One of the questions I’m asked most often when visiting Hokkaido in winter is, “Can I rent a car on my own?”
Yes, but we generally don’t recommend it. From December through February, the roads are mostly covered in packed snow or “black ice”—which looks like wet snow but is actually frozen. On mountain roads and along the coast, a sudden snowstorm can sweep in, turning the view ahead completely white. On top of that, it gets dark around 4:00 p.m., and drives between attractions often take one or two hours, which can be quite exhausting for people who aren’t used to driving in snowy conditions.
That’s why we recommend hiring a private car in the winter. The drivers are used to driving on snowy roads every day, and the cars are equipped with winter tires; you won’t have to carry your luggage yourself, and it’s much easier when traveling with elderly family members or children. For groups of 2 to 8 people, we can arrange a Chinese-speaking driver who also serves as a tour guide, and if the weather is bad, you can change your itinerary on the spot.
Below is one of the itineraries we frequently plan, which is ideal for first-time visitors to Hokkaido in winter. It includes stops at Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Lake Shikotsu, and Otaru, with the last two nights spent in Sapporo.
ROUTERoute Overview
You should only book a full-day private car for the two days when you'll be traveling long distances; on the day you're in downtown Sapporo, just take the subway—that way, you can save quite a bit of money.
| Number of days | Route | Car Rental | Accommodations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | New Chitose Airport → Lake Toya | Airport Pickup | Lake Toya Hot Springs |
| Day 2 | Lake Toya → Mount Usu → Noboribetsu Jigokudani → Lake Shikotsu → Jozankei | Full-Day Chartered Vehicle | Jozankei Hot Springs |
| Day 3 | Jozankei → Tobetsu → Otaru → Sapporo | Full-Day Chartered Vehicle | Sapporo |
| Day 4 | Free Time in Sapporo | Unwanted Cars | Sapporo |
| Day 5 | Sapporo → New Chitose Airport | Transmitter | — |
ITINERARYDaily Itinerary
New Chitose AirportAirport Pickup
The driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a sign, help load your luggage into the car, and drive you directly to the hot spring hotel.
Lake Toya Hot SpringsHot Springs & Lake Views
On the first day, we won't visit any tourist spots—we'll just take it easy and rest. Most of the hot spring hotels along the lake offer views of Lake Toya and Nakajima Island in the middle of the lake.
Mount Usu Cable Car · Showa-ShinzanVolcano
From the cable car, you can see the entire Lake Toya, as well as Showa-Shinzan, which is still emitting smoke. Winter operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There may be periods when the cable car is out of service for maintenance during the winter, so we’ll double-check before we leave.
Noboribetsu JigokudaniGeothermal Energy
White smoke rises everywhere in the snowy landscape, and there’s a strong smell of sulfur. A loop takes about 30 to 40 minutes; the trail gets icy in winter, so be sure to wear non-slip shoes.
Lake ShikotsuLake View
The lake rarely freezes even in winter, and on clear days, the water is a crystal-clear blue. The “Chitose-Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival” takes place from late January through February; in 2027, it is scheduled for January 30 through February 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the illuminations beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Tobetsu · ROYCE’ Cocoa & Chocolate CastleFactory Tour
At the ROYCE’ factory in our town of Tōbetsu, you can see the process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate and even make your own chocolate bars. Facility hours: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last admission at 3:00 p.m.); shop hours: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Open daily (no regular holidays); we recommend making a reservation in advance on the official website. You can have lunch at the adjacent “Michinoeki Tōbetsu.”
Otaru Canal and Sakai-cho StreetWalking and Shopping
I recommend visiting in the evening, when the gas lamps along the canal are lit—that’s when it looks its best. On Sakaimachi-dori, you’ll find a music box shop, a glass workshop, and a dessert shop. In early February, there’s also the “Otaru Snow Light Path.”
Nijo MarketBreakfast
Go out for a seafood bowl or king crab for breakfast.
Odori Park and the Sapporo TV Tower
This is the main venue for the Sapporo Snow Festival in February.
Mount Moiwa Cable CarNight View
One of Japan's New Three Great Night Views. Open from December through March, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last cable car up at 9:30 p.m.); closed during the year-end and New Year holidays. You can take the streetcar to the cable car station.
Free Time in Sapporo
After you've finished shopping for souvenirs, the driver will pick you up at your hotel based on your flight schedule.
New Chitose AirportTransmitter
There are plenty of shops at the airport, so you can arrive a little early and take your time browsing.
NOTESThings to Keep in Mind When Renting a Car in Winter
Don't overfill it.In winter, it gets dark around 4:00 p.m., and when it snows, the drive often takes 30 minutes or more longer, so visiting 3 to 4 attractions a day is just right.
Clothing.The indoor heating is very strong, and it can get as cold as -10 degrees Celsius outside, so we recommend dressing in layers. Non-slip snow boots or crampons are essential, as the slopes in Jigokudani and Otaru are particularly slippery.
Business hours are subject to change.The cable car may be suspended due to strong winds or maintenance, and many facilities are closed during the year-end and New Year holidays. We’ll check all of these details for you before you depart.
A driver's working hours.Chartered vehicle services are generally available between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., for up to 10 hours per day; any time beyond that will incur an additional overtime fee.
Luggage.The vehicle type will be determined based on the number of passengers and the number of suitcases. The Alphard seats up to 7–8 people, and the Hiace seats up to 10, but since there tends to be more luggage in the winter, we actually recommend traveling with a few fewer passengers. Please let us know the approximate number of suitcases when you make your inquiry.
During the Snow Festival.Hotels in Sapporo tend to fill up well in advance of the Snow Festival in February, so it's best to book 3 to 6 months ahead of time.
Q&AFrequently Asked Questions
Does the driver speak Chinese?
For small groups of 2 to 8 people, we can arrange a Chinese-speaking driver who also serves as a tour guide and will provide commentary on the sights along the way.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Sure, this is just an example. You can add Asahiyama Zoo, Biei, or go skiing in Niseko—we’ll adjust the itinerary based on your family’s ages and preferences.
Is this suitable for bringing along elders and children?
It's perfect. You don't have to rush to catch the train while dragging your luggage, and you can rest on the train when you get tired. We can also provide a child seat—just let us know in advance.
How far in advance should I book?
The peak season runs from mid-December to late February, so we recommend contacting us three months in advance.
Want to plan your own itinerary?
Kan Akane Travel (Kan Akane Co., Ltd.) is a travel agency registered with the Governor of Hokkaido, located in Tobetsu Town, just outside Sapporo. We primarily arrange private car tours and customized itineraries in Hokkaido for travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong, and all communication can be conducted in Chinese. If you’d like to learn more about Tobetsu, you can also check outIntroduction to Tobetsu Town。
Just let us know the date, the number of people, and where you'd like to go—we'll provide itinerary suggestions and a quote at no charge.
Customization Process Consultation
