Japan drives on the left side of the road. The road system is excellent, signage is increasingly bilingual, and driving opens up rural areas that are nearly inaccessible by public transport. Here’s what foreigners need to know.

Can Foreigners Drive in Japan?

Yes. Foreigners can drive in Japan with either:

  1. An International Driving Permit (IDP) + your home country license (for short stays)
  2. A Japanese driver’s license (converted from your home license, or from scratch)

Option 1: International Driving Permit (IDP)

An IDP is a translation of your home country license into multiple languages. Japan accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

Who Can Use an IDP in Japan?

  • Visitors/tourists: Use your IDP for up to 1 year from the date you enter Japan
  • Residents: IDP is only valid for 1 year from your last entry — after that, you need a Japanese license

IDP Validity Exceptions

Countries whose licenses do NOT qualify for IDP use in Japan:

  • China, South Korea, and several others have separate bilateral agreements
  • If your IDP is from one of these countries, you may not be able to drive on it

Always verify with the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) before relying on an IDP.

Getting an IDP

  • Issued by your home country’s automobile association before you come to Japan
  • USA: AAA; UK: RAC/AA; Australia: NRMA; etc.
  • Cost: ~¥2,500 equivalent; valid 1 year
  • Get it before you leave your home country — it cannot be issued in Japan

Option 2: Converting Your License to a Japanese License

If you have a driver’s license from a recognized country, you can convert it to a Japanese license without a full driving test.

Countries with Simple Conversion (書き換え)

No written or practical test needed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, and others.

Countries Requiring Tests

USA, China, Brazil, and others must pass a written test and/or practical test at a driving test center (運転免許試験場).

Conversion Process (Simple Countries)

  1. Gather documents:
    • Home country license (original)
    • Japanese translation of your license (JAF provides this for ~¥3,000)
    • Residence card (在留カード)
    • Passport
    • Recent photos
    • Residence certificate (住民票)
  2. Visit your prefectural driver’s license center (免許センター)
  3. Pass a simple vision test and eye color recognition check
  4. Pay the fee (~¥2,500–4,000)
  5. Receive your Japanese license

Time Required

  • Simple conversion: half a day at the license center
  • Requires testing: multiple visits; written and practical tests

Japanese Traffic Rules

Basic Rules

  • Drive on the left
  • Speed limits: Urban 40–60 km/h; Expressway 100 km/h; some 120 km/h
  • Seat belts: mandatory for all passengers
  • 0.0 mg/mL blood alcohol for driving — even one drink can exceed this
  • Mobile phone use while driving: illegal (fine + points)
  • Running red lights: severe penalty

Parking

  • On-street parking is very limited — most parking is in paid lots (コインパーキング)
  • Coin parking rates: ¥200–600/hour in cities
  • Many shops and malls have free parking for customers

Expressways (高速道路)

  • Toll roads; pay by IC card (ETC) or at toll booths
  • Get an ETC card from a credit card company if you drive expressways regularly
  • Tolls: ~¥25–35/km

Renting a Car in Japan

Car rental is easy and excellent for rural exploration.

Major Rental Companies

  • Toyota Rent a Car — most locations
  • Nippon Rent-A-Car
  • Times Car — hourly car sharing, good in cities
  • OTS, Orix — competitive pricing

Documents Needed for Rental

  • IDP + home country license (tourists)
  • Japanese license (residents)
  • Credit card for deposit

Costs

  • Economy car: ¥4,000–8,000/day
  • Expressway tolls separate
  • Insurance: strongly recommended; typically ¥1,000–2,000/day extra

Car Sharing (カーシェア)

Times Car Share and doco de CARECO — rent by the hour from neighborhood parking lots. Requires a Japanese license and membership.

Buying a Car in Japan

For long-term residents:

  • Japanese used cars are very high quality — well-maintained with full service records
  • Major platforms: Goo-net (goo-net.com), Car Sensor, Yahoo Auctions
  • Buy from a dealer for peace of mind; private sellers can be cheaper
  • Shaken (車検) — mandatory 2-year vehicle inspection; costs ¥60,000–150,000