The Japanese rail network is known for its punctuality and efficiency. However, the car often remains the best way to explore rural areas, mountains, coasts or villages far from major tourist attractions. Renting a car offers great freedom of movement, provided you know local rules and administrative formalities. Here’s all you need to know before you drive in Japan.
Why rent a car in Japan?
In major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima or Fukuoka, public transport is easy to travel through a dense network of trains, metros and buses.
On the other hand, as soon as one moves away from the large agglomerations, the services become more limited. Buses sometimes travel only a few times a day and some natural or cultural attractions are difficult to reach without a vehicle.
Renting a car then becomes particularly interesting to visit areas such as the Japanese Alps, the Noto Peninsula, Shikoku, Kyushu, Hokkaido or many country villages. It also makes it possible to organise its itinerary without depending on the timetable of the transport.
What permit does it take to drive in Japan?
Contrary to a common idea, the international driving licence issued in France is not recognized in Japan. Here’s what you need to know to drive legally:
In order to drive legally, holders of a French licence must present:
- their original French driving licence;
- an official Japanese translation by the Japan Automobile Federation.
This translation is mandatory and must be obtained before driving.
Obtain the official translation of his licence
The official translation is issued only by the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). This can be done by all offices of the organization. The office near Shiba Park in Tokyo regularly welcomes foreign travellers and its staff generally speak English. In smaller offices, it may be useful to prepare a written request in Japanese.
To apply, you must submit:
- the original driving licence;
- the official completed translation request form;
- Translation costs of approximately 3,000 yen.
Time frames vary across offices. Some agencies issue the translation on the same day, while others request one to two weeks. The date of availability shall be communicated at the time of filing of the file.
For a long stay of more than one year, it is also possible to obtain a Japanese permit after various steps including a theoretical examination, a practical examination and an aptitude check.
Once the translation is in hand, it remains to master the local rules. Good news: they are close to the French, with a few exceptions.
The main rules of conduct in Japan
The traffic rules are similar to those applied in France, which makes it easier for foreign drivers to take charge. The minimum age for driving is 18. The following are the differences that are absolutely necessary:
The main difference concerns the direction of traffic: in Japan, you drive to the left. Exceedances are therefore carried out by the right of the vehicle and the steering wheel is located on the right.
Another particular feature is that the tricolor lights are installed on the other side of the intersections. It is important to stop before the crossroads.
The STOP panels are easily recognizable thanks to their inverted red triangle bearing the Japanese inscription
Speed limitations are generally:
- 30 to 50 km/h in town;
- 60 km/h on ordinary roads;
- 100 km/h on most motorways.
As in France, the use of the telephone behind the wheel is prohibited, the wearing of the belt is mandatory for all occupants and parking is strictly restricted.
Rent a car in Japan
Unless you arrive with your own vehicle by ferry, renting is the simplest solution. The main agencies present throughout the country are Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Orix Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, Nissan Rent a Car and Ekiren. Here’s how to choose:
These signs have hundreds of agencies in stations, airports and large cities. They offer cities, sedans, SUVs, monospaces and more spacious vehicles for families.
Most have an English-language website to make a reservation before departure.
Prices are relatively uniform and usually start around 5,000 yen for a rental day, depending on the vehicle category and period.
Filling up gas in Japan
Japan has two types of service stations: self-service stations and personnel stations. Both work differently, here’s how to get there:
Self-service service stations
Automatic stations operate with a touch screen. The payment can usually be made in cash (”) orgenkin) or by credit card (”) orkurejitto kādo).
The screen then asks if you have a loyalty card:
- (ari) : yes ;
- (nashi) : no.
Then select the fuel type:
- (Regular) : unleaded petrol;
- (High Octane) : premium petrol ;
- (Keiyu) : diesel fuel for diesel vehicles.
The full size corresponds to the option mantan). Payment may be made before or during refueling depending on the stations.
Service stations with staff
In traditional stations, just stop in front of the pump and cut off the engine. The employee usually requests the type of fuel, the desired quantity and the method of payment.
Some useful expressions facilitate the exchange:
- Mantan: full.
- Genkin ofPayment in cash.
- Kurejitto kādo dePayment by credit card.
During filling, employees often clean the windscreen and can put a cloth back on to clean the interior windows. If the exit of the station leads to a busy road, an employee may ask in which direction you wish to leave to help you get into traffic.
The full fact remains to understand how Japanese highways operate, paid and equipped with the ETC system.
Japanese highways and the ETC system
The Japanese motorway network is particularly developed and makes it possible to quickly reach the main regions of the country. Exchangers are calledIC, forInterchange. Here’s how to manage tolls:
The highways are paid. Two payment methods are available:
- regular cash or credit card payments;
- the electronic ETC system (Electronic Toll Collection).
The ETC works as a toll and allows you to cross the barriers without stopping. Japanese residents usually use an ETC card box, but travellers can often rent a box directly from their rental agency.
This option is strongly recommended as it facilitates journeys, reduces waiting times at tolls and allows the use of ETC lanes.
Tips for serene driving in Japan
Driving in Japan is generally pleasant. Motorists respect speed limits, show courtesy and roads are particularly well maintained. Here are the last reflexes to adopt:
A GPS available in English is often offered with rental vehicles and facilitates travel. Navigation apps like Google Maps also work efficiently.
Finally, it is recommended that a budget be provided for tolls, sometimes high over long distances, as well as for parking in city centres where paid parking is the norm.
Renting a car in Japan allows access to landscapes, villages and natural sites difficult to access by train. With an official translation of the license, some knowledge of local rules and a good preparation of the itinerary, driving in Japan becomes a simple, comfortable and ideal solution to discover the country in complete freedom.
|
If this article has brought you useful information and can help other travellers prepare for their stay, a Google review will always be appreciated. |
|
Frequently asked questions about driving in Japan
Do you need an international license to drive in Japan?
No, the international classic driving licence (the grey booklet issued in France) is not recognized in Japan. For French licence holders, the only legal solution is to present their original French licence with an official Japanese translation issued by the Japan Automobile Federation. This translation costs about 3,000 yen (18 €) and can be obtained in one day in the large offices (Tokyo Shiba, Osaka) or in 1 to 2 weeks by mail. Without this document, you will not be able to rent a car or drive, even with an international license.
How much does renting a car in Japan cost?
Count 5 000 to 8 000 yen (30 to 50 €) per day for a city (type Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit), 8 000 to 12 000 yen (50 to 75 €) for a compact sedan or SUV, and 15 000 to 20 000 yen (90 to 125 €) for a 7-seat monospace. These rates include basic insurance but not ETC (toll box, about 300 yen/day) or fuel. Book 1 to 2 months in advance in high season (spring, autumn) to enjoy the best rates. Airport agencies (Narita, Haneda, Kansai) are more expensive than those in the city centre.
Can we drive with a French license in Japan without translation?
No, it’s strictly forbidden. The JAF translation is a mandatory document that Japanese law enforcement forces control during a roadside inspection. Driving without it is punishable by a fine of up to 300 000 yen (about 1,800 €) and imprisonment. Rental agencies systematically refuse to issue a vehicle without this document. Take the step before you leave (the JAF has offices in the big cities, but also in some rural prefectures), or as soon as you arrive in a JAF office. Provide a photocopy of the permit and translation in case of loss.
What are the speed limits in Japan?
The limitations are strict and controlled by many automatic radars (orni, ornis). In town: 30 to 50 km/h according to the axes, with very frequent 30 areas near schools. On ordinary roads: 60 km/h by default, sometimes 50 or 40 km/h in residential areas. On motorways: 100 km/h on the majority of the network, 80 km/h on some urban sections (such as the Shuto Expressway in Tokyo) and 120 km/h on the most recent sections (Tomei, Shin-Tomei). Exceeding 30 km/h can result in an immediate suspension of the permit and a fine of 30,000 to 100,000 yen (180 to 600 €).
How does the ETC toll system work in Japan?
The ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) is a toll box installed in the vehicle that allows you to cross the barriers without stopping. It rents from agencies (300 to 500 yen/day) and operates with an ETC card inserted in the box. Highway fares are high: a Tokyo-Osaka by car costs about 12,000 to 15,000 yen (72 to 90 €) of toll, compared to 14,000 yen in Shinkansen. Without ETC, you pay in cash or by card to manual cabins, with longer queues. Urban highways (Shuto Expressway, Hanshin Expressway) have flat rates (about 1,000 yen per entry).
What to do in case of breakdown or accident in Japan?
In the event of a breakdown, call the assistance of your rental agency (number provided in the contract, often in English) or the JAF at #8139 (24 hour road assistance service, accessible from a Japanese phone). For an accident, call the police at 110 (mandatory, even without injury), then your agency. Do not move vehicles until police arrive unless there is immediate danger. The amicable findings (jiko shomeisho) are in Japanese but agencies provide bilingual forms. In case of injury, call 119 (ambulance). Keep a copy of the policy report for insurance, which is required to be reimbursed.
Discover more from Evasions Rebelles - Travel Planner Japon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
