Driving in Japan: Documents, International Driving Permit, ETC, Tolls, Parking and Fuel

Many Thai travellers who have driven abroad want to try self-drive in Japan, and the first questions are about the licence, ETC and parking. The short answer is that it is possible and gives great freedom, but it suits destinations outside the big cities, such as rural Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku or areas around Mount Fuji. If you only visit Tokyo and Osaka, trains are far easier and a rental car often becomes a burden.

Quick summary: should you drive?

Driving suits groups with children, older travellers or lots of luggage who want to reach many rural stops, such as a peninsula trip or a lake circuit. It does not suit people who have never driven on the left, dislike narrow roads or stay in big cities, where parking costs and traffic make it poor value. Treat it as part of a trip, for example renting for three days in a rural area and using trains for the rest.

Documents and the international permit

• A valid Thai driving licence together with an international permit issued under a convention that Japan accepts
• Your passport and rental confirmation, which the rental company checks before handing over the car
• Compulsory insurance usually included in the rental, plus optional cover for damage and loss-of-use charges
• Receipts and key documents kept in the car as the rental company advises

A Thai licence alone is not enough to drive in Japan. Before booking, check that your international permit is of a type Japan recognises and have it ready in time, because without correct documents the rental company will refuse the rental. Document requirements can change, so confirm with the rental company and the Thai authority that issues licences.

Driving on the left and rules to know

Japan drives on the left with the steering wheel on the right, the same as Thailand, which helps Thai drivers adjust. But roads in cities and the countryside are narrow, with pedestrians, cyclists and railway crossings where you must stop before crossing. Police are strict about drink-driving, with essentially no tolerance, so do not drink at all if you are driving. Speed limits are often lower than Thai drivers are used to, and cameras come in several kinds, so follow signs and use navigation that supports English or search by the destination's phone number.

Expressways, ETC and tolls

Japanese expressways charge tolls by distance and are one of the main costs of a driving trip. ETC is the electronic toll system, and many rental companies rent an ETC card with the car so you can pass the ETC lane without stopping, with the tolls settled when you return the car. Some regions offer expressway passes for foreign visitors, whose conditions and prices change often, so check with the expressway operator and rental company before choosing one and do not assume it always saves money.

Parking and fuel

In big cities, parking is mostly coin parking charged by time, and some city hotels have limited spaces with separate fees, so check before booking. In the countryside parking is free or cheaper, for example at roadside stations called michi-no-eki, which are rest stops with toilets and local goods. Most fuel stations are self-service, and fuel types and pump colours differ, so read the labels, confirm the fuel type with the rental company and return the car full if the terms require it.

Train, bus or rental car

A mixed approach is often best: take the shinkansen or a train to a hub, then pick up a rental car at or near the station. For example, the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto takes about two and a half hours, and you can rent a car there for outlying areas. Check whether the rental company allows a drop-off at a different location, as a fee may apply.

While driving, navigation, traffic checks and finding parking all need data, and a rental car's navigation may not support English. An eSIM that works right away lets you use a phone map as backup.

Xem các gói eSIM Nhật Bản

Luggage, booking and budget

The small rental cars popular in Japan have limited luggage space, so choose a larger car if you have several big suitcases. Book early in peak seasons, pick a pickup location near a station and ask for the handover procedure to be explained. The main costs are the rental, insurance, expressway tolls, fuel and parking, whose prices vary by season and car model, so this guide gives no numbers. Keep a reserve for unexpected fines or fees.