Driving a rental car in Hokkaido in winter: tyres, road closures and what the cover does not pay

Toyota Rent a Car lists studless winter tyres as standard for its Sapporo rentals from 1 November 2026 to 5 May 2027, and for its Obihiro rentals from 31 October 2026 to 5 May 2027. Toyota lists the same 1 November–5 May period at Asahikawa, Shin-Sapporo, Hakodate, Kushiro and Kitami, and 31 October–5 May at Obihiro, and says the periods may change. Other companies and unlisted offices set their own periods. During those periods Toyota charges seasonal rates, so "winter tyres included" does not mean an off-season price.

Sources for this section: Toyota Rent a Car

• Dark road, frozen road: in early winter, a road that looks black can already be icy.
• Bridges: a bridge can be frozen even when the road either side is dry.
• Distance: leave at least three times your summer following distance.
• Blowing snow: on a cold, windy day the road can vanish in blowing snow even under a clear sky; in heavy snow or a blizzard, put your lights on and slow down.
• Emergency braking: if the ABS kicks in and the pedal vibrates, keep your foot pressed on the brake and steer to keep the car under control.
• In the car: carry snow gear such as tyre chains and a shovel.

Sources for this section: Hokkaido Government · MLIT Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Otaru Development and Construction Department

NEXCO East runs its Hokkaido winter snow-and-ice operation from 16 October 2026 to 30 April 2027. Its expressways can be closed when travel is judged dangerous, and estimated reopening times are published on its Doratora traffic service (drivetraffic.jp, in Japanese). Never overtake a snowplough while it is clearing the expressway. Slow down, keep a long gap and follow it; ploughs work at 50 km/h or less.

Sources for this section: East Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO East), Hokkaido Branch

Using Toyota as the example:

• The included protection pays only up to its compensation limits.
• Nothing is covered if the accident is not reported to the police, or if the driver was not named when you picked up the car.
• Not under Toyota's basic protection. Toyota's Double Protection Package covers eligible tyre repair or replacement and lost or damaged wheel caps, with conditions: repair-kit costs and costs beyond an equivalent tyre remain yours. Contact the pick-up branch before replacing a tyre; keep receipts, as you may have to pay first and claim reimbursement. If there is no spare, use Toyota's designated roadside assistance. Wheel caps are not wheels: under basic protection a damaged wheel is subject to the NOC; with the Double Protection Package, Toyota lists the cost of a damaged wheel as free, on the same tyre conditions as above.
• The optional collision damage waiver removes the deductibles for eligible property and vehicle damage; the Double Protection Package adds an exemption from the eligible NOC (the charge for the car being off the road). The NOC is ¥20,000 when the car is actually driven back to the scheduled return branch, and ¥50,000 when it is not returned, including a driveable car left on the road. The Double Protection Package waives only eligible NOC; the ¥50,000 charge for a car not returned remains, and exclusions such as prohibited use still apply.
• The waiver's basic listed price is ¥1,100 including tax per 24 hours, and the Double Protection Package's is ¥1,650 including tax per 24 hours; for vehicles in Japan's 1- or 2-number registration categories, it is ¥2,200 and ¥2,750 per 24 hours. For 8-number vehicles, Toyota bases these optional charges on the base vehicle's registration category; check the amount quoted for your actual vehicle.

For how deductibles and NOC work in general, see Japan rental car insurance explained.

Sources for this section: Toyota Rent a Car · Toyota Rent a Car

• Stay with the car unless you have definitely identified a shelter or someone who can rescue you.
• Keep the exhaust clear. If snow buries the exhaust outlet while you wait, exhaust gas can flow back into the car and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clear the snow around the muffler regularly and open a window slightly.
• If you cannot keep up with the snow and exhaust gas may be getting in, switch the engine off and wait for rescue in blankets or warm clothing, without going outside unnecessarily.
• When you call for help — police, fire services or a roadside assistance service — give your location as precisely as you can; route numbers and roadside kilometre posts help.
• Which number: 110 is the police line for traffic accidents and other urgent incidents. #9910 is the national line for reporting road damage, fallen objects and other road problems to the road authority. It is free and open 24 hours, but it is not a rescue line: report accidents to the police on 110.

Sources for this section: MLIT Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Kushiro Development and Construction Department · MLIT Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, Hokuriku Snow Disaster Countermeasures Technology Center · Hokkaido Prefectural Police, Communications Command Division · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

You pick up a car at Toyota's Sapporo office on 10 January 2027 for 72 hours, and the basic listed prices apply to your car.

• Winter tyres: standard, since 10 January falls between 1 November and 5 May.
• Double Protection Package: ¥1,650 × 3 = ¥4,950 including tax.
• The waiver alone: ¥1,100 × 3 = ¥3,300 including tax.
• Either way: name every driver at pick-up and report any accident to the police, or the cover does not apply.

Sources for this section: Toyota Rent a Car · Toyota Rent a Car · Toyota Rent a Car

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Sources for this section: Hokkaido Government · East Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO East), Hokkaido Branch · Toyota Rent a Car · MLIT Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Kushiro Development and Construction Department · Hokkaido Prefectural Police, Communications Command Division · Toyota Rent a Car · Toyota Rent a Car

Before you book, make sure your licence and documents qualify with Japan rental car driving documents. When you collect the car, name every driver and decide on the waiver or the Double Protection Package. For tyre trouble, contact the pick-up branch before replacement and keep receipts; do not assume that all costs are waived. Before you return it, see refuelling a rental car in Japan.

Sources for this section: Toyota Rent a Car · Toyota Rent a Car

The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.

• Hokkaido Government
• MLIT Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Otaru Development and Construction Department
• East Nippon Expressway Company (NEXCO East), Hokkaido Branch
• Toyota Rent a Car
• Toyota Rent a Car
• Toyota Rent a Car
• MLIT Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Kushiro Development and Construction Department
• MLIT Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, Hokuriku Snow Disaster Countermeasures Technology Center
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
• Hokkaido Prefectural Police, Communications Command Division