Japan Self-Drive Guide 2026: 12 Key Things Hong Kong Drivers Must Know

Japan has long been a favourite destination for Hong Kong travellers. Many people choose to drive themselves self-drive tours so that they can visit multiple prefectures in one trip. However, there are also many things to pay attention to when embarking on a self-drive tour. From pre-trip preparation to collecting the car and arriving at your destination, every step requires care and attention. Read this article now to learn about 12 things to note when self-driving in Japan, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Pre-trip preparations for self-driving in Japan – destination, international driving permit, car rental, insurance and costs

Once you have decided to go on a self-drive tour, the first step is to prepare your international driving permit, decide on your destination, choose a car rental company and insurance, and plan your budget carefully.
 

Transport at the destination can directly affect the overall self-drive travel experience. For example, in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, there are many people and vehicles, so traffic congestion is common, and it is more difficult to find parking in busy urban areas. In addition, the rail and subway systems in major cities are well developed, with frequent and punctual services, and fares are relatively inexpensive. Compared with self-drive travel, taking public transport may be more convenient.

On the other hand, public transport in some rural areas or less popular attractions in Japan may be less convenient, with fewer services and possibly requiring multiple transfers to reach the destination. Self-drive travel is not restricted by public transport timetables and allows you to plan your itinerary flexibly, while also enabling you to transport luggage directly to your destination. Moreover, long-distance transport in Japan is expensive, such as the Shinkansen; if you are planning a cross-prefecture journey, self-drive travel is also a good way to save on transport costs.

Hong Kong residents who wish to drive in Japan must hold an International Driving Permit. If you meet the following conditions, you may submit an application online:

• Hold a Hong Kong Identity Card; and
• Hold a valid Hong Kong full driving licence, or one that has expired for no more than 3 years (as of the application date)

In addition, you may choose to submit your application by post. Please complete the Transport Department form and mail it to the Kwun Tong Licensing Office of the Transport Department. The Transport Department will post the new International Driving Permit by registered mail to the correspondence address provided within 10 working days after receiving the application.

For more details on applying for an International Driving Permit, please visit the government website.

Car rental is also an important part of self-drive travel. When planning your itinerary, arranging your car rental in Hong Kong in advance can make your trip smoother. Below are some common car rental companies in Japan:

Major car rental companies

Nippon Rent a Car, Times Car Rental and other major car rental companies have more branches, as well as a wider selection of car models and more vehicles available, but rental rates may be higher.

Small and medium-sized car rental companies

Orix Rent a Car, OTS Rent a Car and other small and medium-sized car rental companies offer more affordable rates, but may have fewer branches or a more limited choice of vehicle models.

Car rental agents

In addition to renting directly through a car rental company’s official website, you can also rent via Japanese car rental agents such as ToCoo! and Tabirai. These platforms consolidate information from multiple car rental companies and provide price comparison services. In addition, many online travel agents in Hong Kong, such as Klook, kayak and Expedia also offer car rental services.

When hiring a car for a self-drive trip abroad, the insurance provided by the rental company usually includes an excess. In the event of an accident, the insurer will pay out, but the insured person must first pay the deductible, i.e. the excess amount. If you have purchased travel insurance with “rental car excess cover” before departure, the insured person may receive an additional claim payment to reimburse the excess, giving your self-drive trip extra protection.

10Life fairly compares different travel insurance products and also offers a rental car excess filter to help policyholders choose the travel insurance that best suits their itinerary.

If you would like to learn more about travel insurance products, please read 【Travel Insurance 2024】Actuaries help you compare the prices and coverage of over 60 travel insurance products (with exclusive ratings).

The main costs of a self-drive trip in Japan generally include the following:

Car rental fees

Car rental fees are the largest expense in a self-drive trip. In general, larger car hire companies charge higher rates, but their vehicles and service are usually better; smaller and medium-sized companies are cheaper, but you may need to pay attention to the condition of the vehicles or the number of branches.

Fuel costs

Fuel costs can be estimated based on the expected mileage, fuel price and fuel consumption. The current average fuel price in Japan is around JPY150 per litre. Fuel consumption varies depending on factors such as the car model, number of passengers, luggage weight and road conditions. As a rough estimate, a vehicle may travel 13 to 15 kilometres per litre. You may also calculate this based on the size of the vehicle. The estimated fuel cost for one day is around JPY1,500 to JPY1,800.

Motorway tolls

If your itinerary includes motorway sections, you can check the tolls on the motorway operator’s official website.

Parking fees

Parking fees vary by location. Parking in cities is usually more expensive, while suburban areas mostly offer free parking. In addition, some hotels or hot spring inns may charge parking fees, so please pay attention to the relevant information. 

Japan Self-Drive Car Collection Guide – Vehicle Inspection, Expressway Pass and Navigation Setup

When you arrive in Japan to collect your car, there are also several matters to pay attention to:

Car rental process steps and required documents

Documents to prepare:
Passport: the validity period must cover the entire rental period
International driving permit: can be applied for at the Hong Kong Transport Department
Credit card: used to pay the rental fee and other charges

 Steps for making a car rental reservation:

1. Go to the car rental company’s official website and select the pick-up city and date
2. Choose the vehicle type and additional services, such as an ETC card, child seat, etc.
3. Consider purchasing car insurance to protect your interests
4. Fill in the driver’s details, confirm the order and make payment

Pick-up procedure

Pick-up steps:
1. Bring your passport, driving licence, international driving permit, credit card and rental voucher to the pick-up location
2. Present the documents to complete the pick-up procedure, and inspect the vehicle condition carefully
3. Read and sign the rental agreement, and understand the relevant terms and conditions
4. Collect the vehicle keys and other related documents

ETC Card

Most expressways in Japan use the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System), an electronic toll collection system that helps avoid stopping to take a ticket and offers discounted rates.

Expressway Fixed-Price Pass

Japanese expressway companies have launched fixed-price passes for overseas self-drive travellers, allowing unlimited use of expressways within a specified area for a set period. There are currently four types of passes:

• Japan Expressway Pass: available throughout Japan
• Tohoku Expressway Pass: available in the Tohoku region
• Hokkaido Expressway Pass: available in Hokkaido
• Kyushu Expressway Pass: available in Kyushu

Chinese GPS Navigation

Many taxi vehicles in Japan are equipped with car navigation systems (GPS) that support multiple languages. To make full preparations, you may download an offline map or navigation app before departure, in case of need.

Japan self-drive trip essentials – traffic rules, parking and refuelling, car return

Even after successfully collecting the car, you still cannot let your guard down. After arriving, you also need to pay attention to traffic rules, parking and refuelling, as well as car return arrangements.

Japan and Hong Kong both drive on the left, so Hong Kong drivers may find driving in Japan easier to get used to. In addition, Japan’s traffic rules are broadly similar to those in Hong Kong, and the road signs are also easy to understand. However, you should still pay attention to the following points:

Giving way when turning right

When turning right, vehicles should first give way to oncoming traffic going straight ahead, and only turn right when there are no vehicles.

Pedestrian priority

Japan places great importance on pedestrian priority. Even if the pedestrian crossing signal at a zebra crossing is red, if there are pedestrians crossing the road, vehicles must stop and let them cross first.

Parking at the roadside

In Japan, people are used to parking on the left-hand side of the roadside lane while waiting for someone or loading and unloading goods. Therefore, when driving in Japan, you should also try to keep to the right and avoid changing lanes repeatedly.

Running a yellow light

Japanese drivers are very used to going through yellow lights, so if the green light turns yellow and you want to stop, you must be careful of the vehicles behind you.

In addition to mastering driving skills and traffic rules, parking is also a subject in itself. Question! Japan has a wide variety of car parks, and the common types include the following:

Indoor car park

These car parks are usually located underground or within buildings. They offer a comfortable and safe parking environment, but the fees are relatively higher.

Outdoor car park

These car parks are located outdoors and are more affordable than indoor car parks, but you should take care to protect your vehicle from sun and rain.

Wheel-lock outdoor car park

In this type of car park, each space is fitted with a liftable wheel-lock device. Three minutes after a vehicle is parked, it will be locked immediately. When leaving, you must first pay to unlock it, then drive away within three minutes.

Multi-storey automated parking garage (mechanical parking facility):

This type of car park is more modern and is operated by staff. When parking, the driver simply drives the vehicle into the designated position, then turns off the engine and gets out. The vehicle will then be mechanically parked in the designated bay automatically. When leaving, inform the staff of the parking bay number, and the vehicle will be automatically delivered to the entrance/exit.

Japanese petrol stations can broadly be divided into two types:

Full-service petrol stations

Staff fuel the vehicle and provide services such as wiping the windows.

Self-service petrol stations

You need to refuel the vehicle yourself.

Return procedure:
1. Return the vehicle at the designated location and present the car rental agreement and vehicle keys.
2. Staff will inspect the vehicle’s condition and complete the return process once no damage is confirmed.
3. Pay any outstanding charges, such as motorway tolls.
4. Collect the deposit (if applicable).

Further reading: 自駕遊保險、旅遊保同租車公司車保有咩分別？深入拆解租車自負額

Q: What are the common road hazards for Hong Kong drivers in Japan?

A: Roads in Japan are generally safe, but Hong Kong drivers may still have blind spots when it comes to certain road conditions and traffic systems. The table below summarises several common pitfalls, so readers can take precautions before travelling.

Q: Can a Hong Kong driving licence be used directly in Japan? Is an International Driving Permit required?

A: A Hong Kong driving licence cannot be used directly in Japan. Hong Kong visitors must carry both a valid Hong Kong full driving licence and an International Driving Permit issued by the Hong Kong Transport Department; both must be presented together in order to drive legally in Japan.

Q: How far in advance should an International Driving Permit be applied for? How long is it valid for?

A: It is recommended to apply for an International Driving Permit at least two to three weeks before departure, allowing around ten working days for processing and postage. An International Driving Permit is generally valid for one year and must be used together with a Hong Kong full driving licence; it cannot be used on its own as proof of driving entitlement.

Q: Is the insurance provided by car rental companies sufficient? Do I still need to buy travel insurance / car rental excess cover separately?

A: Car rental companies usually only provide basic compulsory insurance and simple vehicle insurance that meets legal requirements. Coverage for the renter and vehicle damage is limited, and a relatively high excess is often charged; they may also charge a loss-of-use fee during repairs. If you want more comprehensive protection for a self-drive trip, you may wish to purchase travel insurance that includes “car rental excess cover”, which reimburses the excess in the event of a covered incident.

Q: What is NOC (Non-Operation Charge)?

A: NOC (Non-Operation Charge) is a fixed fee charged by a car rental company when a vehicle has to be repaired after an accident or damage and cannot be rented out during that period, to compensate for lost business income. Even if you already have vehicle damage insurance, NOC is usually still payable by the renter. Some car rental companies offer “NOC waiver insurance” or related waiver coverage, and some travel insurance policies also cover similar expenses. It is advisable to read the rental agreement and policy terms carefully before purchase. 

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.