Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and albuminuria in the general population of Japan as per sex and age. Methods This population-based, cross-sectional study enrolled 916 Japanese participants aged >= 40 years. Albuminuria was measured and expressed as the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Biochemical, nutritional, and anthropometric profiles as well as HGS were measured using standardised protocols. Results Four hundred and thirty-two (47%) of the study participants were men, and 484 were women, with respective mean ages of 62 +/- 11 years and 63 +/- 11 years. HGS, older age, high body mass index, presence of hypertension or diabetes, and a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate were correlated with the log-transformed UACR in subjects of both sexes. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that HGS was independently associated with the log UACR in both, men [beta coefficient -0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.73, -0.13] and women (beta coefficient -0.50; 95% CI -0.90, -0.10) aged >= 65 years; however, a similar association was not observed in younger participants. Conclusion Low HGS was associated with albuminuria in older men and women in Japan.