Japan’s public transportation system is world-class. You can take a bus from Narita or Haneda airports straight to the slopes, or hop on a high-speed Shinkansen train from Tokyo that gets you into snow country in less than two hours. And while some ski resort villages offer all the amenities you need on-site, if you plan to stay more than a few nights, having a car gives you the freedom to hop between resorts, explore hidden onsens, discover countryside restaurants, travel to snow festivals, visit temples, snow monkey parks, lakes—or simply avoid relying on busy local buses, taxis, or lodge shuttles.
Having a car also opens up more accommodation options, such as staying in self-contained lodgings in secluded locations like La Colina Retreat.
The only con? You’ll need to unbury your car from the snow more than once—so prepare for an early start if you don’t want to miss first tracks.
Just keep in mind: winter driving in Japan’s mountains requires special equipment and planning. Booking the wrong car—or renting from the wrong location—can lead to expensive mistakes or even dangerous situations.
Let’s break down what you need to know to rent safely, legally, and confidently.
Rent Near the Mountains—Not in the City
Rental cars from city locations are often not properly equipped for deep snow, and you may end up paying more to add extras like winter tires or 4WD/AWD (which are standard at mountain rental locations). You may even struggle to find availability for your desired vehicle. Also, if you happen to lose your car key, you’ll need to return to the original pick-up point to collect a spare key.
Your best move: rent from the Shinkansen station closest to your ski resort. These stations typically offer 4WD/AWD vehicles with winter tires as standard—and you’ll be on the slopes in less than an hour.
If you end renting at the airport, or plan to use toll highways (for speed or long-distance travel), rent an ETC card. With an ETC card, you get discounted toll rates (25–30% off on weekends and overnight), and you can drive through toll gates without stopping for tickets or cash payments.
What type of car should I rent?
Golden Rule: Do not rent a car without 4WD/AWD and proper winter tires.
Why? Because in regions like Nagano and Niigata, snow is deep, frequent, and fast. Even if roads are plowed, weather can shift in minutes. Snow tires are required by law in many areas, and without them, you can be stopped by police or denied access to toll roads and mountain passes.
Driving under-equipped can result in:
- Getting stuck mid-hill during a blizzard
- Blocking traffic or resort access roads
- Fines or being turned around by authorities
- Endangering yourself and others
If a 2WD car is your only option, rent snow chains or purchase them at auto stores like Yellow Hat or Autobacs.
When selecting a car, you may notice a class called “kei cars”—these are Japan’s smallest and cheapest cars, with 600cc engines and limited dimensions. Easily recognized by their yellow license plates, kei cars are ubiquitous in Japan’s countryside. They’re fuel-efficient, pay less at tolls, and are easy to drive.
Kei cars can perform well in snowy conditions if equipped properly—choose one with turbo, 4WD/AWD, winter tires, and a ski rack if you’ll carry gear.gnate cars with engines of 600cc and a fixed maximum dimensions. With its easy to identify yellow plates, this type of cars and mini-sized trucks are ubiquituos in the countryside of Japan, and the workhorse. They have the advantage of run very cheap on gas, paying less at the highways tolls, and being very easy to drive. Kei cars are totally fine on snowy roads, just make sure to select a kei car with TURBO, 4WD/AWD, winter tires and a ski rack if you need to transport your own gear.
Where to Book (with English Support)
Japan’s leading car rental companies are Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar, Times Car Rental, Nissan Rentacar and Ekiren. Each has hundreds of locations across Japan and offers online booking with English support.
Third-party platforms like rentalcars.com and ToCoo! let you compare vehicles from multiple companies in English.
International car rental companies such as Budget, Avis and Hertz are also available but often operate through local partners and are generally more expensive.
Most booking sites allow you to select winter tires, 4WD, ski racks, and ETC cards online.
When to Book
Book early—especially for peak season (late December to early March). 4WD winter-ready cars are limited and in high demand. We recommend reserving at least 2-3 months in advance, or more if traveling during peak times such as New Year’s (late Dec–early Jan), Chinese New Year, Autralian Day, Japanese public holidays long weekends in January and February.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Japan
The minimum age for driving in Japan is 18 years, and you will need a Japanese driver’s license or an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to rent and drive a car.
International driving permits are not issued in Japan and should be obtained in your home country in advance. They are usually issued through your country’s national automobile association for a small fee. Japan recognizes only permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, which are issued by a large number of countries.
You must carry your physical IDP and country driving license – a printed copy of digital image is not legally accepted.
Japan’s Driving Laws (Read Carefully!)
- Cars drive on the left side of the road and have the driver’s seat and steering wheel on their right side.
- Drinking and driving is prohibited.
- No mobile phone use unless hands-free
- Road signs and rules follow international standards, and most signs on major roads are in Japanese and English.
- Vehicles have to come to a full stop before crossing any railway tracks. (There is no Stop sign)
- Everyone in the car must wear seatbelt including back passengers
- The typical speed limits are 80 to 100 km/h on expressways, 40 km/h in urban areas, 30 km/h in side streets and 50 to 60 km/h elsewhere; drivers tend to go a little over the posted speed limits, except in snowy roads, where you should reduce your speed by 10-20km/h.
If You Get Stuck in a Snowstorm
Even 4WD vehicles can struggle in extreme conditions. Check with your accomodation the road conditions and determine if you can reach destination. Do not abandon your vehicle in the road. If you lost control and your car got stuck, call roadside assistance.
Is Renting a Car Right for You?
A rental car might not be necessary if you:
- Are staying at a ski-in/ski-out resort with restaurants and shops in walking distance
- Are in an area with reliable shuttle services (e.g. Hakuba, Niseko, Nozawa Onsen)
- Prefer fully guided or all-inclusive packages
But it’s a game-changer if you:
✔️ Want to explore multiple ski areas
✔️ Love the idea of hidden onsens and restaurants
✔️ Are traveling with family or a group
✔️ Value flexibility and freedom
Renting a Car in Madarao, Myoko, and Nozawa Onsen—Is It Worth It?
Unlike major destinations like Hakuba or Niseko—where resorts are well-connected and most options are concentrated—the Madarao-Myoko area offers access to over 20 ski resorts within an hour, scattered across historic villages with amazing izakayas, hot springs, and cultural sites like Togakushi and Zenkoji.
Although Myoko, Madarao, Tangram, and Lotte Arai are technically connected by shuttle buses (forming one of Japan’s largest ski domains), the current cost, time, and hassle of shuttle transfers make renting a car a much better option for those with an IDP.
If you’re planning a ski trip and want to go where the snow is, skip the crowds, and travel on your own schedule, renting a car is a no-brainer.
Best Shinkansen Stations to Rent a Car (Madarao and Myoko Areas)
- Iiyama Station – Closest to Madarao Kogen, but limited rental options
- Joetsu-Myoko Station – Best for Myoko Kogen, with more availability than Iiyama
- Nagano Station – Best overall availability.
- Toyama Station – Farther away, but a good backup if other locations are fully booked
For rentacar options around Madarao and Myoko, check La Colina Retreat