Rental car in Japan
If you can drive a car, it is a good idea to rent a car and travel in Japan.
You can take a tour effectively and can visit more places.
What you need to rent a car
- International Driving Permit
- Passport
- Credit card
International Driving Permit must be issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Internatioal Road Traffic. (It is not 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.)
But, in non-member country of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, the following countries are allowed by another way.
Taiwan, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco
For the driver in above countries, both "the driver's license of own country" and "its Japanese translation" are required.
The Japanese translation is issued at the embassy or consulate of the country in Japan, or Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).
There are a few conditions.
The valid period of International Driving Permit is one year.
And, it is required to use within one year after the driver entered Japan.
In addition, the people over 18 years old can drive a car in Japan.
If you are under 18 years old, you can't rent a car.
Rental car companies in Japan
Japanese cars have the steering wheel on the right-hand side
The service offices of rental car company are around airports and main railway stations.
And they are mainly in big cities.
To rent a car, it is assured to make a reservation via internet before you start off on a journey.
Of course, it's possible to go directly to the office, but you may not get your favorite car in that case.
Most cars are made in Japan.
And, the driver's wheel is on the right side.
The followings are the main rental car companies in Japan.
The laws to drive in Japan
In Japan, cars must keep to the left side
In Japan, you must drive on the LEFT side of the road.
Therefore, Japanese cars have the steering wheel on the right-hand side.
In addition, the driving rules in Japan are very strict in the world.
For traffic safety, most Japanese drivers obey the traffic laws.
- Drivers and all passengers are always required to use seat belts.
- Children aged 6 or younger are required to be seated in a "child-seat".
- Drunken driving is severely punished.
- Using your phone while driving is also against the law.
- You must always stop at the red light.
- You must always make a full stop at the railway crossing.
- You must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
Road signs in Japan
In Japan, there are many road signs everywhere.
But, many of them may be different from your country.
When you drive a car in Japan, you must check them with accuracy.
The followings are the road signs commonly seen.
1. Stop
You must stop a car there.
The characters mean "Stop" in Japanese.
2. Crosswalk
There is a crosswalk.
Yield to Pedestrians.
3. Railroad crossing ahead
You must stop before the railroad crossing.
When you can't find a train, you can pass the crossing.
4. No entry
The place is the exit of a one-way road.
You must not enter the road.
5. One way street
It shows the direction of the one-way road.
6. Permitted directions
It shows the permitted directions at the intersection.
7. No parking
You must not park the car from the place.
8. No stopping
You must not stop and park the car from the place.
9. Road closed to vehicles
All cars, motorbikes and bicycles must not enter.
10. Speed limit
You must not exceed the speed limit.
The unit is "km/h".
11. Intersection guide
The guide is written on the blue board.
12. Expressway ramp ahead
The guide for expressway is written on the green board.
Traffic light in Japan
There are many traffic lights in Japan.
Both drivers and pedestrians strictly obey traffic lights in Japan.
Traffic light in Japan is basically horizontal.
From left to right, are Green ●, Yellow ●, Red ●.
Of course, you stop at the red light.
And, the light changes from red to green directly in Japan.
Traffic light at a big intersection
At a big intersection in the city, the lanes are often divided for straight, right turn and left turn.
Right, left turn or straight arrow lamps are set up under the traffic light at the intersection.
When the arrow lamps are lit at a red light, the cars on the lane can turn or go at the intersection.
Roads in Japan
A typical road in the mountain
Japan is the mountainous country.
But Japan has a large population and the people live in the narrow area.
Therefore, the roads are generally narrow.
There are many traffic lights in the city and main roads.
And, there are many road signs everywhere.
In the city areas, there are many one-way roads.
And, there are many sections that on-street parking is prohibited.
You must drive a car carefully in Japan.
In winter, heavy snow falls in the northern area and the Japan Sea side in Japan.
Driving on the snowy road is very dangerous.
You should not use rental car in the area in the season.
Manner when you drive a car in Japan
Pedestrian crossing without traffic light
The followings are standard in Japan.
If you drive in Japan, you must keep them in mind.
- You shouldn't blow the horns except if you feel any danger.
- When you find the pedestrians who are crossing or want to cross the road, you should stop the car and give preference to the pedestrian's crossing.
- When police cars, fire engines, or ambulance are coming, make way for them.
Accidents caused by rental car are increasing
Recently, accidents of rental car are increasing.
Especially, the number of accidents caused by foreign traveler are three times more than Japanese rental car driver.
The reasons are as follows.
- The driver is inexperienced in right-hand drive and keeping to the left.
- The driver can't understand the Japanese road signs.
- The sense of speed and the driving manner are different from the home country.
Anyhow, driving in Japan needs the most careful attention.
And, when you rent a car, you should check about car insurance.