Snow tyre season in Japan

It is the time of year to change your tyres in Japan, if you haven't already done so. This is an alien concept in my home country, Ireland, where people use the same tyres all year round. But it is common in other parts of Europe, where they have harsher winters. Moreover, it is a mandatory legal requirement in some European countries. 

In Japan, it is also a mandatory requirement to have winter tyres in areas where it snows. Tyre chains are also used for added safety.  For those who are new to Japan and new to the idea of changing tyres in winter, make sure you change your tyres before the snow comes in your area. If you don't want to change them yourself, you can pay to have them changed at a service station or at a tyre shop.

If you are renting a car in a mild weather area such as Tokyo, but planning to travel to a mountainous area or snow country, make sure you tell the rental company. Each year there are several accidents involving rental cars, that were rented in an area without snow, then used to travel to a snowy region. If you are not used to driving in snow and do so without the proper tyres it is dangerous not only to you, but to your passengers and everyone else on the road too.

I live in Saitama Prefecture, which is beside Tokyo. Like Tokyo, we don't get much snow and our winters are relatively mild. However, we chose to change our tyres in winter, because we often travel to other prefectures where they have harsher winters. Do you put snow tyres on your car in winter?