Travel & Explore

Hokkaido road trip: an outline guide

By the Travel & Explore team · Last checked

On this page
  1. The route
  2. When to go
  3. Getting there and the car
  4. Driving there as a UK driver
  5. Remote stretches and winter
  6. Earthquakes, typhoons and flooding
  7. Before you book
  8. FAQs

Hokkaido suits drivers who want to see lakes, coast and national park scenery at their own pace. JNTO presents a car as one of the best ways to explore the island, because public transport is limited. Compare other fly-drive options in the worldwide road trips section.

The route

Your route is still being set. Check the car collection and return points with the hire company before you book.

When to go

JNTO describes spring to autumn as the ideal time for a road trip in Hokkaido. It says driving in winter is only advisable if you have experience of driving on snow and ice (JNTO: Hokkaido road trip). For flowers, JNTO says Furano's flower season runs from June to September (JNTO: Hokkaido road trip).

Getting there and the car

JNTO says Hokkaido has limited public transport, so it recommends a car or motorbike (JNTO: Hokkaido road trip). Given the size of the island, JNTO recommends at least four days (JNTO: Hokkaido road trip).

Confirm your arrival airport and where you collect the car with the hire company. Get written confirmation of any one-way hire, including the return location and opening hours.

Driving there as a UK driver

  • Take your Great Britain driving licence with you (GOV.UK: driving abroad).
  • Japan needs the 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP) (GOV.UK: IDP). You cannot buy one outside the UK, so get it before you travel (GOV.UK: Japan safety).
  • The IDP must be issued under the Geneva Convention. IDPs issued under other treaties, such as the 1968 Vienna Convention, are not valid in Japan (JAF).
  • The permit is valid for a maximum of one year from your date of entry into Japan (JAF).
  • Driving is on the left (GOV.UK: Japan safety).
  • The legal alcohol limit for driving is about a third of the UK limit, and drink-driving is a serious offence (GOV.UK: Japan safety).

Remote stretches and winter

JNTO notes that remote places such as Wakkanai and Kushiro are reached by driving, and gives about 5 hours to reach each of them (JNTO: Hokkaido road trip). Plan fuel, rest stops and opening hours for long days. If you plan to drive in winter, get experience of snow and ice first, as JNTO advises (JNTO: Hokkaido road trip).

Earthquakes, typhoons and flooding

Japan is in a major earthquake zone. Tropical cyclones can bring damaging high tides, landslides and flooding. Conditions can worsen rapidly with little warning, especially in low-lying, coastal and mountainous areas (GOV.UK: Japan safety). Check the GOV.UK advice and local warnings before you set off each day.

Before you book

Check the driving licence and IDP guide, the driving abroad checklist and the car hire guide before you book.

  • Get the 1949 IDP before you travel.
  • Confirm your licence will still be valid for the whole trip.
  • Get written confirmation of the car collection, return point and any one-way terms.
  • Check the hire company's own conditions for drivers.
  • Check that your travel insurance covers your itinerary, planned activities and emergency costs.
  • Check the GOV.UK Japan advice and the weather again close to your dates.
  • Build a spare day into the plan for weather or access changes.

FAQs

Do UK drivers need an International Driving Permit for Hokkaido?

Yes. Japan needs the 1949 IDP, which must be issued under the Geneva Convention. It is valid for a maximum of one year from your date of entry into Japan.

Is winter driving in Hokkaido advisable?

JNTO says driving in winter is only advisable if you have experience of driving on snow and ice.

More in Worldwide road trips

Sources