UPDATED October 2026
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 — whatever the snow season brings.
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.
Do You Need an ETC Card?
A quick word on the ETC card—the electronic toll-collection card that lets you cruise through toll gates without stopping for tickets or cash. It also gets you discounted toll rates (roughly 25–30% off on weekends and overnight).
But here is the money-saving secret most guides miss: if you rent near the mountains, an ETC card is usually not required at all. Rental from a Shinkansen station like Iiyama or Nagano means short local drives between resorts—the kind that rarely touch a toll road—so you can often skip the card and its rental fee entirely. You only really need ETC if you are renting at the airport or plan long toll-highway hops (for example driving the Chuo or Kan-etsu Expressway from Tokyo). That is one more way renting close to the slopes saves you compared with picking up a car in a big city or at the airport.
If you do plan a toll-road-heavy trip, look into the Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP)—an unlimited-use expressway pass for overseas visitors, valid 2–14 consecutive days and priced as a flat fee (around ¥10,000 for a seven-day pass). It’s ETC-based, so it pairs naturally with an ETC card, and it can save a lot if you’re driving long distances like Tokyo to Hakuba. Check current terms on the official CEP page before you book.
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 are totally fine on snowy roads if equipped properly—just make sure to select one with turbo, 4WD/AWD, winter tires, and a ski rack if you need to transport your own gear.
Think About Luggage Before You Pick the Size
Consider your luggage. A so-called “5-seater” in Japan can be surprisingly tight when everyone is travelling with a suitcase, a ski or snowboard bag, and winter layers. If you are four or five people, a slightly larger wagon or van—or at least a car with a properly sized boot—is usually the better call than squeezing into a compact. When in doubt, size up: being comfortable with your gear is worth more than saving a little on the daily rate.
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 let you compare vehicles from multiple companies in English—and are often cheaper than booking direct. ToCoo! is a favourite among skiers (many report saving thousands of yen versus direct booking), Tabirai shows clear all-in pricing with no hidden counter fees, and DiscoverCars is a solid international aggregator with free cancellation.
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. Note that in snow areas like Nagano, snow tires are usually free—but you still have to tick the option, as they are not always added automatically. 4WD, by contrast, is a paid extra (roughly ¥1,500–1,600 per day).
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, Australian Day, and Japanese public-holiday 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, usually through your national automobile association. Japan recognizes only permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention.
You must carry your physical IDP and country driving license—a printed copy of a 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 a 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 10–20 km/h.
- New rule from 1 September 2026: on narrow residential roads with no center line, median or posted speed sign, the default speed limit dropped from 60 km/h to 30 km/h. These unmarked local roads are exactly the kind you may drive on around villages and mountain lodges, so assume 30 km/h unless you see otherwise—going 60 on one of these roads now counts as a significant speed violation.
If You Get Stuck in a Snowstorm
Even 4WD vehicles can struggle in extreme conditions. Check with your accommodation about road conditions and determine if you can reach your destination. Do not abandon your vehicle in the road. If you lose control and your car gets 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), or 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, or 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. It’s part of what makes the Myoko and Madarao region one of our favourite places to base a ski trip.
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. Pair that freedom with a multi-resort ski pass and you can chase the best snow across the whole Powder Belt.
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. Nissan Rentacar has an office right opposite the station, and Eki-Ren operates inside the station. Options are limited, so book well ahead.
- Joetsu-Myoko Station – Best for Myoko Kogen, with more availability than Iiyama. Nippon Rentacar has a full English service here, with snow tyres and ETC options.
- Nagano Station – Best overall availability, including the well-reviewed Nissan Car Rental Nagano Eki Higashiguchi outlet. A slightly longer drive to the resorts, but the widest choice.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need 4WD and winter tyres to rent a car in Japan in snow season?
Yes. In Nagano and Niigata, deep and fast-changing snow makes 4WD/AWD with proper winter tyres essential. Snow tyres are legally required in many areas, and without them you can be stopped by police or turned away from toll roads and mountain passes.
Where is the best place to rent a car near Madarao and Myoko?
Rent from the Shinkansen station closest to your resort. Iiyama Station is closest to Madarao; Joetsu-Myoko Station is best for Myoko Kogen; and Nagano Station offers the widest choice. Mountain stations typically supply 4WD cars with winter tyres as standard.
Do I need an ETC card if I rent a car near the ski resorts?
Usually not. If you rent at a mountain Shinkansen station like Iiyama or Nagano, your drives between resorts are short and local, rarely touching toll roads, so you can skip the ETC card. You mainly need it if renting at the airport or driving long toll-highway routes.
What is the new 30 km/h speed limit law in Japan?
From 1 September 2026, the default speed limit on narrow residential roads with no centre line, median or posted speed sign dropped from 60 km/h to 30 km/h. These unmarked local roads are common around mountain villages, so assume 30 km/h unless a sign says otherwise.
Can you rent a car in Japan with only a driving licence?
No. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, issued in your home country, or a Japanese licence. You must carry the physical IDP and your home licence; a printed copy of a digital image is not legally accepted.
Is a 5-seater rental car big enough for a group?
Not always. A Japanese 5-seater can be tight once everyone adds a suitcase, a ski or snowboard bag, and winter layers. If you are four or five people, size up to a wagon or van so your gear fits comfortably.
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