What side of the road does Japan drive on? Japan drives on the left, with the driver seated on the right. For visitors from the United States, that change reaches beyond the steering wheel: turns, roundabouts, road signs, and even the turn-signal stalk ask for new habits. Once you know the few places where instinct can put you in the wrong lane, driving can become a practical way to reach places beyond the rail network.
What side of the road does Japan drive on? Why it is left
Long before the automobile, Japan used left-hand traffic. During the Edo period, samurai kept to the left. For a right-handed warrior, this made it easier to draw a sword and helped prevent the sword scabbards of passing travelers from touching—an encounter that could lead to a duel.
Foreign visitors recorded the practice early. In 1690, the German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer wrote that travelers on Japan’s highways followed a left-side rule. By the nineteenth century, the pattern had become part of modern transport. British engineers built the Tokyo–Yokohama railway, which opened in 1872, with left-hand running; the Tokyo Horse Railway of 1882 followed the same approach. In 1924, Japan’s first nationwide official traffic rules confirmed left-hand traffic.
Japan is not alone. About 75 countries and territories drive on the left, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and several Caribbean islands. Most left-driving countries were once British colonies or protectorates. Japan is the notable exception.
Left-hand traffic changes every turn and roundabout
In every Japanese rental car, the steering wheel is on the right while the car travels on the left side of the road. The cabin may feel familiar if the rental is automatic, but the turn-signal stalk is on the right of the steering wheel rather than the left, a frequent source of accidental wiper use for American drivers.
Just after a turn comes the most vulnerable moment. Drivers accustomed to right-hand traffic may feel that the open section of road is the natural place to enter, even though it is the wrong side. Before accelerating, deliberately locate the left lane, then check its position against oncoming traffic and the center line. After every turn, make that pause until it becomes routine.
Roundabouts offer another visible reversal: in left-hand traffic, they circulate clockwise. Traffic already in the roundabout approaches from a direction that may feel counterintuitive to an American driver. Enter only after confirming the flow, then stay left as you exit.
- Keep left: use the left lane after every turn, not the empty lane that first looks familiar.
- Reset at the wheel: the steering position, turn signals, and traffic flow are all reversed from a typical U.S. car.
- Expect tight space: Japanese roads are generally narrower than U.S. roads; many rural roads have no sidewalks, and cyclists often share the roadway.
Japanese road signs and rules prevent the most avoidable mistakes
For U.S. visitors, some Japanese road signs are surprisingly recognizable. Yellow diamonds with black symbols serve as warning signs, much like U.S. warning signs. On blue rectangular signs, drivers find direction and distance information, while expressway exits use green signs. On major roads and around tourist destinations, many signs are bilingual in Japanese and English.
Other details need attention. Unlike an American-style octagon, the stop sign is an inverted red triangle marked 止まれ (Tomare), meaning stop. With a solid yellow centerline, passing is prohibited. At a red signal, no right turn is permitted; the U.S. practice of turning right on red does not apply in Japan.
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Yellow diamond with black symbol | Warning sign |
| Inverted red triangle marked 止まれ | Stop |
| Solid yellow centerline | No passing |
| Blue rectangle | Direction or distance information |
| Green sign | Expressway exit information |
On ordinary roads, the general speed limit is 60 km/h; on expressways it is 100 km/h, although selected sections allow up to 120 km/h. At 0.03 percent, Japan’s blood alcohol concentration limit is very low. In an emergency, call 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. After any accident, including minor damage, call the police.
Common mistakes and myths
Myth: “I can turn right on red if the intersection is clear.” Japan prohibits right turns on red; wait for the proper signal.
Myth: “Every road sign will be in English.” Main roads and tourist destinations often have bilingual signs, but that does not make every local sign bilingual. Learn the essential shapes and symbols before driving.
Myth: “A clear opposing lane means I may pass.” A solid yellow centerline prohibits passing, even when the road appears empty.
International Driving Permit Japan: obtain the correct permit before departure
For a U.S. visitor, a valid U.S. driver’s license alone is not enough. Alongside it, carry an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Before entering Japan, obtain the permit in your home country; it cannot be issued in Japan.
In the United States, only AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) issue official International Driving Permits. For an online application, AAA charges a $20 permit fee and a $10 processing fee; the total is generally about $20–30 plus postage. The application requires a completed form, two passport photos signed on the back, and copies of the front and back of your valid U.S. license.
Japan does not accept a 1968 Vienna Convention permit. That distinction matters: an “international license” advertised without the 1949 Geneva Convention basis is not a substitute. No IDP remains valid for more than one year. For a longer stay, the route is converting to a Japanese driver’s license.
- Apply through AAA or AATA before leaving the United States.
- Confirm that the permit is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
- Pack the IDP with your valid U.S. driver’s license; carry both when driving.
- Bring the completed rental booking confirmation and identification to the counter.
Renting a car in Japan means planning for the passengers too
In Japan, the minimum driving age is 18. At the rental desk, expect to present your booking confirmation, identification, national driver’s license, and International Driving Permit. English-language online booking is available.
For 24 hours, typical rates start at about ¥5,000 for a small car, ¥7,500 for a compact, ¥10,000 for a midsize car, and ¥20,000 for a van. Those quoted rates include mileage, taxes, and mandatory insurance, which is about ¥1,000 per day.
Children under six must use a child seat, so reserve one with the rental rather than expecting to arrange it after arrival. Seat belts are required for every passenger, including those in the rear seats.
Expressway tolls and ETC keep long drives moving
More than 13,000 kilometers make up Japan’s expressway network, and most of it is tolled. For a standard passenger car, the base charge is about ¥25 per kilometer, plus a ¥150 terminal fee for each trip. Before committing to a long drive, check the route cost.
ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) is the contactless toll system. Rental cars come with an ETC unit, and an ETC card can be rented when booking, often for about ¥330 per rental period. With an enabled unit, use the purple ETC lane at roughly 20 km/h; the barrier opens automatically. Between midnight and 4:00 a.m., ETC travel receives a discount of about 30 percent.
Regional tourist passes are available, including the Hokkaido Expressway Pass for four to eight days at ¥7,700–15,400, the Tohoku pass for four to eight days at ¥8,500–17,000, and the Kyushu pass for two to 10 days at ¥6,200–23,800. The nationwide Japan Expressway Pass and Central Nippon Expressway Pass are discontinued. As one concrete toll example, the 223-kilometer drive from New Chitose Airport near Sapporo to Hakodate costs ¥5,530 one way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What side of the road does Japan drive on?
Japan drives on the left side of the road. Cars are right-hand drive, so the driver sits on the right.
Why does Japan drive on the left?
Left-side travel dates to the Edo period, when samurai kept left. British-built railways and streetcars reinforced the pattern, and nationwide traffic rules formally confirmed it in 1924.
Is it difficult for Americans to drive in Japan?
The main adjustment is driving on the left. The most dangerous habit is entering the wrong lane after a turn; narrow roads, cyclists, and unfamiliar controls also require deliberate attention.
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Japan?
Yes. U.S. drivers need both a valid U.S. license and an International Driving Permit based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, obtained before arriving in Japan.
Does Japan drive on the same side as the UK?
Yes. Japan and the United Kingdom both use left-hand traffic and right-hand drive cars. British drivers still need to follow Japanese signs and local rules.
