Three Companies Rent Campervans in Obihiro and Tokachi | Airport Shuttle, Pets and Rates Checked (2026)

Renting a campervan from the Obihiro/Tokachi area dramatically shortens the distance to eastern Hokkaido destinations like Shiretoko, Lake Akan, and the Kushiro Marshland. Unlike a route that flies into New Chitose and loops through central Hokkaido, the advantage of starting in Obihiro is heading straight east through the sweeping farmland of the Tokachi Plain.

Choosing in line with the style covered in the Obihiro/Tokachi Campervan Drive Guide leads to fewer regrets. This article sorts out the differences between the three rental bases and also puts together a model eastern-Hokkaido route starting from Obihiro.

The Tokachi Plain is one of Hokkaido’s most agriculturally active areas, and the drive through its sweeping fields and pastures is genuinely enjoyable in a campervan. Enjoying Obihiro’s food scene (pork bowl, Tokachi sweets, Indian Curry) before setting off is one of the distinct pleasures of starting your trip in Obihiro.

If you’d like to check bases across all of Hokkaido first, use our Top 15 Hokkaido Campervan Rental Picks; for a sense of pricing, our Hokkaido Campervan Rental Price Guide is also useful.

Which Campervan Rental Should You Choose?

Prices, pet policies, and shuttle terms change by season and vehicle. Check each base page and the official site for the latest information before booking.

Side-by-Side Comparison of the Three Bases

Confirmation dates: 2026-02-17 for Moving Inn Obihiro and Vantrip, 2026-03-11 for White Birch. Vehicle lineup, NOC (Non-Operation Charge), and business hours are detailed on each base page. Check each company’s official website for the latest information before booking.

Moving Inn Tokachi-Obihiro Airport Store

The off-season vancon rate starts at ¥15,400/24h, the lowest of the three bases in the Obihiro area. High season (July–August) rises to ¥36,850 and above (confirmed 2026-02-17), so traveling in early June or late September can cut costs considerably. Vehicle lineup and NOC pricing details are summarized on the base page.

The base is in Sarabetsu, Kawanishi District, Hokkaido. It’s about a 10–15 minute drive from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, and a free shuttle to the airport is available (confirmed 2026-02-17). Central Obihiro is about 20–25km from Sarabetsu, so routing through the airport keeps things simple.

Some pet-friendly models are available (see the base page for eligible models and conditions; confirmed 2026-02-17). Overnight parking equipment and FF heater availability can also be checked on the base page. This is an easy base to consider if you’re renting a campervan for the first time.

Land at Obihiro Airport, switch straight into your campervan, and head east through Tokachi’s farmland without missing a beat — that’s the appeal of starting your trip in Obihiro.

→ See details and book Moving Inn Tokachi-Obihiro Airport Store

Vantrip (Tokachi Office)

A cabcon-only base, priced from ¥25,000/24h off-season and ¥34,000 in high season (confirmed 2026-02-17). That’s an accessible price point for a cabcon even by Hokkaido standards, worth comparing if you’re considering a larger vehicle. Vehicle lineup and NOC details are on the base page.

The base is at Nishi 12-jo Minami 1-27-1, Obihiro. It’s close to central Obihiro and easy to reach from Obihiro Station. Free delivery is available to Obihiro Airport and Obihiro Station, and paid delivery is also offered toward New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa (see the base page for delivery fees and conditions; confirmed 2026-02-17). You can also build a route starting from New Chitose and returning the vehicle in Obihiro, or the reverse.

Some pet-friendly models are available (see the base page for eligible models and conditions; confirmed 2026-02-17). Confirm the specific vehicle when booking.

A cabcon is built on a truck chassis and sits tall enough for an adult to stand and move around inside. That makes a real difference in comfort on trips of five nights or more. If a HiAce-based van feels cramped to you, Vantrip’s cabcons are worth starting with.

→ See details and book Vantrip Tokachi Office

Hokkaido Tokachi Rental Car White Birch Autobacs

Priced from ¥17,600/24h for kei-campers and ¥25,300 for vancons (confirmed 2026-03-11). White Birch is the only one of the three bases offering a kei-camper. The base sits inside an Obihiro Autobacs store, and having a physical storefront adds a sense of reassurance. Vehicle lineup and NOC details are summarized on the base page.

The base is at Nishi 6-jo Kita 1-chome 8-banchi, Obihiro. It’s close to central Obihiro, with good access from Obihiro Station. The official site has no listing for shuttle service from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport (confirmed 2026-03-11). A bus runs from the airport into central Obihiro, taking about 35–40 minutes to reach the area around Obihiro Station.

Listed vehicles are not pet-friendly, and one-way drop-off is not available (confirmed on the official site, 2026-03-11). Free loans of car accessories are a unique touch, making it easy to borrow gear you need on the road. This base suits travelers who’d rather handle the paperwork in person at an Autobacs storefront.

→ See details and book White Birch Autobacs

A Model Route Through Eastern Hokkaido, Starting From Obihiro

Starting from Obihiro shortens the distance to eastern Hokkaido’s main sights. Here’s an example 5-night, 6-day route covering Shiretoko, Akan, and Kushiro.

Day 1: Pick up in Obihiro → Explore central Obihiro / food crawl

Once you arrive, enjoy Tokachi’s food scene. Pork bowl, Indian Curry, Rokkatei, Ryugetsu — central Obihiro alone can fill a full day. Don’t rush your movements on day one; staying overnight at an RV park or michi-no-eki near Obihiro is recommended.

Day 2: Obihiro → Lake Shikaribetsu → Ashoro → Lake Akan (approx. 160km)

Route via Lake Shikaribetsu — Hokkaido’s highest-elevation lake — on the way to Lake Akan. Lake Shikaribetsu sees few tourists, so you can enjoy a quiet lakeside. If you’d like more time there, our Lake Shikaribetsu / Tokachigawa Onsen Drive Guide is also useful. The Lake Akan Onsen area has an RV park, so you can enjoy the hot springs and the lake at night.

Day 3: Lake Akan → Lake Mashu / Lake Kussharo → Toward Shiretoko (approx. 140km)

Route via the misty Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo to the entrance of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Lake Mashu is often shrouded in fog, and seeing it clear on a sunny day is considered a classic Hokkaido good-luck sign, said to mark you a “sunny person.” Lake Kussharo is known for the swans that winter there, and the quiet surface at dawn is memorable. There’s an RV park on the Utoro side, so staying two nights there as a base for exploring Shiretoko is a standard plan.

Day 4: Shiretoko / Shiretoko Five Lakes / Shiretoko Pass

The guided tour and kayak trips around the Shiretoko Five Lakes are popular. The view of Mt. Rausu from Shiretoko Pass is spectacular on a clear day. Brown bear sightings are frequent, so manage your food carefully and stay aware of where you walk. In summer, the “elevated boardwalk” course alone is free to enter, but the grassland course requires joining a guided tour. Since the chance of encountering a brown bear rises if you’re out early, it’s best to start moving a little later in the morning.

Day 5: Shiretoko → Kushiro Marshland → Kushiro City (approx. 180km)

From Shiretoko to the Kushiro Marshland. Early morning, with the marshland wrapped in fog, is the best time to see it. Enjoy seafood in Kushiro City and stay the night there; the following day, a route back to Obihiro is easy to arrange. Kushiro to Obihiro is about 120km, roughly two hours.

Day 6: Kushiro → Return in Obihiro

If you have time to spare, you can stop by Kofuku Station or Aikoku Station northwest of Obihiro on the way to your return. You can time your schedule around your Tokachi-Obihiro Airport flight.

Total driving distance for this route is roughly 850–900km, averaging about 150km a day — a comfortable pace for a campervan trip. For a sense of cost, see our One-Week Cost Simulation.

Getting to Obihiro From New Chitose Airport

If you’re flying in and using a base covered in our New Chitose Airport rental guide, there are three main ways to get to Obihiro.

• Connecting flight to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport: Transferring from New Chitose to an Obihiro-bound flight takes about 40 minutes. Vantrip also delivers to New Chitose Airport (see the base page for delivery fees; confirmed 2026-02-17), so a route of arriving at New Chitose and returning your vehicle at the Obihiro base is possible. It costs more in airfare, but arriving in Obihiro is the better call if you want to focus your time on eastern Hokkaido.
• Traveling by JR: The limited express Ozora takes about 2 hours 20 minutes from New Chitose Airport to Obihiro. Vantrip offers free delivery to Obihiro Station (confirmed 2026-02-17). Check the base page for Moving Inn Obihiro’s shuttle coverage.
• Driving yourself from central Hokkaido: Renting a different base in Sapporo or New Chitose, driving yourself to Obihiro, and returning the vehicle there — a one-way drop-off plan — currently requires inquiring directly with each company. The expressway from New Chitose to Obihiro takes about 2–2.5 hours, covering roughly 200km. If you’re planning a route that loops through central Hokkaido before heading to the east, confirm the details with each company in advance.

Note that the Obihiro/Tokachi area is inland, so summer temperatures can climb on some days. In the August high season, it can exceed 30°C, so it’s worth checking a vehicle’s ventilation and how well it breathes at night before booking. Autumn (September–October), on the other hand, overlaps with the autumn foliage and harvest season, when Tokachi’s farmland scenery is at its most beautiful. If you want to enjoy the views while avoiding crowds, late September through October is the sweet spot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: For renting a campervan in Obihiro/Tokachi, which is better — Moving Inn or Vantrip?

It’s easiest to decide by matching your travel style. If you want to keep costs down in a vancon, or you’re traveling as 2–4 people, Moving Inn Obihiro is a good fit. For groups of 4–6, or a relaxed trip in a cabcon, Vantrip is the better match. Both offer shuttle or delivery service to Obihiro Airport (confirmed 2026-02-17), so access by air is convenient either way.

Q2: How many nights do you need to cover eastern Hokkaido (Shiretoko, Akan, Kushiro) starting from Obihiro?

To cover Shiretoko, Lake Akan, and the Kushiro Marshland reasonably thoroughly, 5–7 nights is realistic. Shiretoko alone deserves at least two nights — rushing through it is where regrets tend to happen. If your time is limited, focusing on Shiretoko alone over 3–4 nights is also a valid option. Obihiro to Shiretoko-Utoro is about 230km and takes 3–4 hours, so it’s worth building in a buffer for travel days.

Q3: Can you bring a pet on a campervan trip in the Obihiro area?

Moving Inn Obihiro and Vantrip both have pet-friendly models available (see each base page for eligible models and conditions; confirmed 2026-02-17). White Birch’s listed vehicles are not pet-friendly (confirmed on the official site, 2026-03-11). If you want to bring a pet, specify the vehicle when booking and confirm. Eastern Hokkaido, including Shiretoko, is brown bear habitat, so extra care is needed managing a pet outdoors. Pet-friendly bases across Hokkaido are summarized in our Hokkaido Campervan Trip With Pets guide.

Q4: What’s the rental price in the Obihiro area?

As a 24-hour reference: kei-camper from ¥17,600 (White Birch, confirmed 2026-03-11), vancon from ¥15,400 (Moving Inn Obihiro, off-season, confirmed 2026-02-17), and cabcon from ¥25,000 (Vantrip, off-season, confirmed 2026-02-17). In high season (July–August), Moving Inn Obihiro rises to ¥36,850 and Vantrip to ¥34,000 (White Birch’s high-season price is not listed on its official site, confirmed 2026-03-11). Traveling in June or September makes it easier to keep costs down. For more, see our Hokkaido Campervan Rental Price Guide.

Q5: Is it inconvenient that White Birch has no airport shuttle?

White Birch’s official site has no listing for an airport shuttle (confirmed 2026-03-11). A bus runs from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport into central Obihiro, taking about 35–40 minutes to reach the area around Obihiro Station. White Birch’s base is relatively close to Obihiro Station, so getting there by bus plus a short walk, or by taxi, is a realistic option. If cost is your top priority, it’s still a workable choice.

If you’d like to compare with rental options in the Asahikawa area, also see our Asahikawa Campervan Rental Comparison.

For routes and crowd-avoidance tips when traveling the Obihiro/Tokachi area in summer, check our Summer Hokkaido Campervan Trip Guide.

Looking for places to park overnight in the Obihiro/Tokachi area? Our Obihiro/Tokachi RV Park Roundup lets you check by facility, including power hookups and restrooms.

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