Hirafu is the largest village and ski hill in the Niseko area. However, the Niseko area is made up of several villages and ski areas, within just a few minutes drive of each other. The local town of Kutchan is also within easy driving distance. The other ski resorts of Western Hokkaido - Rusutsu and Kiroro - are both within an hour or so drive from Niseko.
Whether it is dropping the kids off at ski lessons, checking out the ski hill you haven’t been to yet, visiting an out of the way onsen, going to buy groceries, or dining out in the evenings, having a car opens up more possibility and can make your holiday experience smoother.
If you are persuaded by the tranquil setting of one the off-the-beaten track accommodations in our peaceful properties collection, having a vehicle to get around is essential.
Hiring a car is a great way to get around during your Niseko stay.
Renting a Car from Chitose Airport
If you are comfortable driving from Chitose Airport to Niseko, several national car rental companies offer rentals from this airport:
- Toyota Rent-a-Car
- Nissan Rent-a-Car
- Nippon Rent-a-Car
- Orix Rent-a-Car
- Times Car Rental
- Samurai Rental Car (no relation to Samurai Snow)
In the winter season, the driving time from Chitose Airport to Niseko is around 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.
If you want to rent a car but driving for this distance after your flight to Japan seems like too much, you can take a taxi or bus transfer to Niseko and hire a car in Niseko or take the train to Kutchan and hire a car from there.
Renting a Car from Niseko
If you prefer to rent a vehicle after you arrive in Niseko just for getting around, there are a few local rental car companies to choose from.
All vehicles from these local vehicle rental outlets have ski racks and are suitable for the wintery conditions in Niseko and will have 4WD.
We recommend booking a car from Niseko as early as possible as availability is limited and short notice bookings are not possible during the peak winter season.
Renting a Car from Kutchan
If you are taking the train to Niseko, the closest train station is Kutchan Station. Toyota Rent-a-car has a car rental outlet in Kutchan, within very easy walking distance of the train station.
The driving time from Kutchan to Niseko is around 15 to 30 minutes depending on where you are staying in the Niseko area.
We recommend booking from this outlet as early as possible as availability is limited and short notice bookings are not possible during the peak winter season.
Renting a Car from Sapporo city
If you are staying in Sapporo city as part of a travel itinerary to Western Hokkaido, Toyota Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, Orix Rent-a-Car & Times Car Rental all have outlets in Sapporo city.
In the winter season, the driving time Otaru to Niseko is around 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Renting a Car from Otaru
If you are staying in Otaru town as part of a travel itinerary to Western Hokkaido, Toyota Rent-a-car has a car rental outlet in Otaru, next to the train station.
The driving time Otaru to Niseko is around 90 minutes.
Renting a Car from Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station or Hakodate city
Shin-Hakkodate Hokuto Station is the end of the bullet train line from Tokyo up to Hokkaido. Visitors from Tokyo can change to the local train system here or hire a car.
The station is located 45 mins drive out of the Hakodate city centre. Toyota Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, Orix Rent-a-Car & Times Car Rental have outlets at the station and in the city.
In the winter season, the driving time from Shin-Hakkodate Hokuto Station to Niseko is 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Important Information
International Driving License
To drive in Japan, you MUST have an international driving license based on the 1949 Geneva Convention.
This permit must be obtained from the National Automobile Association, which issued your original driver's license before arriving in Japan. It must be a physical booklet type, not a digital translation, photograph, or copy of your license.
Please check with the Toyota Rent-A-Car's website or the International Driver's License Portal website to ensure you have the proper permit.
Vehicle Suitability
To drive safely in the snowy winter conditions in Japan, it is essential to hire a vehicle with 4WD and winter tyres.
If you hire from local car hire outlets in the ski resort, all vehicles will fit these criteria.
If you hire from a Major Airport or Train Station, please make sure that you specify that you require a vehicle with 4WD and winter tyres to allow you to drive safely. Not all vehicles in their inventory will have these features.