Does Japan Drive on the Left?

Yes—Japan drives on the left-hand side of the road, and vehicles have the steering wheel on the right. This alignment shapes everything from lane discipline and roundabout flow to vehicle imports and road signage, and it has been firmly established nationwide for decades.

Why Japan Drives on the Left

Japan’s left-side traffic is rooted in a mix of historical practice and formal regulation. While lore often cites samurai-era conventions, the modern foundation owes much to railway design and 20th-century lawmaking.

Railways and British Influence

When Japan’s first railways were built in the late 19th century with British technical support, trains were set to run on the left. That precedent influenced broader traffic habits and later road rules. Over time, left-side norms migrated from rail to road as motor traffic expanded.

Legal Codification and the Okinawa Exception

Left-side driving was codified through early 20th-century ordinances and cemented by postwar national traffic laws. One notable exception occurred in Okinawa: under U.S. administration after World War II, the prefecture switched to right-side driving. After reversion to Japanese control, Okinawa undertook “Operation 730” on July 30, 1978, successfully reverting to left-hand traffic overnight—bringing it back in line with the rest of the country.

What This Means on the Road

If you plan to drive in Japan, several practical points follow from left-hand traffic and local rules. The following highlights help visitors adjust quickly and drive safely.

• Steering and lanes: Steering wheels are on the right; keep left except when overtaking. The passing lane is the rightmost lane on multi-lane roads and expressways.
• Turns and signals: Left turns go into the near lane; right turns cross oncoming traffic. No turn on red unless a dedicated green arrow or sign permits it.
• Roundabouts: Where present, traffic flows clockwise; yield to circulatory traffic and to pedestrians at crosswalks.
• Speed limits: Typical urban limits are 30–50 km/h; rural roads 50–60 km/h; expressways generally 80–100 km/h, with selected sections posted up to 120 km/h.
• Alcohol and safety: Japan enforces a strict blood-alcohol limit (0.03% BAC). Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; child seats are required for young children.
• Road signs: Text signs are in Japanese with widespread English transliterations, especially on expressways and in cities. Symbols are largely intuitive, though Japan is not a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

These norms align with other left-driving countries, but Japan’s enforcement is notably strict and signage—while multilingual in many areas—still rewards advance familiarity.

Licensing, Permits, and Practicalities for Visitors

Before taking the wheel, confirm your eligibility and prepare for tolls and navigation. The following points outline what most travelers need to know.

• International permits: Japan recognizes International Driving Permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. Many travelers (e.g., from the U.S., U.K., Australia) can drive with their home license plus a 1949 IDP for up to one year from entry.
• License plus translation: Drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan may drive with their home license accompanied by an official Japanese translation (commonly arranged via JAF), also up to one year from entry.
• Rentals and age: Major rental companies typically require drivers to be 18+ (Japan’s legal driving age) and often 21–25+ for certain vehicle classes. A credit card is usually required.
• Tolls and ETC: Expressways are tolled. An ETC card (electronic toll collection) can be rented with the vehicle to streamline payments and sometimes access discount plans.
• Navigation: GPS and smartphone navigation offer English options; mapping apps generally handle left-side routing flawlessly, but keep an eye on lane guidance for complex urban junctions.

With the correct permit and a plan for tolls and navigation, visitors usually find driving manageable—particularly outside dense urban cores.

Beyond Roads: Left-Side Convention in Transit

Japan’s left-side convention extends to rail operations across most of the network, reflecting its historical roots. While there are local exceptions due to legacy infrastructure, the left-running pattern remains the norm in both road and rail, reinforcing intuitive expectations for travelers switching modes.

Summary

Japan drives on the left, with right-hand-drive vehicles, left-lane travel, and clockwise roundabouts. The convention grew from British-influenced rail design and was formalized through 20th-century regulations, with Okinawa’s 1978 “Operation 730” marking the last major alignment. Visitors should secure the appropriate permit (1949 IDP or license plus translation for specific countries), follow strict safety rules, and prepare for tolled expressways—after which driving is straightforward and well-signposted.