A red light means stop.
ORIX Rent a Car｜Car Rental in Japan
ORIX Rent a Car
Driving in Japan
Japanese traffic rules
Important points to note regarding Japanese traffic rules.
- Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Pedestrians have priority at all times.
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Traffic signals
If a green arrow is shown, even with an amber or red light, drivers should proceed in the direction indicated.
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Seat belts
According to Japan's Road Traffic Law, all seats must be fitted with seat belts. Driver and passengers must all fasten their seat belts.
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Child seats
Children under the age of six must by law use a child seat.
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Please respect speed limits when you drive.
This sign indicates a speed limit of 50km/h.
Driving over the speed of 50 km/h is forbidden.
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Please respect speed limits when you drive.
These signs indicate that it is forbidden to park or stop.
Fines are issued for infringements.
- Driving while drunk or after the consumption of alchohol is forbidden.
- It is forbidden for a person driving a vehicle to operate a cellphone, smartphone, tablet or other similar device.
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ETC System
At the entrance to Japanese public highways for which tolls are charged there are gates marked "ETC専用". ETC stands for Electronic Toll Collection System. Only vehicles with an ETC on-board device and an ETC card may use this gate. Other vehicles should enter the public highway via the gate marked "一般" (general). Payment may be made at the highway's entrance or the exit.
Japanese main road signs
Japanese main road signs
Road closed＊
Closed to vehicles
No parking or stopping
No parking
Stop
Slow down
Designated direction only
No crossing by car
No U-turns
No swerving to the right for overtaking
Maximum speed
Minimum speed
No entry
One way
Designated bus lane
- ＊
- Road closed (Closed to all traffic, pedestrians, motor vehicles, streetcars)
Warning signs
Slippery road ahead
Falling rocks ahead
Bumpy road ahead
Road construction ahead
Steep upward slope
Steep downward slope
School, kindergarten, nursery school ahead
Traffic light ahead
Merging traffic ahead
Lane ends ahead
Road narrows ahead
Two-way traffic ahead
Railroad crossing ahead
Cross winds ahead
Animal crossing
Danger
Direction signs
Parking allowed
Stopping allowed
Right-of-way
Center line
Stopping line
Safety zone
Pedestrian crossing
Bicycle crossing lane
Guide signs
Traffic lane designations
Highway entrance ahead
Direction, lane and exit
Emergency telephone
Emergency parking zone
- ※
- You may face criminal charges and be placed under police arrest if you commit a serious traffic offense (not limited to accidents).
Regulations of Chains
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Tourism announced a new regulation applicable in the case of heavy snow on the specified highways and main roads. (See below) The new regulation does not allow to drive a car without tire chains under the special heavy snowfall warning (can not drive with studless tires).
All ORIX Rent-A-Car shops can not arrange tire chains as an option and if you do not put a tire chain to our rent car, please do not drive on the specified highways and main roads. Once a car is damaged without tire chains, car insurance does not cover the cost of repair.
Your kind attention and understanding is very much appreciated.
| No | Type | Prefectures | Route No | Place/Route | Section | Distance(km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Express way | Niigata・Nagano | E18 | JOSHIN-ETSU EXPRESSWAY | Shinanomachi IC(17)～Arai PA(19-1) | 25 |
| 2 | Express way | Yamanashi | E20 | CHUO EXPRESSWAY | Sudama IC(17)～Nagasaka IC(17-1) | 9 |
| 3 | Express way | Nagano | E19 | CHUO EXPRESSWAY | Iidayamamoto IC(26-1)～Sonohara IC(26-2) | 10 |
| 4 | Express way | Ishikawa・Fukui | E8 | HOKURIKU EXPRESSWAY | Maruoka IC(10)～Kaga IC(12) | 18 |
| 5 | Express way | Fukui・Shiga | E8 | HOKURIKU EXPRESSWAY | Kinomoto IC(3)～Imajo IC(5) | 45 |
| 6 | Express way | Hiroshima・Shimane | E73 | YONAGO EXPRESSWAY | Yubara IC(2)～Koufu IC(4) | 34 |
| 7 | Express way | Hiroshima・Shimane | E74 | HAMADA EXPRESSWAY | Oasa IC(1)～Asahi IC(3) | 27 |
| 8 | National way | Yamagata | 112 | Gassan Road | Shizu Nishikawamachi～Tsuruokashi Kaminagawa | 27 |
| 9 | National way | Yamanashi・Shizuoka | 138 | Lake Yamanaka-Subashiri | Yamanashiken Yamanakakomura Hirano～ Shizuokaken Oyamamachi subashiri | 9 |
| 10 | National way | Niigata | 7 | Osudo～Kamiotori | Murakamishi Osudo～Murakamishi Kamiotori | 16 |
| 11 | National way | Fukui | 8 | Ishikawa Prefectural bound～Sakaishi | Awarashi Kumasaka～Awarashi Sasaoka | 4 |
| 12 | National way | Hiroshima・Shimane | 54 | Akanatoge Pass | Hiroshimaken Miyoshishi Funocho Kamihuno～ ShimanekenIinancho Kamiakana | 12 |
| 13 | National way | Ehime | 56 | Tosakatoge Pass | Seiyoshi Uwacho～Ozushi Matsuo | 7 |
Be careful!
In the case of a serious infringement of Japan's traffic laws (including but not limited to accidents),
criminal penalties may be applied and the driver may be subject to arrest.
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