Driving in Japan
Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country
Japan's michi-no-eki, onsen towns and coastal roads are best reached by car — but whether you can legally drive depends entirely on your passport. Japan accepts only one kind of International Driving Permit, a handful of places use an official translation instead, and some major countries cannot drive at all. Here is the full picture, country by country.
The one rule that matters: Japan recognizes only International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention — used by China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil and others — are not valid in Japan. Driving without valid documents is a criminal offense (unlicensed driving), not a parking-ticket problem.
Group 1 — Drive with an International Driving Permit (IDP)
If your country is party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, get an IDP from your home country's automobile association or licensing authority before you fly (AAA in the US, the Post Office/RAC route in the UK, AAA/state clubs in Australia, and so on — it usually costs US$20 or less and takes minutes). Carry the IDP together with your home license and passport.
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Philippines
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Cambodia
- Laos
- France
- Netherlands
- Italy
- Spain
- Portugal
- Austria
- Denmark
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
- Iceland
- Luxembourg
- Greece
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- South Africa
- Argentina
Major Geneva Convention members relevant to visiting Japan. Not exhaustive — if your country isn't listed in this article at all, check the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) list before booking.
Group 2 — Drive with an official Japanese translation instead
Seven places are treated specially: their national license is valid in Japan when carried together with an official Japanese translation. The translation must come from JAF, the issuing country's embassy or consulate in Japan, or (for Taiwan) the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association — a translation by any other translator is not accepted. You can order the JAF translation online before your trip (around ¥4,000) and have it delivered to your first hotel.
| License issued in | Where to get the translation |
|---|---|
| Taiwan | JAF, or the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association (in Taiwan) |
| Germany | JAF, or the German embassy/consulate in Japan |
| France | JAF, or the French embassy in Japan (an IDP also works) |
| Switzerland | JAF, or the Swiss embassy/consulate in Japan |
| Belgium | JAF, or the Belgian embassy in Japan (an IDP also works) |
| Monaco | JAF, or the Monaco consulate in Japan |
| Estonia | JAF (an IDP also works) |
This group matters enormously for road-trippers: Taiwan is one of Japan's biggest self-drive markets, and Taiwanese visitors need only their Taiwan license plus the translation — no IDP at all. The permission is valid for one year from the date you enter Japan.
Group 3 — Cannot drive in Japan as a tourist
Visitors holding licenses only from mainland China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil and other countries outside the Geneva Convention (and outside the translation list above) cannot legally drive in Japan on a short visit. There is no tourist workaround — Vienna Convention IDPs and privately translated licenses are refused at every rental counter.
Realistic alternatives if you're in this group:
- Rail + bus: the JR Pass and regional passes cover a huge amount of the country.
- A licensed friend drives: only the license holder may drive — rental contracts list every driver.
- Chartered car or driver-guide: common for group trips to rural regions.
- Residents: long-term residents can convert to a Japanese license (gaimen kirikae).
The rules everyone should know before driving
- Drive on the left. Steering wheel on the right; give yourself an hour of quiet roads to adjust.
- Minimum age 18 for a regular license class.
- Zero-tolerance drink driving: 0.15 mg/L breath alcohol is already criminal — in practice, don't drink at all. Passengers who let a drunk person drive are liable too.
- Child seats are mandatory under age 6. Reserve one with the rental car.
- Speed limits are low: typically 40–50 km/h in towns, 100–120 km/h on expressways.
- Carry all three documents (passport, license, IDP/translation) every time you drive.
FAQ
Can tourists from mainland China drive in Japan?
No. Japan only recognizes International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, and mainland China is not a member. Chinese IDPs and license translations are not valid, so visitors from mainland China cannot legally drive in Japan as tourists. Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan can drive.
Can I get an International Driving Permit after arriving in Japan?
No. Japan does not issue IDPs for foreign licenses. You must get your IDP from the licensing authority or automobile association in your home country before you travel.
How long can I drive in Japan with an IDP?
An IDP is valid for one year from its issue date, and you may drive in Japan for up to one year from the day you land — whichever comes first. You cannot reset the clock with a short trip abroad: if you are registered as a resident, you must be out of Japan for at least three consecutive months before a new entry restarts the one-year period.
What documents do I need to carry while driving in Japan?
Carry all three at all times: your passport, your home-country driving license, and your IDP (or official Japanese translation for the seven eligible places). Rental companies will refuse the car without them, and driving without valid documents is treated as unlicensed driving.
Can Vietnamese, Indonesian or Brazilian license holders drive in Japan?
Not with an IDP — Vietnam, Indonesia and Brazil issue permits under the 1968 Vienna Convention, which Japan does not accept. The only routes are converting to a Japanese license (for residents) or traveling by other means: rail passes, tours, taxis or a private driver.
Next: Renting a car in Japan — costs, insurance and how to book in English →