This article was written by the NIPPON VISA & LIFE editorial team based on information from public organizations such as the national government and local governments. Rules and fees may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live.
In Japan, people often get around by train, bus and bicycle. To drive a car or motorcycle, you need a driver’s license. This article sums up, situation by situation, “what to be careful about and where to look for information.”
Key Points by Situation (An Overall Map)
| Situation | What is important | Detailed article |
|---|---|---|
| Walking along or crossing a road | Follow the traffic lights. Cross at pedestrian crossings | This article |
| Riding a train | Go through the ticket gate with a ticket or an IC transit card | How to ride trains |
| Riding a bus | There are two ways to pay the fare. Which door you use and how you pay differ depending on the bus | How to ride buses |
| Riding a bicycle | Ride on the left side of the roadway. Wear a helmet | Bicycle rules |
| Riding an electric kick scooter, etc. | People under 16 cannot ride one. Ride on the roadway | This article |
| Wanting to drive a car or motorcycle | You need a driver’s license. With a foreign license, you can drive for 1 year at most | This article |
| Being in or causing a traffic accident | If anyone is injured, call 119. Always report to the police (110) | This article |
(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”)
When Walking
- Where there is a traffic light, cross after the light turns green. Where there is a pedestrian signal, follow that signal.
- Even when the light is green, check that cars on your right and left have stopped before you cross.
- When the green pedestrian signal (the figure of a person) is flashing, do not start crossing. If you are already crossing, either hurry across or go back.
- If there is no pedestrian crossing nearby, cross at a place where you can see the road well, after checking right and left. Do not cross diagonally.
- At a railroad crossing (a place where a railway line and a road cross), always stop before it and check right and left. Do not enter when the alarm is ringing or once the crossing gate (the bar that blocks the way) has started to come down.
- When walking on the road at night, wear bright-colored clothes and put on reflective material (something that reflects light) so that drivers can see you easily.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”)
When Riding a Train
To ride a train, buy a ticket at the station or use an IC transit card (a card you put money on in advance and touch at the ticket gate to pay the fare). Go through the ticket gate at the station entrance, and check the signs to find the platform where the train to your destination comes. On the platform, wait for the train behind the white line or the yellow blocks (tactile paving blocks).
How to buy tickets, how to go through ticket gates, how to charge (add money to) an IC card, and what to do if you lose your card are explained in How to Ride Trains in Japan and Use IC Transit Cards: Buying Tickets, Going Through Ticket Gates, Charging, and What to Do If You Lose Your Card.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”)
When Riding a Bus
The Immigration Services Agency’s “Guidebook on Living and Working” explains that there are two ways of paying on local buses, as follows.
- Buses with the same fare no matter how far you ride: Pay the fare when you get on. With an IC card, touch it once when you get on.
- Buses where the fare changes depending on the distance you ride: Take a numbered ticket (seiriken; a small piece of paper with a number on it) when you get on, and pay the fare when you get off. With an IC card, touch it twice: when you get on and when you get off.
However, which door you get on by and when you pay differ depending on the region and the bus company. For example, on Yokohama City buses you get on by the front door and pay the fare first, while Sapporo City’s information says that on a bus with two doors you get on by the middle (back) door. For examples of how to ride, changing money, the stop button, and what to do when there is not enough money on your IC card, see How to Ride a Local Bus in Japan: Which Door to Use, Numbered Tickets, Paying the Fare, and the Stop Button.
(Sources: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”, Yokohama City Transportation Bureau, “How to ride the city bus”, Sapporo City, “How to pay fares and how to transfer”)
Manners on Trains and Buses
- Try not to talk loudly. Talking on a mobile phone on a train or bus is considered bad manners in Japan.
- Do not let sound leak from your earphones.
- When it is crowded, do not keep your backpack on your back.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”)
When Riding a Bicycle
In Japan, a bicycle is a “vehicle” (in the same group as cars). As a rule, you ride on the left side of the roadway; riding on the sidewalk is the exception. Obey traffic lights and stop signs, and turn on your light at night. Do not ride a bicycle after drinking alcohol. Wear a helmet, too.
Since April 1, 2026, the “blue ticket” system (a system where you pay a fine) has been used for bicycle traffic violations by people aged 16 or older. When you may ride on the sidewalk, crime prevention registration, parking rules and more are explained in Rules for Riding a Bicycle in Japan: Keep Left, Helmets, Bicycle Crime Prevention Registration, and Blue Tickets (Fines).
(Sources: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”, National Police Agency, “Bicycles Are Vehicles, Like Cars: Follow the Rules and Ride Safely”, National Police Agency, “Introduction of Blue Tickets for Bicycles” leaflet)
When Riding an Electric Kick Scooter, etc.
Small electric vehicles that meet set standards, such as electric kick scooters, are called “specified small motorized bicycles” (tokutei kogata gendoki). Besides the kick scooter type, there are also bicycle-shaped types and types you ride sitting down.
- You do not need a driver’s license. However, people under 16 cannot ride one.
- Vehicles whose size or structure does not meet the standards are treated as vehicles that require a driver’s license.
- You must attach a license plate and take out compulsory automobile liability insurance (jibaiseki hoken; insurance that all cars and motorcycles must have).
- Ride on the roadway. You may ride on the sidewalk only when you are in a mode that limits the top speed to 6 km/h or less, and only in places where a sign or similar marking says you may ride on the sidewalk.
- Keep to the left edge of the road. Do not ride on the right side.
- Do not ride after drinking alcohol. Carrying a passenger, riding side by side, and using an umbrella or smartphone while riding are also prohibited.
- You cannot enter expressways. Wear a helmet when riding.
(Sources: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”, National Police Agency, “Traffic Rules for Specified Small Motorized Bicycles”)
When You Want to Drive a Car or Motorcycle
Three Ways to Drive in Japan
There are three ways to drive a car, a motorcycle, or a general motorized bicycle (what is commonly called a “gentsuki” moped) in Japan.
- Get a Japanese driver’s license
- Drive with an International Driving Permit (one issued by a country that is party to the Geneva Convention, in the prescribed format)
- Drive with a foreign driver’s license together with a Japanese translation made by an embassy or other authorized body (6 countries and regions: Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan)
With methods 2 and 3, you can drive for 1 year at most. Electric bikes with pedals also count as general motorized bicycles, so you need one of these methods to ride them.
How to Get a Japanese Driver’s License
- Take the tests: At a driver’s license center or a similar place, take and pass the skills test, the written test and the aptitude test (eyesight, etc.). If you graduate from a driving school (a designated driving school), you are exempted from the skills test.
- Switch from a foreign license: If you have a foreign driver’s license, your knowledge and skills needed for driving are checked, and if they are found to be fine, you are exempted from the written test and the skills test. One condition is that you stayed in that country for 3 months or more after getting the foreign license. Apply at the driver’s license center of the police in the prefecture where you live, or at a similar place. For the documents you need, contact the driver’s license center or a similar place.
For people with a foreign driver’s license, the National Police Agency provides information on driving in Japan and how to get a license in languages such as English, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese, Nepali and Burmese.
Main Rules When Driving
- Drive on the left side of the road. Follow traffic lights, signs and road markings.
- Do not use a smartphone or mobile phone while driving.
- Pedestrians have priority at pedestrian crossings. When someone is about to cross, stop before the pedestrian crossing.
- Do not drive after drinking alcohol. You must also not lend your car to someone who has been drinking, or offer alcohol to someone who is going to drive.
- Both the driver and passengers must wear seat belts. Children under 6 must use a child seat.
- When riding a motorcycle, wear a helmet and fasten the chin strap securely.
- If a police officer asks, you must show your driver’s license.
After You Get a License
- A Japanese driver’s license has an expiration date. A postcard with information about renewal is sent to the address written on your license. If you do not renew it by the expiration date, you will no longer be able to drive.
- If your name or address changes, complete the change procedure at a nearby police station or a similar place.
- Traffic violations and traffic accidents are given points. Depending on your total points over the past 3 years, your license may be suspended or revoked.
- You cannot drive a car or motorcycle unless it is covered by compulsory automobile liability insurance. Because compulsory automobile liability insurance does not pay for things such as accidents where property is damaged, there is also voluntary insurance (insurance you choose to take out yourself) to cover this.
(Sources: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”, National Police Agency, “Driver’s License” (information for people with a foreign driver’s license))
If You Are in or Cause a Traffic Accident
- If you were driving a car or motorcycle, stop driving immediately. Move the vehicle to a safe place where it will not block other vehicles (such as the side of the road).
- If anyone is injured, call 119 for an ambulance. Until the ambulance arrives, do not move the injured person unnecessarily, and follow the instructions of the person on the phone.
- Whether or not anyone is injured, call 110 to report to the police. Do not leave the scene until a police officer arrives.
- When the police officer arrives, explain what happened in the accident and have them check the scene.
- Even if you think you are not injured or only slightly injured, you may find out later that the injury is serious. See a doctor as soon as possible.
You may need a “traffic accident certificate” (kotsu jiko shomeisho) for procedures such as receiving support after an accident. You get this certificate by applying to the Japan Safe Driving Center. A certificate cannot be issued for an accident that was not reported to the police, so if an accident happens, always report it to the police.
When you call 110, you will mainly be asked “when, where and what happened,” “your name and contact information,” “the gender, number, age, clothing, etc. of the other party in the accident,” and “whether anyone is injured.” How to call 119 is explained in How to Call an Ambulance in Japan: How to Dial 119, What to Say, and Where to Get Advice When You Are Unsure (#7119).
(Sources: Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working”, Japan Safe Driving Center)
How to Find Out the Rules in Your Area
- For how to ride trains and buses, look at the “how to ride” page on the official website of the railway company, bus company, or the transportation bureau of the city, ward, town or village where you live.
- For driver’s license procedures, check the website of the police (driver’s license center) in the prefecture where you live. You can search with words such as “(name of your prefecture) 外国免許 切替” (switching a foreign license).
- If you are not sure, ask at your city, ward, town or village office, or at your local international association or consultation desk for foreign residents.
Primary Sources Referred to for This Article
- Immigration Services Agency, “Guidebook on Living and Working” (Chapter 9: Transportation, Chapter 10: Emergencies and Disasters, Chapter 12: Rules and Customs in Daily Life)
- National Police Agency, “Driver’s License” (information for people with a foreign driver’s license)
- National Police Agency, “Traffic Rules for Specified Small Motorized Bicycles”
- National Police Agency, “Bicycles Are Vehicles, Like Cars: Follow the Rules and Ride Safely”
- National Police Agency, “Introduction of Blue Tickets for Bicycles” leaflet
- Japan Safe Driving Center
- Yokohama City Transportation Bureau, “How to ride the city bus”
- Sapporo City, “How to pay fares and how to transfer”
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
