The Complete Guide to Driving a Rental Car in Japan
The Complete Guide to Driving a Rental Car in Japan
Road Signs, Traffic Signals, Left-Hand Traffic and Essential Tips for International Visitors
Japan is an excellent destination for rental-car travel, especially if you want to explore rural villages, hot-spring resorts, coastal roads, national parks and scenic areas that are difficult to reach by public transportation.
However, Japan has several important differences from countries where vehicles drive on the right. Japan drives on the left, most cars are right-hand drive, and some Japanese road signs and traffic-signal systems may be unfamiliar to overseas visitors.
The following guide is designed so that an English-speaking visitor can use it as a practical reference while driving in Japan.
1. Japan's Road Signs: Four Main Categories
Japanese road signs can broadly be understood as:
Guide signs
Warning signs
Regulatory signs
Mandatory/instruction signs
For a long-distance rental-car trip, one of the most useful things to learn is the National Route number.
For example:
国道7号 — National Route 7
国道8号 — National Route 8
国道101号 — National Route 101
国道103号 — National Route 103
国道116号 — National Route 116
Japan's National Route shield has a distinctive inverted-triangle shape, making it easy to recognize once you know what to look for. (위키미디어 공용)
Photo caption: Japanese National Route signs use a distinctive shield shape. Blue directional signs often combine Japanese place names, Romanized names, route numbers and distances.
For example, on a northern Japan road trip, recognizing R103, R102, R282 or R341 can be just as useful as recognizing Japanese place names.
2. Understanding the Colors of Japanese Road Signs
🔵 Blue — Ordinary-road information
Blue signs are commonly used for ordinary-road directions and information.
You may see:
← Nagano
↑ Aomori
National Route 7
Blue signs can also provide information about road names, destinations and directions.
Photo caption: A typical Japanese blue direction sign can show Japanese and Romanized place names together, making major destinations easier for international visitors to identify.
🟢 Green — Expressways and motorways
Green signs are commonly associated with expressways and motorway-related directions.
If your itinerary specifically avoids toll roads and expressways, pay close attention to green signs and check your navigation system before entering an expressway ramp.
Photo caption: Green guide signs are commonly associated with expressways and motorway-related routes.
3. The Most Important Sign: 「止まれ」 — STOP
One of the most important signs for foreign drivers is:
止まれ — TOMARE — STOP
Unlike the familiar octagonal STOP sign used in many countries, the Japanese STOP sign is a red inverted triangle. The Japanese National Police Agency describes it as a red inverted triangle marked 「止まれ」 or STOP, and requires drivers to make a complete stop. (NPA)
Photo caption: The red inverted triangle marked 「止まれ」 means STOP. Unlike a yield sign, you must come to a complete stop.
🚨 The most important rule
Do not merely slow down.
You must make a complete stop at the stop line, check the surrounding traffic and then proceed when it is safe.
STOP signs are particularly common on:
Small residential roads
Rural intersections
Mountain roads
Roads without traffic lights
Areas near railway crossings
This is one of the most important differences for visitors accustomed to the standard octagonal STOP sign. Japan's official traffic-safety material specifically warns drivers that they must stop at these intersections even when there is no traffic light. (국토교통부)
4. 「一方通行」 — One Way
A blue sign marked:
一方通行
means ONE WAY.
Photo caption: The blue arrow indicates the permitted direction of travel on a one-way road.
One-way streets are particularly common in Japanese cities, where roads can be narrow.
Never assume that a road can be entered simply because your navigation system shows it as part of your route.
Always check the direction of traffic before entering.
5. 「進入禁止」 — No Entry
A red circle containing a white horizontal bar means:
進入禁止 — NO ENTRY
Photo caption: A red circle with a white horizontal bar means NO ENTRY from this direction.
Remember:
🔴 Red circle + white horizontal bar = DO NOT ENTER
This sign is particularly important around one-way streets, where it may face vehicles approaching from the wrong direction.
The National Police Agency also lists the No Entry sign among Japan's important regulatory signs. (NPA)
6. 「駐車禁止」 and 「駐停車禁止」
These two signs are easy to confuse.
🚫 駐車禁止 — No Parking
Parking is prohibited.
🚫 駐停車禁止 — No Parking or Stopping
Both parking and stopping are prohibited.
Photo caption: A blue circular sign with one red slash indicates a parking restriction, while the red X indicates a stricter no-stopping/no-parking restriction.
When sightseeing, do not simply pull over on the roadside to take photographs.
Use a designated parking area whenever possible.
7. Yellow Diamond Warning Signs
Yellow diamond-shaped signs warn drivers about hazards ahead.
Common examples include:
Sharp bends
Narrowing roads
Slippery roads
Railway crossings
Falling rocks
Steep grades
Traffic lights
Intersections
Wildlife crossings
Photo caption: Yellow warning signs are especially important on mountain and coastal roads. They may warn about falling rocks, sharp curves, narrow roads or wildlife.
In mountainous regions, you may even see warnings about deer crossing the road.
If you see a yellow warning sign, reduce your speed before reaching the hazard, rather than braking suddenly at the hazard itself.
8. Japanese Traffic Signals — Similar, but with Important Differences
Japanese traffic lights use the familiar three basic colors:
🔴 Red — STOP
🟡 Yellow — Stop unless stopping would be unsafe
🟢 Green — Proceed according to the applicable traffic rules
However, Japanese intersections may use signal arrangements that are unfamiliar to international visitors.
One particularly important feature is the green directional arrow.
Photo caption: Japanese intersections may combine the main traffic signal with a green directional arrow.
The Japanese National Police Agency states that when an arrow signal is illuminated, vehicles may proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow even when the main signal is red. (NPA)
9. Green Directional Arrows
For example:
🔴 + 🟢 →
can mean that vehicles may turn right even though the main vehicle signal is red.
However, the arrow does not mean that you can drive straight through the intersection.
Follow only the direction indicated by the arrow.
Japan also uses:
時差式信号 — time-separated signals
and
歩車分離式信号 — pedestrian/vehicle-separated signals
so always look at the entire signal arrangement before moving.
10. Pedestrian Signals
Pedestrian signals are often installed separately from vehicle signals.
Photo caption: Japanese pedestrian signals often operate separately from vehicle signals. Drivers must pay close attention to pedestrians at crossings.
Drivers should pay particular attention around:
Crosswalks
Tourist attractions
Shopping streets
Railway stations
Residential areas
Japanese traffic rules give pedestrians priority in relevant situations. The National Police Agency's current guidance specifically states that pedestrians have priority at intersections. (NPA)
11. Flashing Signals
You may also encounter flashing traffic signals.
🟡 Flashing yellow
Proceed carefully while paying attention to other traffic.
🔴 Flashing red
Stop first, then proceed only after confirming that it is safe.
Japan's official visitor guidance specifically identifies a red flashing signal as a location where vehicles must stop. (Hokkaido Safe Travel)
12. Railway Crossings — A Major Safety Point
Railway crossings are particularly common during rural National Route journeys.
Photo caption: At Japanese railway crossings, stop before crossing and check carefully for approaching trains.
Before crossing:
Stop at the stopping point.
Check both directions.
Make sure no train is approaching.
Cross only when it is safe.
Do not simply drive through because the barrier is raised.
JNTO specifically advises drivers to stop before railway crossings and check both directions. (Hokkaido Safe Travel)
This is especially important in rural areas of:
Tohoku
Niigata
Nagano
Tottori
Shimane
Fukui
and other regions where railway crossings may occur frequently.
13. Left-Hand Traffic — The Biggest Adjustment
For drivers from countries that drive on the right, this is the biggest difference.
Japan drives on the:
LEFT side of the road
and most Japanese vehicles have the:
steering wheel on the RIGHT.
Photo caption: Japanese rental cars normally have the steering wheel on the right because vehicles drive on the left.
JNTO confirms that Japan uses left-hand traffic and that the driver's seat is on the right side of the vehicle. (Hokkaido Safe Travel)
Common mistakes made by first-time visitors
① Moving into the wrong lane after starting
② Turning too widely
③ Entering the wrong lane after a turn
④ Looking the wrong way at an intersection
⑤ Confusing the turn signal and windshield-wiper controls
Practical tip
After collecting your rental car, spend 10–20 minutes driving slowly around the rental office area before beginning your long-distance trip.
14. How to Turn Left and Right
↰ Left turn
Stay toward the left side of the road and make a relatively tight turn.
↱ Right turn
Pay particular attention to oncoming traffic and enter the correct lane after turning.
For drivers accustomed to right-hand traffic, the first few right turns can feel surprisingly unfamiliar.
Take your time.
15. Speed Limits
Japanese rural roads can look empty and may tempt you to drive faster than the posted limit.
Do not do this.
Always follow the posted speed limit.
JAF states that, where no different limit is posted, the default maximum for regular-sized automobiles is 60 km/h on ordinary roads and 100 km/h on expressways. Posted limits take precedence. (국토교통부)
Mountain roads, residential streets and tourist areas may have considerably lower limits.
16. Things You Must Never Do
🍺 Never drink and drive
Never assume that a small amount of alcohol is acceptable.
If you drink at dinner, leave the rental car parked and drive the following day.
📱 Do not use a mobile phone while driving
Do not operate your smartphone while the vehicle is moving.
Set your navigation before starting.
💺 Wear seatbelts
The driver and passengers should wear seatbelts.
👶 Child seats
Children under six must be properly secured in an appropriate child seat. JAF's traffic guidance includes this requirement. (국토교통부)
17. Documents You Need to Drive in Japan
For many overseas visitors, an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention is required before driving in Japan.
An important point is that Japan recognizes the appropriate paper booklet-style IDP, not a simple digital image or smartphone version. JNTO specifically advises travelers to obtain the correct international driving permit before departure. (Hokkaido Safe Travel)
Special arrangements apply to licenses issued by certain jurisdictions, including:
Switzerland
Germany
France
Belgium
Monaco
Taiwan
For these jurisdictions, a Japanese translation of the original license is used instead of an IDP.
Always check the current requirement based on the country or region that issued your driver's license before traveling.
18. Use Navigation + Route Numbers Together
For a long-distance Japanese road trip, use three references together:
① Navigation system
Use it for the actual route.
② National Route number
For example:
R7 → R101 → R102 → R103
③ Major destinations
For example:
Aomori → Oirase → Lake Towada → Kazuno → Lake Tazawa
Photo caption: Japanese National Route signs can show a route number together with Japanese and English destination names and distances.
This combination makes it much easier to understand your position if the navigation system temporarily changes its recommended route.
19. Make Good Use of 道の駅 — Michi-no-Eki
Michi-no-Eki roadside stations are extremely useful during long National Route journeys.
Photo caption: Michi-no-Eki roadside stations are convenient places to rest, use the restroom, eat local food and discover regional products.
Many provide:
Free parking
Toilets
Restaurants
Local food
Regional products
Tourist information
They are particularly useful on rural roads where conventional service areas are less frequent.
20. Winter Driving Is a Different Kind of Trip
Northern and mountainous Japan can receive heavy snowfall.
Extra care is required in areas such as:
Aomori
Akita
Iwate
Yamagata
Niigata
Nagano
Photo caption: Snowy mountain roads can become icy very quickly. Check road conditions before departure and make sure the rental vehicle is equipped appropriately for winter.
Before driving in winter:
Check the weather
Check road conditions
Confirm that the rental car has winter tires
Check whether tire chains are required
Watch for black ice
Check for road closures
JNTO advises travelers driving in snowy areas to use winter tires or tire chains as appropriate. (Hokkaido Safe Travel)
21. A 10-Second Pre-Drive Checklist
Before starting
① Left-hand traffic?
② Steering wheel on the right?
③ Route and National Route numbers confirmed?
④ Navigation destination set before moving?
⑤ Parking location identified?
While driving
⑥ Blue signs — ordinary-road information
⑦ Green signs — expressway/motorway information
⑧ 止まれ — complete STOP
⑨ Yellow diamond — warning/hazard
⑩ Red traffic signal — STOP unless a permitted directional signal applies
22. The Key to a Safe Japanese Rental-Car Trip
Driving in Japan is not necessarily difficult, but it can feel unfamiliar during the first few hours.
Do not try to master everything immediately.
Use the first part of the trip to become comfortable with left-hand traffic, then gradually become familiar with Japanese signs and signals.
Slow down near:
Pedestrians
Cyclists
Intersections
Railway crossings
Mountain bends
Tourist attractions
Narrow village roads
Give yourself more time rather than trying to drive exactly as you would on a familiar road at home.
🇯🇵 Japan Rental-Car Driving Guide — Quick Reference
| Item | What to remember in Japan |
|---|---|
| 🚘 Driving side | LEFT |
| 🎛 Steering wheel | RIGHT |
| 🔴 Red light | STOP |
| 🟡 Yellow light | Generally stop |
| 🟢 Green light | Proceed according to the rules |
| 🟢 Green arrow | Proceed only in the indicated direction |
| 🔻 止まれ | Complete stop |
| 🔵 Blue signs | Ordinary-road information/directions |
| 🟢 Green signs | Expressway/motorway information |
| 🟡 Yellow diamond | Warning/hazard |
| 🚫 駐車禁止 | No parking |
| 🚫 駐停車禁止 | No parking or stopping |
| 🚂 Railway crossing | Stop and check both directions |
| 🚶 Crosswalk | Yield to pedestrians |
| 📱 Mobile phone | Do not use while driving |
| 🍺 Alcohol | Never drive after drinking |
| 💺 Seatbelts | All occupants |
🇯🇵 Final Advice for International Visitors
The most important things to remember before starting your Japanese rental-car journey are:
Drive on the LEFT.
The steering wheel is usually on the RIGHT.
止まれ means STOP.
Follow green directional arrows carefully.
Stop and check at railway crossings.
Yield to pedestrians.
Follow posted speed limits.
Never drink and drive.
If you are traveling through rural Japan, do not rely only on English place names. Learn to recognize National Route numbers, use them together with your navigation system, and allow plenty of time for sightseeing and rest stops.
The Japanese National Police Agency, JNTO and JAF all provide multilingual information specifically intended to help foreign visitors understand Japanese traffic rules. The National Police Agency's current guide, for example, explicitly explains the Japanese STOP sign, red signals, green directional arrows and other road signs. (NPA)
Official references
Drive slowly, read the signs early, and enjoy Japan safely.
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