100% Winter Ready
4WD traction, premium studless winter tires and a roof box come together for cold-weather trips.
The Ultimate 4WD Ski Van for Your Japan Powder Trip.
Gather your crew, load the boards and follow the forecast. Guaranteed studless snow tires, up to 7 passengers in an 8-seat configuration, and room for the gear that makes a Japan powder trip yours.
Winter Ready4WD + studless tires
Group FriendlyRoom for your crew
Gear SortedRoof box + storage
Long-Stay RatesWeekly + monthly plans
Why ride with us
Less logistics.
More time on the mountain.
Japan's best snow is spread across the map. Get the space, confidence and flexibility to follow it.
Drive with Confidence
We provide clear English guidance on documents, vehicle capacity and insurance before you set off.
Space for the Whole Crew
A practical seating and storage setup designed around ski bags, boards, boots and large suitcases.
Made for Longer Trips
Stay for a week, two weeks or a full month. Longer bookings unlock better value per day.
More than getting there
Good people.
Great snow. Your own way.
Pack the boards, bring your crew and leave room for spontaneous detours. The best Japan ski trips are made of more than time on the lift.
01 · Roll together
Room for your crew
Bring the crew, boards and cases. Share your passenger count and bag sizes, and we’ll confirm the best fit before you book.
02 · Find your snow
Chase the conditions
Choose the resort that suits the forecast, your crew and the kind of day you want.
03 · Make it yours
Take the scenic route
Go beyond the usual transfer. Explore mountain towns, local food and fresh tracks.
Images are for illustration. Your vehicle, resort and road conditions may differ.
Built around your winter trip
Every detail has a job to do.
Take a closer look at the seating, storage and winter equipment that help make a Japan ski road trip easier.
01 / EXTERIOR
The 4WD winter van
A HiAce set up for snowy resort trips, with a roof-mounted cargo box for your winter gear.
02 / STORAGE
Room for the big bags
See the rear cargo layout with ski and snowboard bags alongside full-size suitcases. Share your bag count and dimensions so we can confirm the fit.
03 / SEATING
Travel together
The 8-seat layout is shown. An 8-seat vehicle accommodates up to 7 passengers plus the driver; final capacity follows the vehicle registration.
04 / IN-CABIN
Navigation & drive recorder
A look at the dashboard and navigation display. We will confirm the specific navigation, phone connectivity and recorder equipment for your booking.
05 / WINTER SETUP
Premium studless tires
Winter tires are part of the cold-weather setup. Tire specification and condition are checked for the vehicle assigned to your trip.
06 / ROOF STORAGE
Space for skis & boards
The roof box helps keep long equipment out of the cabin. Usable capacity depends on the size and number of your skis or snowboards.
Exact vehicle, seat registration, equipment and usable luggage capacity are confirmed in your written quote. Please share your group size and gear dimensions before booking.
4WDMade for winter roads
Meet your ride
Toyota HiAce
4WD · 8 Seats
A dependable basecamp on wheels. The 8-seat configuration means up to 7 passengers plus the driver. Built to carry your people and gear between airports, snow resorts and the places you discover along the way.
- 4WD drivetrain + high-grade studless tires
- Roof rack + extra-large ski box
- English navigation + Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
- ETC card reader included
- Basic liability insurance included
- Optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Seat-count note: an 8-seat vehicle normally means 7 passengers + the driver. To carry 8 passengers, the selected vehicle must be registered for 9 total seats. The registered capacity will be confirmed before booking.
Ask about the van
Exact vehicle spec confirmed with your quote.
Pick your powder playground
One van. So many ways to chase snow.
Make the drive part of the adventure — from famous resort towns to quiet corners of Japan's winter country.
Hakuba Valley
Roughly four hours from Tokyo by expressway. Base yourself in the valley and move between its ski areas as the snow changes.
Nozawa, Shiga Kogen & Myoko
Add hot-spring villages, Japan's largest linked ski area and Myoko's deep snow to the same trip.
Resort conditions and snowfall vary by date and season.
Pick up and return your van at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport or central Tokyo. Choose your location when you request a quote.
What past guests say
Real trips.
Real feedback.
Stories from guests who picked up a JAPOW VANS HiAce before heading for the mountains.
🇦🇺
Liam M.Melbourne, Australia
Solved our international license dilemma in one clean move.
A crew of six arriving at Narita with six oversized snowboard roller bags and heavy luggage is usually a logistical nightmare. We initially tried booking a 10-seater HiAce with a major agency, only to find out it breaches the 9-seater passenger cap for standard Class B International Driving Permits. Japow Vans was an absolute lifesaver. Their 8-seater 4WD HiAce gave us complete legal peace of mind, and the massive cargo bay swallowed every single piece of gear. The studless winter tires handled blizzards over the mountain passes without a hint of slippage. Handing the keys back at the Narita departure curb took less than five minutes.
21 Days (January) · Narita Airport Pickup & Return · Nagano & Niigata (Hakuba, Myoko, Yuzawa)
🇺🇸
Jake & Sarah T.California, USA
Felt like having a dedicated local guide via WhatsApp.
Our flight touched down at Haneda close to midnight, but the team was waiting curbside with keys and a pre-activated ETC toll card ready to roll. All our communication from booking through drop-off was handled in fluent English via WhatsApp—they even sent real-time weather warnings and pass closures while we were en route. Having Apple CarPlay on the large touchscreen display made navigating both Tokyo's complex expressway network and rural mountain passes totally stress-free. Truly next-level service for visiting powder hounds.
14 Days (February) · Haneda Airport Pickup & Return · Nagano (Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen)
🇦🇹
Markus B.Innsbruck, Austria
Built for real winter conditions by people who get it.
Coming from the Austrian Alps, I am very picky about winter driving setups. Japanese wet powder and black ice can catch anyone off guard, but this van came fitted with top-tier Bridgestone Blizzak studless tires that bit into frozen switchbacks with authority. We covered nearly 3,800 km chasing storms across Honshu. Having an ETC card pre-installed meant no fumbling for cash at toll gates, and the final toll reconciliation was sent via an itemized English PDF right after return. Only minor gripe was finding tall clearance parking in old onsen villages, but the van's cabin comfort more than made up for it.
30 Days (Mid-Dec to Mid-Jan) · Narita Airport Pickup & Return · Honshu Road Trip (Niigata, Nagano, Gifu)
🇨🇦
Dave K.Vancouver, Canada
Massive storage and the most convenient city drop-off in Tokyo.
We split our vacation between deep snow in Shiga Kogen and late nights in Tokyo. Picking up at Haneda and dropping off directly in front of our hotel in Shinjuku was brilliant—virtually no standard Japanese rental chain offers that degree of flexibility without insane surcharges. The cabin easily accommodated five big guys, long powder skis, and full luggage sets while keeping ample legroom. Driving an 8-seater on a regular IDP Class B permit kept everything totally compliant.
10 Days (January) · Haneda Airport Pickup → Shinjuku, Tokyo Drop-off · Shiga Kogen & Nozawa
🇳🇿
Chloe & Ben H.Queenstown, New Zealand
The ultimate mobile base for digital nomads chasing powder.
We spent four days exploring Tokyo before heading to the mountains, so having the van delivered directly to our Airbnb in Shibuya saved our lives. The team gave us a detailed orientation in English, covering clearance warnings and 4WD switch operation. For a month-long trip, the discounted weekly/monthly rates beat standard daily car rentals by a landslide. Multiple high-output USB charging ports kept our laptops and camera rigs charged between resort hops, and our security deposit was refunded within three business days of return.
28 Days (February) · Shibuya, Tokyo Pickup → Narita Airport Return · Hakuba & Myoko
🇬🇧
Oliver W.London, UK
Zero luggage hassle with small kids in tow.
Traveling with two young kids, my wife, and my parents meant that hauling ski luggage onto bullet trains and transfer buses was out of the question. Picking up our HiAce at Haneda airport allowed us to drive straight to our chalet door in Hakuba. The elevated seating position made driving on snowy mountain roads remarkably easy. The English GPS navigation was accurate, though we mostly relied on Apple CarPlay. Being able to pull over at scenic roadside rest stops (michi-no-eki) for hot ramen made the drive an experience in itself.
12 Days (Late December) · Haneda Airport Pickup & Return · Hakuba Valley
🇩🇪
Stefan & Lukas R.Munich, Germany
German-level vehicle maintenance and flawless communication.
Our itinerary was tricky: landing at Narita and flying out of Haneda, with 4,000 km of driving across Aomori, Akita, and Niigata in between. Japow Vans accommodated the split airport transfer without hesitation. The mechanical condition of the van was spotless—fresh fluids, flawless heating, and deep-tread winter rubber. WhatsApp responses from their support staff usually arrived within two minutes. A remarkably professional operation run with genuine care.
18 Days (January) · Narita Airport Pickup → Haneda Airport Return · Tohoku to Niigata
🇫🇷
Antoine D.Chamonix, France
The only sensible choice for serious backcountry expeditions.
Our team had an absurd amount of equipment: avalanche safety packs, mountaineering gear, splitboards, and bulky video equipment. Normal rental estates or mini-SUVs in Japan are simply too small. The HiAce swallowed everything effortlessly. The heavy-duty rubber floor mats were a great touch, allowing us to load up wet boots without ruining the interior. Collected the vehicle outside Shinagawa Station and drove straight onto the Chuo Expressway with the pre-inserted ETC card. 10/10.
15 Days (February) · Shinagawa, Tokyo Pickup → Narita Airport Return · Myoko & Hakuba Backcountry
🇸🇬
Ken & CrewSingapore
Patient snow-driving briefing gave our tropical crew complete confidence.
None of us had ever driven on snow or ice before, so we were understandably anxious. The representative who met us at Haneda walked us through 4WD operation, proper braking distances, and what to do if the rear ever slides. That 15-minute briefing made all the difference. When chain controls were posted on the Kan-etsu Expressway, we pinged them on WhatsApp and received immediate reassurance that our studless 4WD setup cleared the checkpoint. Seamless return curbside at Haneda.
7 Days (January) · Haneda Airport Pickup & Return · Niigata (Yuzawa & Naeba)
🇺🇸
Mike B.Seattle, USA
Essential gear if you're renting a chalet in Hakuba.
Rented a lodge in Echoland for the month and needed dependable wheels to access all ten resorts in the Hakuba Valley depending on wind and snow forecasts. Booking, contracts, and insurance documentation were 100% in clear English. The van started on the first turn of the key even after sub-zero overnight freezes. Toll road billing at the end was fully transparent. I will book with Japow Vans every single season I come to Japan.
30 Days (February) · Narita Airport Pickup & Return · Hakuba Valley Long Stay
🇦🇺
Tom & Emily R.Sydney, Australia
Narita curb collection to Ginza hotel drop-off—unbeatable logistics.
Landing with two tired kids and a mountain of bags, having a rep meet us right outside Narita arrivals was heaven. Two weeks later, after crushing powder in Shiga Kogen, we drove down to Tokyo and had the team collect the van right in front of our hotel in Ginza. Not having to find an underground rental depot or navigate downtown drop-off lanes with ski bags in tow was worth every single dollar.
16 Days (January) · Narita Airport Pickup → Ginza, Tokyo Drop-off · Nagano (Hakuba & Shiga)
🇺🇸
Chris P.Washington State, USA
Tank-like traction during a 70 cm overnight dump in Myoko.
I drive mountain passes regularly in the Pacific Northwest, but the sheer volume of snow in Myoko was wild. Japow Vans equips their fleet with genuine high-grade Japanese studless tires, and the difference is massive. We crawled out of unplowed lodge driveways while standard rental minivans were spinning their wheels. Only lost half a star because the windshield washer fluid froze on the first morning—they guided us to a gas station over WhatsApp to refill with -30°C winter fluid immediately.
10 Days (Late December) · Haneda Airport Pickup & Return · Niigata (Myoko Kogen)
🇨🇭
Reto & Marc S.Zurich, Switzerland
The pre-installed ETC toll card saved endless headaches.
Japanese highway tolls are notoriously confusing for foreign visitors, and many traditional agencies either charge high daily card rental fees or require cash payments at toll barriers. Having a valid ETC card already installed when picking up the van meant frictionless driving across Gunma and Nagano. An itemized statement was provided at return, making expense splitting between friends completely effortless.
20 Days (February) · Narita Airport Pickup & Return · Nagano & Gunma (Nozawa, Manza, Minakami)
🇨🇦
Brad W.Calgary, Canada
Roppongi handoff and English CarPlay made navigating Tokyo a breeze.
Wrapped up meetings in Tokyo and had the van dropped off directly at our serviced apartment in Roppongi. Connecting my phone brought up Google Maps in English immediately on the dash screen, making the tricky Metropolitan Expressway interchanges simple to handle. The 8-seater layout swallowed four long powder boards, luggage, and groceries from the Hakuba supermarket without cramming anyone. Direct drop-off at Haneda before our flight home was fast and smooth.
14 Days (January) · Roppongi, Tokyo Pickup → Haneda Airport Return · Hakuba Valley
🇳🇴
Henrik L.Oslo, Norway
Incredible cargo capacity for multi-week ski film shoots.
We brought an extensive kit of camera equipment, drones, splitboards, and winter mountaineering gear for an independent film project in northern Honshu. The cargo hold of the HiAce is a cavern. Even with four passengers and extreme amounts of gear, visibility was clear and the cabin stayed warm in -15°C mountain winds. The vehicle had a few minor cosmetic stone chips on the exterior from previous mountain use, but mechanically it was an absolute powerhouse.
24 Days (Jan–Feb) · Narita Airport Pickup & Return · Tohoku (Appi, Hakkoda, Hachimantai)
🇬🇧
James & Sophie B.Manchester, UK
Split airport routing handled without friction or hidden fees.
Flying into Haneda and out of Narita usually triggers punitive one-way fees with legacy rental companies. Japow Vans offered a completely fair rate and coordinated the logistics seamlessly. Signing agreements digitally in English beforehand meant our physical handover took under ten minutes. Whenever we asked for advice on chain regulations or parking tips via WhatsApp, their replies were prompt, friendly, and practical.
11 Days (February) · Haneda Airport Pickup → Narita Airport Return · Nagano (Hakuba & Tsugaike)
🇦🇺
Luke M.Perth, Australia
Unrivaled monthly discount for serious road-tripping.
If you are planning to spend more than three weeks on the road in Japan, standard daily rental rates are astronomical. Japow Vans' tiered long-term pricing brought our total cost down significantly. We picked up near Ueno Station and turned the van into our mobile ski chase vehicle for five weeks. Fast USB charging for our gear, generous seating, and quick security deposit release to our credit card upon return. Highly recommended.
35 Days (Dec–Jan) · Ueno, Tokyo Pickup → Haneda Airport Return · Nagano, Niigata, Fukushima
🇸🇪
Elin & Jonas K.Stockholm, Sweden
Flawless winter tire setup and an effortless Asakusa hotel drop-off.
Growing up in Scandinavia, we are exceptionally critical of winter tire performance. The studless tires fitted on our HiAce were in like-new condition with deep tread, providing remarkable bite on icy switchbacks up to Shiga Kogen. Wrapping up our holiday by handing the van over right outside our hotel in Asakusa saved us from dragging ski bags through packed commuter trains. Uncompromising mountain safety paired with genuine city convenience.
18 Days (January) · Narita Airport Pickup → Asakusa, Tokyo Drop-off · Nozawa Onsen & Shiga Kogen
🇺🇸
Dan & CrewSalt Lake City, USA
Late-night Haneda pickup got us first tracks the very next morning.
Our flight from LAX arrived past 10:30 PM. Most airport rental counters close by 8:00 or 10:00 PM, which would have forced us to stay overnight in Tokyo. Japow Vans met us outside the terminal with keys and paperwork ready. We loaded up, drove straight through the night on the Kan-etsu Expressway with our ETC card, and were lined up for first chair at Kagura by 8:00 AM. For hardcore skiers who value every hour, this service is unbeatable.
8 Days (January) · Haneda Airport Pickup & Return · Niigata (Yuzawa & Kagura)
🇳🇿
Sam T.Wanaka, New Zealand
True 8-seater capacity cut our group travel costs in half.
Finding a van in Japan that holds seven adults with luggage while remaining strictly within the 9-seat limit of an International Driving Permit (Class B) was our biggest pre-trip headache. Japow Vans' 8-passenger HiAce solved the puzzle completely. Splitting fuel, tolls, and rental costs across seven mates made it vastly cheaper than Shinkansen tickets and resort shuttle buses. A sturdy, clean van that delivered our crew directly to the powder every single day.
15 Days (February) · Narita Airport Pickup → Haneda Airport Return · Hakuba Valley
Shared with permission from past JAPOW VANS guests. Names are shortened for privacy; experiences may vary by trip, vehicle and season.
Straightforward rates
Transparent pricing.
Built for long trips.
The longer you stay, the better your daily rate. Choose the trip length that fits your winter.
Weekly
7–13 days
¥25,000 ¥17,500 / day30% OFF
Flexible week-long adventure
- Winter-ready 4WD van
- Studless tires + ski box
- Basic liability insurance
Bi-Weekly
14–29 days
¥22,000 ¥15,400 / day30% OFF
12% less than the weekly rate
- Everything in Weekly
- Better daily rate for longer stays
- Ideal for multi-resort trips
Monthly
30+ days
¥600,000 ¥420,000 / month30% OFF
¥14,000 / day on a 30-day stay · Save 20%*
- Best value for extended stays
- More time to explore Japan
- Monthly bookings by inquiry
Refundable security deposit: ¥150,000 · A credit-card deposit is required for every booking and returned in accordance with the rental terms, subject to any applicable charges.
*The 20% comparison is based on ¥14,000/day for a 30-day monthly booking versus ¥17,500/day at the weekly rate. Rates are indicative and should be confirmed in your written quote. Please confirm whether tax, delivery, tolls, fuel and optional cover are included.
Easy as 1, 2, 3
From landing to first chair.
A simple booking process, with clear answers before you travel.
Request a Quote
Tell us your dates, pickup point, group size and how much gear you're bringing.
Confirm & Pay
We'll confirm availability, driver requirements and the final price before you secure the booking.
Pick Up & Shred
Collect your van at the agreed location, get a quick handover and head for the snow.
Who you're renting from
A Tokyo car company, running its own vans.
JAPOW VANS is the winter rental brand of Xtraveler, Inc., a Tokyo automotive company founded in 2019. We also run vehicle subscription and used-car businesses in Japan.
You deal with us directly, from your first question about documents to the handover of your van.
- Operator
- Xtraveler, Inc.
- Founded
- October 31, 2019
- Capital
- ¥37 million (including capital reserve)
- Address
- 1-7-12 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
- Contact
- [email protected]
Good to know
Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know before driving in Japan's winter.
Can I drive with my country's license?
Many visitors can drive with a valid International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, together with their original license and passport. Japan does not accept every IDP: the issuing country, booklet format, validity period and vehicle category all matter. Category B generally covers passenger vehicles with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver's seat. We will verify the selected vehicle's registered seating and your documents before confirming the booking. See Japan National Police Agency guidance.
Do you provide insurance?
Basic liability insurance is included. An optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) may reduce or waive the applicable excess, subject to the policy's limits, exclusions and conditions. We will share the coverage summary before payment. Please ask specifically about snow, ice, underbody, tire and single-vehicle incidents.
Is there heating in the van? Can I sleep in it?
The van is designed primarily for transport, not as a full campervan. It has factory front and rear heating for the drive, but it is not equipped or marketed as a safe place to sleep in freezing temperatures. Please book separate accommodation for overnight stays.
How much ski and snowboard gear can we bring?
The roof box and interior layout are designed to make room for winter-sports gear and suitcases. Exact capacity depends on the selected vehicle, seat configuration and the size of your bags. Include the number and approximate length of your skis / boards in the inquiry so we can confirm the fit.
Where can I pick up the van?
You can pick up and return the van at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport or a location in central Tokyo. The exact meeting point, time and any delivery fee are confirmed in your quote.
Is the van a campervan? Can I drive anywhere in winter?
No. JAPOW VANS is a winter-ready people-and-gear transport rental, not a full campervan or 4WD recovery vehicle. 4WD and winter tires do not remove the risks of snow and ice. Follow road closures, local traffic rules and weather advice, drive to conditions, and never enter closed or restricted roads.
Let's plan your trip
Don't miss out on Japow.
Winter dates are limited. Send us your trip details and we'll come back with availability, pickup options and a clear quote.
English-friendly booking support
Winter-ready vehicle setup
Weekly and monthly rentals
Prefer email? Write to [email protected]
Your winter. Your route.
Don't just visit Japan.
Chase the snow.
Get your crew together. We'll help you get the right van for the trip.
Request Your Van Now