Driving in Japan might be daunting for somebody who not often drives in Singapore, however this information will make issues higher (hopefully).
On our current journey to Japan, we needed to discover smaller cities which have 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 street — street indicators I’d by no means seen, and site visitors gentle alerts on a T-junction that appears to contradict each other.
The one assurance was that each Japan and Singapore drive on the left facet of the street, phew.
From renting vehicles 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 street journey!
Click on to leap to related sections:
Driving Necessities | Pre-trip Necessities | On the Highway | Parking | Ideas for Planning your Japan Highway Journey
Driving Necessities
1) Rental retailers can have totally different age limits
The very first thing we observed was that automotive rental retailers in Japan have various age necessities for drivers.
For instance, our rental automotive from Toyota Hire A Automotive, had a minimal rental age of 18 years previous and at the very least one 12 months of driving expertise, whereas Nippon Hire-a-car has a minimal age of 20.
*Notice: Some rental retailers like Hertz cost a danger driving payment if the driving force’s age is between 18 to 24 years previous.
2) Worldwide Driving Allow (IDP) is required
The allow prices S$20 and you may apply it on-line on the Vehicle Affiliation web site (at the very least 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).
*Notice: Your IDP is just legitimate for one 12 months from the date of situation, so bear in mind to resume yours if it’s expired!
Pre-trip Necessities
3) Hire the automotive on-line forward of time
Whereas walk-ins are attainable throughout shoulder seasons in Japan, it’s greatest to e book them upfront. The issue with many automotive rental web sites is that almost all of them are in Japanese so it’s laborious to match costs if you’re uncertain what’s lined and what isn’t.
Fortunately for worldwide journey web sites like Klook, we didn’t must cope with the language barrier. (This publish isn’t sponsored btw)
We ended up with a Toyota Aqua for 3 days that price ~S$247, together with a free fundamental insurance coverage plan. The pick-up at Toyota Hire A Automotive Shinjuku Minamiguchi was seamless as we paid on-line beforehand. We simply wanted to offer the reserving affirmation, our passports, a bank card, and IDP.
4) Get automotive insurance coverage
It could appear tempting to scrimp on automotive insurance coverage — don’t.
Within the occasion of any *touchwood* unlucky occasions, scratches, and different automotive damages, bills can simply rack as much as a excessive determine! These prices is probably not lined by common journey insurance coverage, so it’s price paying slightly additional than to danger the total price.
Most rental corporations embody a fundamental insurance coverage plan that comes along with the automotive, however make sure to verify on the surplus. This implies you’ll nonetheless must pay for the harm as much as that quantity ought to there be any accidents. If the “Zero Extra” possibility isn’t too costly, it’s greatest to go together with that.
*Professional-tip: Be aware of essential numbers on the insurance coverage pamphlet from the store within the occasion of an emergency.
5) Verify the automotive for present damages
Don’t velocity by the automotive inspection when selecting up the automotive. Some rental employees are very meticulous and can mark out the faintest scratch on the automotive’s floor.
We took photos of all sides of the automotive and highlighted present scratches through the inspection course of earlier than leaving to stop any pointless fines.
6) Hire a reloadable card to pay for freeway tolls
Digital Toll Assortment (ETC) playing cards are a cashless method to pay freeway tolls, much like money playing cards in Singapore.
We rented the cardboard for ~¥330 on the rental store when accumulating the automotive for higher comfort on the street. As a substitute of pre-loading worth within the card, we might settle the entire quantity after we returned the automotive.
On the Highway
7) Expressway toll cubicles
On the expressway, you’ll come throughout these toll gates. When you personal an ETC, ensure that to enter those labelled ‘ETC’. The barrier is saved up and can solely drop down if the ETC shouldn’t be detected.
If not, search for common lanes marked ‘一般’, which accepts each money and bank card funds. You’ll be given a ticket if you cross the primary gantry and be requested to point out the ticket and make cost if you exit the expressway.
We observed that not all exits have common lanes and should not at all times settle for bank card funds, so we advocate getting the ETC card for comfort.
8) Pace limits
Japan has fairly strict driving legal guidelines so don’t count on to be drifting at Quick and Livid speeds.
The velocity limits differ however normally common roads are 60km/h and expressways are 100km/h — so keep inside the restrict and don’t smash your journey by incomes a crimson ticket!
9) Highway indicators
Some could be complicated to overseas drivers.
For example, you would possibly see a mixture of arrows and circles in numerous colors — one crimson, one inexperienced, which do you comply with?
Primarily, the inexperienced arrows are what you adhere to. So within the case of the signal above, in case you’re going straight or left, chances are you’ll proceed. All different instructions ought to cease.
Some street indicators are purely written in Kanji or have symbols that aren’t as apparent. Beneath are among the essential ones to pay attention to.
We advocate familiarising your self with this checklist of Japanese street indicators earlier than embarking in your journey.
10) Be careful for wildlife on the street, know what to do in case of roadkill
You would possibly come throughout animal hazard street indicators in your Japan journey, particularly in areas like Nara, that are well-known for his or her free-roaming native deers.
Other than deer, you’ll additionally discover different wildlife like tanukis, foxes, monkeys, and even bears within the Japanese countryside, relying on the area. Within the occasion of roadkill, name 110 to alert the authorities, and notify the automotive insurance coverage firm.
11) Relaxation stops and petrol stations
Picture credit score: Central Nippon Expressway
Aside from petrol top-ups, there are numerous choices to take a break on main expressways. From onsens to mini theme parks, some even provide in a single day lodging in handy places for lengthy, night time drives.
When you’re within the Mt. Fuji space, try Fujikawa Service Space — decked out with a Ferris wheel, canine park, cafes and even a tax-free store. The very best half 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 implies you gained’t have the ability to retrieve your automotive if you might want to go away early within the morning!
On our street journey to Shizuoka, we discovered that these parking areas are manually run by employees and are transported to the underground carpark by a automotive elevator.
For extra flexibility, key phrase search “24 hour parking” within the city you’re visiting upfront on Google Maps. These are unmanned so could make cost on the ticket machines earlier than you permit. The machines normally solely settle for money and can dispense a ticket to insert on the carpark gantry if you exit.
*Professional-tip: Ask your lodging for the closest parking spot if there’s no on-site parking.
13) Parking bumpers at coin-operated parking heaps
When you come throughout coin-operated parking heaps in your journey, don’t be confused fools like us.
Mainly, you’ll must 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 automotive.
To decrease the locking plate, simply pay the parking payment on the coin machine and also you’re good to go!
Costs could differ however it price us ¥100/hour to park at Honcho Road, Fujiyoshida.
Because the directions are in Japanese, we spent 10 minutes attempting to determine this out so don’t be fools like us!
Different Helpful Ideas for Planning your Japan Highway Journey
14) GPS navigation
Google Maps
Google Maps is dependable for navigating round Japan. Not solely did it present precisely timed routes, however we might additionally see if there was a site visitors jam forward.
Whereas creating our journey route on Google My Maps, we pre-saved the attraction places to make them simpler to retrieve.
*Professional-tip: Zoom in on the map to search out fascinating locations whereas planning your routes between locations.
MAPCODE
Most rental vehicles have an in-built GPS system that makes use of the Mapcode system. That is an 11 digit location code yow will discover on the Japan Mapcode webpage. Alternatively, you may obtain the native navigation app NaviBridge.
*Notice: These codes aren’t discovered on Google maps
15) Inspiration for planning your individual Japan itinerary
Driving in Japan is probably not the commonest choice to get round however a street journey presents the pliability that rail doesn’t. Public transport shouldn’t be as available in smaller cities within the countryside, the place hidden gems are considerable.
When you’re searching for inspiration for locations to go to, try the next itineraries on previous street journeys we’ve been on:
– 7-Day Okinawa Itinerary Beneath S$1.2k — Highway Journey in Japan’s Underrated Island Utopia
– 7D Japan Itinerary For S$1.3k — A Tokyo and Mount Fuji Journey
– First Timer’s Information to Shikoku — 13 Distinctive Issues to Do in Japan Moreover Sightseeing
– 7D6N Japan Itinerary Beneath S$1.4k — Highway Journey from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Past
Have any extra questions on driving in Japan? Tell us within the feedback!
