"Early March is a period when you may start to feel a hint of spring, but it's still a situation where you can't let your guard down completely. Depending on the region, it may feel like winter hasn't changed at all. By mid-March, some areas may see exposed road surfaces as the snow begins to melt. However, in mountainous and certain regions, March can still be considered winter."

Japs make some of the best studless winter tires in the world, equal to tires made in Europe and usually better than many US makers. Bridgestone Blizzak series is one of the most popular all over the world. Also Toyo, Dunlop, Yokohama make very good tires. The compound much, much softer and thread design for winter tire is very different from all-season and summer tires. There are also differences between typical snow tire and tires for icy surfaces. Let say that in snowy conditions like Hokkaido, Scandinavia, Canada, North Eastern USA you have no chance when the snow hits the ground. Living in Canada my first winter tires 30yrs ago were Nokia Hakkapelita from Finland and I will never drive on regular all seasons since then. Actually 20km from where I live, in province of Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from Dec 15 to mid March. Many countries have similar laws, including Japan.

Yes, a lot. Possible that winter tires are mandatory in Hokkaido during winter. They're very different in design from all-season tires.

"In the case of Hokkaido, snow chains are not necessary. However, in areas outside Hokkaido, there might be situations where snow chains are needed. This depends on whether snow removal is frequent or infrequent. A car with AWD is recommended. If you have a front-wheel-drive (FF) vehicle, carrying snow chains can provide peace of mind, although they may not be necessary in many cases. It's also useful to have a towing rope, a foldable shovel, and a snow helper. You can purchase these items at automotive supply stores and carry them in your vehicle."

This is similar to the rules in some parts of North America in mountain region, like Colorado, Utah, California, Wyoming. I know my sister always carries chains when driving in Lake Tahoe area - patrol basically blocks the road and everyone has to put chains on their wheels.

November's end marks the beginning of winter. There is not always snow guaranteed. Some years have early snowfall, while others have late snowfall. The beginning of winter sees many people unaccustomed to driving on snowy roads. Even if you drive safely, there is still a possibility of being involved in an accident. If possible, it's important to be attentive to your surroundings. If you are traveling from Sapporo to Asahikawa, be cautious of reduced visibility due to snow. The video provides a map illustration, but you will pass through well-known areas where reduced visibility due to snow occurs. Check the weather forecast the day before your journey, and please be cautious when using Google Maps. While Google Maps is highly capable, its efficiency can sometimes lead to suggesting shorter routes that may not be safe, especially on less-traveled roads. Please choose routes that use main roads like national highways to reach your destination. When driving on snowy roads, please use sunglasses. Everything is white, making it difficult to judge the terrain. Wearing sunglasses will help distinguish white and shadows, and this is also effective in bad weather. Contrast lenses are recommended. Just take it easy and drive at your own pace at first; there's no need to overthink it. Enjoy your drive on snowy roads! Have a great journey!

The best! Thank you very much!@@JohnSnowroad011

Akita is a region with heavy snowfall. If you plan to rent a car, an SUV is the most suitable choice. I will continue to create videos about driving on snowy roads in Japan. Have a safe and wonderful journey!