Driving in Japan: Essential Tips for Visitors from the United States

Japan’s roads reward drivers with mountain passes, smooth expressways, and spectacular scenery—but the traffic rules and road culture differ markedly from those in the United States. Use the guidance below to stay safe, legal, and relaxed on your next Drivers Lounge tour.

1. Documents You Must Carry

Item	Why it matters
U.S. driver’s license	Confirms your driving privilege.
International Driving Permit (IDP)	Japan recognises only IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Permits under the 1968 Convention are invalid.
Passport	Verifies your entry date and visa status.
Rental agreement & insurance card	Proof of insurance is mandatory; keep the contract in the car.

Apply for the IDP through AAA or AATA before leaving the United States. Same-day service is available at most branches for a US $20 fee; allow at least two weeks if applying by mail.

2. Left-Side Driving: Core Adjustments

• Lane position – All traffic keeps left; the steering wheel is on the right.

• Turns at red lights – No right-on-red unless a green arrow or light is lit.

• Stop signs – Inverted red triangles marked 止まれ (“tomare”).

• Rail crossings – Come to a full stop even when the barrier is up; failure to stop carries a fine.

Expect narrow lanes in towns and mirrors on blind corners. Take them slowly until you feel the car’s left-hand dimensions.

3. Speed Limits and Enforcement

Road type	Typical limit
Urban streets	40 km/h (25 mph)
Residential streets	30 km/h (19 mph)
Rural highways	50–60 km/h (31–37 mph)
Expressways	80–100 km/h (50–62 mph); some newer sections allow 120 km/h (75 mph)

Speed cameras, unmarked patrol cars, and roadside radar are common. Fines rise sharply with each 10 km/h increment over the limit.

4. Tolls, ETC, and Expressway Basics

Japan’s long-distance expressways are tolled (average cost ≈ ¥25 per km plus a ¥150 entry fee).

Payment options

1. ETC card – Slides into the in-car reader; the barrier lifts automatically and discounts apply on off-peak sections. Most rental agencies loan a card for roughly ¥330.

2. Cash/credit – Take a ticket at entry, hand it over with payment at exit.

Service Areas (SA) and Parking Areas (PA) every 30–50 km provide restrooms, fuel, food courts, and even showers—ideal for long stints between mountain runs.

5. Prohibited Behavior and Penalties

Offence	Key difference from U.S. rules	Typical penalty
Hand-held phone use	Strictly banned even when stopped in traffic.	Fines up to ¥18,000 and six penalty points.
Alcohol	Legal BAC is 0.03 % (vs. 0.08 % in many U.S. states).	Fines up to ¥1 million and up to five years’ imprisonment.
Seat belts	Mandatory for all occupants; child seats required under six years.	Immediate roadside fines.
Blocking intersections	Enter only if you can clear it.	¥7,000–¥9,000 fines.

Police conduct random breath tests at holiday checkpoints. Refusal carries the same penalty as failure.

6. Navigation & Signage

• Bilingual signs (Japanese & English) appear on expressways and national routes.

• Mapcodes—short numeric references—are recognised by most Japanese GPS units and help when addresses are hard to enter.

• Google Maps offers reliable turn-by-turn voice guidance but may lag slightly on lane-by-lane prompts.

7. Fuel, Parking, and Everyday Logistics

Fuel types

Nozzle colour	Fuel type	Label
Red	Regular	レギュラー
Yellow	Premium	ハイオク
Green	Diesel	軽油

Self-service is common; press the on-screen English button if available. Major credit cards are accepted, but rural pumps may require cash.

Parking systems

Coin-operated surface lots clamp a plate under the car; pay at the kiosk before driving off. Multi-storey garages use automated lifts—wait for the rotating platform to align before entering. Illegal parking is towed quickly in cities; retrieval fees exceed ¥20,000.

8. Courtesy and Road Etiquette

• Two quick flashes of the hazard lights is the customary “thank you.”

• Drivers often reverse into spaces for faster exits.

• Use headlights in tunnels and whenever visibility is poor—daytime running lights are uncommon.

• Yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings; fines apply for failing to stop.

9. Emergency Numbers

Situation	Number
Police / Traffic accident	110
Ambulance & Fire	119
Roadside assistance (JAF)	#8139 (mobile)

Carry the rental firm’s accident report form; police reports are mandatory for any incident.

10. Quick-Reference Checklist for U.S. Drivers

1. IDP + U.S. license + passport

2. Left lane, right steering wheel

3. 40 km/h city / 100 km/h expressway unless posted

4. Full stop at rail crossings

5. Zero-tolerance phone use; near-zero alcohol

6. ETC card ready, or cash for tolls

7. Fuel types: regular = red nozzle

8. Hazard flash to say thanks

9. Emergency? Dial 110 (police)

   
   

Begin Your Japan Driving Adventure

With the essentials in hand, you can focus on the experience: carving through Hakone’s bends, coasting along coastal highways, and immersing yourself in Japan’s renowned driving culture.

For complete peace of mind, Drivers Lounge provides government-registered, fully insured rental cars. Each tour includes fuel, tolls, and a bilingual navigation system, so you never have to decipher unfamiliar road signs or fuel pumps. A dedicated guide is on hand throughout the journey, resolving issues as they arise and ensuring the experience remains effortless as well as exhilarating.