[Travel Information] Driving in Japan

中文版請按此

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. 　 - Toll roads and ETC cards - Blinkers (turn signal) - Traffic lights - Level crossing (railway crossing) - Speed limits - Navigation 　 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.) 　 ▲ Jalan website (Japanese version with Google Translate), select 'Car rental' 　 ▲ Input pick-up/return dates, locations to search 　 　 Toll roads and ETC cards 　 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. 　 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. 　 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. 　 ▲ Toll gate (image source: Google Maps) 　 ▲ Sign for ETC only lanes 　 ▲ Sign for General lanes 　 ▲ Sign for dual-use lane (both ETC and non-ETC vehicles can pass through here) 　 　 Blinkers (turn signal) 　 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. 　 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. 　 　 Traffic lights 　 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: 　 (The above image was created by me, please credit the source if reproduced) 　 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. 　 　 Level crossing (railway crossing) 　 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. 　 (The above image was created by me, please credit the source if reproduced) 　 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. 　 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. 　 　 Speed limits 　 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. 　 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. 　 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. 　 ▲ Maximum speed limit sign (speed must not exceed 50 km/h) (image source: Wikipedia) 　 ▲ Minimum speed limit sign (with an underline beneath the number, speed must not be less than 30 km/h) (image source: Wikipedia) 　 　 Navigation 　 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. 　 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. 　 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. 　 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'. 　 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. 　 ▲ The Japan Map Code interface is similar to Google Maps 　 ▲ Similar to Google Maps, just enter the landmark and click on the pin to display the Mapcode

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