{"id":22812,"date":"2019-02-12T12:18:33","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T12:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=22812"},"modified":"2019-01-25T16:14:12","modified_gmt":"2019-01-25T16:14:12","slug":"top-10-tips-for-driving-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/12\/top-10-tips-for-driving-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 tips for driving in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>Despite spending four years living in Japan (as well as plenty of visits back since), Senior Travel Consultant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/about-us\/staff-profiles\/travel-consultants\/49\/amy-tadehara\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amy<\/a> had never gone behind the wheel before. Here, she offers her top 10 tips for swapping that famously efficient public transport to take to the &#8220;wrong&#8221; side of the road.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Driving in Japan<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-22827 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan cars\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02037-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>As public transport in Japan is simply fantastic, there wasn\u2019t any reason for me to drive when I lived in Japan. The closest I ever came to renting a car was when my parents were visiting and I gave my dad a very simple choice: I could either drive said rental car, or be in charge of the Japanese-only GPS. His choice. I ended up in charge of navigation\u2026!<\/p>\n<p>That said, there are places in Japan where trains, or even buses, are not a viable option, and so for my most recent trip, I challenged myself to do something I had never done before. Drive from place to place.<br \/>\nBased on my successful completion, I present my \u201cFacts and Tips for Driving in Japan\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Pre-Departure: Get your IDP<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-22822\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan landscape\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01800-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>You must get an International Driver\u2019s Permit (IDP) before you travel to Japan, otherwise, no rental car for you! Fortunately, these are easily obtained from any AAA office and if you have all the necessary items\u2014application, 2 passport pictures, money for the permit (around $20), and a valid driver\u2019s license\u2014the process takes less than 10 minutes. It\u2019s good for up to a year after the start date you pick, so handy if you have another foreign driving-trip planned.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Yes, in Japan they drive on the left side<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-22819\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan road\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01712-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>The thing that worried me most is that the Japanese drive on the\u2026 er, *other* side of the road to what Americans like me are used to, so a right-hand turn becomes a left-hand turn. Not going to lie, this was VERY weird the first few days, as I had a distinct drive-like-I\u2019m-on-my-learner\u2019s-permit mentality and was hyper-aware I was driving on the opposite side of the road.<\/p>\n<p>But after those first days, I eased up. Before I knew it, I was an old hand at staying on the left, even when there was no traffic to follow, so you do get used to it. I got so used to it, in fact, that I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t have to drive home from the airport when I returned home!<\/p>\n<h2>3. No turning right on red<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike in the US, it is illegal to turn \u201cright\u201d (meaning left) at a red light! So, keep your foot on the brake and resist the urge to creep forward as you anticipate a light-change as this is societal no-no.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Parking Woes and\/or Wows<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium-plus-size wp-image-22816\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-510x765.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan\" width=\"510\" height=\"765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-510x765.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-376x564.jpg 376w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-900x1350.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-720x1080.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-1440x2160.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-390x585.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01707-e1548432500843-780x1170.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>The Japanese might just be the world champions of parking. Or at least, they\u2019d certainly give anyone a run for their money. We are not exactly known for our parking finesse in the US, so prepare to be awed and humbled as almost every Japanese car you see backs up with ease into that \u201cway too small\u201d parking space on the first try. (That said, after the first few times of this futility, I pulled into parking spaces normally and didn\u2019t get any sideway glances).<\/p>\n<h2>5. Gas stations (aka, Petrol Stands)<\/h2>\n<p>It used to be that every gas station in Japan was \u201cFull Service,\u201d which is definitely my preference. I had enough trouble remembering which side of the car my gas cap was on, but increasingly there are \u201cSelf Service\u201d places as well, so choose wisely. I recommend trying to find a full-service station if possible as the attendant will take care of the work for you, and you just need a small amount of Japanese. For example, \u201cregular\u201d (\u30ec\u30ae\u30e5\u30e9\u30fc) for the gas, genkin (\u73fe\u91d1) for cash vs. credit card, manten for \u201cfill \u2018er up\u201d, etc.<\/p>\n<h2>6. ETC card<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-22821 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan landscape\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01750-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>When I picked up my rental car, the staff asked if I would like to rent an ETC card. I highly recommend taking advantage of this service, if for no other reason than you never know when the GPS will take you on a toll as the easiest\/fastest route. The rental fee is very small (around $3) and you can use the special ETC lanes when you get on\/off and don\u2019t need to go fishing for yen change every time you use one. You then pay the tolls at the rental office when you drop off the car\u2014easy peasy!<\/p>\n<h2>7. GPS<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium-plus-size wp-image-22825\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-510x340.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan road\" width=\"510\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01869-780x520.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of, most rental cars come with English as an option on their GPS, and the office staff can help set this to English, so it defaults for the entire time you have the car. This way no, or minimal, translation is required to get from Point A to Point B. Some icons occasionally come up in Japanese only, but not the \u201csearch destination by phone number\u201d, so just be sure to have the phone number for your accommodation\/museum\/temple etc. handy.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Using your turn-signal\u2026 er, windshield wipers<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-22818\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan road\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01709-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s face it: Americans don\u2019t use their turn signals are often as they could, should, or are technically required by law to do so. Another facet of Japanese driving is that almost everyone, with rare exceptions, will use their turn signals without question so it\u2019s a good habit to get back into for your trip.<\/p>\n<p>Fun fact: in Japanese cars, the turn signal is on the right side of the steering wheel and the windshield wipers are on the left, so you will probably spend part (or most) of your driving time running the wipers when you\u2019re trying to signal your intention to turn. I was doing really well remembering, and for a moment thought I could make it through all five days without muffing this, and then\u2026 well, it only happened a few times towards the end, so I count that as victory!<\/p>\n<h2>9. Speed Limits<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium-plus-size wp-image-22824\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-510x765.jpg\" alt=\"Driving in Japan landscape\" width=\"510\" height=\"765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-510x765.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-376x564.jpg 376w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-900x1350.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-720x1080.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-1440x2160.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-390x585.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC01808-e1548347669805-780x1170.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>All in kilometres, but so is the speedometer, so if you match the numbers, you need never fear being pulled over for exceeding the speed limit. Though to be honest I only recall ever seeing one police car. Still, keep yourself honest and you don\u2019t need to worry. Although I did see quite a few Japanese cars on the expressway who seemed to think they were driving in Daytona\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>10. Road-tripping (Japan-style)<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-22813\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Tree between Sakata and Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC02301-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Although it was a minor relief to board a train again, I really enjoyed my days in the rental car. The overall scenery feels more real somehow and you can get closer to daily life than on trains, visiting parts of rural Japan that foreigners hardly ever see, or would be impossible to get to just by public transport. I have to give a shout-out to Japan\u2019s awesome road stations (<em>michi-no-eki<\/em>); they\u2019re similar to rest areas but with shopping corners for local goods\/foods and usually at least one restaurant where weary travellers can grab a hearty meal before hitting the road again.<\/p>\n<p>Happy driving in Japan!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Take to Japan&#8217;s open roads on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/i-rmr\/romantic-road-classic-\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romantic Road<\/a> Self-Guided Adventure, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/about-us\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact our Japan experts for some more options<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Fancy driving something a bit snazzier? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/25\/supercars-an-alternative-way-to-see-tokyo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out James&#8217;s blog<\/a> on driving supercars through Tokyo.<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F22812\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Despite spending four years living in Japan (as well as plenty of visits back since), Senior Travel Consultant Amy had never gone behind the wheel before. Here, she offers her top 10 tips for swapping that famously efficient public transport to take to the &#8220;wrong&#8221; side of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2360,2359],"tags":[3538,4114,4117],"class_list":["post-22812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travellers-tales-from-japan","category-transport-and-travelling-in-japan","tag-driving-in-japan","tag-driving-as-an-american-in-japan","tag-renting-a-car-in-japan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22812"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22834,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22812\/revisions\/22834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}