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Driving Tips

Important :

Valid Driver's License in Japan

International driver‘s license issued under the Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva Convention of September 19, 1949) may valid to drive for a period of one year from the date of your landing in Japan or the validity period of your driver's license, whichever is shorter.

Driver‘s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan may valid to drive a car or other vehicle in Japan in accordance with Japanese laws and regulations by carrying the Japanese translation of your license( should be done by designated by government ordinance (embassy, consulate, JAF, etc.) You may drive for a period of one year from the date of your landing in Japan or the validity period of your driver's license, whichever is shorter.

Traffic rules in Japan

Traffic rules flyer

Illegal parking is very strict in Japan

Please ensure parking your car in the parking lot, even if it is only for a short period of time.

Immediately report to the police station and complete the payment of the fine.

The fine is about 10,000 to 25,000 yen.

Please show the Traffic Foul Notice and any other documents such as a payment slip or receipt with a receipt stamp to us if you had. Otherwise, you will be required to pay 30,000 yen.

1. Illegal Parking

2. Gas stations in Japan are only available in Japanese.

"セルフ : Self service"

No staff inside the gas station. 
Follow the instruction on LCD panel next to the fueling hose.

"Full Service"

Follow the guidance of the staff, park your car in the designated area, and stop the engine.
Tell them the type of gasoline, amount of fuel, value or full tank, and payment method.

3. ETC : Electronic Toll Collection System

The "ETC Card" is a card that allows automatic payment at toll booths on expressways without having to stop the car.

Toll booths on expressways have lanes marked "ETC only”. When you enter a lane with your ETC card inserted in the ETC in-vehicle unit, the bar will automatically raise, allowing you to enter and exit the expressway as is (the fee is paid electronically afterward).

Slow down to 20 km/h  and keep a sufficient distance from the car in front of you.

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