Japan uses left-side driving, and you'll need to adjust if you're used to driving on the right
Japan drives on the left side of the road. This means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, the driver sits closer to the center line, and all traffic flows in the opposite direction from what you experience in the United States, Canada, or most of continental Europe. If you rent a car or drive in Japan, this reversal affects everything: which lane you merge into, where you look first at intersections, how you navigate roundabouts, and which side of the road has oncoming traffic.
Left-side driving is the norm across much of Asia and the former British Commonwealth — the UK, Australia, India, Thailand, and Singapore all drive on the left. Japan adopted this system during the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s, influenced by British trade and naval practices. Today, roughly 76 countries drive on the left, and Japan is one of the most developed and densely trafficked among them.
Key Takeaways
- Japan drives on the left with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle, the opposite of US driving.
- Your instincts about which way to turn, which lane is safe, and where oncoming traffic comes from will all be reversed.
- Roundabouts in Japan go clockwise (the opposite direction from US roundabouts), and you enter from the right instead of the left.
- Most rental car companies in Japan require an International Driving Permit alongside your US license, and some restrict left-side driving to drivers with prior experience.
- The first few hours of driving on the left are disorienting; most drivers report feeling comfortable after one to two days of regular driving.
How the road layout changes when you drive on the left
When you drive on the left, the entire spatial logic of the road reverses. In the US, you keep right, pass on the left, and merge leftward onto highways. In Japan, you keep left, pass on the right, and merge rightward. This is not just a matter of habit — it changes which direction you scan for traffic at every intersection, which side of the road has the shoulder, and how you position your car relative to other vehicles.
The steering wheel position compounds this. Because the driver sits on the right side of the car in Japan, you are closer to the center line of the road and farther from the curb. This changes your depth perception and your sense of how much space you have on your left (the side closer to the curb). Many drivers report that the first adjustment is learning to trust that the left side of the car has more clearance than it feels like it does.
Parking also reverses. In Japan, you back into parking spaces from the left side of the car instead of the right, and the parking brake and gear shift are on your left instead of your right. Gas stations have pumps on the left side of the car, so you pull in on the opposite side from what you would in the US.
Roundabouts and intersections work in the opposite direction
Roundabouts in Japan rotate clockwise, the opposite of US roundabouts, which rotate counterclockwise. This means you enter from the right side of the roundabout instead of the left, and you travel around it in the opposite direction. If you are used to US roundabouts, your instinct to enter from the left will be wrong, and your instinct to exit left will send you the wrong way around the circle.
At regular intersections, the traffic light positions are often on the opposite side of the intersection from where you expect them. In the US, traffic lights hang over the center of the intersection or sit on the far side; in Japan, they often sit on the near side, closer to where you are stopped. This can make it harder to see the light clearly if you are not looking in the right place.
Left turns (which are now the riskier turn, since you are turning across oncoming traffic) require the same caution as right turns do in the US — you are crossing a lane of traffic moving toward you. Right turns (the safer turn) are now across a lane moving away from you, just as left turns are in the US.
What an International Driving Permit requires and why you need one
To legally drive in Japan, you need both your US driver's license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is not a separate license — it is a translation of your US license into multiple languages, recognized by Japanese police and rental car companies. Without it, you can be fined or have your car impounded.
You obtain an IDP from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) before you leave the US. The process takes about 15 minutes in person at an AAA office, costs around $20, and requires your valid US driver's license, a passport-sized photo, and a completed process form. The IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. You cannot get one in Japan — you must have it before you arrive.
Most rental car companies in Japan require the IDP and will not rent to you without it. Some companies also have age restrictions (usually a minimum of 18 or 21) and may charge extra if you are under 25. A few companies restrict rentals to drivers who have prior experience driving on the left, though this is less common.
How long it takes to adjust to left-side driving
The first hour of driving on the left is usually the most disorienting. Your instincts about which way to turn the wheel, which lane is safe, and where to look for oncoming traffic are all reversed. Many drivers report feeling like they are driving on the wrong side of the road for the entire first day, even though they intellectually know they are in the correct lane.
By the end of the first day or the beginning of the second day, most drivers report that the reversal starts to feel more automatic. Your brain begins to recalibrate which side is "your" side of the road. By the third or fourth day of regular driving, the adjustment is usually complete enough that you can drive without constant conscious effort.
The adjustment is faster if you drive every day and slower if you drive only occasionally. If you rent a car for a single day trip, you may never fully adjust. If you are staying in Japan for a week or more and driving regularly, you will likely feel comfortable by the end of your stay.
Common mistakes new left-side drivers make
The most common mistake is drifting toward the center line when you are tired or distracted. Because your instinct is to keep right, you naturally drift rightward — which in Japan means drifting toward oncoming traffic. This is why many rental companies recommend taking breaks every two hours and why driving at night is more dangerous for new left-side drivers.
The second common mistake is misjudging the width of your car on the left side. Because you are sitting on the right side of the car, the left side feels farther away than it actually is. Drivers often leave too much space on the left and too little on the right, or vice versa. Parking and navigating narrow streets are where this mistake shows up most often.
The third mistake is forgetting that passing happens on the right. If you see a slow car ahead, your instinct is to move left to pass — but in Japan, the left lane is not the passing lane. You pass on the right, which means you need to move into the right lane, pass, and move back left. This is the opposite of highway driving in the US.
Whether you should rent a car or use other transportation
Renting a car in Japan is optional for most visitors. Japan has one of the world's best public transportation systems — trains, buses, and taxis are frequent, reliable, and often cheaper than renting a car. In cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, you can reach almost anywhere by train or bus without driving at all.
Renting a car makes sense if you are visiting rural areas, planning a road trip between cities, or need flexibility that trains do not offer. It also makes sense if you want to practice left-side driving in a controlled environment before traveling to another left-side country. But if you are staying in a major city and do not have a specific reason to drive, public transportation is usually faster, cheaper, and less stressful.
If you do rent, start with short, familiar routes — driving to a nearby restaurant or hotel — before attempting longer trips or unfamiliar roads. Many drivers find that a half-day rental to get comfortable with the car and the road rules is worth the cost, even if they end up using public transportation for most of their trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to exchange my US license for a Japanese license to drive in Japan?
No. Your US license is valid in Japan as long as you also carry an International Driving Permit. You do not need to exchange it or take a Japanese driving test. The IDP is straightforward a translation of your US license and is valid for one year.
What if I get into an accident while driving on the left in Japan?
Call the police (dial 110) and stay at the scene. Report the accident to your rental car company and your travel insurance. Japanese police will file a report, and your rental company will handle the insurance claim. Having an International Driving Permit and your US license with you is important for the police report.
Can I drive from Japan to another country on the left side?
Yes, if you are traveling to another left-side country like South Korea, Thailand, or the UK. Your International Driving Permit is valid in most countries that drive on the left. However, you will need to check the specific country's requirements — some require additional documents or permits. Your rental car company can tell you whether the car can cross the border.
Is it harder to drive on the left if I have never driven a manual transmission?
No, the two adjustments are separate. Driving on the left affects which side of the road you use and which direction you turn. Manual transmission affects how you shift gears. You can rent an automatic car in Japan and avoid the manual transmission entirely, or you can rent a manual and adjust to both at once. Most rental companies offer both options.
What should I do if I feel too uncomfortable to keep driving?
Pull over safely, take a break, and consider switching to public transportation or a taxi for the rest of your trip. There is no shame in deciding that left-side driving is not for you. Many visitors to Japan drive for part of their trip and use trains or taxis for the rest. Your safety and comfort matter more than completing a rental period.