Hokkaido car rental

[shadow84]

Hi Sirs, I'm looking to book a car via Jalan after reading the last few pages of this thread. Thanks for the information. I have a few questions to ask to see if my planning is sound.

My trip will be mid to end Sep 24, looking to rent for 10 days of drive, starting from Sapporo and returning at Chitose airport.

Total of 2 pax, but likely going for compact car like fit or note instead of the 600cc cars for safety.

Itinerary
Saporro (collect car on day 1 of drive)
Noribetsu
Lake Toya
Hakodate
Otaru
Tokachidake
Asahikawa
Biei
Daisetsuzan
Bihoro pass / Lake Mashu
Shiretoko
Asahikawa
Saporro
Chitose airport (return car)

First time to Hokkaido and looking to get the expressway pass to shorten some driving time.

Are Google map timings accurate or I need to provide more time in addition to their mentioned timings?

Are there stop breaks along the roads for toilet stop or meals/conveience store?

To get the best rate from Jalan, I should book this month (around 2/3 months before rental)? And collect the voucher to apply during the booking?

Thanks Gurus!

To drive in sapporo will be expensive for parking and many traffic lights. Roads are a little confusing coz no arrows on floor and some lanes are right/left only turn. I personally dun like to drive in sapporo. lol

For eg, in SG, when u stop before traffic light, there is a stop line in your lane. But in sapporo, i encountered the entry lane in your road also got a line. So that made me think its a one way road. But GPS asking me to turn, thus kinda confusing.

And your car collection on day 1 shld be at new chitose airport, not sapporo bah, based on yoru car rental

 

[wongkc]

Hi all the jalan.net gurus... if I have 2 separate trips (collect/return and collect/return)... am i able to book under 1 booking or need 2 separate bookings?

And is there an option to book 2 cars for single trip? or need 2 bookings as well?

Thanks...

 

[oceanicmanta]

Hi all the jalan.net gurus... if I have 2 separate trips (collect/return and collect/return)... am i able to book under 1 booking or need 2 separate bookings?

And is there an option to book 2 cars for single trip? or need 2 bookings as well?

Thanks...

should need 2 separate bookings for both cases

dont recall option to do otherwise, but I could be wrong

 

[wongkc]

should need 2 separate bookings for both cases

dont recall option to do otherwise, but I could be wrong

I thought can do "add to cart" thing so can do everything within 1 booking... looks like i need 4 separate bookings for my case...

 

[swordspirit]

I thought can do "add to cart" thing so can do everything within 1 booking... looks like i need 4 separate bookings for my case...

Always did separate booking, each booking 1 10k promo code. just different main driver using the same jalan account. nv try the add to cart.

 

[wongkc]

Always did separate booking, each booking 1 10k promo code. just different main driver using the same jalan account. nv try the add to cart.

U mean if different driver need separate jalan account? or I can book 2 vehicles under same account?

 

[swordspirit]

U mean if different driver need separate jalan account? or I can book 2 vehicles under same account?

Same account. Just change driver name.

 

[Chili]

Hi! Please teach me how to grab 10k coupon from Jalan.net?

 

[Chili]

Found it! But i think fully distributed liao.
So fast

 

[Mosh-Mosh]

Hi all,

Dont mind a newbie here. Been looking into trips to go Hokkaido during winter (snowing period). Im particularly curious at how winter tyre and snow chain comes into play - understand that winter tyre should be a default option for the rental car but how does snow chain comes about? Not sure when or how does snow chain becomes necessary during a road trip. Anyone has experience driving during heavy snow periods?

TIA

 

[oceanicmanta]

Hi all,

Dont mind a newbie here. Been looking into trips to go Hokkaido during winter (snowing period). Im particularly curious at how winter tyre and snow chain comes into play - understand that winter tyre should be a default option for the rental car but how does snow chain comes about? Not sure when or how does snow chain becomes necessary during a road trip. Anyone has experience driving during heavy snow periods?

TIA

snow tires will do

have not seen chains being used in real life or in videos about Japan

caveat: i have only experienced driving in snow a couple of times, both unexpected snow storm

 

[wongkc]

Hi all,

Dont mind a newbie here. Been looking into trips to go Hokkaido during winter (snowing period). Im particularly curious at how winter tyre and snow chain comes into play - understand that winter tyre should be a default option for the rental car but how does snow chain comes about? Not sure when or how does snow chain becomes necessary during a road trip. Anyone has experience driving during heavy snow periods?

TIA

Car rental only provide winter tyres by default when you rent car during winter... snow chains need to request... or maybe some car rental companies will provide by default... u can check with them during reservations.

For normal driving... u most certainly will not need snow chains... even if it is super heavy snow... Besides it is dangerous to drive during such blizzards as you wun be able to see the traffic ahead (visibility less than 50-100M)... if you are on a highway... just slow down and exit into a rest stop whenever it is possible... or exit to a town and stop at a cafe/restaurant to wait it out... heavy blizzards usually dun last too long... take the opportunity to have a coffee or ramen to rest your eyes... by the time you finish your meal the heaviest part of the snowing is likely to be over... and you can see japanese efficiency in their snow plows clearing the snow on the highway almost immediately when it is safe to travel again... but not before having a snow fight first... the snow is fresh and clean!

You need to feel the road when driving on snow... slow down if you feel you are losing grip... avoid changing lanes unnecessarily... stick to the tracks that previous cars leave behind as those part of the roads are less slippery... avoid driving over lane markings as those are slippery too...

 

[polabear_inc]

Just returned from my Hokkaido trip and the car rental i got was fantastic. I booked my car thru carrental.jpn and i select Hokkaido outlet. The car i rented is a Toyota HiAce grand cabin 10 seaters.

Since i arrival in new chitose airport late and its around 6pm+ when i got out, they park the car at the airport carpark for me to pick up. The car key, paper works, ETC card are all inside the car. I asked if it's alright to just leave the car unlock and the car key inside, they replied..... " NO WORRY HERE VERY SAFE ".

Car feels very new and thru-out my 11 days drive, no issue and not a petrol hunger vehicle.

When i return the car to their office on the last day, i found out that half the staffs there are Taiwanese so they have no issue with communicating in english or chinese. Hand over was quick and smooth too.

So far for 11 days, Car + insurance + ETC total cost is YEN230600. HEP is YEN10500. Total is YEN241100. With 10 person, each one just pay around S$222 for the whole trip.

I'm planning a year-end road trip and was initially considering a Vellfire or Alphard. However, some friends mentioned that fitting 6 adults, 1 child, and all our luggage might be a tight squeeze. I'm debating between squeezing into an 8-seater or getting a Class 4 license to rent a Hiace 10-seater, though that feels like a stretch for this trip. I've driven over 4,000 km in winter on past Hokkaido trips, and I'm the only one willing to drive. Any advice?

Also, do I really need an IDP Class D, or is there a way around it?

 

[RyanJ]

Hi all,

Dont mind a newbie here. Been looking into trips to go Hokkaido during winter (snowing period). Im particularly curious at how winter tyre and snow chain comes into play - understand that winter tyre should be a default option for the rental car but how does snow chain comes about? Not sure when or how does snow chain becomes necessary during a road trip. Anyone has experience driving during heavy snow periods?

TIA

There was only one car rental I encountered that had fresh snow chains provided in the boot ( that was in Finland ) . Never thought of using it.

Kenna stuck in snow kenna towed, skidded on black ice hitting guard rail, kenna white out near lakes, but never ever thought of using chains.

Drive slowly and safely, and perhaps a 4 wheel drive, winter tyres should suffice.

I'm planning a year-end road trip and was initially considering a Vellfire or Alphard. However, some friends mentioned that fitting 6 adults, 1 child, and all our luggage might be a tight squeeze. I'm debating between squeezing into an 8-seater or getting a Class 4 license to rent a Hiace 10-seater, though that feels like a stretch for this trip. I've driven over 4,000 km in winter on past Hokkaido trips, and I'm the only one willing to drive. Any advice?

Also, do I really need an IDP Class D, or is there a way around it?

Class 4 license is quite fast and easy to clear. Dun remember taking more than a month to get the licence but that was some years back.

The japanese rental companies do check the IDP, I am unsure of there are ways around it.

 

[really_noob]

I'm planning a year-end road trip and was initially considering a Vellfire or Alphard. However, some friends mentioned that fitting 6 adults, 1 child, and all our luggage might be a tight squeeze. I'm debating between squeezing into an 8-seater or getting a Class 4 license to rent a Hiace 10-seater, though that feels like a stretch for this trip. I've driven over 4,000 km in winter on past Hokkaido trips, and I'm the only one willing to drive. Any advice?

Also, do I really need an IDP Class D, or is there a way around it?

Might be better if split into two cars if you have another driver.
Depending on where you are going, some places in Japan have very narrow roads or tight parking spaces. Even for the hotels, if you drive a big car, you may need to park further away from your hotel at added cost. More troublesome to load and unload the luggage.

 

[wongkc]

I'm planning a year-end road trip and was initially considering a Vellfire or Alphard. However, some friends mentioned that fitting 6 adults, 1 child, and all our luggage might be a tight squeeze. I'm debating between squeezing into an 8-seater or getting a Class 4 license to rent a Hiace 10-seater, though that feels like a stretch for this trip. I've driven over 4,000 km in winter on past Hokkaido trips, and I'm the only one willing to drive. Any advice?

Also, do I really need an IDP Class D, or is there a way around it?

How many luggage do you have?

I took an Alphard to the airport once... by right the company should have a mini bus for us but somehow it turns out to be an Alphard... at first I worried the Alphard will not be able to carry all our luggage (4pcs 28" luggage) but surprisingly all 4pc can be loaded behind... its a very tight squeeze though and i worried if the car hit a bump the back door will open and all luggage fell off... If you get an 8-seater Alphard or Vellfire... i think can fold down 1 back seat to accommodate maybe 1 or 2 more luggage... need to check with others here...

Alphard is definitely more comfortable for long trip than a Hiace... Even the bigger Grand Hiace is quite uncomfortable... the seats are stiff and hard and the ventilation at the back is poor... for short city drive is ok... but if u intend to drive round Hokkaido clocking hundreds of KMs... might not be a good idea... especially if got kids or elderly... Not to mention that some hotel parking got height limits so you may need to park somewhere else... unless the hotel allows you to park right outside the lobby along their own shuttle bus (one of the hotels we went allowed that)...

So its probably up to you... if you can tolerate the drive and comfort level of a van... The Hiace will suit your needs... If you are a fussy driver and got fussy passengers... then maybe you need to look at getting another driver to drive 2 vehicles... or take the risks of getting an Alphard (which may not fit all your luggage) although it is a better car for long road trips...

 

[ragnarok95]

The Hiace seats are decent. They are not like the older flat hard seats. The newer seats are softer and more comfortable. We travel around Hokkaido with 4 seniors and they have no complaints on the seats. Of cos, Alphard has better seats but then purpose of both cars is diff. We did not encounter any issue with our Hiace travelling around Hokkaido. Even car park also no issue. We stay AirBnb + Dai-ichi takimotokan, all no issue with Hiace.

I go Hiace cos it fits all our needs as we preferred to travel by 1 car than 2.

 

[hermes76]

hi, some queries for enlightenment..

• the 10K vouchors or any other amount are not applicable to all car rental company, only selected?
• for Jalan.net, after reservation, there is no payment required? all payment to be settled at the counter upon collection?
• once receive the email confirmation, means the reservation is confirmed?
• are all the car rentals pickup near to each other at New Chitose Airport?

 

[oceanicmanta]

hi, some queries for enlightenment..

• the 10K vouchors or any other amount are not applicable to all car rental company, only selected?
• for Jalan.net, after reservation, there is no payment required? all payment to be settled at the counter upon collection?
• once receive the email confirmation, means the reservation is confirmed?
• are all the car rentals pickup near to each other at New Chitose Airport?

some coupons r for ALL, some are specific, it is stated

yes

yes

no .. use google map to check where each is located

 

[angcsbenny]

For people enquiring when do you need snow chains, I want to share my experience.

I rented an alphard in march 2024 with snow tyres only and went to hakuba happo-one. It was snowing v heavily when I was there and I was not v familiar with the roads there. I went into a one way street and wanted to reverse out and subsequently reversed into a downslope.

Unfortunately the slope was full of snow and my snow tyres had not enough friction to bring me out of the slope, thankfully there were a bunch of helpful strangers who walked past and helped to push my car out. They were locals and seem very experienced and thought the tyre chains would had been able to help me get out.

Otherwise my snow tyres were sufficient for most of the trip.