Hokkaido is vast and home to cities with distinct charm such as Sapporo, Hakodate, Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa, along with many remote natural attractions. Relying only on public transportation may limit your itinerary or require complicated transfers. Therefore, many travelers choose to rent a car when doing a Hokkaido free-and-easy trip to increase flexibility and enjoyment. However, first-time drivers in Japan should note that Japan drives on the left, and the steering wheel is on the right, which is the opposite of Taiwan, so extra caution is needed while driving.
In addition, all passengers, including those in the back seat, must wear seat belts, and children under six must use a child safety seat. As for traffic rules, pedestrians have absolute priority, and drivers must stop and yield when pedestrians are crossing. When choosing a rental car company, in addition to comparing prices, insurance plans, online reviews, and service quality should also be taken into account.
It is recommended that before departure, you carefully compare each company’s plans through official websites or rental comparison platforms, and book a suitable vehicle type and insurance in advance. At the same time, be sure to pay attention to local weather and road conditions, follow traffic rules, and drive safely. In this way, you can easily enjoy Hokkaido’s magnificent natural scenery, rich cuisine, and diverse cultural experiences, and have a wonderful and unforgettable self-drive journey in Hokkaido.
Overview of Common Rental Car Companies in Hokkaido
Below is a summary of several commonly seen rental car companies in Hokkaido. Their prices and services are actually quite similar, and their reviews for insurance and vehicle condition are generally good. If you are departing from New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, or other busy areas, you can basically book any of them. However, if you are considering one-way rentals or planning to return the car in a remote area, you should pay attention to whether the company has a branch in that region.
| Hokkaido rental car company | Price (JPY/day) | Number of locations | Recommendation level |
| Toyota Rent a Car | 5,500~18,000 | 21 | ★★★★★ |
| Nissan Rent a Car | 4,500~16,000 | 22 | ★★★★☆ |
| Times Car Rental | 4,500~15,000 | 21 | ★★★★☆ |
| Nippon Rent-A-Car | 5,000~18,000 | 28 | ★★★★★ |
| Budget Rent a Car | 4,000~15,000 | 8 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Orix Rent a Car | 4,000~16,000 | 21 | ★★★★☆ |
Toyota Rent a Car
Features: A leading Japanese domestic car brand with many locations, mainly offering Toyota vehicles, known for high reliability.
Price: The price range is mid-to-high, but the vehicle condition is generally good. Larger vehicles or premium models will cost more.
Insurance: Basic insurance includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but pay attention to whether vehicle repair costs and towing fees are included; additional coverage can be purchased if needed.
Online reviews: Overall reviews are positive, with many praising professional service and good vehicle condition. However, prices are relatively high during peak seasons, so early booking is recommended.
Comparison sites: Tabirai|Tocoo|Booking|KLOOL
Nissan Rent a Car
Features: Also a major Japanese brand, sometimes with a more favorable pricing strategy, and with many locations around Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.
Price: Slightly cheaper than Toyota Rent a Car. If you can book a special deal, the value is even better.
Insurance: The basic insurance is similar, and most plans also offer CDW. If you want extra peace of mind, you can add supplementary coverage for the deductible.
Online reviews: Generally favorable, though some people occasionally report longer waiting times for shuttle buses or at the counter.
Comparison sites: Tabirai|Tocoo|Booking|KLOOL
Times Car Rental
Features: Quite common in Hokkaido, with branches visible in major city areas and airports.
Price: The pricing is average. Sometimes discount coupons or special offers are available during certain periods, making it suitable for budget-conscious travelers.
Insurance: Basic vehicle insurance plus CDW is included, and additional coverage can be added according to your needs. However, online reviews note that because it is a more Western-style rental system, the insurance details can be more complicated, so be sure to read the contract carefully.
Online reviews: Overall service is good, and the vehicle selection is diverse, ranging from small cars to SUVs and 7-seater family cars.
Comparison sites: Tabirai|Tocoo|Booking|KLOOL
Nippon Rent-A-Car
Features: A long-established Japanese rental car company with the largest number of locations in Hokkaido.
Price: Similar to Toyota and Nissan, not the cheapest, but it stands out for its reputation and stable service.
Insurance: Basic CDW is generally included, and you can add a waiver for the deductible or extra protection.
Online reviews: Positive reviews, good fleet maintenance, and many international tourists rent here as well.
Comparison sites: Tabirai|Tocoo|Booking|KLOOL
Orix Rent a Car
Features: Offers a rich variety of vehicles, from compact cars to large buses, with flexible pricing and multilingual service, making it friendly for foreign travelers.
Price range:
Small cars (such as Suzuki Swift): 4,000–6,500 JPY/day
Mid-size cars (such as Toyota Prius): 6,000–9,500 JPY/day
SUVs or 7-seaters (such as Mitsubishi Outlander): 10,000–16,000 JPY/day
Insurance: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is included, and additional full-coverage insurance costs about 1,000–1,500 JPY/day.
Online reviews: We have rented two or three times already, and overall the service is friendly, with no problem communicating in English. At larger locations such as New Chitose Airport, there may even be Chinese-speaking staff.
Extra feature: Some branches offer electric vehicles (EVs)
Comparison sites: Tabirai|Tocoo|Booking|KLOOL
Budget Rent a Car
Features: A well-known American rental car chain. Its number of branches in Hokkaido is smaller than the major Japanese companies, but if you can book a cheap car, the overall service quality is still decent.
Price: There are many promotional plans, and early-bird or group discounts are common, so the value for money is good.
Insurance: Basic CDW is also included, but American companies in Japan may have slightly different terms, so it is best to read the contract carefully before booking.
Online reviews: Some users report that staff at certain locations may have limited English ability, so it is recommended to prepare simple Japanese phrases or use a translation app.
Comparison sites: Tabirai|Tocoo|Booking|KLOOL
Rental Prices, Insurance, and Common Notes
Price fluctuations
Travel season: During popular periods such as summer vacation, cherry blossom season, autumn leaves season, and winter snow season, rental car costs usually rise significantly, so booking early is recommended.
Vehicle choice: Renting a small car (K-Car, compact car) is usually the most economical option; if you have many people or a lot of luggage, an SUV or 7- to 8-seater SUV is more comfortable, but the price will be higher.
Book early: Many rental companies offer early-bird discounts, and the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a good price.
Insurance explanation
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Most Hokkaido rental car companies include this in the basic rental fee, but the coverage still varies.
Non-Operation Charge (NOC): If an accident causes repairs, you may be charged a “business loss fee” or a “partial deductible.” If you want to completely avoid this expense, you need to purchase extra waiver coverage from the rental company or a rental comparison website.
Third-party liability insurance: Usually included, but it is recommended to confirm the coverage amount and add more if you feel it is insufficient.
Reference points for online reviews
Vehicle condition: Cleanliness, mileage, model year, and maintenance status are all very important.
Service: Includes whether the shuttle bus is on time, whether the counter staff are professional, and whether communication is friendly.
Waiting time: Common complaints are that the shuttle bus or paperwork takes too long, especially during peak season at New Chitose Airport.
Extra charges: Some companies charge high fees if you drive beyond the reserved time or suddenly change the pickup location. This is a common complaint online, so you should clarify the contract in advance.
Other Hokkaido Self-Drive Safety Notes
Winter driving: In winter, Hokkaido roads can easily freeze or be covered in snow, so be sure to choose a vehicle equipped with snow tires. Drive carefully, keep a safe following distance, and slow down.
Driver’s license: For Taiwanese travelers renting a car in Hokkaido, you need a Taiwan driver’s license and a Japanese translation. Be sure to obtain the Japanese translation of your Taiwan driver’s license at the motor vehicle office before departure, and then bring both the Taiwan license and the Japanese translation with you to Japan.
ETC card: On Hokkaido expressways, there are regular toll lanes and ETC lanes. It is recommended to rent an ETC card when renting the car (about 300 JPY). Once installed, you can simply pass through like in Taiwan, and returning the car with unified billing will be more convenient.
HEP: This can also be called the “Hokkaido Expressway Pass.” It comes in versions from 2 to 14 days, allowing unlimited use within the validity period. Before departure, it is recommended to check your map to see whether the expressways to your destinations require tolls, and then calculate whether buying HEP is worthwhile.
Navigation: In-car GPS navigation can be set using phone numbers or Map Codes. You can prepare these in advance. From my own experience, using Google Maps on your phone already solves most destinations, and having both methods is even more reassuring.
Five Hokkaido Rental Comparison Sites
How can you find affordable Hokkaido rental car companies? Here are several commonly used comparison websites. At present, the lowest price for a one-day Hokkaido rental with full insurance is around NT$1,000. Rental fees may include Chinese GPS navigation, waiver insurance, ETC devices, and taxes, which is much cheaper than just after border reopening.
| Hokkaido rental comparison | Pros and cons |
| Booking | The world’s largest rental comparison site, with optional comprehensive insurance, abundant vehicle inventory, and many vehicle choices |
| Tocoo! | Japan’s largest rental site, abundant vehicle inventory, competitive prices, optional waiver insurance + NOC coverage, coupon code “GM9VGZ” gives 1,000 JPY off for orders over 10,000 JPY |
| Tabirai | The simplest and easiest Chinese interface, showing the final price including tax; includes waiver insurance and Chinese GPS navigation |
| KKday | A Taiwan travel platform with Chinese customer service, optional insurance, and acceptable pricing; combine with discount code “APP90” for 90 TWD off; fewer vehicle choices, but worth checking if other sites have no cars |
| Klook | A Taiwan travel platform with convenient Chinese customer service, frequent Japan car rental promotions; use discount code “BETTERONAPP” for up to 300 TWD off; only basic insurance is included, so if you need full coverage, remember to select it in the interface |
Renting a car for self-drive travel in Hokkaido makes your trip more flexible and your sightseeing arrangements more adaptable. When choosing a rental car company, in addition to comparing prices, insurance plans, online reviews, and service quality should also be taken into account. It is recommended that before departure, you carefully compare each company’s plans through official websites or rental comparison platforms, and book a suitable vehicle type and insurance in advance. At the same time, be sure to pay attention to local weather and road conditions, follow traffic rules, and drive safely. In this way, you can easily enjoy Hokkaido’s magnificent natural scenery, rich cuisine, and diverse cultural experiences, and have a wonderful and unforgettable journey.