Quick answer

Driving in Japan is fun but needs attention. Indians need an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention, plus the original licence. Carry a credit card. Use a car for rural areas, not for cities.

We rented a car twice: once from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go, and once from Kyoto to Amanohashidate. Honestly, driving in Japan was a lot of fun, but not always easy.

The short version:

  • Japan drives on the left, like India.
  • Pay attention to lanes, signs and intersections.
  • Indians need an IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
  • Carry a credit card.
  • Cars for rural areas, trains for cities.

Left-side driving helps, but that’s not everything

Driving on the left made it more comfortable for us as Indian drivers. But the traffic lights may be familiar, while road layouts and intersections can be quite different from India.

You still need to watch:

  • Road signs
  • Lane arrangements
  • Intersections
  • Local traffic rules
  • Navigation instructions
  • Parking rules

Get into the right lane early

This was the biggest one for me. If navigation says turn, get into the correct lane well before the intersection. Missing your lane creates stress you don’t need.

The permit Indians need

The permit you need depends on the country that issued your licence.

  • For Indian licences → an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
  • Not every “international permit” works. Japan does not accept IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
  • Carry the IDP, your original driving licence and your passport.

Rules can change, so check the exact Japanese requirements before you travel.

Research the rules before you rent

  • Fines can be expensive.
  • Accidents, even small ones, come with legal and insurance procedures.
  • Parking violations get fined too.

If you’re not genuinely comfortable driving abroad, trains and buses are the more relaxed choice.

Expressway rest areas are great

On expressways, you can’t just pull over anywhere. Instead, there are rest areas at intervals, and they’re much more than parking lots. Depending on the place:

  • Clean washrooms
  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Vending machines
  • Shops with local products
  • EV charging

Some feel like small shopping centres. They made long drives much more comfortable.

Is a car cheaper for a group?

For 2 to 4 people, a car can work out cheaper than individual train and bus tickets, and it gives you flexibility where public transport is thin. But compare properly, including:

  • Rental cost
  • Fuel
  • Tolls (they add up on expressways)
  • Parking
  • Distance
  • The public transport alternative

Do the math for each leg. A car isn’t always cheaper.

Carry a credit card

Rental companies often need a genuine credit card. Debit and prepaid cards may not work. More in my money guide.

When I’d rent a car

  • Yes → rural villages, coastal areas, places with few buses. Shirakawa-go and Amanohashidate were perfect for it.
  • No → Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. Trains are faster, and city parking is tight and expensive.

Pick up the car when you leave the city, return it before you go back into one.