Fukuoka to Aomori: 18-Night / 19-Day Japan West Coast Rental Car Road Trip/Day 1

[Fukuoka to Aomori: 18-Night / 19-Day Japan West Coast Rental Car Road Trip] Day 1

September 19, 2026: Arrive at Fukuoka Airport ➔ Pick up the rental car in Fukuoka ➔ Drive 131 km to Day 1 accommodation in Ube City.

The rental car was booked through Rakuten, a Japanese travel site.

The most important thing I realized while driving in Japan is that the roads are quite narrow, so renting a compact or small car is highly recommended.

Actual record according to Google Maps Timeline: Picked up the rental car in Fukuoka and drove 131 km to Day 1 accommodation in Ube City.

The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Japan: From Booking to Road Safety Tips for Beginners

Renting a car is the ultimate way to freely explore places that are hard to reach by public transportation—from the rolling hills of Biei in Hokkaido and the scenic coastal roads of Okinawa to the hidden hot spring villages of Kyushu.

However, were you hesitant to take on the challenge because the driver's seat in Japanese cars is on the right side and traffic drives on the left? Don't worry! By reading this post to the end, you will learn everything from required documents and practical driving techniques to accident prevention tips in one go.

1. Four Essential Checklist Items Before Leaving (You Can't Rent a Car Without These!)

Missing documents at the rental pickup counter is the most common reason travelers are denied their rental cars. Even with a confirmed reservation, you won't be able to pick up the vehicle if you lack any of these items, so make sure to pack them beforehand!

• International Driving Permit (IDP):
  
  
  • Issued by authorized local authorities in your home country (under the 1949 Geneva Convention).
    
    
  • Note: Mobile driving licenses or digital IDs are not accepted in Japan.
    
    
• Home Country Driving License:
  
  
  • Physical original license required (must present along with your paper IDP).
    
    
• Passport:
  
  
  • The English spelling on your IDP, home country license, and passport must match perfectly.
    
    
• Credit Card in the Driver’s Name:
  
  
  • Used for local payment and security deposit (cards capable of international payments, such as VISA or Mastercard).
    
    

2. How to Book a Rental Car in Japan & Insurance Tips

① Selecting Vehicle Type & Options

• Vehicle Size: Japanese roads, alleyways, and lanes are narrower than those in many other countries. For 2–3 travelers, a compact car (1,300–1,500cc class) or a mini-car (Kei car) is recommended for easier parking and better fuel efficiency.
  
  
• ETC Card (Expressway Electronic Toll Collection): Expressway tolls in Japan are quite expensive. Be sure to select the ETC card rental option (around 300 to 500 yen per day) when reserving your car. It allows you to pass through toll gates without stopping and pay all toll fees upon returning the car.
  
  
• Multilingual Navigation: Most rental cars offer English voice guidance and screen display options. Setting your destination using MapCodes or phone numbers makes navigation exceptionally easy.
  
  

② Insurance Coverage (CDW & NOC Explained)

Insurance is a necessity, not an option, when driving abroad. Make sure to add the following options beyond basic coverage:

• CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Waives the driver's out-of-pocket repair costs (deductible) in the event of an accident.
  
  
• NOC (Non-Operation Charge): A fee charged to cover business losses when the vehicle requires repairs or cleaning and cannot be rented out.
  
  
• 💡 Blogger's Tip: In case of an accident, NOC fees typically range from 20,000 to 50,000 yen. Paying around 1,000 yen per day for a Full Coverage Plan (NOC Waiver) lets you enjoy your trip with total peace of mind, even if minor scratches occur!
  
  

3. Traffic Rules Foreign Drivers Most Commonly Get Wrong (Key Precautions)

1) Driving on the Left & Adapting to the Right-Hand Drive

• "Driver's seat is on the right, traffic drives on the left!"
  
  
• Centerline position: Keep reminding yourself: "The center line should always be right next to my body on the right."
  
  
• Turns: Make tight left turns into the inner lane, and make wide right turns while watching for oncoming straight-moving traffic.
  
  

2) Reversed Turn Signal and Windshield Wiper Stalks

• The turn signal stalk is located on the right side of the steering wheel, and the wiper stalk is on the left.
  
  
• Accidentally turning on the windshield wipers on a sunny day while trying to signal a turn is a mistake almost every foreign driver makes. Don't panic—just remember: "Turn signal is the lever closer to the driver's door window!"
  
  

3) Complete 3-Second Stop at 『止まれ (Tomare)』 Signs

• When you see 『止まれ』 written on the road surface or on an inverted red triangle sign, you must come to a complete stop for at least 3 seconds and check both ways—slowing down is not enough.
  
  
• Failing to come to a full stop is a frequent violation caught by local police, resulting in hefty fines.
  
  

4) Traffic Light System & Pedestrian Right-of-Way

• Red light: No non-protected turns! Turning left on red is strictly prohibited unless indicated by a specific green arrow signal.
  
  
• Green light: Straight, left turns, and right turns are all permitted (exercise caution for oncoming vehicles and crossing pedestrians when turning right).
  
  
• Pedestrian priority: If there is a pedestrian standing at or near a crosswalk waiting to cross, vehicles must come to a complete stop.
  
  

5) Using Parking Lots & Strict No-Street-Parking Rules

• On-street parking is strictly forbidden in most areas in Japan. Even if you are just making a quick stop at a convenience store or vending machine, always use a paid coin parking lot (コインパーキング) or a designated parking area.
  
  
• How to use coin parking: Park in an open spot ➔ A flap barrier will rise under the car ➔ After finishing your business, enter your parking space number at the payment machine and pay ➔ The flap lowers, allowing you to drive out.
  
  

4. Gas Stations & Returning the Car

1. Fuel Type (Confirm Regular Gasoline):
   
   
   • Most gasoline rental cars use "Regular" (レギュラー, red nozzle) fuel.
     
     
   • Unless the car is explicitly a diesel vehicle (경유/軽油, green nozzle), never fill it with diesel fuel.
     
     
2. "Mantan" (満タン, Full Tank) Return:
   
   
   • Cars are provided with a full tank of gas. Before returning the vehicle, fill it up completely at a gas station within 5–10 km of the return location and present the gas receipt to the staff. (Failure to do so will result in higher fuel charges calculated by the rental company.)
     
     
3. Non-Smoking Vehicle Rules:
   
   
   • If you reserved a non-smoking car, smoking inside the vehicle—including e-cigarettes—will result in hefty cleaning fees (around 30,000 to 50,000 yen).
     
     

5. What to Do in Case of an Accident

Even if it is just a minor scratch or a minor scrape against a wall, never ignore it or drive away!

1. Move the vehicle to a safe location and turn on hazard lights.
   
   
2. Call the Police (Dial 110): You must obtain an official Accident Certificate from the police on-site for insurance coverage to apply. (Without a police report, full coverage insurance will not cover the damages.)
   
   
3. Contact the Rental Car Call Center: Report the situation to the rental company's customer service or the dedicated accident hotline listed in your guide booklet.
   
   

 Summary: Japan Rental Car Trip in One Line!

"For the first 1–2 hours, keep 'Drive on the left' and 'Tomare (Full stop)' in mind and drive slowly!"

Drivers in Japan rarely honk their horns and are generally very courteous and yielding to slower vehicles. As long as you take your time and follow the traffic flow, even first-time drivers in Japan can enjoy a safe and smooth road trip.

If you have any questions or would like recommendations on drive courses, feel free to leave a comment! Wishing you a safe and pleasant trip to Japan!