Can you rent a car in Japan in winter with an international licence?

Short answer

Yes, if your IDP was issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. It must be a paper booklet, carried with your home licence, with the right vehicle category stamped. Winter adds one more condition: confirm snow tyres at booking, and carry chains.

Why

The National Police Agency accepts only 1949 Geneva IDPs. Vienna Convention permits and digital IDPs are invalid. The paper booklet measures 148 by 105 mm, and a card or phone version is not accepted. You may drive for up to 1 year from your entry date, or until your IDP or licence expires if that comes sooner, a limit the Tokyo police IDP guide repeats. Rental counters ask for your passport and may check the entry stamp, so if you use an automated immigration gate, ask for a landing seal, or the rental may be refused.

Safety If you are stranded in snow, call 110 for police or 9910 for roadside assistance. Avoid snow driving if you are inexperienced.

What to do instead

• Take the Shinkansen and a bus to ski areas such as Hakuba: about 80 to 100 minutes to Nagano, then an Alpico bus of about 70 to 90 minutes, hourly in winter. Last known (2025-26) fare: $23 to $25 (¥3,500 to ¥3,800) one way, depending on the stop. The 2026-27 fare is unclear right now.
• Use taxis or ski shuttles for short hops.

Conditions

• Winter: ask for studless or snow tyres when you book, and carry chains and a jack even with studless tyres (JAF and JNTO advice).
• Chain-control rules vary by road, so check your route.
• Enterprise lists 18 as its minimum rental age. Other firms differ.
• Enterprise includes collision damage cover, with a non-operation charge of $130 (¥20,000) if you return to the planned office and $325 (¥50,000) otherwise.
• Dollar figures use about ¥155 to US$1 and are rounded; you pay in yen, so check the rate.