Driving in Japan
Japan is covered with a vast network of rails. Trains and buses can get you anywhere. For most of our trips, public transport is our preferred choice. But, self drive trips are fun and easy too.
Driving in Japan will be very familiar for Singaporeans like us as it is on the right side. But first, you will need to apply for a International Driving Permit. I usually get mine at AAA. The IDP costs S$20 and last for a year.
Next, book your car in advance through websites like tocoo.jp. We only used this website as it covers almost the whole of japan. The booking is also really simple and reliable. You choose the date/time and select a pick up location convenient to you.
Some tips
- It is cheaper to pick up and return the car to the same location. You can choose to return at a different location (for example, pick up in tokyo and return in kyoto, hence saving the need for a return trip) but it will cost alot more.
- Book your car in blocks of 24 hours (example, 8am to the next day 8am). Any additional hour is charge at around 1000Yen per hour. Illustration, 8am on monday to the 2pm on tuesday may cost same as 8am on monday to 8am on wednesday.
- Some rental companies provide multilingual GPS navigation system with extra cost. I personally do need choose this option when I book. Because, I realised all japanese cars come equipped with English navi GPS, and english is all we need.
- We seldom use the car navi GPS system and rely mostly on google map on my iPone.
- Highways/Expressways in Japan usually has toll charges. Paying in cash is recommended for tourists like us. There is an option known as ETC for automated payment (just like our ERP), but getting an ETC card can be quite troublesome and require extra costs
Roads in Japan are relatively well maintained (similar to Singapore roads). The speed limit on expressways are usually 70/80 km/h, and I find it hard to maintain at that. In more remote areas (like hokkaido), even expressways can be single lane, and good luck if you find yourself behind a slow moving truck.
Japanese drivers are mostly courteous and we seldom get horn at. Remember to observe the famous 3 blinks of the hazard lights when you give way to other drivers.
And here are some random photos we took on the roads.
This is actually a carpark on a small empty land. Ropes were used to box up each lot and the parking fee is 500 yen. However, there are no parking attendant and you are expected to put in the coins according to your parked lot, honestly.
