Kanazawa Station suits a Hokuriku Shinkansen arrival or the day after a night in Kanazawa. Komatsu Airport suits a flight followed by a drive towards Kaga. Kanazawa branches are a walk, and Komatsu branches are reached by shuttle.
Which company has the lowest rate?
On standard compact rates before discounts for a Japanese licence, the lowest for 24 hours are Guts at Kanazawa Station (¥4,070), One's Kanazawa Station East Exit (¥4,700) and Nico Nico (¥5,610). Guts includes no vehicle damage cover and limits you to 300 km per 24 hours, and One's mainly rents used cars. Among major companies, Eki Rent-a-Car at Kanazawa Station is ¥8,470 and Toyota ¥8,580. Member and online discounts change the booking price, so compare the same dates, class and cover.
Can I rent at Komatsu Airport and return at Kanazawa Station?
Nippon, Toyota and Orix Komatsu Airport East handle returns at other branches. Sky also allows one-way rentals to Ishikawa-area branches, for a fee between Komatsu Airport and Kanazawa city branches. Orix Komatsu Airport West does not offer one-way rentals. A one-way option is not always free, so name the return branch when you book and check the amount.
Can I rent if my flight lands late?
At Komatsu Airport, Toyota and Nico Nico close latest, at 20:00, but Toyota's airport counter closes at 19:00. Phone Nico Nico in advance for its pickup. Nissan runs no shuttle outside branch hours and does not help outside opening hours if your flight is delayed.
Why does Orix have two branches at Komatsu Airport?
Komatsu Airport East and Komatsu Airport West are separate branches. East opens 08:00–19:30 and handles one-way rentals. West opens 08:30–18:00 and does not. Check the branch name on your booking confirmation and give it at the counter.
Can I use the Times branch at Kanazawa Station?
No. Times Kanazawa Station stopped taking rentals on 31 October 2026 and has been car-share only since 1 November, so choose another branch.
Guides to read before booking
- Kanazawa Station: 13 rental branches compared
- Rental company rules compared: payment, extensions and one-way rentals
- Accidents, damage, punctures, breakdowns and parking tickets
- CDW and NOC explained
- One-way rental fees and choosing a return branch
- Driving in Japan with a foreign licence
- Refuelling and returning the car
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-11-02
- Toyota Kanazawa Station West Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Toyota Kanazawa Station Shinkansen (East) Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nippon Kanazawa Station West Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Kanazawa Station East Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Kanazawa Station West Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Kanazawa Station Nishihonmachi Counter (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nissan Kanazawa Ekimae (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Budget Kanazawa Station West Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Sky Kanazawa Ekimae (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Nico Nico Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen Exit (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Eki Rent-a-Car Kanazawa Station (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Guts Kanazawa Ekimae (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nippon Rent-A-Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Toyota Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nissan Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Budget Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Sky Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- JR Eki Rent-A-Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nico Nico Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Guts Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Toyota Komatsu Airport (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Komatsu Airport East (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-09-21
- Orix Komatsu Airport West (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-09-21
- Komatsu Airport (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-09-21
- Nippon Komatsu Airport (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Komatsu Airport East (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Orix Komatsu Airport West (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nissan Komatsu Airport (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- Sky Komatsu Airport (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Nico Nico Komatsu Airport Ukiyanagi (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-21
- J-Net Komatsu Airport (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- J-Net Rent a Car (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Toyota Rent a Car: foreign-licence rate schedule (official page, in English) · 2026-11-02
- Nico Nico Rent a Car: international-licence contract requirements (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Guts Rent a Car: FAQ on bookings and licences (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
