For winter driving in Japan, JAF says regular tyres are extremely dangerous on snow: use studless tyres on all four wheels or chains, and carry chains even with studless tyres. Expressways use two rules: a winter-tyre restriction (chains on the drive wheels or winter tyres on all wheels) and a stricter chain restriction in exceptional snowfall, where studless tyres alone are not enough. Check that a rental car has studless tyres, and confirm when booking. Rules are as of October 2026.
Winter driving in Japan on snow or ice needs studless tyres on all four wheels, or chains. JAF, the Japan Automobile Federation, calls regular tyres on snow “extremely dangerous”, and it says to carry chains even with studless tyres. Prefectural rules also require anti-skid measures on snowy roads. The rules are the same whatever your visa. These rules are as of October 2026.
On snowy or icy roads, yes. JAF tells drivers to use snow tyres or chains, because driving on snow with regular tyres is extremely dangerous.
The legal rule sits in each prefecture’s traffic rules, not in one national text. Nagano Prefectural Police’s English page says drivers must put chains on the tyres or use studless tyres on snowy or icy roads. Best Car Web, a secondary source, says every prefecture except Okinawa has such a rule. It gives a fixed penalty of ¥6,000 for an ordinary car. We could not confirm that figure in an official source, and it may differ by prefecture.
If you live in a snowy area, ask your local police station or car dealer what the local rule says.
| Studless tyres | Chains | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | All four wheels | Drive wheels per JAF (Nagano police say rear tyres) |
| Cost | Higher | Lower than studless, per JAF |
| Speed | No limit noted | No high speeds except on snow-covered roads, per JAF |
| Fitting | Fitted to the car | Fitted on site, outdoors in the cold |
| Lifespan | About two seasons, per JAF | Not stated |
Braking test figures from JAF, reported by Best Car Web (from 40 km/h):
| Surface | Regular tyres | Studless | Chains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compacted snow | 29.9 m | 17.3 m | 28.4 m |
| Ice | 105.4 m | 78.5 m | 59.0 m |
Studless tyres stopped shortest on compacted snow, and chains stopped shortest on ice. The Nagano page says studless tyres still slip under hard braking. It also says only two studless tyres is illegal and dangerous, and studless tyres can be used until 50% of the tread remains.
JAF advises carrying chains and a jack even if you have studless tyres. Chains can be hard to find in a snowstorm, so ask a dealer early. Nagano police add that braking distance is no different for 4WD and 2WD cars.
Expressways use two different rules, according to JAF’s Japanese FAQ.
JAF says metal chains and urethane or rubber chains generally pass. Fabric covers may not be accepted, and JAF recommends JASAA-certified products for non-metal chains. A 2018 news article (Norimono News) says chain sections are mainly places where cars have been stranded before and passes with a gradient of 5% or more. We did not find a current official page, so check the road operator’s notices before you leave.
Confirm it when you book. JAF lists renting a car with studless tyres and ESC as an option and says to check at reservation. JNTO tells visitors to check that the car has studless tyres, a jack stand and snow chains.
Before you book:
If you drive on an international permit, remember it has a time limit: see international driving permit in Japan.
JAF and JNTO give the same core advice.
JNTO says to take trains or buses if snow is forecast, and ice is most common in early morning and evening.
JAF says to turn on hazard lamps and stop somewhere safe in a whiteout. If snow blocks the exhaust, carbon monoxide can enter the car, so clear enough snow for the exhaust to vent while you wait.
JNTO lists #110 for police and #9910 for roadside assistance. Give your location using the kilometer markers on the highway.
JAF says its road service covers breakdowns caused by heavy snow and other natural disasters, which regular car insurance usually excludes. To compare cover, read our guide to car insurance in Japan for foreigners.
More guides: car sharing in Japan, highway tolls and ETC cards and renting a car.
On snowy or icy roads, yes. JAF says regular tires are extremely dangerous on snow and tells drivers to use snow tires or chains. Nagano police say prefectural rules require chains or studless tires on snowy or icy roads.
Some do, but confirm it. JAF lists renting a car with studless tires and ESC as an option and tells you to check when you reserve. JNTO also advises checking for a jack stand and chains.
Usually, for a winter-tire restriction, if they are fitted on all four wheels. Not under a chain restriction: JAF says a car with studless tires but no chains cannot pass that section.
JAF says metal chains and urethane or rubber chains generally pass restrictions. Fabric covers may not be accepted, so follow the instructions on the day.
Turn on hazard lamps and stop somewhere safe. Clear snow from the exhaust so carbon monoxide does not build up. JNTO lists #110 for police and #9910 for roadside assistance.
Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email [email protected] and we will check it against the source. See our corrections policy.
Licenses
An international driving permit (license) lets you drive in Japan for 1 year from landing. Only 1949 Geneva IDPs count; some countries use a translation.
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