1Left-hand traffic!
Roads in Japan use a left-hand traffic system. Since right-turning cars may be waiting in the right hand lane of a two-lane road, keep driving in the left lane if you do not intend to turn right. Don't forget to use your indicators when changing lanes so that cars behind know your intentions.
2Right-turning cars must wait!
Drivers are asked to give way to oncoming vehicles in principle when the driver intends to turn right. Make right turns after oncoming cars have traveled past or turned left. Priority is given to left turns in Japan. There are no rules regarding giving way to right-turning cars.
3Never fail to stop when a traffic light is red.
In Japan, there are hardly any roads or intersections that are "Turn left anytime" and that allow left-turning cars to turn left even if the traffic light is red. When the traffic light turns red, not only cars going straight but also left-turning cars have to stop. Wait until the traffic light becomes green.
4Obey arrow traffic lights.
When the traffic light is red, all cars must in principle stop. However, where there are arrow traffic lights provided below or at the side of the traffic lights, you may turn in the direction the arrow points when it is green. Right-turn arrow traffic lights are the most prevalent. When a right-turning arrow is shown, turn quickly while paying full attention to oncoming vehicles. Many intersections where this type of traffic light is provided have right-turn-only lanes.
5Always pay attention to speed limits! Legal speed limit is 60 km/h!
At suburbs where there are not many buildings, people lose a sense of speed, it is easy to lose a sense of your speed, and drivers may press down on the accelerator without thinking. Speed limits are set between 30 and 50 km/h in urban areas, and 60 km/h in the suburbs and on main roads. It is usually 100 km/h on expressways, but it may be limited to 50 km/h in case of strong winds and/or rain. Due to the large number of long roads, there are many public roads and expressways with long distances with no signs indicating speed limits or with electric signs that are showing no speed limits. On such roads, drivers are asked to obey the legal speed limits (60 km/h for public roads, 100km/h for expressways). Focus first on making a safe driving trip while paying attention to speed limits.
6Pay attention to the no-overtaking zones!
Don't pass other cars in no-overtaking zones. It is because it is dangerous to do so that the zone was established. For example, the roads may have obstructed views or sharp curves ahead. Wait until the no-overtaking zones is finished and it is safe for a driver to pass others to pass other vehicles.
7Bring your car to a complete stop at stop signs and in front of train crossings!
Bring your car to a complete stop to safety check left and right
In Japan, it is a strictly enforced rule that you must bring your car to a stop at stop signs, and halfway stops are not permitted. A "stop" means that a car completely stops and the driver looks left and right. In addition, since V-shaped signs are peculiar to Japan, remember what they mean. Usually, no "Stop" signs are located on roads which cross other roads with V-shaped signs. In other words, cars are traveling at high speeds on the road you need to cross. In the event of an accident, full responsibility is apportioned to the driver who did not stop their car. Pay full attention and make sure you stop the car completely.
8Watch the traffic light in front carefully, and do not start to move before the traffic light turns green!
What is a time-difference traffic light? When the traffic light for the lanes in your direction is red, the signal for the oncoming lanes is usually red, too. Time-difference traffic lights, however, are set to be green for busy lanes longer than for the other lanes.
What are separate traffic signals for pedestrians? There are separate traffic signals for pedestrians in areas where there are many pedestrians in order to be able to keep pedestrians and vehicles separate. When traffic lights for vehicles are green, all the traffic signals for pedestrians are red. Then, when all the traffic lights for vehicles turn red, the intersections are open for pedestrians to walk.
9Never drink and drive!
All over the world it is now considered common sense not to drive a car under the influence of alcohol. It is the same in Japan, however enforcement of the law and penalties for breaking it are stricter here. If alcohol is detected by a breath test, you will be penalized with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to a 500,000 yen. Even more severe penalties are imposed for driving while intoxicated. In Japan, drivers who refuse to take a breath test are also punished. Sober passengers who ride together with a drunken driver as well as those who encouraged a driver to drink will also be punished. Never drink and drive.
