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- Japan drives on the left, full stop. If you’re from a right side-country (i.e. a hard majority of the world), you’ll need to reorient yourself to be able to drive on the left.
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This guide covers all the essential details about driving in Japan. These include how to legally drive, understanding traffic rules, costs, safety, and parking concerns.
Aug 11, 2024 · This guide to driving in Japan for tourists covers: How to rent a car in Japan; What you need for renting a car in Japan; Japan driving laws and rules. Driving age; Driving side; Navigating; Petrol stations; Parking; Things that may surprise foreign drivers in Japan; When I would recommend (and not) driving in Japan
- Driving Requirements
- Pre-Trip Essentials
- On The Road
- Parking
- Other Useful Tips For Planning Your Japan Road Trip
1) Rental shops can have different age limits
The first thing we noticed was that car rental shops in Japan have varying age requirements for drivers. For example, our rental car from Toyota Rent A Car, had a minimum rental age of 18 years old and at least one year of driving experience, whereas Nippon Rent-a-carhas a minimum age of 20. *Note: Some rental shops like Hertzcharge a risk driving fee if the driver’s age is between 18 to 24 years old.
2) International Driving Permit (IDP) is required
The permit costs S$20 and you can apply it online at the Automobile Association website(at least two weeks in advance) or get it immediately in person at any AA Centre — there are three in Singapore (near Redhill, Geylang Bahru, and Ang Mo Kio MRT Stations). *Note: Your IDP is only valid for one year from the date of issue, so remember to renew yours if it’s expired!
3) Rent the car online ahead of time
While walk-ins are possible during shoulder seasons in Japan, it’s best to book them in advance. The problem with many car rental websites is that most of them are in Japanese so it’s hard to compare prices when you’re unsure what’s covered and what isn’t. Thankfully for international travel websites like Klook, we didn’t have to deal with the language barrier. (This post isn’t sponsored btw) We ended up with a Toyota Aqua for three days that cost ~S$247, including a free basic insurance plan...
4) Get car insurance
It may seem tempting to skimp on car insurance — don’t. In the event of any *touchwood*unfortunate events, scratches, and other car damages, expenses can easily rack up to a high figure! These costs may not be covered by regular travel insurance, so it’s worth paying a little extra than to risk the full cost. Most rental companies include a basic insurance plan that comes together with the car, but be sure to check on the excess. This means you will still have to pay for the damage up to that...
5) Check the car for existing damages
Don’t speed through the car inspection when picking up the car. Some rental staff are very meticulous and will mark out the faintest scratch on the car’s surface. We took pictures of all sides of the car and highlighted existing scratches during the inspection process before leaving to prevent any unnecessary fines.
7) Expressway toll booths
On the expressway, you’ll come across these toll gates. If you own an ETC, make sure to enter the ones labelled ‘ETC’. The barrier is kept up and will only drop down if the ETC is not detected. If not, look for general lanes marked ‘一般’, which accepts both cash and credit card payments. You’ll be given a ticket when you pass the first gantry and be asked to show the ticket and make payment when you exit the expressway. We noticed that not all exits have general lanes and may not always accept...
8) Speed limits
Japan has pretty strict driving laws so don’t expect to be drifting at Fast and Furiousspeeds. The speed limits vary but usually regular roads are 60km/h and expressways are 100km/h — so stay within the limit and don’t ruin your trip by earning a red ticket!
9) Road signs
Some might be confusing to foreign drivers. For instance, you might see a combination of arrows and circles in different colours — one red, one green, which do you follow? Essentially, the green arrows are what you adhere to. So in the case of the sign above, if you’re going straight or left, you may proceed. All other directions should stop. Some road signs are purely written inKanjior have symbols that are not as obvious. Below are some of the important ones to take note of. We recommend fa...
12) Parking lots have opening hours
For example, some operate from 8AM to 10PM, which means you won’t be able to retrieve your car if you need to leave early in the morning! On our road trip to Shizuoka, we found that these parking spaces are manually run by staff and are transported to the underground carpark by a car elevator. For more flexibility, keyword search “24 hour parking” in the town you are visiting in advance on Google Maps. These are unmanned so can make payment at the ticket machines before you leave. The machine...
13) Parking bumpers at coin-operated parking lots
If you come across coin-operated parking lots on your trip, don’t be confused fools like us. Basically, you’ll need to have a set of wheels (either the front or back) over the green parking bumper. After a few minutes, the sensor will detect your vehicle and a locking plate will rise and secure the car. To lower the locking plate, just pay the parking fee at the coin machine and you’re good to go! Prices may vary but it cost us ¥100/hour to park at Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida. As the instructi...
14) GPS navigation
Google Maps Google Mapsis reliable for navigating around Japan. Not only did it provide accurately timed routes, but we could also see if there was a traffic jam ahead. While creating our trip route on Google My Maps, we pre-saved the attraction locations to make them easier to retrieve. *Pro-tip:Zoom in on the map to find interesting places while planning your routes between destinations. MAPCODE Most rental cars have an in-built GPS system that uses the Mapcode system. This is an 11 digit l...
15) Inspiration for planning your own Japan itinerary
Driving in Japan may not be the most common option to get around but a road trip offers the flexibility that rail doesn’t. Public transport is not as readily available in smaller towns in the countryside, where hidden gems are abundant. And renting a car can be more convenient than you’d think, especially when you pre-book it online. We used Klookinstead of directly booking on car rental websites to avoid language barrier problems. *Pro-tip: Enter code or click here to...
Driving a car. Japan's large metropolitan areas around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are served by highly efficient public transportation systems. Consequently, many residents do not own a car or do not even possess a driver's license.
Jun 14, 2024 · Your ultimate resource for driving in Japan as a foreigner or tourist. Find information on driving permits, car rentals, and traffic rules here.
Sep 4, 2020 · In this article, we go over the important differences between driving in Japan and the rest of the world, walk through how to get your license and a car (including the international driving permit in Japan), explain what to do in an emergency, and drop a few tips learned from first-hand driving experience in Japan.
This post is about how to drive in JAPAN, and writes about : 1. Driving requirements. 2. Driving Permits. 3. Traffic rules. 4. Express High way. 5. Parking
