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Hokkaido is Japan's wide, open north: flower fields, volcanoes, lakes and hot springs, far apart and often far from a station. It is the part of Japan where a hire car makes the most difference.
Car hire prices in Hokkaido
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport | €548 | €759 | €1070 |
| Sapporo | €548 | €759 | €1070 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 10 November 2026. About this price
What's included in the price
Excess refunded in full
If the desk charges the excess after damage, Sunny Cars refunds it.
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
Not included: Expressway tolls (an ETC card is available at the desk); fuel; child seats and other extras you add at the desk; traffic fines and parking.
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year, plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name, for the deposit.
- Deposit
- Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Picking up your car in Hokkaido
You can collect your car at New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido's main airport, or in Sapporo, about 45 minutes away by expressway. The airport is the easier start for a road trip; Sapporo suits you if you spend a few days in the city first.
Free cancellation
Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts. After that, the full price of the booking applies.
Driving in Hokkaido
- Traffic drives on the left. Most hire cars in Japan are automatics.
- Sort out your licence before you fly. Most licences, including those from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, need an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation from JAF. Without it the desk cannot hand over the car.
- Save on tolls with the Hokkaido Expressway Pass. Visitors from abroad can buy a flat-rate pass for unlimited expressway driving in Hokkaido for a set number of days. It works with an ETC card from the rental desk; ask the desk whether they can add it.
- Winter is serious. From about December to March roads are covered in snow and ice. Make sure your car has winter tyres; at the desk they are charged per day.
- Distances are long. Plan with average speeds of about 50 km/h on ordinary roads, and watch for deer, especially at dusk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire in Hokkaido cost?
A week of car hire in Hokkaido starts at €548 for a small car, €759 for a mid-size car and €1070 for a large car or SUV. That is the total for seven days, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 10 November 2026.
Is there an excess when I hire a car in Hokkaido?
Excess refunded in full. If the desk charges the excess after damage, Sunny Cars refunds it. Updated 10 November 2026.
Can I cancel my car hire in Hokkaido for free?
Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 1 hour before your rental starts. After that, the full price of the booking applies.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Hokkaido?
Yes. Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), held on a credit card in the main driver's name.
Do I need winter tyres in Hokkaido?
From about December to March, yes. Roads are often snowy or icy. Winter tyres are available at the desk for a daily fee; check this when you book.
How far is New Chitose Airport from Sapporo?
About 45 minutes by car on the expressway.
Day trips by car
- Otaru, the old canal town, about 45 minutes from Sapporo.
- Furano and Biei, rolling fields of lavender and flowers in summer, about 2 to 2.5 hours north-east of Sapporo.
- Lake Shikotsu and Noboribetsu, a caldera lake and one of Japan's best-known hot spring towns, about 1 to 1.5 hours south of Sapporo.
- Niseko and Mount Yotei, about 2 hours west.
When to go
July and August are the best months for driving, with mild weather and the lavender in bloom. Autumn colours come early, in late September and October. Winter brings deep snow and the skiing season.