Driving in Japan could be daunting for somebody who hardly ever drives in Singapore, however this information will make issues higher (hopefully).
On our latest journey to Japan, we needed to discover smaller cities which had been inaccessible by public transport — so (sadly) I needed to take the wheel ????.
It was my first time driving in Japan and there have been loads of mini tradition shocks on the highway — highway indicators I’d by no means seen, and visitors mild indicators on a T-junction that appears to contradict each other.
The solely assurance was that each Japan and Singapore drive on the left facet of the highway, phew.
From renting automobiles in Japan, to attempting our greatest to not piss off the locals, right here’s the driving information to Japan we wished we had earlier than embarking on our personal highway journey!
Click to leap to related sections:
Driving Requirements | Pre-trip Essentials | On the Road | Parking | Tips for Planning your Japan Road Trip
Driving Requirements
1) Rental outlets can have totally different age limits
The very first thing we seen was that automobile rental outlets in Japan have various age necessities for drivers.
For instance, our rental automobile from Toyota Rent A Car, had a minimal rental age of 18 years previous and not less than one yr of driving expertise, whereas Nippon Rent-a-car has a minimal age of 20.
*Note: Some rental outlets like Hertz cost a threat driving charge if the motive force’s age is between 18 to 24 years previous.
2) International Driving Permit (IDP) is required
The allow prices S$20 and you may apply it on-line on the Automobile Association web site (not less than two weeks upfront) or get it instantly in individual at any AA Centre — there are three in Singapore (close to Redhill, Geylang Bahru, and Ang Mo Kio MRT Stations).
*Note: Your IDP is barely legitimate for one yr from the date of subject, so bear in mind to resume yours if it’s expired!
Pre-trip Essentials
3) Rent the automobile on-line forward of time
While walk-ins are potential throughout shoulder seasons in Japan, it’s greatest to ebook them upfront. The downside with many automobile rental web sites is that the majority of them are in Japanese so it’s laborious to check costs while you’re not sure what’s coated and what isn’t.
Thankfully for worldwide journey web sites like Klook, we didn’t must cope with the language barrier. (This put up isn’t sponsored btw)
We ended up with a Toyota Aqua for 3 days that price ~S$247, together with a free primary insurance coverage plan. The pick-up at Toyota Rent A Car Shinjuku Minamiguchi was seamless as we paid on-line beforehand. We simply wanted to supply the reserving affirmation, our passports, a bank card, and IDP.
4) Get automobile insurance coverage
It could appear tempting to stint on automobile insurance coverage — don’t.
In the occasion of any *touchwood* unlucky occasions, scratches, and different automobile damages, bills can simply rack as much as a excessive determine! These prices might not be coated by common journey insurance coverage, so it’s price paying a bit further than to threat the total price.
Most rental corporations embrace a primary insurance coverage plan that comes along with the automobile, however you should definitely test on the surplus. This means you’ll nonetheless must pay for the injury as much as that quantity ought to there be any accidents. If the “Zero Excess” possibility isn’t too costly, it’s greatest to go together with that.
*Pro-tip: Take be aware of necessary numbers on the insurance coverage pamphlet from the store within the occasion of an emergency.
5) Check the automobile for present damages
Don’t velocity by the automobile inspection when choosing up the automobile. Some rental employees are very meticulous and can mark out the faintest scratch on the automobile’s floor.
We took photos of all sides of the automobile and highlighted present scratches throughout the inspection course of earlier than leaving to stop any pointless fines.
6) Rent a reloadable card to pay for freeway tolls
Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) playing cards are a cashless solution to pay freeway tolls, just like money playing cards in Singapore.
We rented the cardboard for ~¥330 on the rental store when accumulating the automobile for larger comfort on the highway. Instead of pre-loading worth within the card, we may settle the overall quantity once we returned the automobile.
On the Road
7) Expressway toll cubicles
On the expressway, you’ll come throughout these toll gates. If you personal an ETC, ensure that to enter those labelled ‘ETC’. The barrier is stored up and can solely drop down if the ETC is just not detected.
If not, search for basic lanes marked ‘一般’, which accepts each money and bank card funds. You’ll be given a ticket while you move the primary gantry and be requested to point out the ticket and make cost while you exit the expressway.
We seen that not all exits have basic lanes and should not at all times settle for bank card funds, so we advocate getting the ETC card for comfort.
8) Speed limits
Japan has fairly strict driving legal guidelines so don’t count on to be drifting at Fast and Furious speeds.
The velocity limits range however normally common roads are 60km/h and expressways are 100km/h — so keep throughout the restrict and don’t damage your journey by incomes a purple ticket!
9) Road indicators
Some may be complicated to international drivers.
For occasion, you may see a mix of arrows and circles in numerous colors — one purple, one inexperienced, which do you observe?
Essentially, the inexperienced arrows are what you adhere to. So within the case of the signal above, in case you’re going straight or left, it’s possible you’ll proceed. All different instructions ought to cease.
Some highway indicators are purely written in Kanji or have symbols that aren’t as apparent. Below are a few of the necessary ones to be aware of.
We advocate familiarising your self with this checklist of Japanese highway indicators earlier than embarking in your journey.
10) Watch out for wildlife on the highway, know what to do in case of roadkill
You may come throughout animal hazard highway indicators in your Japan journey, particularly in areas like Nara, that are well-known for his or her free-roaming native deers.
Apart from deer, you’ll additionally discover different wildlife like tanukis, foxes, monkeys, and even bears within the Japanese countryside, relying on the area. In the occasion of roadkill, name 110 to alert the authorities, and notify the automobile insurance coverage firm.
11) Rest stops and petrol stations
Photo credit score: Central Nippon Expressway
Other than petrol top-ups, there are various choices to take a break on main expressways. From onsens to mini theme parks, some even provide in a single day lodging in handy areas for lengthy, evening drives.
If you’re within the Mt. Fuji space, try Fujikawa Service Area — decked out with a Ferris wheel, canine park, cafes and even a tax-free store. The better part is you get a full view of Mt. Fuji as a backdrop!
Parking
12) Parking heaps have opening hours
For instance, some function from 8AM to 10PM, which suggests you gained’t be capable of retrieve your automobile if it’s good to depart early within the morning!
On our highway journey to Shizuoka, we discovered that these parking areas are manually run by employees and are transported to the underground carpark by a automobile elevator.
For extra flexibility, key phrase search “24 hour parking” within the city you might be visiting upfront on Google Maps. These are unmanned so could make cost on the ticket machines earlier than you allow. The machines normally solely settle for money and can dispense a ticket to insert on the carpark gantry while you exit.
*Pro-tip: Ask your lodging for the closest parking spot if there’s no on-site parking.
13) Parking bumpers at coin-operated parking heaps
If you come throughout coin-operated parking heaps in your journey, don’t be confused fools like us.
Basically, you’ll have to have a set of wheels (both the entrance or again) over the inexperienced parking bumper. After a couple of minutes, the sensor will detect your automobile and a locking plate will rise and safe the automobile.
To decrease the locking plate, simply pay the parking charge on the coin machine and also you’re good to go!
Prices might range nevertheless it price us ¥100/hour to park at Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida.
As the directions are in Japanese, we spent a great 10 minutes attempting to determine this out so don’t be fools like us!
Other Useful Tips for Planning your Japan Road Trip
14) GPS navigation
Google Maps
Google Maps is dependable for navigating round Japan. Not solely did it present precisely timed routes, however we may additionally see if there was a visitors jam forward.
While creating our journey route on Google My Maps, we pre-saved the attraction areas to make them simpler to retrieve.
*Pro-tip: Zoom in on the map to search out fascinating locations whereas planning your routes between locations.
MAPCODE
Most rental automobiles have an in-built GPS system that makes use of the Mapcode system. This is an 11 digit location code yow will discover on the Japan Mapcode webpage. Alternatively, you may obtain the native navigation app NaviBridge.
*Note: These codes usually are not discovered on Google maps
15) Inspiration for planning your individual Japan itinerary
Driving in Japan might not be the most typical choice to get round however a highway journey presents the pliability that rail doesn’t. Public transport is just not as available in smaller cities within the countryside, the place hidden gems are plentiful.
If you’re on the lookout for inspiration for locations to go to, try the next itineraries on previous highway journeys we’ve got been on:
– 7-Day Okinawa Itinerary Under S$1.2k — Road Trip in Japan’s Underrated Island Utopia
– 7D Japan Itinerary For S$1.3k — A Tokyo and Mount Fuji Adventure
– First Timer’s Guide to Shikoku — 13 Unique Things to Do in Japan Besides Sightseeing
– 7D6N Japan Itinerary Under S$1.4k — Road Trip from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Beyond
Have any extra questions on driving in Japan? Let us know within the feedback!