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Car hire in Sapporo – Gateway to northern Japan
The beating heart of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost (and second-largest) island, the city of Sapporo is a delight to visit at any time of the year. With its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, it's a destination that showcases the best of contemporary Japanese life whilst fusing all the finest attributes of its Western and Eastern influences. Set close to the enchanting shores of the Sea of Japan, it's also a place of seasonal contrasts, ranging from the fine powdery snow that blankets the city in winter to the vivid kaleidoscope of colours when the flowers are in full bloom in spring and summer.
One of the most picturesque cities in the Far East, Sapporo is blessed with a fine balance between the dynamism of a modern Japanese metropolis and the serenity of all the nature that surrounds it, making it a refreshing and less pressing alternative to Japan's larger cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. It invites travellers to celebrate its Ainu ancestry by visiting the city's many museums and take part in the regular festivals and special events organised throughout the year. It's a place that offers its growing number of tourists the chance to immerse themselves in the island's indigenous heritage whilst appreciating some of the most modern, innovative architecture in the whole of Japan.
Although Sapporo has many tourist highlights (Odori Park, the Sapporo Beer Museum and the historic Hokkaido Jingu Shrine chief amongst them), it's the chance to enjoy a leisurely drive down the island's spectacular west coast and explore the inviting Hokkaido hinterland that lures the majority of its visitors. With a car hire in Sapporo the island is your oyster, an authentic paradise tailor-made for road-trippers looking for the ultimate motoring adventure in one of Japan's lesser-known destinations. The long list of possible stopovers includes Otaru (less than an hour's drive from Sapporo), a charming seaside town famous for its seafood, glassworks and picturesque canals and the Shikotsu-Toya National Park (popular for its hot springs), amongst many other must-see attractions.
Established over 70 years ago in the 1950s, Auto Europe offers its many customers around the world the cheapest car hire deals with more than 26,000 convenient pick-up and drop-off points in over 190 different countries around the globe. A major player in the international car rental industry, we have established the best possible relationships with all the most important vehicle suppliers, which in turn enables us to provide drivers with the widest choice of cars whether its for a city sightseeing itinerary or an extended road-trip around Hokkaido lasting several days. You can book online immediately through our state-of-the-art search engine or reach out to our highly-trained rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to find you the lowest rate.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Sapporo, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to pick up a car hire in Sapporo
For the convenience of our customers, Auto Europe has developed very close working partnerships with all the world's top suppliers of car rental in Sapporo and other popular destinations in Japan. In order to help you select the best pick-up location for your trip, all you need to do is make a quick search in our high-tech booking engine after which a map will appear displaying the exact location of the various car hire companies in Sapporo and the rest of the country. Visitors looking to travel further afield can take advantage of Auto Europe's popular one-way car hire option which offers drivers the chance to collect their vehicle in one place such as Sapporo and drop it off somewhere else, like the capital, Tokyo.
New Chitose Airport
Located approximately 50 kilometres (30 miles) south-east of Sapporo city centre, New Chitose Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Far East serving a large percentage of domestic flights (most notably from the capital, Tokyo) and a growing number of international routes. Inaugurated in 1988, the airport is closely connected to Sapporo Train Station by frequent JR rapid trains with a journey time of just 35 minutes. Buses also operate every 15 minutes between the airport and various stops in downtown Sapporo.
New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Website: hokkaido-airports.com
Address: Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012, Japan
Telephone: +81 123 23 0111
Sapporo Train Station
Large, modern and multi-faceted, Sapporo Train Station is the main train station for Hokkaido's capital city, Sapporo. It serves as the main public transport hub for visitors looking to see the city and travel onwards to destinations all over Hokkaido Island. Connected to New Chitose Airport by in just 35 minutes, it was originally opened in 1880 but was extensively renovated and improved in 2003 with ten platforms and a wide selection of on-site amenities and facilities, including shopping centres, department stores and an upmarket hotel.
Sapporo Train Station
Website: japan.travel
Address: Sapporo Station, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0806, Japan
Telephone: +81 11 222 7111
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Sapporo
For more than 70 years, Auto Europe has been working hard to develop the strongest-possible partnerships with all the world's leading car hire companies in Japan, including Sapporo. No other car rental company offers such a comprehensive selection of top-brand vehicle providers, along with the most trusted local suppliers offering the best collection points all over the city.
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If you'd like more information about any of the companies we work with or have questions regarding specific offers on our website, do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email and one of our car rental specialists will be happy to help.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Sapporo
Should you have any questions or doubts about hiring a car in Sapporo, our experienced reservation agents are always available and happy to reply to any inquiries. For your convenience, we've also gathered below the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Sapporo?
Yes, you will always need a major credit card (ie Visa, Mastercard, Diners, American Express, etc.) in the main driver's name) in order to pick up your Auto Europe car hire in Sapporo. The reason for this is that the local vehicle supplier will need to place a hold on the credit card for the value of the insurance deductible that will be refunded after returning the vehicle undamaged and in good working order. Furthermore, it's worth taking into account the fact that neither cash nor debit/pre-paid cards will be accepted. Getting all the relevant credit card rules and regulations for your local supplier is very easy. In fact, all you need to do is make a quick search through our state-of-the-art booking engine at the top of this page and once you have selected your preferred car hire category and supplier, just click on the blue and white info icon (i) in the car details where you'll find all the credit card information in the Supplier Payment Policy Information section. Please follow the link for more tips and advice on the important subject of credit cards and deposits.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Sapporo?
Another of the reasons why Auto Europe is one of the world's leading car rental companies is that all the rates offered on our website already comprise comprise the minimum amount of legally-required coverage for your car rental in Sapporo, including Theft Protection (TP) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) either with or without excess depending on your chosen supplier. A large percentage of our clients opt for more peace of mind by paying a little bit more for our popular Full Damage and Theft Protection product which is available with a single click of the mouse when checking out. As with the credit card information, to find out precisely what's included in the rate, it's just a simple case of clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) and scrolling down to the Additional Information section for details about the amount of car hire coverage included in the rate for your car rental in Sapporo. It's worth remembering that when you arrive in Japan to collect your vehicle, the local car rental staff might try to sell you additional products including, but not restricted, to PAI (Personal Accident Insurance), PEC (Personal Effects Coverage), Super CDW, Seguro Relax Insurance, Road Assistance etc. Auto Europe does not refund any locally purchased insurance charges/fees even if deemed unnecessary after return of the rental car.
How is the traffic in Sapporo?
Sapporo's traffic congestion is considered relatively mild compared to other major cities in Japan, such as the capital, Tokyo, for instance. And despite the fact that Sapporo has a well-developed public transportation system, if you plan to visit areas beyond the city's perimeter, such as Lake Toya or Noboribetsu for instance, a car is always the best option for a much more successful and enjoyable trip. Nevertheless, driving in Sapporo and the rest of Hokkaido Island is generally a very rewarding experience and the region's toll-road is network extensive, which helps make the roads of Sapporo and its environs less congested, even during the rush-hour. Furthermore, the roads of Sapporo and other cities in Hokkaido and well maintained (this is Japan after all!), plus they offer drivers the best way of enjoying the spectacular scenery both in the interior and along the island's breathtaking coastline. Winter visitors should take note that many of the city's surrounding roads are mountain passes, such as the Nakayama pass that links Sapporo with the Niseko area, which is famous for its ski resorts. Not only are they busy during the skiing and snowboarding season, they are also prone to severe weather changes, hence the reason to take extra care behind the steering wheel. Thankfully, the majority of road signs in Sapporo and the rest of Hokkaido in both Japanese and English, so getting around the city and elsewhere in the area is relatively easier, especially if you have GPS and perhaps a passenger to help navigate your way around!
Where can I park my car hire in Sapporo?
Sapporo is a well-planned city and as such, you won't have any problems finding somewhere to leave your car for a while when visiting its top tourist attractions. There are many parking options in and around the city centre, which cater for the drivers' different needs. The northern part of the city is primarily a business district, so the car parks in this area of Sapporo are usually busy on weekdays but quite empty at the weekend. The south of Sapporo is largely a shopping district, which means that the car parks in this part of town are more crowded on Saturdays and Sundays. A good tip for tourists is the fact that a discounted parking ticket exists called a CAMON Ticket which is available in some parking lots. Make sure you ask the staff at the department store or any other shop where you make a purchase because, typically, if you spend more than 2,000 yen, you'll be entitled to reduced parking. Some of the best car parks in Sapporo to look for include Times Station Sapporo Sosei Square, Kita 1 jo Underground Parking, Sapporo Grand Hotel Parking, STV Tower Parking and Enapark Odori Nishi6, among others.
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Sapporo?
Yes. To rent a car in Sapporo you will always need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is mandatory for UK travellers in addition to their regular national driving licence (which must be written in the Roman alphabet and valid for at least one full year prior to the commencement of the car rental period). In order to be able to apply for an International Driving Permit, you must live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, have a full UK driving licence and be 18 or over. Applying for your IDP is easy and can be obtained in person from any shops that have the PayPoint facility, with the current price set at £5.50. Japan will only recognise countries that adhere to the 1949 Geneva Convention, which accounts for a large number of countries including Great Britain. Note that Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan do not issue permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, but nevertheless have a separate agreement that allows drivers from these countries to drive in Japan for up to one year with an official Japanese translation of their driving licence.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Sapporo?
Yes. Just the same as in all other parts of Japan, Hokkaido Island's toll-road network is meticulously maintained (including the roads themselves and the parking and service areas en route) and using the expressways can be a fast and convenient option for travelling between Sapporo and other places on the island. It's worth knowing that there is a toll payment system ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) is a system that enables the payment of expressway tolls without having to stop, by means of wireless communication. Also available to visitors to Japan with a non-Japanese passport (along with a valid driving licence and an International Driving Permit), the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) offers drivers unlimited use of Hokkaido’s expressways for one fixed price. Another benefit of using the expressways in Hokkaido is that they have excellent services and parking areas offering meals, refreshments, rest facilities, restaurants and shops selling meals and local food products and a free Wi-fi Internet service. Visit the Sapporo and Hokkaido tolls website for information about tolls and how to pay them, etc.
Do I need extra winter equipment for my car hire in Sapporo during winter?
Yes. The road conditions in this part of Japan in winter are usually quite snowy and icy, plus you might find that the weather is prone to deteriorating quickly and without much warning. When renting a car in Sapporo in winter, it's important to make sure that your vehicle is suitable for such adverse weather conditions. For this reason, it's always best to confirm with the local car rental company in advance that the tyres fitted on the car are not regular tyres but the stud-less ones which are required when driving in wintry areas as it helps make the vehicle less prone to slipping. Please also make absolutely sure that the car comes equipped with a jack stand and snow chains, regardless of whether or not it has stud-less snow tyres fitted. Other items you may need to verify with the car hire staff are the jumper cables and blankets for emergencies. Winter tyres can be requested with Nissan Rent a Car subject to a daily fee.
Sapporo Travel Guide
Unique and unforgettable, Sapporo and the rest of Hokkaido Island is a rare treat for travellers looking for somewhere exotic, different and truly memorable. Few places in the world offer visitors the chance to ski, bathe in natural springs and eat the freshest seafood before spending the evening singing karaoke with the locals!
Best day trips with my car rental in Sapporo
Besides the actual city of Sapporo, the surrounding areas of Hokkaido are ideal for day-trips and extended drives along the nearby coast or deep inside the island's picturesque interior. Northern Japan has much to offer the wandering motorist, ranging from the upmarket ski resorts of Niseko to the vast scenic splendour of its national parks, of which there are six in total.
Jozankei Onsen Hot Springs
The best place to rest those weary legs after a few days' busy sightseeing is without doubt the Jozankei Onsen Hot Springs. Located a 30-minute drive south-west of Sapporo, the springs attract people from all over world in search of the curative and restorative qualities of their sodium chloride-rich waters. There are almost sixty hot springs in total gushing out some nine thousand litres of water every minute at temperatures of between 60-80C. Nearby beauty spots include Futami-Iwa, Shiraito-no-taki Waterfall and the Nishikibashi Bridge.
Lake Shikotsu
An hour's drive due south of Sapporo takes you to Lake Shikotsu, one of the most scenic settings in the heart of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park and within easy reach of the city. The Lake Shikotsu Visitor Centre is the perfect starting point for first-time visitors, offering interactive exhibits about the lake's volcanic formation and unusual ecosystem. Its main feature is the observation area from which the best views (and photographs) can be savoured across the lake encompassing the surrounding mountains. Many water-based can be enjoyed at the lake in the warm season, such as kayaking, scuba-diving, swimming and cruises.
Otaru
This pleasant port city some 40 kilometres north-west of Sapporo offers visitors a wonderful taste of the northern Japanese coastline. The city is particularly famous for the Otaru Canal which was completed in 1923 and is lined with old stone warehouses, a legacy of days gone by. At dusk, over sixty gas lamps are lit and the warehouses illuminated, creating a wonderful atmosphere people following its 1,000-metre footpath. Besides offering visitors the chance to relax on one of the nearby beaches, Otaru is blessed with a plethora of first-rate art galleries and museums on subjects ranging from history and nature to the Bank of Japan.
Niseko
Located in the Shiribeshi Subprefecture of Hokkaido Island, approximately 90 kilometres south-west of Sapporo, Niseko is a ski destination of some renown. Four of the town's key resorts (namely Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, Hanazono and An'nupuri) operate under the Niseko United brand and their range of glades and off-piste alpine skiing rank amongst the best (and cheapest) in the world, with numerous trails also available for beginner. Niseko also boasts an excellent selection of children's activities, thus earning the town Japan's Best Family Ski Resort Award in the Ski Asia Awards.
What to do in Sapporo
As the biggest city on Hokkaido Island, Sapporo offers a wealth of both natural and purpose-built attractions, most notably the Hokkaido Shrine and Odori Park set in the heart of the downtown district.
- Odori Park: With its lush gardens, gushing fountains and striking art sculptures, Odori Park is very much the city's centre-piece and a hive of activity on warm days. Situated in close proximity to many of Sapporo's most important galleries and museums, this pleasant one-and-a-half-kilometre-long green lung hosts part of the Sapporo Snow Festival and many other festivals throughout the year.
- Sapporo Snow Festival: Launched in 1950, the amazing Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan's most popular winter events. Scheduled in early February, this lively annual festival is most famous for its massive, finely detailed snow and ice sculptures (beautifully illuminated by night), many of which are based on modern themes of music, cinema and pop culture. Visitors can also take advantage of a variety of food and drink options featuring many Hokkaido specialities, as well as live music and other performances happening throughout the week-long festivities.
- Hokkaido Shrine: Arguably the most sacred religious site in northern Japan, the Hokkaido Shrine was built in 1869 and today ranks as one of the city's top cultural attractions. Located next to the delightful Maruyama Park, it is dedicated to the soul of the much revered Emperor Meiji and features a large garden area popular for its impressive cherry blossoms in springtime.
- Sapporo Science Centre: If you're travelling with kids, then a visit to the excellent Sapporo Science Centre is an absolute must. The centre has over 200 different exhibits and displays, many of them interactive and hands-on covering a wide range of interesting topics. Don't miss the planetarium which offers a fine portrayal of the many stars and planets in our galaxy, nor the nearby Sunpiazza Aquarium which is home to seals, penguins and numerous other sea creatures.
- Sapporo Beer Museum: Located in the intricately-landscaped Sapporo Garden Park, the irresistible Sapporo Beer Museum is the only attraction of its kind in Japan. Housed in a former sugar factory, it opened in 1987 and now offers visitors from all over the world the chance to taste the various beers produced in the local area, including ales and beers made with hops and both light and dark lagers. There's also a restaurant on the premises, as well as a shopping centre and a beer garden.
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