Why Choose Us

Why travellers choose Omachi Rent a Car

Omachi is the gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Dam and the Northern Japan Alps — and we are the local car rental company. Two branches, every car 4WD, and English support from booking to return.

Car rental in Omachi2 min from the stationBranch in the hot-spring villageAll cars 4WDAutumn drives

Last updated: August 2026

Where Omachi can take you

Kurobe Dam and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, reached from Ogizawa
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The gateway to the Alpine Route and Ogizawa

Omachi is the access point for Ogizawa, the Nagano-side gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — and from there to Kurobe Dam, Murodo and Tateyama. Ogizawa is about 30 minutes from our Station Branch and about 20 minutes from the Onsenkyo Branch.

Private cars cannot use the central section of the Alpine Route, so driving to Ogizawa and changing to the route’s own transport is by far the smoothest approach.

#KurobeDam#AlpineRoute#Ogizawa#Murodo
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A base for the autumn colours

From the alpine grasses at Murodo in late September, through Kurobe Dam in mid-October, to the valley floor in November — the sheer range of altitudes around Omachi means you can follow the autumn colours for about two months.

Peak timing shifts from day to day, so a car that lets you change plans is ideal. The Green Season rate (April to November) keeps every vehicle 40% off through the autumn.

#AutumnColours#AlpineMeadows#GoldenLarch#Nagano
Autumn colours on the Murodo plateau with the Tateyama range behind
Hiking and trekking in the Northern Japan Alps from Omachi
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A starting point for hiking in the Northern Alps

Ideal for reaching the peaks of the Ushiro-Tateyama range — Mt. Jiigatake, Mt. Kashimayari and Mt. Goryu among them. With a car you can reach the trailheads before dawn.

Routes that are difficult to reach by public transport become straightforward, and getting to an onsen or your accommodation afterwards is far easier.

#NorthernAlps#Kashimayari#Hiking#Trekking

Use Omachi as your base

A wide range of destinations is within a comfortable drive: alpine scenery, hot springs, castles and food. Driving times vary slightly depending on which branch you use.

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Kurobe Dam

Via Ogizawa on the Alpine Route

20–30 min to Ogizawa

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Tateyama & Murodo

High alpine scenery and autumn grasses

Change at Ogizawa

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Hakuba

Autumn colours, skiing, cafes

approx. 35–40 min

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Azumino

Wasabi farm and art museums

approx. 25–35 min

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Matsumoto Castle

National Treasure and castle town

approx. 50–60 min

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Omachi Onsenkyo

Hot springs after a day in the hills

Our branch is here

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Zenko-ji Temple

Historic temple in Nagano City

approx. 70 min

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Snow Monkey Park

Jigokudani Yaen-koen

approx. 2 hours

Our cars and equipment

🚙 Every car is 4WD

All of our vehicles are four-wheel drive, so mountain and pass roads around Omachi are handled with confidence. Choose from kei cars up to minivans depending on your group and luggage.

❄️ Studless tyres in winter

From roughly December to March, every car is fitted with studless winter tyres for snow and ice. Ski carriers are available as an option.

※ Fitting dates may shift depending on snowfall.

💴 Clear, simple pricing

No hidden extras. From April to November every vehicle is 40% off, and in the standard winter season rentals of three days or more are discounted.

※ Up to 20% off for seven days or more (standard season).

📋 Straightforward, in English

Send a request through the web form, confirm by email, pay online. On the day, just bring your licence and you are ready to go. Visitors with an International Driving Permit are welcome.

Two starting points for your trip

Takenoya Ryokan, home of the Shinano-Omachi Station Branch
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Station Branch — 2 minutes on foot from the station

The branch is inside Takenoya Ryokan. If you arrive by train you can walk over with your luggage and set off straight away. Staying at the ryokan and using Omachi as a base for the Northern Alps works beautifully.

#ShinanoOmachi#JROitoLine#TakenoyaRyokan

Shuttle (chargeable): within Omachi City ¥3,000 / Ogizawa, Hakuba, Matsumoto ¥6,000 (one way, tax incl.)

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Onsenkyo Branch — 20 minutes from Ogizawa

Located inside the Sake Museum in the Omachi Onsenkyo hot-spring village. Guests staying nearby can set off directly, and it is the closest base in the area to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — ideal for early starts, or a soak straight after coming down from the mountains.

#OmachiOnsenkyo#SakeMuseum#20minToOgizawa
Open-air hot spring in Omachi Onsenkyo with the Northern Alps beyond

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Ogizawa?

You can drive as far as the Ogizawa car park. Private cars are not allowed between Ogizawa and Tateyama Station, so from Ogizawa you take the Alpine Route's own transport, starting with the electric bus. Ogizawa is about 30 minutes from the Station Branch and about 20 minutes from the Onsenkyo Branch.

When are the autumn colours at their best?

It depends on altitude: late September to early October high up around Murodo, mid-October around Kurobe Dam, and late October to early November in the Omachi valley and the larch forests of Hakuba. Timing shifts year to year, so please check the latest local information before you set out.

Can I rent in winter? Do the cars have snow tyres?

Yes. From roughly December to March every car is fitted with studless winter tyres, and all our vehicles are 4WD, so snow and ice are no problem. Ski carriers are available on request.

Can overseas visitors rent a car?

Yes, with an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Please bring your original passport as well. Licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Monaco and Taiwan can be used with an official Japanese translation instead.

How do I pay, and can I rent on the day?

Payment is by online credit card only. All rentals must be booked in advance through the web form and paid for before collection; we cannot serve walk-in customers.

See Nagano at your own pace.

The best colours move from day to day. With your own car you can go wherever the season is at its finest. 40% off every vehicle from April to November.