Driving in Japan
Complete guide for tourists and expats. Learn the road rules, speed limits, and essential information before you drive in Japan.
Can You Drive in Japan?
Accepted Licenses From
Validity Period: Valid for up to 1 year from date of entry into Japan (not from IDP issue date)
Important Note
Japan ONLY accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. IDPs from the 1968 Vienna Convention are NOT valid. Countries like Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, and Taiwan have separate bilateral agreements — drivers from these countries need an official Japanese translation of their license instead of an IDP. The IDP must be in the standard booklet format.
What to Carry in Your Car
Mandatory Items
- Valid driving license and IDP (must be 1949 Geneva Convention format)
- Passport (carry at all times as a foreign national)
- Japanese Beginner mark (Shoshinsha) if licensed less than 1 year
- Elderly driver mark (Koreisha) if 70+ years old
Recommended Items
- GPS/navigation device with English support
- ETC card for electronic toll payment on expressways
- Japanese phrasebook or translation app (road signs in rural areas may be in Japanese only)
Speed Limits
Urban Areas
km/h
Rural Roads
km/h
Highways/Motorways
km/h
Toll Roads
Payment Methods
Average Cost
¥500–10,000+ depending on distance; Tokyo to Osaka via expressway costs approximately ¥8,000–12,000
Japan has extensive toll expressways operated by NEXCO. The ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system offers discounts of up to 30% compared to cash payments. Rental cars usually come with ETC card readers. Late-night discounts (midnight to 4 AM) of 30% apply on most expressways.
Parking
Line Colors
Parking Tips
- Use coin parking lots (コインパーキング) — barriers lock your car in place and you pay at a machine when leaving
- Many convenience stores and shopping centers offer free parking for customers
- In major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, parking enforcement is very strict — illegally parked cars are ticketed within minutes
- Never double-park — strictly enforced
Average Cost: ¥200–600/hour in city centers; ¥1,500–3,000/day in urban parking garages; cheaper in rural areas
Common Mistakes Tourists Make
- 1Forgetting to drive on the LEFT side of the road — Japan drives on the left, which is disorienting for visitors from right-hand traffic countries
- 2Bringing an IDP based on the 1968 Vienna Convention — Japan only accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention
- 3Ignoring strict parking laws — parking on the street without a designated space can result in fines and your car being towed
- 4Running yellow/red lights — Japanese drivers are very rule-abiding and enforcement is strict
- 5Not stopping completely at railroad crossings (mandatory in Japan)
Traffic Fines
Speeding
¥9,000–¥35,000 for minor offenses (under 30 km/h over on regular roads); criminal prosecution for 30+ km/h over on regular roads or 40+ km/h over on expressways
No Seatbelt
No monetary fine, but 1 demerit point on license (enforced for driver and all passengers)
Phone Use
¥18,000 for holding a phone; ¥30,000+ and possible criminal charges if it causes danger
Red Light
¥9,000 (for ordinary vehicles) plus 2 demerit points
Illegal Parking
¥10,000–¥18,000 depending on vehicle size and zone
Ready to Drive in Japan?
Take a quick quiz to test your knowledge of the road rules.
Emergency Contacts
Police
110
Ambulance
119
Fire
119
Roadside Assistance
JAF (Japan Automobile Federation): #8139 from mobile phones — English support available 24/7
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
Want to Master Japan Driving Rules?
Practice with our driving test questions and learn all the rules before you drive.
