Hokkaido | Winter self-driving travel tips sharing ⚠️Must collect

—Basic car rental information—

1️⃣ Car rental platform/company
We used Tabirai Japan Car Rental Price Comparison Website
Finally rented a car from TOYOTA
Take the shuttle bus from Hokkaido Airport

2️⃣ Car model/price
The two of us plus our luggage
I rented a Toyota Roomy (very fuel efficient)
8 days including basic insurance total 51150 yen

3️⃣ High speed

The first type is with an "etc card"
(No need to stop, just like the automatic toll payment in Hong Kong tunnels)
The etc card can be rented from a car rental company, and you can pay the highway fee when you return the car. There is also an Expressway Pass (HEP) that provides unlimited free expressway meals, averaging +/- ¥1000 a day (but if you don’t use the expressway all the time, you don’t actually need to rent an ETC card)

The second type is the "General Channel"
Collect your ticket when you enter the highway; pay with cash or credit card when you exit the highway

4️⃣ Parking fee
Generally, many scenic spots in the suburbs have free parking.
In the city, most of the charges are different, remember to look carefully before parking
We stayed overnight at the Sapporo Hotel ¥2000-2200/night
Shopping malls usually offer discounts
Get a ticket when you enter the parking lot, and give the parking ticket to the clerk directly to offset the parking fee when you check out at the store. When you leave the mall, remember to find a settlement machine first and put the ticket in for settlement. Take the ticket and drive out of the parking lot

— Driving precautions during the snowy season —

❗️Remember to check whether the rented car has snow tires/all-season tires
Ordinary tires are relatively hard and have poor braking effect in cold environments.

❗️Essential tools "snow brush/ice scraper" are generally provided in the car
Because Hokkaido often has heavy snow, your car might be buried while you eat.
Tips: Pick up the rain repellent after parking so it will be more convenient to brush the snow when you come back

❗️ Emergency braking is strictly prohibited! Change direction quickly! Slow Drive
Snow braking method:
Intermittent braking, gently apply the brakes several times in a row.
When the car slows down completely, press the brakes deeply.
Keep your distance from other cars at all times

❗️Turn on the car lights
In addition to turning on your headlights at night, you must also remember to turn on your headlights when visibility is low on snowy days. If you turn on your high headlights at night, remember to switch back to low headlights if there are cars on the opposite lane.

❗️Route & traffic signs
Hokkaido is covered with white snow
All the lines on the ground are basically invisible
I can't see the edge of the road clearly, so I have to pay attention to the signs next to it.
Pay attention to the "stop line" and "red arrow"

I hope this article can help you as a reference for self-driving tours📝 Remember that the most important thing is to apply for an international driver's license🤣 I wish you all a safe driving and a happy journey 🚗

New Chitose Airport POPLAR Store
Address: 758-137, Mitsukoshi, Chitose City, 066-0012

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