Wes Goosen scored a 68th-minute try as the Hurricanes battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit and kept the Sunwolves scoreless in the second spell to record victory despite a scrappy performance in Tokyo on Friday.
TJ Perenara, Ben Lam, and Chase Tiatia also scored tries for the visitors, who rested three All Blacks for the clash in Tokyo and found the home side's frenetic style of play difficult to counteract.
The Hurricanes were also guilty of far too many missed tackles, turnovers, errors and indiscretions, but managed to finally exert some control in the second half.
Semisi Masirewa scored two tries for the home side, while flyhalf Hayden Parker converted both tries and slotted three penalties to build a 23-10 lead by halftime but they were unable to add to their score in the second half.