DrivingDirections.net

Road guide

Driving in Japan

A usable route needs more than translated place names. Confirm the driver's documents, left-side road rules, live restrictions and the expressway payment method.

Plan a route in Japan
Compare driving distances Estimate fuel or EV cost Convert kilometres and miles

Verify the licence before booking the vehicle

Japan's National Police Agency lists the licence documents that permit driving, including qualifying Japanese licences, Geneva Convention international driving permits and a limited group of foreign licences under specified conditions. Eligibility depends on the issuing jurisdiction and document form.

Confirm the exact licence, translation and entry-date requirements with the current NPA guidance and rental company before payment. An international permit that is invalid for Japan does not become valid because a rental reservation was accepted.

Sources: [2][1]

Plan on this site

Calculate your route

Enter a start and destination, plus up to three optional stops in travel order. The calculation opens on DrivingDirections.net with distance, estimated time, a route overview and turn-by-turn directions.

Travel mode

Type at least three characters for optional city or address suggestions. You can also submit a complete address without selecting a suggestion.

Keep left and learn the Japanese signs

Vehicles drive on the left. NPA guidance warns right-side drivers to take special care after turns and at intersections, and explains that Japanese rules and signs may differ from those in the driver's home country.

Use the current police material for signs, signals, seat belts, phones and accident duties. Posted signs and police directions control the actual road.

Sources: [3][4][1]

Check live restrictions and expressway payment separately

MLIT's road-information gateway links congestion information by expressway and region. Expressway operators also publish live congestion, accidents, closures, works and restrictions, so recheck the exact corridor immediately before travel.

Many expressways charge tolls. Confirm the current route, vehicle class, accepted lane and rental ETC arrangement with the operator; a route estimate does not prove the fare or that an ETC-only facility can be used.

Sources: [5][6][7]

Before driving in Japan

  • Confirm the licence or permit category, required translation and rental conditions before collection.
  • Set a keep-left reminder for turns, junctions and departures after a stop.
  • Check current expressway and regional road restrictions, then confirm toll and ETC arrangements for the vehicle.
  • After a collision, stop and assist injured people; call 119 for an ambulance and report the crash to police on 110, including when no one is injured.

Sources: [2][3][6]

Official information

Official sources

  1. Traffic Bureau National Police Agency of Japan · checked 7 September 2026
  2. For holders of foreign driver's licences National Police Agency of Japan · checked 7 September 2026
  3. Follow the rules and drive safely in Japan National Police Agency of Japan · checked 7 September 2026
  4. Traffic Rules in Japan National Police Agency of Japan · checked 7 September 2026
  5. Road traffic congestion information Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism · checked 7 September 2026
  6. Expressway information and tools NEXCO East Japan · checked 7 September 2026
  7. Driving on expressways Chubu District Transport Bureau, MLIT · checked 7 September 2026