How to Get an ETC Card in Japan

Oct 19, 2023

How to Get an ETC Card in Japan

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 makes driving the expressways as seamless as possible.

In fact, the card provides more than just convenience as there are also discounts for using an ETC card. One is the Late Night discount, which applies to designated highways between midnight and 4:00 a.m. The other is the Holiday discount, which applies 24 hours a day at weekends and on holidays. The discounts are not cumulative — whichever is greater applies.

As a foreigner in Japan, you have three main options to acquire an ETC card. Please keep in mind that you will not be able to get an ETC card if you do not have a valid Japanese driver’s license. You may also need to be listed as a registered user of the vehicle (使用者 – shiyousha), but this will depend on the method you decide on.

1. Credit Card Companies

The first option is to use a credit credit company that issues ETC cards. There are many possible choices, but some credit card companies are particularly friendly to foreigners. These include:

• Orico
• JCB
• Rakuten
• Saison
• EPOS
• Amazon Mastercard
• SMBC Prestia

The problem with using a credit card company for your ETC card is you’ll need to deal with the bureaucracy of Japanese banks. You may have already experienced this if you’ve applied for a bank account or credit card. There are complex rules to navigate, long processing times, and numerous fees you need to try to avoid. For these reasons, it’s best to go through a bank that caters to foreigners rather than a local bank. Your top choices are:

• Japan Post Bank (JPB)
• Seven Bank
• Shinsei Bank
• SMBC Prestia

One last thing to note: If you are attempting to open a bank account, you may be asked to provide a “certificate of employment” by the bank. This is a document produced by the company employing you and it states a few basic details regarding your employment.

2. The Japan ETC Card Website

Another possibility is to go through the Japan ETC website. This is an ETC solutions company, set up with the sole purpose of helping foreigners living in Japan with the process of obtaining an ETC card. If you use this service, you’ll also be able to take advantage of customer support in English and Japanese, such as if you run into problems with your ETC card, you need help with travel claims, or you want toll receipts in English.
Applying through the Japan ETC website is the fastest way to receive your card. You can complete the entire process online in English. However, keep in mind that this method will require you to be listed as the registered user of your vehicle.

To start, you’ll need to create an account on the website by filling out a form that asks for information like how much you expect to spend on tolls on a monthly basis, your status in Japan, and your visa type. Once you’ve submitted the form and user agreement, you’ll need to provide documentation to register the ETC for your vehicle. You have three options to do this. The easiest is to upload the documents directly to the form. Alternatively, you can scan or take a photo of the documents and email them to support@japanetccard.com. The final option is to bring your documents to the Yokosuka ETC office.

When you acquire your card through the Japan ETC website, you need to pay a 40,000 yen security deposit. This is because the card gives you a line of credit — you’re only billed two months after you pay a toll. Once you’ve made the deposit, the company will either ship the card to you or you can pick it up at the Yokosuka ETC office.

When you want to cancel your ETC card (such as when you’re leaving Japan), simply log into your account and select “Cancel ETC Service.” You can set a date in the future for the cancelation to go into effect, meaning you can continue using your card right up until you leave the country. Plus, there’s no need to return your card to the company.

3. Personal Card Applications

A final option is to make an application for a personal ETC card. Although this option is available to all residents, you will need to know some Japanese both to request the application and to fill out the form.

You can apply in person by going to an information or concierge desk at any of the service areas on the expressways — the downside is you will have to pass through a toll to reach these. You should check that the service area will be open before making the trip. Most operate between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., seven days a week. You can also apply without leaving home by calling the ETC Personal Card Issuing Office at 044-870-7333 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. You can also visit their website but you will need browser translations or Japanese skill to navigate.

For the application, you’ll need proof of residence, which you can provide through a photocopy of your alien registration card. Just like with using the Japan ETC website, you’ll need to make a deposit that you’ll receive back when you relinquish your card. The minimum amount is 40,000 yen, but, since the ETC Personal Card Center will lock your card if your balance over two months exceeds 80% of your deposit, you may need to make a larger deposit.

How to Set Up Your Car for ETC

To use your ETC card, you’ll need an in-vehicle ETC device. You can purchase the device at any store that sells car accessories. Auto shops will also be able to install the device for you.

Remember to always insert your card into the device at the start of your journey — it’s unsafe to insert it while you’re driving, such as when you’re approaching a tollbooth. In addition, you should remove the card when you leave your car. Treat it like you would a credit card.

Some rental cars come with ETC devices already fitted, but they’re unlikely to also have a card. You can purchase your own card or ask the car company if they have cards available to rent — this is likely to be more expensive.

The Takeaway

Foreigners often struggle with obtaining ETC cards, but this guide shows that you have several options, which should make it easier for you to find a method that works for you. If you’ll be frequently driving the expressways, it will likely be worthwhile to have one for the convenience and savings.

ja:User:Sanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons