How to Rent a Car in Hokkaido: 8 Car Rental Services Near New Chitose Airport

Car Rental Shops Located near New Chitose Airport

Photo by Pixta

Hokkaido is filled with fascinating charms from food and gorgeous scenery to historical spots. There are multiple ways to travel to the northernmost island from Tokyo. However, the most convenient way is by plane to New Chitose Airport.

Using a rental car is convenient when traveling around Hokkaido's vast lands. There are multiple car rental shops available in New Chitose Airport.

This article introduces how to rent a car and eight major companies offering car rentals at New Chitose Airport.

How to Rent a Car at New Chitose Airport

Car Rental Services at New Chitose Airport
1. Nippon Rent-A-Car
2. Nissan Rent a Car
3. TOYOTA Rent a Car
4. ORIX Rent-A-Car
5. Times Car Rental
6. Budget Rent a Car
7. Axcelia: For Minivan Rentals
8. Camper Van Rentals
Tip: The Convenient Hokkaido Expressway Pass
Points to Keep in Mind When Driving and Renting Cars in Japan
Hokkaido Rental Car FAQ
Hokkaido Transportation, Highlights, and Hotels

Nippon Rent-A-Car 10% Off Coupon (English)

How to Rent a Car at New Chitose Airport

Photo by Pixta

Please refer to the directions below when renting a car at New Chitose Airport.

1. Refer to this article and make an advanced reservation online for a rental car.

2. Please head to the car rental counter once you arrive at New Chitose Airport. If you are arriving on a domestic flight, car rental counters are in the domestic terminal on the first floor. If you are arriving on an international flight, car rental counters are in the international terminal on the first floor.

3. After completing the paperwork, you will head to the car rental shop in Chitose City by shuttle bus. The shuttle bus stop is right next to the terminal exit, so you can easily get to the bus stop without getting wet from the rain or snow. This gives peace of mind during the cold winter months (*).
*Information regarding paperwork and shuttle buses may vary with each car rental shop. Please confirm the details at the time of your reservation.

We recommend reading the MATCHA article below for important things to note when renting a car in Japan.

Next, we will introduce major car rental shops inside New Chitose Airport. Individual sections will include additional details such as coupon information and a link to Klook, a website to easily compare rental car prices among companies and make reservations.

1. Nippon Rent-A-Car

This photo is for illustrative purposes only.

Nippon Rent-A-Car is a major car rental company with 560 locations across Japan. The counter is located in the domestic and international terminals at New Chitose Airport, with business hours from 7:00 to 22:00. This is a reassuring option for those with flights arriving early in the morning or late at night.

Nippon Rent-A-Car provides various car models, from compact cars to those seating multiple adults and luxury vehicles. Additionally, the service is appealing for the multilingual car navigation system installed in each vehicle and the one-way rental service.

MATCHA has an exclusive 10% discount coupon for international visitors for Nippon Rent-A-Car. Please be sure to check it out!

Nippon Rent-A-Car 10% Off Coupon (English)

*Business hours will end at 21:00 until March 31, 2023. This will change to 22:00 from April 1, 2023, to December 30, 2023.

2. Nissan Rent a Car

Nissan Rent-A-Car rents Nissan vehicles, as the name suggests.

You can rent cars such as the compact Note and the 7-8 seater minivan Serena, which utilize the latest technologies, at a similar price to other rental companies. They pay great attention to spacious luggage compartments and comfort, making them perfect for long car journeys.

By applying through MATCHA, you can get a 10% discount on Nissan Rent-A-Car. Be sure to check out the link below!

3. TOYOTA Rent a Car

This photo is for illustrative purposes only.

TOYOTA Rent a Car is operated by Toyota Rent-a-Lease, an affiliate company of Toyota Motor Corporation. There are two branches in New Chitose Airport: New Chitose Airport Poplar Shop and New Chitose Airport Suzuran Shop. Both locations have counters in the domestic and international terminals operating from 8:00 to 20:00.

TOYOTA Rent a Car is the largest corporation in the Japanese rental car industry, with 1,200 offices across Japan. It also takes the top rank in the number of rental vehicles owned. You can rent from their extensive line-up of Toyota vehicles, including luxury lines, thanks to being an affiliate of Toyota. And, of course, Toyota is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world.

Reserve with TOYOTA Rent a Car at New Chitose Airport on Klook

4. ORIX Rent-A-Car

ORIX Rent-A-Car is the second largest corporation in the industry. The counter in the domestic and international terminals at New Chitose Airport operates from 8:00 to 19:00.

ORIX Rent-A-Car is appealing because customers can rent car models from various manufacturers. They also carry specialty vehicles, such as trucks, so many customers book this service during a move.

You can also earn JAL/ANA miles and various points when renting a car from any shop location with an applicable card. They also hold area-exclusive campaigns, including Hokkaido. Moreover, the campaigns are intended for customers who make early reservations and come with a gift voucher for any Michi-no-Eki location (campaign information available on the Japanese website).

Reserve with ORIX Rent-A-Car on Klook

5. Times Car Rental

This photo is for illustrative purposes only.

Times Car Rental, a company that also provides parking lots and car share services, is popular among people of all generations. It was originally a subsidiary of Mazda but currently provides car models from various manufacturers.

Assistance is available at their counters at New Chitose Airport's domestic and international terminals from 9:00 to 19:00.

You can receive various discounts and services by becoming a member of Times Club or Times Car (information only available in Japanese). One such service is “Tap & Go,” allowing you to skip required paperwork when departing or returning your rental car. Will you be using rental cars often in Japan? Then why not become a member?

Reserve with Times Car Rental New Chitose Airport on Klook

6. Budget Rent a Car

Budget Rent a Car is a major American car rental company, having expanded overseas to 120 countries worldwide.

There are also branches in Japan with locations typically near major train stations and airports. This allows a smooth rental and return procedure for users. They have counters in the domestic and international terminals at New Chitose Airport open from 8:00 to 20:00.

Budget Rent a Car is highly praised by users for services such as the “No Refueling Necessary Plan” and the “ETC Card Rental Plan.” They also have plenty of special offers to use their service at a great value, including free optional services.

Each location may offer an early reservation discount. Please confirm with the shop if you know your travel schedule in advance.

Reserve with Budget Rent a Car at New Chitose Airport on Klook

7. Axcelia: For Minivan Rentals

Axcelia is a rental car service specializing in luxury cars and minivans. You can rent Toyota and Nissan minivans that can comfortably seat 5 - 9 people for a budget-friendly price starting from ¥7,500 per day.

Axcelia has an office near New Chitose Airport, allowing you to arrange for pick-up services directly from the airport.

Through MATCHA, you can enjoy a 10% discount on renting cars from Axcelia. Be sure to check this out as well!

8. Camper Van Rentals

Photo by Pixta

The rental car companies introduced above mainly specialize in standard-sized passenger cars.

If you are interested in traveling around Japan in a camper van, please refer to the following article. It introduces companies that rent camper vans specifically for foreign tourists visiting Japan, some of which may also offer discounts or coupons through MATCHA.

The Convenient Hokkaido Expressway Pass

If you want to drive around Hokkaido, it's recommended to use the Hokkaido Expressway Pass designed for foreign visitors to Japan.

This pass allows unlimited travel on Hokkaido's expressways for a set fee. Plans are available for two days (3,700 yen) to 14 days (11,500 yen).

The Hokkaido Expressway Pass can be reserved through specific rental car companies like Nissan Rent-A-Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, etc. (An ETC card with the pass functionality will be provided). When renting a car, inquire about this service as well.

Points to Keep in Mind When Driving and Renting Cars in Japan

Photo by Pixta

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of expressways in Japan that can only be accessed with an ETC card. It is advisable to rent an ETC card along with your car rental. At companies like Nissan Rent-A-Car and Nippon Rent-A-Car, you can typically rent an ETC card for around 300 yen as an option.

Hokkaido experiences snowfall from late November to the end of April. Make sure to check for the option of a car equipped with studless tires. Different rental car companies may have varying schedules for switching to studless tires, so be sure to confirm this when making your reservation.

Furthermore, be cautious of reduced visibility during whiteouts and slippery road conditions like ice patches. Be sure to refer to our article below, which outlines tips and precautions for driving on snowy roads to ensure a safe journey.

Hokkaido Rental Car FAQ

Q1: Should I make my rental car reservations in advance?

A: Yes. In recent years, the popularity of traveling by rental car has increased in Japan. This includes Hokkaido, so you may be unable to rent a car if you do not make a reservation in advance.

Q2: Please tell me what I should know when driving in Hokkaido.

A: Please read this MATCHA article for a general list of things to note when utilizing a rental car in Japan.

Please note that roads freeze over, and it will snow in Hokkaido from October to May. You can drive through most main roads, but some areas may become closed to traffic due to icy conditions. Traveling on accessible roads may still result in reduced visibility due to snow storms or become slippery due to the snow. Please drive while exercising utmost caution.

Most rental cars in Hokkaido have snow tires as a standard feature, designed to handle snowy roads in the winter. Make sure to check beforehand if you are concerned.

Q3: Are there car rental shops available outside of New Chitose Airport?

A: Yes. The shops of the car rental companies introduced in this article are located across Hokkaido. Please check the respective company’s website for details.

Furthermore, the Nippon Rent-A-Car 10% discount coupon code, introduced above, can be used at any location—not just the shops near New Chitose Airport.

Hokkaido Transportation, Highlights, and Hotels

There are many wonderful and charming spots in Hokkaido. Please check out the MATCHA articles below for information on transportation, highlights, and hotels in Hokkaido.

Main image by Pixta