Renting a car in winter on Honshu: tyres, chains and closures
Checked against 36 official sources. 3 minute read.
Edited by Yamanaka, the site's owner-editor based in Japan.
What to know first
Book a car with studless winter tyres and confirm chains before you pay. Standard equipment can still carry a winter charge. Yamanashi, including Fuji Five Lakes, is absent from Toyota and Times standard-equipment tables: request winter tyres when booking. A chain restriction requires chains even on a 4WD car with winter tyres.
For first-time winter renters visiting Fuji Five Lakes, Hakuba, Takayama or Tohoku from December to March.
On this page
Company comparison: periods, charges and booking
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| Company | Standard-equipment periods on Honshu | Winter tyre charges | How to book tyres and chains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Toyota: 2026/12/1–2027/3/31 in Tohoku, Niigata and Nagano, and at Takayama Ekimae only in Gifu; 2026/12/15–2027/3/20 in Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. These are the periods in its 2026/4–2027/5 table. Yamanashi and Shizuoka are not listed. | Toyota: outside standard regions or periods, the Japanese price list charges ¥2,200 per 24 hours for passenger cars/vans, ¥3,300 for wagons/SUVs and ¥4,400 for trucks/buses, including tax. Standard periods carry separate seasonal rates. The English page says fees vary by shop: check the final booking price. | No separate tyre request at standard-equipped Toyota branches during the listed period; request tyres elsewhere. Chains need advance booking online (except BUS class) or by phone; stock and charges vary by branch. The English page says chains cannot be added on departure day. |
| Nippon Rent-A-Car | Nippon: 1 December 2026–31 March 2027 in Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Nagano, Niigata, Yamanashi, Fukui, Toyama and Ishikawa; 16 December 2026–15 March 2027 in Miyagi and Fukushima. | Nippon: standard tyres have no tyre-option fee, but the Japanese winter schedule adds ¥330 per day on Honshu, capped at 10 days. Outside standard periods, the Japanese option list is ¥2,200 per day for passenger cars/vans, ¥3,300 for minivans/one-box vehicles and ¥4,400 for trucks, capped at 10 days. The English FAQ omits the seasonal charge. | Nippon: no tyre request in standard periods. Otherwise select tyres in the vehicle conditions; online/app selection is for departures from October to May and stock is limited. Nippon does not rent chains anywhere in Japan: arrange your own if needed. |
| Times Car Rental | Times: 1 December 2026–31 March 2027 in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Niigata, Ishikawa and Nagano. Yamanashi, Gifu, Toyama, Fukui, Yamagata and Fukushima are absent from the table. Periods can change with snowfall. | Times: ¥660 per 24 hours in standard areas, capped at ¥6,600 for 10 days; ¥2,200 per 24 hours outside standard areas, capped at 10 days (240 hours). | Times: select studless tyres if offered in the equipment options. Fuji Five Lakes and Takayama are outside its listed standard areas. Times does not supply tyre chains. |
| ORIX Rent-A-Car | ORIX: its 2024/10 notice lists 11/1–5/14 and includes the 6 Tohoku prefectures, Yamanashi, Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. This is a published historical schedule, not confirmation for winter 2026–27. | ORIX: the 2024/10 notice published ¥330 per day for passenger cars and ¥550 for wagons/luxury cars in standard areas outside Hokkaido, capped at 15 days. Do not treat these as confirmed 2026–27 prices. Its Japanese winter-option list shows tyres from ¥2,640 per 24 hours, capped at 15 days. Confirm the applicable quote. | ORIX: select a vehicle marked Studless Snow Tires on the vehicle-selection screen, not as an option; stock is limited. Its English page says chains cannot be arranged, while the Japanese page lists chains from ¥3,300 per rental and says to contact the branch. Resolve this with your pick-up branch before booking. |
| Nissan Rent a Car | Nissan: confirm standard-equipment dates and regions with the branch; the verified Japanese pages used here do not establish a regional calendar. | Nissan: the Japanese price page lists a set of 4 studless tyres at ¥2,200 per day. | Nissan: its Japanese FAQ says tyres and chains can be rented as equipment, but some branches do not carry them and quantities are limited. Ask the branch for chain availability and price; the FAQ does not give a chain price. |
Sources for this section: Toyota: Japanese option prices · Toyota: standard winter tyre periods · Toyota: English reservation guidance · Nippon: winter tyre equipment · Nippon: winter seasonal charges · Nippon: option price list · Nippon: English FAQ · Times: standard winter tyre areas · Times: option price list · Times: tyres and chains FAQ · ORIX: 2024/10 winter price notice · ORIX: Japanese option list · ORIX: English winter tyre booking · ORIX: English driving guidance · Nissan: Japanese equipment prices · Nissan: winter equipment FAQ
Winter-tyre restrictions and chain restrictions are different
Winter-tyre restrictions require winter tyres or suitable anti-slip equipment such as chains; 4WD cars are included. NEXCO Central says to fit studless tyres on all 4 wheels and generally fit chains to the driven wheels.
Chain restrictions apply during exceptional snowfall: winter tyres alone are insufficient, including on 4WD cars. Chains are checked before the restricted section; spray-on products do not qualify. This does not mean every car without chains breaks the rules whenever it snows.
The transport ministry list includes Route 138 between Yamanakako and Subashiri, and Chuo Expressway sections between Sutama and Nagasaka and between Iida-Yamamoto and Sonohara. Check the official section list and live restrictions for your actual route; do not assume that Hakuba or Takayama has no restrictions from the absence of their names.
Do not assume all-season tyres are sufficient. NEXCO Central warns their braking is weaker than winter tyres and they may not be allowed depending on snowfall. NEXCO West specifies snowflake-marked all-season tyres on all wheels; JARTIC also lists snowflake-marked all-season tyres among winter tyres. Chains are still required under a chain restriction.
Sources for this section: NEXCO Central: winter tyre restrictions · NEXCO Central: winter tyre guidance · NEXCO West: winter tyre guidance · MLIT: chain restrictions and section list · JARTIC: road information notes (Japanese) · Nissan: winter equipment FAQ
Check closures and restrictions in English
MLIT Road Information System (English): choose a region for restrictions, weather and road-surface information. Data is updated every 5–10 minutes, but the displayed page does not refresh automatically; restrictions can exist outside its coverage. Its English legend distinguishes winter closures and chain restrictions.
NEXCO Central has English expressway traffic information. NEXCO East links to Drive Traffic from its English guide and describes maps of estimated congestion and current restrictions; check whether the map is available when you need it. JARTIC is a Japanese-language alternative, with a delay of about 5–10 minutes before information appears.
For audio information, Michiradi supports Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Korean; its push notifications cover NEXCO Central territory only. E-Highway Radio supports Japanese, English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Thai, defaulting to English for unsupported device languages. Set up any app before driving.
Sources for this section: MLIT: English Road Information System · MLIT: English restriction legend · NEXCO Central: English traffic information · NEXCO East: English expressway information · JARTIC: road information notes (Japanese) · NEXCO Central: Michiradi · NEXCO East: E-Highway Radio
Keep the driving advice short and practical
Slow down regardless of the posted limit and leave a generous gap. MLIT Mie advises at least 2 times your normal following distance; the separate Hokkaido guide uses a different regional source. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking and steering. Do not rely on 4WD or ABS to prevent slipping.
Black ice can look like wet pavement, especially at night, early in the morning and in shade. Bridges and tunnel entrances or exits can be icy locally. Never overtake a working snowplough: NEXCO East describes Tohoku plough groups travelling at 20–40 km/h.
Check weather and roads before setting off. NEXCO Central Japanese guidance says to reconsider non-essential trips in a heavy-snow forecast; its English guidance is stronger and advises not driving in forecast bad weather. Use broad main roads rather than snowy shortcuts suggested by navigation, and fit chains early in a fitting area or car park, not on a slope or shoulder.
Sources for this section: MLIT Mie: driving on snowy roads · MLIT: winter driving safety · National Police Agency: snowy-road driving · Prime Minister’s Office: snow safety · NEXCO Central: English snowy-road guide · NEXCO East: Tohoku winter operations · NEXCO Central: winter route planning · NEXCO Central: English winter advice · MLIT Numazu: preparing for snow
Documents, cover and Hokkaido rentals
Use these separate guides for driving documents, rental-car cover and winter rentals in Hokkaido.
Read next
- Driving a rental car in Hokkaido in winter: tyres, road closures and what the cover does not pay
- The documents you need to drive in JapanFind the driving-document and translation route relevant to your licence, then prepare for rental-car pickup.
- A guide to rental-car insurance in JapanLearn how CDW, NOC, excess and other cover fit together when choosing protection for a driving trip.
Sources & review
Official pages for this guide
The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.
- MLIT: chain restrictions and section list
- Toyota: Japanese option prices
- Toyota: standard winter tyre periods
- Toyota: English reservation guidance
- Nippon: winter tyre equipment
- Nippon: winter seasonal charges
- Nippon: option price list
- Nippon: English FAQ
- Times: standard winter tyre areas
- Times: option price list
- Times: tyres and chains FAQ
- ORIX: 2024/10 winter price notice
- ORIX: Japanese option list
- ORIX: English winter tyre booking
- ORIX: English driving guidance
- Nissan: Japanese equipment prices
- Nissan: winter equipment FAQ
- NEXCO Central: winter tyre restrictions
- NEXCO Central: winter tyre guidance
- NEXCO West: winter tyre guidance
- MLIT: English Road Information System
- MLIT: English restriction legend
- NEXCO Central: English traffic information
- NEXCO East: English expressway information
- JARTIC: road information notes (Japanese)
- NEXCO Central: Michiradi
- NEXCO East: E-Highway Radio
- MLIT Mie: driving on snowy roads
- MLIT: winter driving safety
- National Police Agency: snowy-road driving
- Prime Minister’s Office: snow safety
- NEXCO Central: English snowy-road guide
- NEXCO East: Tohoku winter operations
- NEXCO Central: winter route planning
- NEXCO Central: English winter advice
- MLIT Numazu: preparing for snow
Published · Based on official sources · no affiliate links
Official sources
These official sources explain the rules and conditions used in this guide. Live availability and your own booking, admission or service outcome still need to be confirmed for your trip.
- Toyota: Japanese option prices
What this confirms: Toyota: outside standard regions or periods, the Japanese price list charges ¥2,200 per 24 hours for passenger cars/vans, ¥3,300 for wagons/SUVs and ¥4,400 for trucks/buses, including tax. Standard periods carry separate seasonal rates. The English page says fees vary by shop: check the final booking price.
Last checked - Toyota: standard winter tyre periods
What this confirms: Toyota: 2026/12/1–2027/3/31 in Tohoku, Niigata and Nagano, and at Takayama Ekimae only in Gifu; 2026/12/15–2027/3/20 in Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. These are the periods in its 2026/4–2027/5 table. Yamanashi and Shizuoka are not listed.
Last checked - Toyota: English reservation guidance
What this confirms: No separate tyre request at standard-equipped Toyota branches during the listed period; request tyres elsewhere. Chains need advance booking online (except BUS class) or by phone; stock and charges vary by branch. The English page says chains cannot be added on departure day.
Last checked - Nippon: winter tyre equipment
What this confirms: Nippon: 1 December 2026–31 March 2027 in Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Nagano, Niigata, Yamanashi, Fukui, Toyama and Ishikawa; 16 December 2026–15 March 2027 in Miyagi and Fukushima.
Last checked - Nippon: winter seasonal charges
What this confirms: Nippon: standard tyres have no tyre-option fee, but the Japanese winter schedule adds ¥330 per day on Honshu, capped at 10 days. Outside standard periods, the Japanese option list is ¥2,200 per day for passenger cars/vans, ¥3,300 for minivans/one-box vehicles and ¥4,400 for trucks, capped at 10 days. The English FAQ omits the seasonal charge.
Last checked - Nippon: option price list
What this confirms: Nippon: standard tyres have no tyre-option fee, but the Japanese winter schedule adds ¥330 per day on Honshu, capped at 10 days. Outside standard periods, the Japanese option list is ¥2,200 per day for passenger cars/vans, ¥3,300 for minivans/one-box vehicles and ¥4,400 for trucks, capped at 10 days. The English FAQ omits the seasonal charge.
Last checked - Nippon: English FAQ
What this confirms: Nippon: no tyre request in standard periods. Otherwise select tyres in the vehicle conditions; online/app selection is for departures from October to May and stock is limited. Nippon does not rent chains anywhere in Japan: arrange your own if needed.
Last checked - Times: standard winter tyre areas
What this confirms: Times: 1 December 2026–31 March 2027 in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Niigata, Ishikawa and Nagano. Yamanashi, Gifu, Toyama, Fukui, Yamagata and Fukushima are absent from the table. Periods can change with snowfall.
Last checked - Times: option price list
What this confirms: Times: ¥660 per 24 hours in standard areas, capped at ¥6,600 for 10 days; ¥2,200 per 24 hours outside standard areas, capped at 10 days (240 hours).
Last checked - Times: tyres and chains FAQ
What this confirms: Times: select studless tyres if offered in the equipment options. Fuji Five Lakes and Takayama are outside its listed standard areas. Times does not supply tyre chains.
Last checked - ORIX: 2024/10 winter price notice
What this confirms: ORIX: its 2024/10 notice lists 11/1–5/14 and includes the 6 Tohoku prefectures, Yamanashi, Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. This is a published historical schedule, not confirmation for winter 2026–27.
Last checked - ORIX: Japanese option list
What this confirms: ORIX: the 2024/10 notice published ¥330 per day for passenger cars and ¥550 for wagons/luxury cars in standard areas outside Hokkaido, capped at 15 days. Do not treat these as confirmed 2026–27 prices. Its Japanese winter-option list shows tyres from ¥2,640 per 24 hours, capped at 15 days. Confirm the applicable quote.
Last checked - ORIX: English winter tyre booking
What this confirms: ORIX: select a vehicle marked Studless Snow Tires on the vehicle-selection screen, not as an option; stock is limited. Its English page says chains cannot be arranged, while the Japanese page lists chains from ¥3,300 per rental and says to contact the branch. Resolve this with your pick-up branch before booking.
Last checked - ORIX: English driving guidance
What this confirms: ORIX: select a vehicle marked Studless Snow Tires on the vehicle-selection screen, not as an option; stock is limited. Its English page says chains cannot be arranged, while the Japanese page lists chains from ¥3,300 per rental and says to contact the branch. Resolve this with your pick-up branch before booking.
Last checked - Nissan: Japanese equipment prices
What this confirms: Nissan: the Japanese price page lists a set of 4 studless tyres at ¥2,200 per day.
Last checked - Nissan: winter equipment FAQ
What this confirms: Nissan: its Japanese FAQ says tyres and chains can be rented as equipment, but some branches do not carry them and quantities are limited. Ask the branch for chain availability and price; the FAQ does not give a chain price.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: winter tyre restrictions
What this confirms: Winter-tyre restrictions require winter tyres or suitable anti-slip equipment such as chains; 4WD cars are included. NEXCO Central says to fit studless tyres on all 4 wheels and generally fit chains to the driven wheels.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: winter tyre guidance
What this confirms: Do not assume all-season tyres are sufficient. NEXCO Central warns their braking is weaker than winter tyres and they may not be allowed depending on snowfall. NEXCO West specifies snowflake-marked all-season tyres on all wheels; JARTIC also lists snowflake-marked all-season tyres among winter tyres. Chains are still required under a chain restriction.
Last checked - NEXCO West: winter tyre guidance
What this confirms: Do not assume all-season tyres are sufficient. NEXCO Central warns their braking is weaker than winter tyres and they may not be allowed depending on snowfall. NEXCO West specifies snowflake-marked all-season tyres on all wheels; JARTIC also lists snowflake-marked all-season tyres among winter tyres. Chains are still required under a chain restriction.
Last checked - MLIT: chain restrictions and section list
What this confirms: Chain restrictions apply during exceptional snowfall: winter tyres alone are insufficient, including on 4WD cars. Chains are checked before the restricted section; spray-on products do not qualify. This does not mean every car without chains breaks the rules whenever it snows.
Last checked - MLIT: English Road Information System
What this confirms: MLIT Road Information System (English): choose a region for restrictions, weather and road-surface information. Data is updated every 5–10 minutes, but the displayed page does not refresh automatically; restrictions can exist outside its coverage. Its English legend distinguishes winter closures and chain restrictions.
Last checked - MLIT: English restriction legend
What this confirms: MLIT Road Information System (English): choose a region for restrictions, weather and road-surface information. Data is updated every 5–10 minutes, but the displayed page does not refresh automatically; restrictions can exist outside its coverage. Its English legend distinguishes winter closures and chain restrictions.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: English traffic information
What this confirms: NEXCO Central has English expressway traffic information. NEXCO East links to Drive Traffic from its English guide and describes maps of estimated congestion and current restrictions; check whether the map is available when you need it. JARTIC is a Japanese-language alternative, with a delay of about 5–10 minutes before information appears.
Last checked - NEXCO East: English expressway information
What this confirms: NEXCO Central has English expressway traffic information. NEXCO East links to Drive Traffic from its English guide and describes maps of estimated congestion and current restrictions; check whether the map is available when you need it. JARTIC is a Japanese-language alternative, with a delay of about 5–10 minutes before information appears.
Last checked - JARTIC: road information notes (Japanese)
What this confirms: NEXCO Central has English expressway traffic information. NEXCO East links to Drive Traffic from its English guide and describes maps of estimated congestion and current restrictions; check whether the map is available when you need it. JARTIC is a Japanese-language alternative, with a delay of about 5–10 minutes before information appears.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: Michiradi
What this confirms: For audio information, Michiradi supports Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Korean; its push notifications cover NEXCO Central territory only. E-Highway Radio supports Japanese, English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Thai, defaulting to English for unsupported device languages. Set up any app before driving.
Last checked - NEXCO East: E-Highway Radio
What this confirms: For audio information, Michiradi supports Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Korean; its push notifications cover NEXCO Central territory only. E-Highway Radio supports Japanese, English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Thai, defaulting to English for unsupported device languages. Set up any app before driving.
Last checked - MLIT Mie: driving on snowy roads
What this confirms: Slow down regardless of the posted limit and leave a generous gap. MLIT Mie advises at least 2 times your normal following distance; the separate Hokkaido guide uses a different regional source. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking and steering. Do not rely on 4WD or ABS to prevent slipping.
Last checked - MLIT: winter driving safety
What this confirms: Slow down regardless of the posted limit and leave a generous gap. MLIT Mie advises at least 2 times your normal following distance; the separate Hokkaido guide uses a different regional source. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking and steering. Do not rely on 4WD or ABS to prevent slipping.
Last checked - National Police Agency: snowy-road driving
What this confirms: Slow down regardless of the posted limit and leave a generous gap. MLIT Mie advises at least 2 times your normal following distance; the separate Hokkaido guide uses a different regional source. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking and steering. Do not rely on 4WD or ABS to prevent slipping.
Last checked - Prime Minister’s Office: snow safety
What this confirms: Black ice can look like wet pavement, especially at night, early in the morning and in shade. Bridges and tunnel entrances or exits can be icy locally. Never overtake a working snowplough: NEXCO East describes Tohoku plough groups travelling at 20–40 km/h.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: English snowy-road guide
What this confirms: Black ice can look like wet pavement, especially at night, early in the morning and in shade. Bridges and tunnel entrances or exits can be icy locally. Never overtake a working snowplough: NEXCO East describes Tohoku plough groups travelling at 20–40 km/h.
Last checked - NEXCO East: Tohoku winter operations
What this confirms: Black ice can look like wet pavement, especially at night, early in the morning and in shade. Bridges and tunnel entrances or exits can be icy locally. Never overtake a working snowplough: NEXCO East describes Tohoku plough groups travelling at 20–40 km/h.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: winter route planning
What this confirms: Check weather and roads before setting off. NEXCO Central Japanese guidance says to reconsider non-essential trips in a heavy-snow forecast; its English guidance is stronger and advises not driving in forecast bad weather. Use broad main roads rather than snowy shortcuts suggested by navigation, and fit chains early in a fitting area or car park, not on a slope or shoulder.
Last checked - NEXCO Central: English winter advice
What this confirms: Check weather and roads before setting off. NEXCO Central Japanese guidance says to reconsider non-essential trips in a heavy-snow forecast; its English guidance is stronger and advises not driving in forecast bad weather. Use broad main roads rather than snowy shortcuts suggested by navigation, and fit chains early in a fitting area or car park, not on a slope or shoulder.
Last checked - MLIT Numazu: preparing for snow
What this confirms: Check weather and roads before setting off. NEXCO Central Japanese guidance says to reconsider non-essential trips in a heavy-snow forecast; its English guidance is stronger and advises not driving in forecast bad weather. Use broad main roads rather than snowy shortcuts suggested by navigation, and fit chains early in a fitting area or car park, not on a slope or shoulder.
Last checked
About this guide
Compare winter tyre periods, charges and chain arrangements for Fuji Five Lakes, Hakuba, Takayama and Tohoku, then check road restrictions before driving.
Check the exact pick-up branch, dates and vehicle. Equipment periods can change; winter tyres do not keep a road open or replace winter-driving experience.
Guide updates Reviewed
When this guide was checked and what changed
- First published
- Last checked
- Check again by
- What we checked
- Official rental-company pages; MLIT, police and expressway winter guidance.
- Latest update
- : Added Honshu winter rental tyre periods, charges, chain rules and English road-information links.
The date above reflects when these checks were last run. If an individual source was rechecked later, you’ll see that date next to it below. Other copy edits are listed in the update history.
Who edits this guide
One editor looks after this guide
Japan, Booked. is run and edited from Japan. The same editor checks the Japanese and English sources, writes the traveller-facing guidance and keeps the correction history up to date.
What changed
Update history
- First published
Added Honshu winter rental tyre periods, charges, chain rules and English road-information links.
If an operator, organiser or product changes in a way that affects the guide, we check it again sooner. Reader reports help us spot what to investigate, and we verify them against current official information before publishing. Read our update and corrections policy. See every guide's review schedule. Suggest an improvement to this guide.