Hokkaido is rich in nature throughout the four seasons. Among them, winter, when a vast silver world spreads out, is an excellent season to enjoy winter sports, hot springs, snowy landscapes, and the unique charm of a northern country.

This time, let's look at the essential equipment and mindset for a safe and enjoyable winter drive in Hokkaido!

Basic Equipment for Winter Driving: The "Three Sacred Treasures" and More

For winter driving in Hokkaido, the "three essential items" are studless tires, snow wipers, and snow brushes.

As you know, "studless tires" are winter tires developed to run safely without slipping on snowy or icy roads.

For rental car companies in Hokkaido, studless tires are standard equipment on almost all rental cars during winter, at no extra charge.

Snow wipers are also standard winter equipment in Hokkaido, unlike Honshu. Their rubber-covered blades and low-temperature-resistant material prevent snow and ice buildup.
In Hokkaido, they are often installed around the same time as studless tires.

As the name suggests, a "snow brush" is a dedicated brush for clearing snow from cars. In Hokkaido, it's not uncommon for several tens of centimeters of snow to accumulate in just an hour, making a snow brush an essential item for winter.

Types with a scraper for defrosting windows are convenient!

Unlike studless tires, snow wipers and snow brushes are often treated as optional, so advance confirmation is required.

Please be aware (Sapporo Rent-a-Car provides studless tires, snow wipers, and snow brushes as standard equipment at no extra charge from around the second Tuesday of October!).

Furthermore, for those who want to be fully prepared for any eventuality, we recommend the following items.

First, a windshield frost prevention sheet.

This item, gaining recent attention and available online, significantly reduces morning snow removal and defrosting when applied beforehand.

Also, for peace of mind in case of getting stuck, it's reassuring to carry disposable tire chains.

These items are compact and affordable, so those concerned might consider bringing them.
Furthermore, for long traffic jams, toilet kits and emergency food (e.g., chocolate bars) are also reassuring to have.
Prepare based on your luggage.

Pros and Cons of 4WD Vehicles for Snowy Road Driving

A strong ally for snowy road driving is a "4WD vehicle (four-wheel drive vehicle)".

Since all four wheels provide power, they offer excellent stability when starting and accelerating on snowy roads.

Specifically, they prevent wheelspin on slopes and in deep snow, supporting smooth driving.

They truly show their worth in situations where 2WD vehicles struggle, such as escaping from steep uphill slopes or deeply snow-covered parking lots.

However, are you aware that 4WD vehicles also have disadvantages?
For instance, if a 4WD vehicle begins to slide, its braking distance tends to be longer than a 2WD, making it harder to stop.

Key points to note are their wider turning radius and poorer fuel efficiency compared to 2WD, due to increased drivetrain weight.

Furthermore, remember that overconfidence in a 4WD vehicle can actually lead to dangerous driving.

Even in winter Hokkaido, if your main purpose is normal driving on flat roads or in urban areas, you don't necessarily need to insist on 4WD.
In many cases, 2WD vehicles with studless tires and careful driving are sufficient. However, if you plan to travel to mountainous areas or areas with heavy snowfall, choosing a 4WD vehicle would be safer.

Sapporo Rent-a-Car's Vehicles Are Fully Equipped for Winter!

In Hokkaido, the first snow is typically observed from late October to early November.
Heavy snowfall usually occurs from mid to late November, with permanent snow cover (long-term snow accumulation) starting around mid-December.

While most Hokkaido rental car companies switch to winter equipment from mid to late October, it's a good idea to confirm when booking, just in case.

Sapporo Rent-a-Car provides fully winter-equipped rental cars with studless tires, snow wipers, and snow brushes as standard from around the second week of October, before the full onset of winter, at no extra charge.

4WD vehicles are also available, with a wide selection from compact cars to SUV and popular minivans, including Dayz, Roox, March, Note, Serena, and X-Trail. Specific models can also be reserved.

Please note that other winter equipment such as ski carriers, roof racks, and tire chains are not handled.

Key Points for Driving on Snowy Roads! Enjoy a Safe and Secure Winter Drive

Now, you might feel safe on snowy roads! But even with a 4WD, full winter gear, and preparation, unfamiliar snowy driving still poses risks.
Depending on road conditions and weather, the risk of accidents can easily skyrocket.

When driving on snowy roads, pay special attention to the following points.

■ "Sudden acceleration, sudden braking, sudden steering" are strictly prohibited
However rushed you are, "sudden" driving on snowy roads causes accidents! Drive with ample caution.

■ Maintain sufficient following distance
On snowy or icy roads, the distance required to come to a complete stop after applying the brakes is said to be approximately 3 to 10 times longer than on dry roads.

On snowy roads, reduce your speed more than usual and maintain a safe following distance.

■ Pay attention to road conditions
Curves, slopes, tunnel entrances/exits, intersections, and bridges are prone to temperature changes, causing unstable road conditions.
Exercise extreme caution while driving.

■ Do not drive unnecessarily in bad weather
The "whiteout phenomenon" caused by blizzards can lead to serious accidents. If weather worsens while driving, decide to pull over temporarily.
Wait for the weather to improve in a safe parking spot.

■ "It's warm today..." could be a trap?While milder weather brings a sense of ease, it's typical of northern regions for snow to fall the very next day.

This creates a situation where powder snow covers slippery black ice, appearing as a soft snowfall but actually being quite DANGEROUS, no different from black ice.

So, be cautious when warm temperatures suddenly drop!

These are key points for winter driving. While I've covered many challenging aspects for accident-free travel, many risks can be mitigated with proper equipment and preparation.

Referencing the above, enjoy your winter Hokkaido drive safely and securely!