Rijden in Japan
Complete gids voor toeristen en expats. Leer de verkeersregels voordat je gaat rijden in Japan.
Mag je Rijden in Japan?
Geaccepteerde Rijbewijzen
Geldigheid: Valid for up to 1 year from date of entry into Japan (not from IDP issue date)
Belangrijke Opmerking
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.
Verplichte Uitrusting
Verplicht
- 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
Aanbevolen
- 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)
Snelheidslimieten
Bebouwde Kom
km/h
Buitenwegen
km/h
Snelwegen
km/h
Tol
Betaalmethoden
Gemiddelde Kosten
¥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.
Parkeren
Lijnkleuren
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
Gemiddelde Kosten: ¥200–600/hour in city centers; ¥1,500–3,000/day in urban parking garages; cheaper in rural areas
Veelgemaakte Fouten door Toeristen
- 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)
Boetes
Te Hard Rijden
¥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
Geen Gordel
No monetary fine, but 1 demerit point on license (enforced for driver and all passengers)
Telefoon
¥18,000 for holding a phone; ¥30,000+ and possible criminal charges if it causes danger
Rood Licht
¥9,000 (for ordinary vehicles) plus 2 demerit points
Fout Parkeren
¥10,000–¥18,000 depending on vehicle size and zone
Klaar voor Japan?
Doe een snelle quiz.
Noodnummers
Politie
110
Ambulance
119
Brandweer
119
Pechhulp
JAF (Japan Automobile Federation): #8139 from mobile phones — English support available 24/7
Partner link – opens GetYourGuide.com
