Winter-Ready: A Safe-Driving Guide for Hakuba Travelers Renting Cars

You didn’t come to Hakuba to stand in the cold waiting for a shuttle that’s already full. Or to haul skis and bags through slush after dark because the last bus left without you. Travelers rent cars here for a reason: they want control over their day, not the other way around.
When you have a car in Hakuba, everything opens up. Families can move on their own schedule, and groups don’t have to coordinate around crowded buses. Powder-hunters can chase first tracks without relying on shuttle timetables. You can jump between multiple resorts in a single day, grab lunch in town when it suits you, or slip off to a quiet onsen after the last lift. A car gives you freedom — the kind that turns any Hakuba trip, whether with friends or family, into a real adventure.
But when winter driving goes wrong, it goes wrong fast.
Cars stack up on the road, barely inching forward. It can take an hour to move just a few hundred meters. Some vehicles lose traction and slide sideways; others drift toward oncoming traffic or toward pedestrians along the road. It’s treacherous — and every winter, scenes like this happen when someone assumes their vehicle was “winter-ready” when it wasn’t.
That’s why understanding how to prepare your car — and yourself — for Hakuba’s winter roads matters more than most travellers realize.

Renting a car in Hakuba is about unlocking the whole experience of the valley. Hakuba’s Resorts are spread across 40 km, and shuttle schedules don’t always align with when you want to ski, rest, eat, or explore.

A winter-ready car gives you:

• The ability to chase first tracks on your schedule
• Flexibility to visit multiple resorts in one day
• Comfort for families and groups
• Access to onsens, cafés, and viewpoints beyond shuttle routes

In short, a car gives you more Hakuba, more freedom, more powder, more ease.

Hakuba’s winter roads are entirely manageable; however, they have their own quirks that first-time visitors should be aware of.

• Roads get narrower as snow banks build up along the sides.
• With less shoulder space, drivers naturally drive more slowly.
• Snow banks can make some corners harder to see around, so caution is needed.
• Icy patches are common in shaded zones or early in the morning.
• Snow can and does happen throughout the day, so road conditions change.

These are the everyday realities of a snowy mountain village. If your car is properly equipped and you drive proactively, Hakuba’s roads are predictable and comfortable.

A winter-ready vehicle is essential for safe driving in Hakuba.

Studless winter tires are a must for winter driving in Hakuba. They grip ice and packed snow better than normal or “all-season“ tires can. Even AWD or 4WD depends on proper winter tires for safe handling.

Your vehicle should include:

• Studless winter tires
• Winter or all-season windshield wipers
• Snow brush
• Ice scraper
• Shovel
• Road flare (standard in Japanese vehicles)
• Appropriate washer fluid for freezing temperatures

Hakuba’s winter driving style is calm, steady, and predictable. A few key habits make a big difference:

• Clear the snow before you go (including the lights and all windows).
• Drive slowly, especially downhill or in shaded areas.
• Increase following distance — braking takes longer on ice.
• Use gentle steering and braking.
• Approach corners carefully.
• Keep headlights on at all times.
• Pause in a safe pull-off zone if visibility worsens.
• Give snow-clearing vehicles plenty of space.

Think smooth, steady, and patient — that’s the Hakuba way.

Cars rented in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, or Nagoya often:

• Do not have real studless winter tires
• Lack essential winter tools
• Use “winter package“ labels that can be misleading
• Are not prepared for mountain roads

These fleets are built for urban driving — not snowy villages.

• Prioritize rentals from Hakuba, Nagano, Matsumoto, or other snowy regions
• Ask directly:
  • “Are these studless winter tires?“
  • “Do you have a photo?“
  • “Does the car include a shovel, snow brush, scraper, flare, winter wipers, and antifreeze washer fluid?”

Do not skip this step:

• Look for the snowflake/mountain tire symbol
• Confirm the tires have good tread
• Check that all winter tools are actually inside the car
• Verify wipers are winter-ready
• Take photos of the vehicle and tires before departing

Never assume — always confirm.

Some days call for patience. Good moments to wait include:

• Heavy snowfall or low visibility
• Early mornings with frost or ice
• When snowplows are actively clearing narrow roads
• If you don’t feel confident in the conditions

Public transport is reliable, and accommodations can help you adjust plans. Even a brief pause can dramatically improve road safety.

Even well-prepared drivers can face winter challenges. Here’s what to do.

• Ease off the accelerator
• Steer gently where you want to go
• Avoid hard braking

• Clear snow around the tires
• Use the shovel if needed
• Engage low gear or traction mode
• Call your car rental company for assistance

• Pull into a visible, safe area
• Turn on hazard lights
• Stay in the vehicle in poor conditions

• 110 — Japanese police emergency number (for accidents or dangerous situations)
• Rental company roadside assistance (for mechanical or stuck-vehicle issues)
• Accommodation staff for translation help if needed

Planning makes everything easier.

Yes. AWD provides additional traction. However, it is not a substitute for winter tires.

Only if the car has studless winter tires. Many city rentals do not.

Follow your rental company’s advice. Chains may be recommended for specific areas. Generally, if you have winter tires, you do not need chains.

If you have no winter driving experience, driving is not recommended.

A lot. Conditions change quickly, especially during storms. Hakuba usually sees 11m+ of snow a year.

Most foreign visitors must carry an IDP in addition to their home-country license and passport.

Winter tires, winter wipers, shovel, snow brush, scraper, flare, and appropriate fluids.