| Foreign tourists driving in Japan must carry both their original
driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under
the 1949 Geneva Convention. This version of the IDP can be obtained in
the UK and Hong Kong (application details can be found
here).
An IDP based on other conventions, including the 1968 Vienna Convention,
is not valid, even if it was issued by a signatory to the 1949 Geneva
Convention. |
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| Just like when searching for accommodation in Japan, the best price comparison can be made on Jalan. (There is also an English version of Jalan, but it’s recommended to use the original Japanese version with a browser translation tool, such as Google Translate, to get the best prices.) |
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Jalan website (Japanese version with Google
Translate), select 'Car rental' |
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Input pick-up/return dates, locations to search |
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All rental cars in Japan are equipped with an Electronic Toll Collection
(ETC) system, but you will need to either provide or rent an ETC card
for it to work. Many car-hire companies offer ETC cards, mostly with a
charge, but some free of charge, though others may not provide them.
Upon renting an ETC card, the staff at the car-hire agency will
typically insert it into the reader so it is ready for use. |
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| The main benefit of using the ETC system is the ability to pass
through toll gates quickly, with lower fees compared to paying cash.
However, consider how often you'll use toll roads. For example, in
regions like Okinawa (沖縄), where toll roads are rare, renting an ETC
card might not be worth it. |
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When driving a vehicle with an ETC card inserted, be sure to use the 'ETC
専用' (ETC only) or 'ETC/一般'
(ETC/General) lanes at toll gates. Slow down as you approach the gate,
and proceed only when the barrier opens. Non-ETC vehicles can pay by
cash or card in the 'ETC/一般'
or '一般'
(General) lanes. When entering, take a ticket, and when exiting, insert
the ticket to pay. |
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Sign for ETC only lanes |
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Sign for dual-use lane (both ETC and non-ETC
vehicles can pass through here) |
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For those accustomed to driving in Hong Kong or the UK, there should be
no problem with right-hand drive vehicles in Japan. However, if you are
new to driving in Japan, there are a few things to note, particularly
regarding blinkers, traffic lights, speed limits, and navigation. |
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In Hong Kong, drivers are typically aware that Japanese cars have
blinkers lever on the right side behind the steering wheel, while the
wipers are on the left; European cars have the opposite arrangement. UK
drivers, however, may find that, regardless of whether the car is
Japanese or European, if it's an official import (as opposed to a grey
import), the blinkers lever will be on the left. When I first moved to
the UK, I frequently turned on the wipers instead of the blinkers. Now
that I'm back in Asia, it takes a little time to adjust again. |
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In Hong Kong and the UK, vehicles and pedestrian traffic lights are
usually not in conflict; when the green light is on, you can generally
proceed safely. Japan, however, is different. At many intersections,
when the green light is on for vehicles, the green pedestrian signal for
same direction is also on! As shown in the image below: |
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(The above image was created by me, please credit the source if
reproduced) |
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As shown in the image above, both the vertical vehicle and pedestrian
signals are green, while the horizontal signals are all red.
Left-turning vehicles must stop at the zebra crossing on the left (where the
blue car is) and only continue once pedestrians have crossed.
Right-turning vehicles should stop after crossing the first zebra
crossing (where the
black car is) to give way to oncoming straight-moving vehicles
(white car). They must then stop again before reaching the right-hand
zebra crossing (where the
red car is) and proceed only after pedestrians have crossed. |
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| A level crossing is a point where a railway intersects with
a road, with trains having the right of way. Level crossings are
relatively unfamiliar to Hong Kong citizens, as there are no
public level crossings in the city. While the UK and Taiwan do
have level crossings, they are not as common as in Japan. |
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(The above image was created by me, please credit the source if
reproduced) |
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| As shown in the image above, when approaching a level
crossing, vehicles must stop before entering the track area (where the
red car is). Once the vehicle ahead has moved away and there is a
gap of at least one car length between it and the track area (as
indicated by the back arrow), the driver should check both sides
to ensure no trains are approaching before proceeding. Even if
there are no other vehicles ahead, it is still essential to stop
before the track area and check. Japanese drivers are well
accustomed to this procedure, and it is important not to act
rashly due to concerns about traffic building up behind you. |
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| If the barrier suddenly drops while you are crossing, do not
panic. Continue driving forward, as the barrier is designed to
avoid breaking and will lift in line with your vehicle's
windscreen as you move. After the barrier drops, the train will
typically arrive in 15 to 20 seconds. If your vehicle breaks
down or stalls on the level crossing, you must immediately exit
the vehicle and press the emergency button next to the crossing.
Above all, in any emergency situation, it is crucial to remain
calm. |
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While Japanese drivers are generally known for being law-abiding, this
does not always hold true on highways. Even if you are driving at the
maximum speed limit, other vehicles may overtake you, as speeding is
fairly common in Japan. |
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| There used to be an urban myth: 'Whether speeding or
illegally parked, if you don't speak Japanese and talk to the
police officers in English, they'll let you off because they
don't want the hassle.' According to a
report (written in Chinese only) by hk01, a Hong Kong-based online news portal, a Hong Kong family
was recently denied entry into Japan due to speeding. It seems
this urban myth has been dispelled, so to avoid any issues with
your trips, it's important to comply with local laws. |
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On ordinary roads in Japan, the speed limit is typically 50 km/h unless
otherwise posted. In densely populated areas, it may be as low as 30
km/h, with limits usually painted on the ground. On highways, the maximum
speed limit is 100 km/h, but this may very depending on road conditions,
weather, and other factors. Additionally, highways have a minimum speed
limit, usually 50 km/h, which may be lowered in certain situations. |
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Maximum speed limit sign (speed must not exceed
50 km/h) (image source: Wikipedia) |
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Minimum speed limit sign (with an underline
beneath the number, speed must not be less than 30 km/h) (image source: Wikipedia) |
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| All rental cars in Japan are equipped with navigation
systems. Based on personal experience, these systems tend to be
easier to operate than Google Maps, and they offer more accurate
road and regional information. The system language can be set to
either Japanese or English. |
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When using the navigation system, how you input your destination is
crucial. There are various ways to search for a location, such as by
building or landmark name, address, phone number, or Mapcode. Since
entering building names or addresses can be challenging for foreign
tourists, using the phone number is often the most convenient option. |
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However, there are some drawbacks to using phone numbers. Not all places
have a phone number (e.g., parks or remote scenic spots), and some
businesses may have listed a head office number rather than the location
of the store itself, which can lead to confusion. I've personally ended
up at the wrong location due to this issue. |
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After this experience, I now prefer to use Mapcodes for navigation. A
Mapcode consists of 6 to 10 digits, followed by an asterisk and two
additional digits, pinpointing the exact location. For example, the
Mapcode for Sensoji is '770 359*01'. |
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To find the Mapcode for a location, many Japanese people use the
Mapion website,
which is written in Japanese and requires several steps. Alternatively,
I recommend using the
Japan Map Code
website, which is based on Google Maps and is much easier to use –
simply click on the map to display the Mapcode. |
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The Japan Map Code interface is similar to
Google Maps |
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Similar to Google Maps, just enter the landmark
and click on the pin to display the Mapcode |
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