Driving in Japan

An International Driving Permit is not automatically valid

Japan accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, subject to its validity and entry-date conditions. Do not assume an IDP issued under a different convention is accepted. Some licence holders instead use their original licence with an authorised Japanese translation. Use JAF: valid driving licences in Japan to check the route that applies to your issuing country.

Confirm documents before paying for the rental: show the provider exactly what licence and permit or translation you will bring. Keep the originals and the required travel documents available at collection. A booking confirmation does not establish your legal eligibility to drive.

Learn the stop sign and traffic-light rules

The Japanese stop sign is a red inverted triangle, often marked 止まれ and sometimes STOP. Come to a complete stop and check both directions. A red light requires stopping; do not import a turn-on-red habit. A green directional arrow permits movement in its indicated direction subject to other road users. See the signs and explanations in the National Police Agency: safe driving in Japan (PDF).

Make a short sign-review session part of trip preparation. Distinguish stop, no entry and speed restriction signs before looking at the first junction on your route. Use Japan Automobile Federation: traffic rules for the wider sign reference and local conventions.

Right turns cross opposing traffic

When turning right, yield to opposing vehicles continuing straight or turning left. Yield to pedestrians at intersections, and stop for people crossing or about to cross at a pedestrian crossing. These are core points in the National Police Agency’s guidance linked above.

Study your first junctions while parked at the rental depot. Decide where the receiving lane is and leave enough time to check the whole crossing area. If navigation gives a late instruction, continue legally and reroute from a safe place instead of forcing the turn.

Make tolls, parking and navigation part of collection

Ask how your rental handles expressway tolls and whether the car has an ETC arrangement you are authorised to use. Have the staff explain the appropriate toll lanes and payment method for your booking. Confirm parking at your accommodation before committing to a city driving route.

Set the navigation language, learn how the destination is entered and save your first stop before leaving. Ask staff to demonstrate the indicators, wipers and demister. Choose a first journey that lets you settle into the car without a tight check-in deadline or complicated parking search.

Separate virtual familiarity from Japanese road knowledge

Leftside’s left-lane lesson and right-hand-drive cockpit let you explore the changed seating position. Choose km/h for the display. The town uses UK-style conventions, so its signs, roundabouts and lessons are not Japanese driver training. Return to JAF’s local rules before your real drive.