Your Journey Starts at Niigata Airport (KIJ)

You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your US license. Japan doesn't recognize US licenses alone, even for short visits. The IDP must be from your home country and is valid for 1 year from entry. Processing takes about 15-30 minutes at AAA offices in the US (about $20). Without both documents, rental companies will refuse to hand over the keys—and your travel insurance won't cover any incidents.

Absolutely yes. Nagaoka averages over 200 inches (500 cm) of snow annually, with peak accumulation in January-February. From December through March, studless winter tires (set of 4, about ¥24,000-40,000 at local shops) are legally required on most roads—not just recommended. Many rental companies offer snow tires for ¥2,000-4,000/day but supplies are limited. Book early and confirm mounting is included. Snow chains are mandatory on certain mountain passes and expressways; carry them even if your rental doesn't explicitly require them.

Most Japanese expressways use the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system. Rental ETC units cost about ¥330/day, but expressway tolls from Nagaoka to Tokyo run ¥6,000-8,000 one-way—versus ¥2,200-3,300 using the cheaper Shin-Etsu or fon两张 routes. If you plan to drive more than 100 km on toll roads, the ETC rental pays for itself. Cash lanes exist but slow you down significantly. Ask your rental company to activate the ETC card in the vehicle and keep the receipt showing the device was installed.

The minimum driving age in Japan is 18, but most rental companies require you to be 21-25 to rent a car. For drivers under 25, expect a young driver surcharge of ¥1,100-3,300/day (roughly $8-25). At 22, you're likely looking at the higher end of that range. Some local agencies in Nagaoka may be more flexible than nationwide chains like Toyota Rent a Car or Nippon Rent A Car. Book early and check if your credit card covers young driver waivers before paying the rental company's surcharge.

Right turn on red is generally prohibited in Japan unless posted with a green arrow signal. Running a stop sign or making an illegal right turn can result in fines of ¥9,000-15,000 and potentially 1-2 points on your license (Japan has a 6-point system; 6 points triggers a 30-day suspension). Many Nagaoka intersections have ambiguous stop line positions—always stop fully before the line, not at it. Police checkpoints are common after accidents, and foreign drivers are often targeted. If you receive a citation, pay it at a convenience store within 30 days or your rental company will charge your credit card plus a ¥3,000-5,000 handling fee.

In Japan, you typically pay first at the register, then pump. At self-service stations (more common outside cities), full service costs about ¥5-10 more per liter but staff will clean windows and check tire pressure—an especially valuable service in snowy season. Most rental cars in Nagaoka run on regular gasoline (普通自動車用 gasoline), not diesel. Confirm your rental's fuel type before leaving the lot; misfueling a diesel car can cost ¥50,000-200,000 in repairs. Return the car with a full tank to avoid refueling charges of ¥180-220/liter.