Rental Cars and Winter Roads in Otaru

If you will mainly sightsee around JR Otaru Station, the canal and Sakaimachi, you can also combine walking and buses. A car is an option when traveling to the outskirts, or from Otaru toward Yoichi, Shakotan and Niseko. In winter you may drive on snowy or icy roads, so be sure to read the winter road precautions before you rent.

Do you need a rental car for sightseeing in Otaru?

If you only visit the central part of Otaru, a rental car is not necessarily required. If you do drive around the canal and Sakaimachi, check where to park beforehand to make getting around easier. Parking is summarized in Parking in Otaru.

If you get around the city by bus, also check the one-day bus pass. It is an option for those who prefer not to drive.

A car is most useful when traveling out of town. If you plan to go as far as Yoichi, Shakotan and Niseko, compare transport options in From Otaru to Yoichi, Shakotan & Niseko.

If you are not confident about driving on winter roads, you do not have to rent a car. For sightseeing in the city, you can also look at Sightseeing Taxis in Otaru, and if you are heading to a ski resort, Ski Resorts You Can Reach from Otaru.

Rental shops in Otaru

These are the three rental shops near JR Otaru Station listed on the rental companies’ official pages.

Business hours and closed days were checked in October 2026.

Shop	Address	From JR Otaru Station	Hours	Closed	Official
Toyota Rent a Car JR Otaru Station Front Store	4-7-7 Inaho, Otaru	3-minute walk	1/4–6/30 8:00–19:00, 7/1–8/31 8:00–20:00, 9/1–11/9 8:00–19:00, 11/11–12/30 8:00–19:00	12/31–1/3, 11/10	Official store page
Toyota Rent a Car JR Otaru Station Inaho 2-chome Store	2-22-1 Inaho, Otaru, Otaru Keizai Center Building, B1F	2-minute walk	4/1–10/31 8:00–19:00, 11/1–12/30, 1/4–3/31 8:00–18:00	12/31–1/3	Official store page
Eki Rent-A-Car JR Otaru Station Office	4-7-7 Inaho, Otaru (inside Toyota Rent a Car JR Otaru Station Front Store)	3-minute walk	1/4–6/30 8:00–19:00, 7/1–8/31 8:00–20:00, 9/1–12/30 8:00–19:00	Dec 31–Jan 3; Nov 10, 2026	Official office page

Business hours and closed days may change. Check each shop’s official page before booking. If you need winter tires or 4WD, also confirm with the shop directly when you book.

For companies other than these three, check each rental company’s official website to see whether it has an Otaru office.

Returning the car in Sapporo, New Chitose Airport and elsewhere (one-way rental)

A “one-way rental” means returning the car at a different shop from the one where you rented it.

The official page for Toyota Rent a Car JR Otaru Station Inaho 2-chome Store says that one-way pickup and return is available both inside and outside the area. However, you will need to confirm whether you can actually return the car where you want, as this depends on the booking conditions and the shop.

The official page for Eki Rent-A-Car JR Otaru Station Office says that one-way rentals are not available. If you want to rent in Otaru and return the car elsewhere, such as in Sapporo or around New Chitose Airport, check with the company and the shop before booking.

Winter road precautions (about November–March)

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government advises changing to winter tires early, because even in early winter the road can look black yet be frozen. It says that icy roads are about 10 times as slippery as dry roads in summer.

Intersections, crosswalks, the approach to railroad crossings, bridges, and the shade of trees and buildings are slippery spots. The Hokkaido Prefectural Government advises braking early and slowing down sufficiently with engine braking.

If the ABS (anti-lock braking system) activates in an emergency, keep pressing the brake even if the pedal vibrates, and steer to control the car. Keeping a following distance at least three times your usual summer distance is advised for safety.

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government also notes that you may encounter sudden snowfall in mountain areas. For this reason, you need to check the weather and road conditions all the way to your destination, not only at your starting point.

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government lists items to prepare, such as tire chains, a shovel, snow traction mats, jumper cables and a tow rope. Check with the shop when you book or pick up the car to find out what is provided with the rental.

For Otaru’s first snowfall and what to wear in each season, see Otaru Weather & What to Wear.

Checking road information before you go

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government advises checking the weather and road conditions to your destination before you leave. It also recommends telling family or the people you are visiting your arrival time and route.

If driving is expected to be difficult because of heavy snow or a blizzard, consider changing your departure time or using public transportation. The Hokkaido Prefectural Government calls on people to avoid non-essential trips when bad weather is expected.

While driving, you are also advised to slow down on bridges and near tunnel entrances and exits. Skid accidents are more likely from dusk until the next morning, so take extra care at those times.

You can check road information on Northern Road Navi. It has links to closure information for national and prefectural roads and expressways, blizzard information for mountain passes, and road camera images.

On expressways, NEXCO East Japan Hokkaido Branch has designated October 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027 as its snow and ice control period. During snow removal, passing snowplows is prohibited, and drivers are asked to cooperate by driving slowly.

Estimates of when closed expressway sections will reopen are given through three channels: NEXCO East Japan’s official LINE account, the Hokkaido Branch’s official X account, and the expressway traffic information site Dora-tora. Check the latest information before departure and along the way.

Winter roads beyond Otaru

On March 2, 2021, an avalanche closed Route 5 and Route 393 (Route 5 between Kokufu in Kyowa Town and Oe 3-chome in Niki Town, and Route 393 between Asarigawa Onsen in Otaru and Tokiwa in Akaigawa Village).

For how to get to each destination, see From Otaru to Yoichi, Shakotan & Niseko.

Driving with a foreign license

A driver’s license is required to drive in Japan. In addition to Japanese driver’s licenses, licenses that meet the conditions set by the National Police Agency, such as an International Driving Permit under the Geneva Convention, are accepted.

Licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan can be used for driving with a Japanese translation attached. The translation must be one prepared by an organization or other body recognized by law.

There is a limit to how long you can drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit or an eligible foreign license. It is one year from the day you land in Japan or the remaining validity of the license, whichever is shorter. Conditions apply to how the start date is counted for re-entry and similar cases, so long-term visitors should check the National Police Agency’s explanation.

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government’s Drive Hokkaido site also provides basic traffic safety information in English, Traditional Chinese and Korean. It is a good idea for everyone in your group to read it before driving on winter roads.

FAQ

Do you need a rental car for sightseeing in Otaru?

If you will mainly sightsee around JR Otaru Station, the canal and Sakaimachi, you can also combine walking and buses. If you plan to travel to the outskirts or outside Otaru, consider a rental car as one of your transportation options.

Is it safe to drive a rental car in Hokkaido in winter?

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government advises slowing down early and keeping a sufficient following distance on winter roads. If driving is expected to be difficult because of heavy snow or a blizzard, delay your departure or use public transportation, and avoid non-essential trips.

Can I rent a car in Otaru and return it in Sapporo?

It depends on the company and the shop. The official page for Toyota Rent a Car JR Otaru Station Inaho 2-chome Store says that one-way pickup and return is available both inside and outside the area. One-way rentals are not available at Eki Rent-A-Car JR Otaru Station Office. Before booking, check with the shop whether you can specify your preferred drop-off location.