Summer Homework: Things to Mind and Enjoy
Jul 31, 2024 By William Farrow
As we head into August, residents of Japan will begin wrestling with a month that continues the beats of July: Extreme heat coupled with high humidity and typhoons from time to time. While the cicadas may calm down during the month of August, seasoned residents know that the heat most...[ Click to read more ]
How to Get an ETC Card in Japan
Oct 19, 2023 By Justin Hanus
To pay the expressway tolls in Japan, it helps to have an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) card. This allows you to make automatic cashless payments instead of needing to stop at tollbooths and pay in cash. There are even special lanes at the tolls for holders of ETC cards, which...[ Click to read more ]
Converting your Foreign License to a Japanese Driver’s License
Apr 01, 2021 By Ray Proper
Each prefecture in Japan has different rules and requirements for driver licensing. For the most accurate information, please contact the licensing center in your area directly. Foreign license conversion in Japan can be divided generally into two groups, depending on what country issued the foreign license. [spacer height="1px"] Please note...[ Click to read more ]
How to Deal with Traffic Stops in Japan
Jun 28, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
If you choose to drive in Japan, at some point you will have to interact with the police; whether it’s a simple safety checkpoint, a traffic infraction, or worst case an accident. Most scenarios are just like their counterparts in other countries, but there are some minor differences to laws...[ Click to read more ]
How to Get Your Car Inspected in Japan
Apr 22, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Over the years, we’ve told you about the process of getting a driver’s license and buying cars and motorcycles in Japan, but we’ve never gone into detail on the inspection and taxation process that all vehicle owners must deal with every two years or less. It can be a real...[ Click to read more ]
Traffic Congestion Monitoring Sites for Japan
Dec 27, 2017 By Admin
If you are traveling around Japan you may find these sites interesting. Using these sites you can see areas of congestion on expressways in real time, in English! global.c-nexco.co.jp/en/jam en-www.drivetraffic.jp/smp/realtime_map.html Image courtesy of Jimi Okelana
Recognizing the Signs For Novice, Disabled, And Elderly Drivers in Japan
Jan 21, 2014 By First Admin
Did you ever wonder about those four strange magnets, a yellow and green leaf, an orange and yellow leaf, a blue and white clover, or a yellow and green butterfly, sometimes conspicuously attached to the front and rear of cars all over Japan? I was really hoping for a conspiracy,...[ Click to read more ]
Obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Japan
Jan 09, 2014 By Ray Proper
You can get an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on your Japanese driver’s license. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue and must be used in conjunction with your Japanese License. The process of getting an IDP generally takes one hour, and requires a visit...[ Click to read more ]
Obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Nagoya
By Ray Proper
You can get an international Driving Permit (IDP) from Japan based on your Japanese driver’s license. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue and must be used in conjunction with your Japanese license. The process takes less than one hour, and requires a visit to the...[ Click to read more ]
International Driver’s Licenses in Japan
Oct 16, 2013 By Ray Proper
We are still getting reports that drivers presenting International Driving Permits (IDPs) at the licensing center are being told to come back once their existing permit expires. Drivers need to understand that although there is one law, there are different interpretations of it by police in each prefecture. We recommend...[ Click to read more ]
