To Buy or Rent a Car in Japan?

I know what you’re thinking: Why on earth would anyone buy or rent a car in Japan? This is a country with arguably the best public transportation system in the world. And I understand, for most of my clients and readers the idea of getting a car in Japan is absurd. But there’s one big exception:

If you’re in Japan for skiing a car is a must.

Japan’s ski industry wasn’t built with foreign tourists in mind; it was built for domestic demand. And with Japan ranking 26th in the world for car ownership per capita, it’s no surprise that many of these ski resorts were designed assuming people would arrive by car. Sure, there are a few ski-in, ski-out accommodations in places like Niseko or Hakuba. But once you venture beyond those big-name resorts, you're dealing with a decentralized, hyper-competitive landscape. Hundreds of independent ski hills are scattered across the country, from tiny local lifts to family-owned powder havens and many of the best ones are nowhere near a train station.

So, if you’re buying a home in Japan especially in or near a ski region you’re going to want wheels. It’s the only way to truly unlock the variety, terrain, and freedom that Japan’s snow country has to offer. And if you’re into backcountry skiing? A car becomes essential.

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So… should you rent or buy?

Let’s do some math.

When we travel to Japan with friends, we often need something big something that can handle snow and haul gear. A Toyota HiAce is a common rental we end up with. It’s a boxy minivan with more utility than a traditional US minivan. Combine that with Japanese snow tires (some of the grippiest I’ve ever used), and you’ve got a winter tank that can seat eight and still climb a mountain road in a blizzard.

A used HiAce typically costs ¥3–5 million (about $20,000–33,000 USD). I’ve seen some for around ¥2.5 million, but let’s go with ¥3 million ($20K USD) for a realistic baseline.

Renting a similar vehicle runs about $124/day.

If you’re in Japan 30 days a year, that’s $3,700/year in rental costs.

So, at that rate, it would take you about 5.5 years to hit the break-even point on a HiAce purchase. And remember buying also comes with registration, Shaken (vehicle inspections), insurance, maintenance, and the minor headache of storing or maintaining a vehicle across seasons. Not to mention, in five years your used 2016 HiAce will be pushing 15 years old.

If you plan to stay more than 30 days a year, the math starts to shift in favor of buying.

But if you’re usually traveling solo or with just one or two people, a big van probably isn’t necessary. In this case, buying a smaller vehicle can make a lot of sense.

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Kei Cars. These tiny but mighty cars are all over Japan. I actually own an imported Suzuki Carry here in the US. There fuel efficient often rugged utility cars. Some models sell for as little as $3,000 USD, many come standard with all-wheel drive, and you can slap a roof rack on top for skis or boards. Throw on some magic Japanese snow tires and you're good for the entire winter. And unlike vans, maintaining a Kei car is cheap, Japan’s shaken inspection for smaller vehicles is more affordable, and insurance is lower, too.

Bottom line?

If you're skiing Japan 1–2 weeks to even a month every year: Rent. It’s simpler, with no strings attached.

If you’re here for a month or more every winter: Start thinking about buying, especially if you’re traveling with a group.

If you're a homeowner, backcountry skier, or powder junkie chasing lesser-known resorts: A car is not optional. It’s your gateway to the good stuff.

And hey, if you're still on the fence, reach out. We’ve helped dozens of homeowners sort out the logistics, from buying a car to storing it to handling shaken paperwork. Japan may be built for trains, but if you want the full alpine experience, there’s nothing quite like having your own ride.

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