Last checked: October 2026 · Part of our Japan rental car guide
Hokkaido’s powder snow, the Japan Alps and the snow country of Tohoku look magical from a car window, and a rental car gets you to ski towns, hot springs and frozen lakes that trains skip. But winter roads in Japan are not like a snowy day in Denver. Roads freeze into black ice, wind turns light snow into a whiteout, and the sun sets around 4 pm. Here’s what to know about winter tires, chains, road hazards and what to do if something goes wrong.
- Winter tires come with the car. In Hokkaido and other snowy regions, major rental companies fit studless winter tires as standard in winter, usually for a small daily seasonal fee.
- Chains are a separate question. Some companies include them, some only on request, and Nippon Rent-A-Car offers none. Ask if you will cross mountain passes.
- Black ice is the main danger. Wet-looking roads on bridges, in tunnels and in shade can be frozen. Brake early and gently.
- Plan around the dark. In December, Sapporo’s sunset is around 4:00 pm. Aim to arrive before dark.
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Winter tires: what rental companies fit, and when
Japanese drivers in snowy regions use studless tires (スタッドレスタイヤ), soft winter tires without metal studs. Hokkaido’s road rules require snow tires on all wheels or chains when the road is snowy or icy. You don’t have to arrange this yourself: in snowy regions, the big rental companies switch their fleets to studless tires for the season.
| Company | Hokkaido winter tire period (2026–27) | Seasonal fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Rent a Car | Nov 1 – May 5 | Seasonal rate applies | Studless standard. Tohoku, Niigata, Nagano and Takayama: Dec 1 – Mar 31. Chains at some shops or on request. |
| Nippon Rent-A-Car | Nov 1, 2026 – Apr 20, 2027 | ¥660/day in Hokkaido (max 10 days) | 4WD is standard in Hokkaido in this period. ¥330/day in Aomori, Akita, Iwate and Yamagata. No chains offered. |
| Times Car Rental | Nov 1, 2026 – Apr 15, 2027 | ¥660 per 24 hours (max ¥6,600) | Studless standard in Hokkaido. |
| ORIX Rent-A-Car | Varies by shop | Varies | Studless cars are limited. Choose a car marked for studless tires when you book. |
Sources: each company’s official winter tire pages, checked October 2026. Fees and dates can change; confirm when you book.
Tire chains and Japan’s chain regulation
Since winter 2018–19, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism can close certain sections to any vehicle without tire chains, even cars on studless tires. It is used only in unusually heavy snow, such as when a heavy-snow emergency warning is issued, and staff check chains before the section starts.
- 13 sections are designated (6 national roads and 7 expressways, about 217 km). Examples include Route 112 at Gassan in Yamagata, the Joshin-etsu Expressway between Shinanomachi and Arai, and the Chuo Expressway between Iida-Yamamoto and Sonohara.
- None are in Hokkaido. If your trip is Hokkaido only, studless tires cover normal winter driving.
- Heading for the Japan Alps, Niigata or Tohoku? Ask the rental company for chains and how to fit them before you leave the lot. Practice once in the parking lot, not on a dark pass.
Winter road hazards in Hokkaido
Wet-looking but frozen
Hokkaido Police warn that black ice looks like a wet, black road. It forms on bridges, in tunnel exits, in shade and at intersections, where stopping cars polish the surface.
Wind-blown snow
On open farmland, wind lifts snow off the fields (地吹雪, ji-fubuki) and visibility can drop to almost nothing. JAF advises turning on your hazard lights and stopping somewhere safe.
Afternoon melt, evening ice
Snow that melts in the midday sun refreezes as the temperature drops. Late afternoon and early morning are the slipperiest times.
Deer on the road
Hokkaido’s road authority has reported around 2,000 deer collisions a year, peaking in October. Slow down at dusk in forests and farmland, and expect more than one deer.
How to drive on snow and ice
- Drive below the limitSpeed limits assume dry roads. Locals drive slower in snow, and so should you. Note that since September 1, 2026, the default limit on roads without a center line is 30 km/h unless signs say otherwise.
- Double your following distanceOn ice, stopping distances can be several times longer. Leave room to stop gently.
- Do everything slowlyBrake, steer and accelerate smoothly. Sudden inputs cause skids, even with 4WD and studless tires.
- Brake before bridges and curvesSlow down on the straight, then roll through. Bridges and tunnel exits freeze first.
- Keep the tank at least half fullGas stations are far apart in rural Hokkaido, and some close early. A full tank keeps you warm if you get stuck.
- Arrive before darkPlan drives so the last hour isn’t on an unlit country road after sunset.
Parking, snow on the car and getting stuck
- Clear snow off the roof and windows before driving. JAF advises it: snow sliding off the roof can block your view when you brake.
- Never sit in a running car with the exhaust buried in snow. In a JAF test, carbon monoxide reached 1,000 ppm in 22 minutes. Clear the area around the tailpipe and turn the engine off when you can.
- Use winter washer fluid, which the rental car should already have. Normal fluid freezes on the windshield.
- Park where plows can pass. Hotel and convenience store lots are safer than the roadside, and our coin parking guide explains how paid lots work.
Check the roads before you go (in English)
Hokkaido Development Bureau
Its winter road page links to an English winter-driving guide for overseas drivers.
MLIT road information
The ministry’s road information map shows closures and restrictions on national roads.
NEXCO East
Drive Traffic shows live expressway closures and chain restrictions in eastern Japan, including Hokkaido.
Hokkaido Expressway Pass
Foreign visitors can buy unlimited expressway passes for 4–8 days (¥7,700–¥15,400 for a regular car). See our tolls and ETC guide.
If something goes wrong
| Situation | Call | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck, breakdown or minor slide-off in a rental car | Your rental company | The emergency number is on your rental papers. Call them first. |
| Roadside assistance | JAF #8139 or 0570-00-8139 | 24/7, free interpretation in English. AAA members get member-level service for a year after arriving in Japan. |
| Accident | Police 110 | Report every accident, even minor ones. Rental insurance usually won’t pay without a police report. |
| Injury or fire | Ambulance / fire 119 | Say “kyūkyūsha” (ambulance) and your location. |
| Hazard on an expressway | #9910 | Free road emergency line for fallen objects or road damage. |
Planning a winter road trip?
Compare Japan rental cars on Orbitz
Compare rental companies at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo and other pickup points side by side. Check the car class, 4WD, pickup location and cancellation terms, then confirm winter tires and chains with the rental company. You will still need your International Driving Permit at the counter.
Affiliate link — if you book through Orbitz, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Does your travel insurance cover winter driving?
The rental company’s insurance and NOC only cover the car. Medical bills after an accident, rental car damage beyond your deductible, and trips cut short by snowstorms are separate questions, and policies differ on each. Tourists also pay 100% of hospital bills in Japan.
Affiliate link: we may earn a fee if you get a quote from World Nomads, at no cost to you. We are not an insurance agent and this is not insurance advice; coverage varies by policy, so read the policy wording.Useful phrases
FAQ
Do I need snow tires to drive in Japan in winter?
On snowy or icy roads, yes. Snowy prefectures such as Hokkaido require snow tires on all wheels or chains when the road is covered in snow or ice. In practice, rental companies in snowy regions fit studless winter tires as standard during their winter season, so you do not need to request them.
When does winter tire season start in Hokkaido?
Rental companies set their own dates. For winter 2026–27, Toyota Rent a Car fits studless tires in Hokkaido from November 1 to May 5, Nippon Rent-A-Car from November 1 to April 20, and Times Car Rental from November 1 to April 15. In Tohoku, Niigata and Nagano the standard period is usually December 1 to March 31.
Do rental cars in Japan come with tire chains?
It depends on the company. Toyota Rent a Car includes chains at some shops and provides them on advance request at others. Nippon Rent-A-Car does not offer chains anywhere in Japan. If your route crosses mountain passes, ask about chains when you book.
Is it safe for Americans to drive in Hokkaido in winter?
Many visitors do it, but conditions are harder than most US drivers are used to: black ice, whiteouts, short daylight and deer on the road. Drive slower than the limit, leave a long gap, avoid driving after dark on rural roads, and check road information before you set out. If you have never driven on snow, consider trains and buses instead.
Who do I call if my rental car gets stuck in the snow?
Call the rental company first; its emergency number is on the rental papers or key tag. For accidents, call the police on 110 and an ambulance on 119. JAF roadside assistance (#8139 or 0570-00-8139) runs 24/7 and offers free interpretation in English.
