Targeting Taiwanese tourists? Heavy winter snow in Hokkaido sees some car rental firms refuse foreign customers

▲ Heavy winter snow in Hokkaido. The photo shows the icebreaker in Abashiri, Hokkaido. (Photo/ETtoday archive)

Reported by Eastern Broadcasting Co. (ETtoday) journalists Zhuo Huanjun and Chen Yiyun / Taipei

Traveling to Hokkaido, Japan, many people enjoy renting cars for self-guided tours. However, a Japanese car rental company recently announced on its website that starting next month (December) through March of next year, it will suspend car rentals to foreign tourists. Some members of the public suspect the rule might be aimed at Taiwanese visitors. But the rental company responded,the primary reason is heavy snowfall and poor visibility during Hokkaido’s winter, and the rule is meant to ensure the safety of foreign travelers.

A sedan was crushed between a truck and the roadside embankment, twisted out of shape — this was a traffic accident that occurred three years ago in Hokkaido. At the time, all four Taiwanese tourists in the vehicle, including the driver, were sent to hospital but did not survive. Taiwanese tourists are not the only ones who have had accidents while renting cars for self-drive tours in Hokkaido. In 2010, a Hong Kong tourist was traveling with her daughter in Sapporo when she tragically died in a car accident, also during Hokkaido’s snowy season.

Upon checking a local car rental website, OTS, which offers services in Chinese, some found that the company does not offer rentals. Staff at the OTS Car Rental Reservation Center Taipei Office said, “Anyone who doesn’t speak Japanese is considered a foreigner — it’s not specifically targeting Taiwanese people.”

Visiting the company’s Taiwan office in person, an employee privately revealed that the decision was mainly made with the safety of tourists in Hokkaido in mind. The website notice mentioned,that foreign guests in Hokkaido are prone to accidents due to icy road surfaces or poor visibility during blizzards.Therefore, this rental company’s branch in Hokkaido has decided not to rent vehicles to foreign tourists from December through March next year. It is understood that currently, only this company has implemented such a policy.

Regarding this, Lin Chengye, General Manager of Nichiraku Travel Agency, said, “Actually, there are many car rental companies in Hokkaido. The larger ones are often directly operated by manufacturers. The services, equipment, and facilities they provide tend to be better, so there’s no need to worry about this.”

Although driving for self-guided tours is convenient, being unfamiliar with local road conditions in Hokkaido, poor visibility during blizzards, early sunsets, and long distances between attractions can lead to fatigue while driving. Taiwanese drivers may also not be used to having the driver’s seat on the right side, which could contribute to accidents. Travel industry insiders suggest that travelers avoid overpacking their itineraries, drive slowly on unfamiliar roads, or opt for local public transportation to prevent accidents.

▲ An OTS Car Rental Reservation Center Taipei Office staff member said, “Anyone who doesn’t speak Japanese is considered a foreigner — it’s not specifically targeting Taiwanese people.” (Photo/Screenshot from OTS Car Rental website)