Japan uses left-hand traffic, the same as the UK, Australia, and India
Japan drives on the left side of the road. This means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, traffic flows counterclockwise at roundabouts, and you pass other vehicles on the right. If you rent a car or drive in Japan, you will be on the left side of every road, in every prefecture, without exception.
About 76 countries worldwide drive on the left. Japan adopted this system during the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s, influenced by British trade and naval practices. The choice stuck, and today it affects everything from how you navigate intersections to which side of the road has the shoulder.
Key Takeaways
- Japan drives on the left with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle, consistent across all roads and regions.
- Roundabouts flow counterclockwise, and you pass slower traffic on the right, the opposite of right-hand traffic countries.
- An International Driving Permit is required to rent a car in Japan, along with a valid driver's license from your home country.
- If you learned to drive in a right-hand traffic country, expect an adjustment period of several hours to a few days before the left-side driving feels natural.
How left-hand traffic changes the basics of driving
In left-hand traffic, the driver sits on the right side of the car and steers from there. This reverses the muscle memory of anyone trained in a right-hand traffic country. Your instinct to hug the center line will pull you toward oncoming traffic. Your instinct to stay away from the edge will put you in the shoulder. Both need to flip.
Roundabouts move counterclockwise instead of clockwise. You enter from the left, circle left, and exit left. The first exit is on your left, not your right. This is the opposite of every roundabout in North America or continental Europe, so even experienced drivers need to think through the entry.
Passing happens on the right. If a car is slow, you move to the right lane to pass it, then return to the left. This is backward from right-hand traffic countries, where passing is always on the left. Japanese highways have clear lane discipline, so passing in the wrong lane will draw attention from police.
What you need to drive legally in Japan
To rent and drive a car in Japan, you need three documents: a valid driver's license from your home country, an International Driving Permit (IDP), and a passport. The IDP is not a separate license — it is a translation of your home license into multiple languages, including Japanese. Japanese police and rental companies will ask for both the IDP and your original license together.
An IDP is issued by your home country's automobile association or equivalent body. In the United States, the American Automobile Association (AAA) issues them. In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association handles them. In the UK, the AA or RAC issue them. The process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on whether you explore in person or by mail. An IDP costs between $15 and $30 USD equivalent in most countries and is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Your home country license must be valid — not expired and not suspended. Japan will not recognize a license that has been revoked or is under suspension in your home country. If your license is currently suspended or revoked, you cannot legally drive in Japan, and rental companies will refuse to rent to you.
The adjustment period for left-hand driving
If you learned to drive in a right-hand traffic country, the first hour on Japanese roads will feel disorienting. Your brain expects the center line to be on your left, but it is on your right. Your brain expects oncoming traffic to be on your right, but it is on your left. This reversal affects every decision: lane position, passing, turning, and parking.
Most drivers report that the adjustment takes between four and eight hours of actual driving. The first two hours are the hardest. By hour four, the new pattern begins to feel less alien. By hour eight, many drivers report that it has become automatic enough to stop requiring conscious thought. A few drivers need a full day or two before they feel confident.
The easiest way to manage this is to rent a car in a less congested area first — a rural prefecture or a smaller city — rather than starting in Tokyo or Osaka. Traffic density and speed make the adjustment harder. A quiet road in Nagano or Shikoku gives you space to make mistakes without consequences.
Parking, signs, and road markings in Japan
Parking spaces in Japan are marked and numbered. Most are angled, not straight, and the angle tells you which direction to enter. A space angled to the left means you enter from the left. This is the opposite of many right-hand traffic countries, where the angle indicates the exit direction. Read the marking carefully before you commit to a space.
Road signs use symbols and colors similar to those in Europe and North America, but the text is in Japanese. A white rectangle with red border means "no entry." A red circle with white horizontal bar means "no passing." A blue rectangle with white arrow means "one-way traffic." Rental companies provide maps and GPS units with English language options, so you can navigate without reading Japanese signs, but learning the basic symbols helps.
Lane markings are white for most roads. A solid white line means you cannot cross it. A dashed white line means you can cross it to pass or turn. Yellow lines appear at curbs to indicate parking restrictions — a solid yellow line means no parking at any time, a dashed yellow line means no parking during certain hours (usually posted nearby). These rules are enforced, and parking violations result in fines and towing.
Speed limits and traffic laws that differ from North America
Japan's speed limits are lower than those in the United States or Canada. Expressways have a limit of 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph). Regular highways range from 50 to 80 kilometers per hour (31 to 50 mph). Urban streets are typically 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph) or lower. Speed cameras are common on expressways and major roads, and fines are issued automatically by mail.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants, front and back. Children under six must sit in a car seat or booster seat appropriate to their weight. Driving under the influence has zero tolerance — any detectable alcohol in your system is illegal, and penalties include license suspension, fines, and possible jail time. Police conduct random breath tests, especially on weekends and holidays.
Headlights must be on during twilight and darkness. Many Japanese drivers also use headlights during daytime on expressways. Flashing your headlights at oncoming traffic means "there is a speed camera ahead" — it is a common courtesy warning, not a traffic violation. Horns are used sparingly; excessive honking can result in a fine.
Toll roads and fuel in Japan
Most expressways in Japan are toll roads. Tolls are collected at toll booths or automatically via an electronic system called ETC (Electronic Toll Collection). Rental cars usually come with an ETC card or transponder. Tolls vary by distance and route — a 50-kilometer expressway trip might cost 2,000 to 3,000 yen (roughly $13 to $20 USD). Payment is made at the booth or charged to your rental agreement.
Fuel is sold by the liter, not the gallon. Prices vary by region and season but typically range from 150 to 180 yen per liter (roughly $1 to $1.20 USD per liter, or $4 to $4.50 USD per gallon). Most rental cars use regular unleaded gasoline. Diesel is available but less common in rental fleets. Gas stations are plentiful in cities and towns but sparse in rural areas, so plan fuel stops on long drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in Japan with just my home country license, without an International Driving Permit?
No. Japanese law requires both your home country license and a valid International Driving Permit. Rental companies will not rent to you without both documents. Police can fine you for driving without an IDP, even if your home license is valid.
What happens if I accidentally drive on the right side of the road?
You will when ready encounter oncoming traffic. Pull back to the left side as soon as it is safe. If you do this in an urban area, other drivers will honk and flash lights, but accidents are rare because traffic moves slowly. On expressways, the risk is much higher — stay alert to your lane position, especially in the first few hours of driving.
Do I need to take a driving test or get a Japanese license to rent a car?
No. An International Driving Permit and your home country license are sufficient for short-term rentals. You do not need to take a test or obtain a Japanese license unless you plan to stay in Japan for more than one year and drive regularly.
Are there any regions in Japan that drive on the right instead of the left?
No. All of Japan drives on the left, including Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and all smaller islands. There are no exceptions or regional variations.
What if I hit another car while driving on the left for the first time?
Contact the police when ready by calling 110. Exchange information with the other driver, take photos, and do not admit fault. Your rental agreement includes liability insurance, and the rental company will handle the claim. Report the accident to the rental company as soon as possible.