So you want to drive in Japan?
Major metropolitan areas around Tokyo Osaka and Nagoya in Japan are served by public transport very effective Therefore, many residents do not own a car or do not possess a driving license outside major cities, however, public transport common tends to be impractical or infrequent, and most people rely on cars to get around.
Traffic drives on the left side of the road and the wheel on the driver's seat and steering on the right side, the minimum age for driving is 18. Road signs and rules are consistent with international standards, and most signs on major roads are in Japanese and English drinking and driving is strictly prohibited.
Typical speed limits are 80 to 100 km h on motorways, 40 km h in urban areas, 30 km h in the side streets and 50 to 60 km h elsewhere; However, drivers tend to go a little more speed limits.
Most roads in Japan are free of charge, except motorways and certain roads scenic road conditions tend to be good, although side streets in cities can be quite narrow or impractical for larger vehicles congestion traffic is a common problem in and around city centers.
Drivers generally tend to be well-mannered and considerate, but some common dangers on Japanese roads include speeding on the intersections, even well after the traffic light is red, people stop their vehicles along the road of a way in which they block traffic and reckless cyclists especially those who drive on the wrong side of the road.
Foreigners can drive in Japan with an international driver's license IDPs for up to a year, even if the IDP is valid for a longer period it is impossible to drive on an international driving license unless you return to your country of origin for at least three consecutive months in between.
International driving permits are not issued in Japan and should be obtained in your home country in advance They are usually issued by your national automobile association of countries for a small fee Japan recognizes only international driving permits on the basis of the Geneva Convention of 1949, which are issued by many countries.
Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and Taiwan do not issue permits on the basis of the Geneva Convention of 1949, but a separate agreement that allows drivers of these countries to lead Japan to a year with a Japanese official translation of driver's license, a translation may be obtained from the Japan automobile Federation JAF or part of the respective countries embassy or consulate in Japan.
People from other countries with international driving permits are not recognized by Japan and the people who stay in Japan for more than a year must obtain a Japanese driver's license.
Japan has bilateral agreements with more than twenty countries, including Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, to facilitate the acquisition process a Japanese license If you have a valid driver's license from one of these countries, you can get a Japanese license without taking a written and practical exam.
Instead, go to your local license center with an official translation of your license from the Japan Automobile Federation, passport, and proof that your license for at least three months in the country before issuing coming to Japan next, take a look base and a physical test and you will be issued a new license on the same day.
If you have a driving license from a country that does not have an agreement with Japan, like the United States, China or Brazil, you must pass a written and practical exam to obtain a license Japanese driver This process generally takes several attempts, even for experienced drivers.
New and used cars are relatively cheap in the country of origin Toyota Nissan, Honda and Mazda Brand new compact cars are selling for less than one million yen.
Japanese cars are classified as regular cars and light kei car, which are subject to taxes and regulations kei car yellow car license plates are smaller vehicles that must comply with strict size, weight and power restrictions in return they benefit from several tax breaks and toll, and relaxed ownership rules that make them cheaper and easier to have that regular white car license plates.
Owning and operating a car involves many expenses, including mandatory inspections shaken every two to three years, annual vehicle taxes for compulsory and voluntary insurance, high parking fees, toll roads and the cost of gasoline.
Shaken is a compulsory safety inspection, the cars in Japan have to undergo every two years, except new cars, the first inspection is not due until three years after purchase Shaken usually costs between 100 000 and 200,000 yen, and besides the actual inspection fee includes a weight tax generally 8000-50000 yen and compulsory insurance about 30,000 yen.
Since compulsory insurance does not provide full coverage, it is recommended to buy other, secondary car insurance Moreover, the annual car tax that depends on the size of the engine, usually costs between 10 000 and 50 000 yen an acquisition tax must be paid when you buy a new car.
Many documents are required to purchase a car, including forms to register your car and check the ownership of a used car parking space also requires a transfer of ownership kei car cars benefit from the transfer process more relaxed Fortunately, if you buy a car from a car dealer, they will handle most of the paperwork for you, while your main task is to sign the forms with your inkan, officially registered personal stamp.
Small kei car have yellow license plates, while the regular size cars have white plates.
Gas stations are found all across Japan they traditionally provide a complete service, although self-service stations have increased significantly in recent years, many gas stations close for the night, while others are open 24 hours a liter cost of regular gasoline at about 150 yen from March 2014 high-octane gas and diesel are also widely available payment is possible by credit card or cash.
Gas at a gas station does demand a bit simple, Japanese When you pull into the station, an attendant can direct you to a Park stand, open the window and close your Say car attendant what type of gas a regular example, how by example Mantan for full tank and how you will pay for example credit cards, it can give you a wet towel to clean your dashboard or ask to take your garbage When finished, he can ask in which direction you want to go and run into traffic.
Auto-Z service stations t only provide Japanese language menus If in trouble, an attendant must be present and able to help you Please note that when paying by cash, the machine to change is often a separate machine or the within the gas station building.
Parking in the center of large cities is very expensive, costing several hundred yen per charge hour decrease with city size and distance of the town center in small towns and in the countryside, parking is often parking Free in national parks or tourist attractions nearby sometimes generally pay a flat fee 200 to 500 yen per use of urban hotels usually provide parking for their customers at a flat rate usually 1000 yen per night, while hotels outside major cities usually offer free parking.
In addition to standard parking lots, you may encounter some unique types of car parks in Japan The first are the elevator parking lots where cars are stored in pilot tours are directed to park their car on a lift, which records the car automatically in turn returning the car will be recovered by the elevator and returned to you.
The second single parking type uses low barriers under cars that lift up physically block in each vehicle Once you have paid your parking fees, or to a central payment machine or parking space, barrier decreases and you can drive safely away This type of parking is usually seen around small urban lots.
Driving in Japan, conduct, Japan, the 1949 Geneva Convention on the basis of the 1949 Geneva.