Driving in Hokkaido in winter: icy roads, whiteouts and getting stuck

Icy roads in Hokkaido are about 10 times as slippery as dry roads in summer, according to the Hokkaido Government. Drive more slowly than you would in summer, keep a much longer distance from the car ahead, and avoid any sudden braking, acceleration or steering. If snow cuts your visibility, pull into a safe parking area and wait. Check road closures before you set off.

Why are Hokkaido’s winter roads dangerous?

The biggest risk is ice you cannot see. The Hokkaido Government warns that a road that looks black in early winter may be frozen — a surface often called “black ice”.

Some places freeze more easily than others. The Hokkaido Government lists these spots as especially slippery:

• just before intersections, pedestrian crossings and railway crossings
• roads with a lot of stop-and-go traffic
• bridges on cold days
• road surfaces in the shade of trees or buildings

Source: Hokkaido Government, "Driving on winter roads" (checked on 23 October 2026)

Snow also hides the road. Strong winds can blow snow across the road (a ground blizzard) and cause a whiteout, where you suddenly cannot see ahead. Snowbanks at the roadside can also block your view at junctions.

How should I drive on snowy and icy roads?

What to do	Official advice
Speed	Drive at least 10 km/h slower than in summer, and slow down quickly when visibility is poor
Following distance	Keep more than three times the distance you would need in summer
Operations	Avoid sudden braking, sudden acceleration and aggressive steering
Braking	Brake early and gently, and use engine braking to lose speed
Tires	Check the condition of the studless winter tires before you drive

Source: Hokkaido Government, "Driving on winter roads"; Hokkaido Police and partners, winter driving leaflet (checked on 23 October 2026)

The speed limit is the maximum, not a target. On ice, the right speed is often far below it.

What should I do in a whiteout?

1. Slow down and turn on your hazard lights if needed, so the car behind can see you.
2. Pull into a safe parking area, such as a Michi-no-Eki (roadside station), and wait until you can see the road again.
3. Do not stop in the traffic lane unless you have no choice.

Source: Hokkaido Police (Kushiro) (checked on 23 October 2026)

What if my car gets stuck in snow?

1. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Stay inside the car where possible, and wait for the weather to improve or for help.
3. Make sure snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe. If it is, running the engine can fill the car with carbon monoxide.
4. Call your rental company’s emergency number. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 110 (police) or 119 (ambulance).

Source: Hokkaido Police (Fukagawa); Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau (checked on 23 October 2026)

Leaving the engine running while the exhaust is buried in snow is very dangerous. Hokkaido Police and the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau both warn about carbon monoxide poisoning.

Where can I check road closures and conditions?

• Hokkaido road information (info-road.hdb.hkd.mlit.go.jp), run by the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, shows closures on national and Hokkaido roads, and camera images of national roads.
• NEXCO East publishes information on Hokkaido’s expressways, and asks drivers to check the weather forecast and road information for several days before a trip.
• #9910 is a free, 24-hour road emergency dial for reporting road problems, such as damage or fallen objects, to the road administrator. It is not a breakdown service.

Source: Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau; NEXCO East (checked on 23 October 2026)

Before you set off

1. Check the weather forecast and road closures for your whole route.
2. Ask your rental company whether the car has studless winter tires and tire chains. Authorities ask drivers to carry chains even with winter tires.
3. Plan shorter driving days, because you will be driving more slowly than in summer.
4. Save your rental company’s emergency number in your phone.