JapanJapan
Traffic rules
Japan
1. Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia stretching from the colder, snowy north of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Okinawa. Traffic drives on the left, and road conditions vary from extremely dense urban networks and narrow residential streets to mountain roads and a large intercity expressway system. Written road information is primarily in Japanese, using kanji and the Japanese syllabaries, but major guide signs commonly include Roman-letter or English information and expressways use an E-number route system designed partly to make navigation easier for international visitors.
Japan has no nationwide motorway vignette; many expressways are toll roads, with ETC electronic toll collection widely used. The normal statutory maximum for an ordinary passenger car on a national expressway is 100 km/h, although selected sections are signed at up to 120 km/h. Foreign visitors also need to pay particular attention to licensing: Japan accepts qualifying 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permits, while licences from a small group of specified countries and regions can instead be used with an authorised Japanese translation. Snow can make winter equipment essential in northern and mountainous areas, while earthquakes, typhoons and heavy rain can cause temporary closures and special traffic restrictions.
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Which side of the road do you drive on in Japan?
Drive on the left-hand side of the road and normally overtake on the right.
What emergency numbers are used in Japan?
Call 110 for police and 119 for ambulance or fire services. Traffic accidents should be reported to the police even when nobody appears to be injured.
What is the alcohol limit for driving in Japan?
Japan has very strict drink-driving rules. Driving with at least 0.15 mg of alcohol per litre of breath, or 0.3 mg per ml of blood, meets the statutory alcohol threshold for driving under the influence. The practical rule is simple: do not drink and drive.
Did Japan change its drink-driving rules in 2026?
Yes. Since 21 July 2026, the separate offence of severely intoxicated driving can also be established at a breath-alcohol concentration of 0.5 mg/l or more, in addition to cases where alcohol makes normal driving difficult. The lower 0.15 mg/l threshold for alcohol-impaired driving remains unchanged.
What is the statutory speed limit on ordinary roads in Japan?
From 1 September 2026, the statutory maximum is 30 km/h on qualifying roads without a centre line or traffic lanes. Roads with a centre line, traffic lanes, physically separated directions and certain other specified roads retain the 60 km/h statutory maximum unless another speed limit is posted.
When did Japan reduce the statutory speed limit on residential roads?
The change took effect on 1 September 2026. The statutory maximum on qualifying roads without a centre line or traffic lanes was reduced from 60 to 30 km/h.
What is the expressway speed limit in Japan?
For an ordinary passenger car, the normal statutory maximum on a national expressway is 100 km/h. Some high-standard sections have higher posted limits of up to 120 km/h, while many other sections are signed lower because of road, weather or traffic conditions.
Do you need a motorway vignette in Japan?
No. Japan does not use a nationwide motorway vignette. Many expressways instead charge tolls according to the road and journey.
What is ETC on Japanese expressways?
ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) allows tolls to be paid automatically using an onboard ETC unit and compatible card. ETC is available at most expressway toll gates and is commonly provided as an option with rental cars.
Can a foreign visitor drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit?
Yes, but only a qualifying International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention is accepted. An IDP issued under another convention or in a non-compliant format does not automatically authorise driving in Japan.
Can you drive in Japan using only a foreign driving licence?
Usually no. Drivers normally need a Japanese licence or a qualifying Geneva Convention IDP. A special exception allows licences issued by Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan to be used with an authorised Japanese translation.
How long can a foreign visitor drive in Japan with an IDP?
Generally for no more than one year after entering Japan, or until the IDP expires, whichever occurs first. Special rules affect residents who leave and re-enter Japan for short periods.
Are winter tyres mandatory throughout Japan?
Japan has no single nationwide fixed winter-tyre season for ordinary passenger cars. However, snowy and icy roads can be subject to regional anti-skid requirements, chain controls or closures, and winter tyres or chains are essential on many routes during winter conditions.
Can snow chains become compulsory in Japan?
Yes. During severe snowfall, authorities can impose chain requirements or close roads to inadequately equipped vehicles. Drivers travelling through snowy regions should check current road restrictions and carry suitable equipment.
Are seat belts compulsory in Japan?
Yes. Seat belts are required in all seating positions, including rear seats, where belts are provided.
When must children use a child seat in Japan?
A driver must not normally carry a child under six years old without an appropriate child-restraint system, subject to limited statutory exceptions. A suitable restraint is also recommended for older children who are too small for an adult seat belt to fit correctly.
Are motorcycle helmets compulsory in Japan?
Yes. Riders and passengers of motorcycles and motorised bicycles must wear a properly secured motorcycle helmet.
Can you use a mobile phone while driving in Japan?
No. A driver must not hold a mobile phone for a call or look continuously at a phone or similar display while the vehicle is moving. Stop in a safe place before operating the device.
Which side has priority at an uncontrolled intersection in Japan?
Where there is no signal, priority road or clearly wider road determining priority, Japan applies priority from the left: you must not obstruct a vehicle approaching along the intersecting road from your left.
Who has priority at a roundabout in Japan?
At a junction officially designated as a roundabout, vehicles circulate clockwise, and vehicles already circulating have priority over entering traffic. Enter slowly from the left side and signal when leaving as required.
Can you turn left or right at a red traffic light in Japan?
Normally no. At a red light you must stop and may not proceed straight, left or right. Movement is permitted where a green directional arrow or another specific traffic control authorises it.
Do pedestrians have priority at pedestrian crossings in Japan?
Yes. Drivers approaching a crossing must slow sufficiently to stop unless it is clearly empty, and must stop and give way when a pedestrian is crossing or about to cross.
Must you stop at railway crossings in Japan?
Normally yes. Before crossing railway tracks, drivers must come to a complete stop and check that it is safe. Where a traffic signal directly controls the railway crossing, drivers may proceed according to that signal.
What must you do if your vehicle breaks down on a Japanese expressway?
Move to the shoulder or another safe place if possible, warn following traffic with a warning triangle, stopping-display light or road flare, leave the vehicle and move behind a guardrail or to another safe location, then call for assistance or the police.
Must you carry a warning triangle in Japan?
A disabled vehicle stopped on an expressway must be marked with an approved warning triangle or permitted stopping-display device. Drivers planning to use expressways should therefore ensure the required emergency-warning equipment is available in the vehicle.
What should you do if a major earthquake occurs while driving in Japan?
Avoid sudden steering or braking and stop safely on the left side of the road. Obtain earthquake and traffic information before deciding whether to continue. If you must abandon the vehicle for evacuation, avoid obstructing emergency traffic and follow official instructions.
How should drivers pass cyclists in Japan?
Since 1 April 2026, when passing a bicycle on its right without sufficient lateral clearance, a motor vehicle must travel at a safe speed appropriate to the available distance. Police guidance recommends leaving about 1 metre where possible and slowing to roughly 20–30 km/h if that clearance cannot be achieved; these figures are guidance rather than universal statutory numerical limits.
What language is used on road signs in Japan?
Written information is primarily in Japanese. Major guide signs commonly supplement Japanese place names with Roman-letter or English information, and expressways use route numbers such as E1 and E4 to make navigation easier.
