In many ways Hokkaido is ideal for driving, especially in the warmer months of the year. Hokkaido is a big island with wide open spaces and driving will give you much more freedom to explore its plains, mountains, forests, lakes and wetlands. Although traveling by train is cheaper than driving, Hokkaido’s railway network does not extend to the island’s more remote attractions and some towns can only be accessed by road.
Rent a car in Sapporo to explore Hokkaido’s many attractions
With a car the scenic hiking trails, hot spring resorts, and camping locations of Hokkaido’s national parks are much more accessible. In this article we will introduce some reliable car rental companies in Sapporo, offer some general tips for driving in Japan, some more specific driving tips for Hokkaido, and suggest some driving locations around Sapporo that you might like to visit.
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Car Rental Companies
There are several reliable car rental companies around JR Sapporo Station, but their counters are spread across the north, south and east sides of the station rather than inside one central rental area.
Nippon Rent-a-Car Sapporo Station
Nippon Rent-a-Car has offices east and northeast of the station. Toyota Rent-a-Car has a Sapporo Station shop east of the tracks as well as a departure-only counter in the basement of Keio Prelia Hotel by the north exit. Cars collected from the north-exit counter must be returned to Toyota’s south-exit shop.
Toyota Rent-a-Car Sapporo Station
Nissan Car Rental also has station-area offices, while the JR Hokkaido Rent-A-Car office is beneath the tracks east of the station. Check the operator’s branch page when booking because pickup and return locations can differ.
These are all well-known companies with established rental services. Check the links above for branch or company information.
JR Hokkaido Rent-A-Car Sapporo
Cost of Renting a Car
Rental prices vary by vehicle class, season, branch and booking date. A basic 24-hour compact-car rate can be around 10,000 yen or more before optional collision waivers, non-operation-charge coverage, child seats, ETC-card rental, one-way fees and fuel. Hokkaido operators may also apply summer or winter seasonal rates, so compare the complete quoted price rather than the headline base rate.
Fuel prices change frequently and can be higher in remote areas, so check the Hokkaido price before setting your trip budget. Rental cars are normally supplied with a full tank and should be returned full unless the rental agreement specifies another settlement method.
Nissan Car Rental Sapporo Station
Legal Requirements
Before arrival, confirm that every person who will drive has documents valid in Japan. Most short-term overseas visitors need a booklet-format International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention together with their passport. An International Driving Permit issued under another convention, an EU license by itself, or an unofficial translation is not sufficient.
Holders of licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan use their valid original license together with an authorized Japanese translation and their passport. Translations may be issued only by organizations recognized under Japanese rules, such as the issuing authority or consulate and designated Japanese organizations including the Japan Automobile Federation. Check the National Police Agency, your rental company and the JAF website before travel because document eligibility and permitted driving periods depend on the license and entry history. These documents must be arranged before you collect the car.
Navigation
Major roads, towns, and cities have English signage, but this might not be true in the countryside. Almost all rental cars have GPS satellite navigation systems which may have English on the menu. Ask the staff at your car rental company to show you how to use your GPS system before your departure. They can program it with your destination’s address or telephone number. As an extra precaution you can buy an English-Japanese road atlas before your trip.
Long Distance Travel in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is big and its urban centers are spread out, so you may need to drive long distances to visit the main locations of interest. Using Hokkaido’s network of expressways will save you a lot of time, and the Hokkaido Expressway Pass can reduce toll costs on a road trip that uses eligible expressways frequently. The pass is intended mainly for visitors with non-Japanese passports, although Japanese nationals with permanent residence outside Japan may also qualify under the published conditions. Plans cover 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 days, and longer trips use combinations of those plans.
You must rent a designated ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card together with the car and arrange the pass through a participating rental-company outlet. The ETC card enables you to pass automatically through ETC toll gates and records your use of the Hokkaido Expressway Pass. Check the coverage map, exclusions, price and participating offices before booking because the pass is not sold at every branch. To find out more visit the Hokkaido Expressway Pass webpage.
If you plan to drive long distances then sometimes you are going to need to take a break. Hokkaido has more than 120 roadside rest stops called Michi-no-Eki. Their parking areas and toilets are generally available 24 hours, and many locations also provide road and tourism information, free Wi-Fi internet access, shops and local food. Shop, restaurant and information-counter hours vary by location, so check the individual listing before relying on those services late at night. For more details check out the official Michi-no-Eki website.
Winter Driving in Hokkaido
Snow, ice and freezing conditions can affect Hokkaido roads from late autumn into spring, with timing varying by area and year. Driving to a winter ski resort or hot spring spa may seem like a very convenient way to transport yourself, your luggage, and all your ski equipment. However, heavy snowfalls, black ice and poor visibility can make driving conditions dangerous. Confirm with the rental company that the car has winter tires and suitable equipment for your full route. Winter tires improve traction but do not remove the risks of long stopping distances or sudden changes in the weather.
- Check the weather, road closures and live road conditions for your full route before departure.
- Allow much more time than a summer journey, drive slowly and keep a long following distance.
- Avoid sudden braking, steering or acceleration, especially on bridges, at tunnel entrances and in shaded places where black ice forms easily.
- Carry warm clothing and basic emergency supplies, and keep the fuel tank from running low.
- Postpone or abandon the trip when a blizzard or severe conditions are forecast.
The Rules of the Road
The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) publishes an English language guide to Japan’s traffic rules called “Rules of the Road”. Check JAF’s Rules of the Road page for purchasing options before travel. A printed English edition is available, but JAF says sales of foreign-language e-book editions have been temporarily suspended, so do not rely on being able to download one.
Driving Destinations Around Sapporo
Here are some recommended driving destinations near Sapporo.
Jozankei Onsen is a popular hot spring spa resort in a picturesque valley which is just a 50 minute drive from Sapporo. This small town is dotted with many hand and foot baths, traditional inns, and statues of kappa – a mythical water creature which traditionally lives in the local rivers. Jozankei’s hot springs are sodium-chloride springs, and the resort describes their water as retaining warmth after bathing.
Among the many hotels here Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa Mori no Uta is a luxury hotel offering both Japanese and Western style rooms with elegant furnishings, large indoor and outdoor communal baths, and multi-course meals serving the very best Hokkaido cuisine. Other facilities include a souvenir store, sweet shop, lounge bar, and cigar room.
Jozankei View Hotel also has spacious Western and Japanese style rooms, a variety of communal baths and saunas including jet baths, a waterfall bath, and a jacuzzi, buffet dining and traditional course menus, and a heated indoor wave pool. This hotel also has a games corner, gift shop, and karaoke facilities.
Lake Shikotsu is a large blue crater lake surrounded by forested mountains which is popular for activities such as canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking and pleasure boat cruises. There are two hot spring resorts by Lake Shikotsu: Marukoma Onsen is located on its northern shore and Shikotsu Onsen is located on the eastern shore.
The Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is a long-established inn with hot spring bathing facilities overlooking Lake Shikotsu. In Shikotsu Onsen, Kyukamura Shikotsuko is a traditional inn with hot spring bathing facilities which also organizes seasonal activities such as nature treks, canoeing, and bird watching. Lake Shikotsu is a 1 hour drive from Sapporo.
The Shakotan Peninsula has a number of scenic capes and observation points from which to view the clear blue waters of the Japan Sea and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze. Cape Ogon on the east side of the peninsula is a popular observation point which is famous for its sunset views. Cape Shakotan is located further to the north and has views over the rugged coastline and mountains. To the west is Cape Kamui, where the 770 meter headland trail takes roughly 20 minutes each way and offers panoramic ocean views. The entrance gate and trail can close because of season, wind or weather, so check access conditions before the drive. Separately, the seasonal New Shakotan sightseeing boat runs an approximately 40-minute glass-bottom cruise from Bikuni Port around nearby coastal sights such as Gome Island, Biyano Cape and Treasure Island. Sailings are weather dependent and do not provide a tour of every cape and beach on the peninsula. The town of Shakotan is 1 hour and 50 minutes by car from Sapporo.
Farm Tomita is a flower farm in the Furano area of Hokkaido which is best known for its lavender fields. The main lavender fields generally bloom from early to late July, with the peak often around mid-July, although timing varies with the cultivar and weather. Other flower fields add color across the warmer months. The farm has cafes and shops, and visitors can watch perfume production or seasonal lavender-oil distillation in the facilities called the Perfume Workshop and Distillery Workshop. Farm Tomita is a 2 hour drive from Sapporo.
Shirogane Blue Pond near the town of Biei was created as part of erosion-control work after the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi. Water from local tributaries carries components that form fine particles in the pond. When light scatters through the water, the pond can appear bright blue, while pale sediment on the bottom may strengthen the effect. Its color varies with weather and water conditions, and snow can cover the surface in winter. There are larch and silver birch trees around the pond, as well as partially submerged dead trees that add to the pond’s mysterious appearance. From 1-Jul-2026, parking costs 1,000 yen for a standard or kei car and 300 yen for a motorcycle. The approach can become congested, particularly during busy afternoon periods, so allow extra time. The Blue Pond is a 2 hour drive from Sapporo.
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort has ski trails suitable for all levels, plenty of good quality powder snow, family-friendly facilities, restaurants and equipment rental. The resort estimates about 60 minutes by car from central Sapporo in normal conditions, but winter weather can make the journey much longer. Travelers who prefer not to drive can use the resort bus, for which reservations are required. Reserve the return trip as well because an unreserved passenger may not get a seat. English private lessons are available by advance request, normally at least one week before the lesson date, rather than as a guaranteed walk-in service.
Article by Michael Lambe. Photos by Michael Lambe, matya1234/pixta (1). All rights reserved. Last updated 21-Aug-2026.
