Japan road rules for visitors: what you must know before you drive

In Japan, vehicles drive on the left. You must come to a complete stop at stop signs and at every railway crossing, and you cannot turn on a red light. Since 1 September 2026, the default speed limit on narrow residential roads is 30 km/h. Drink driving and holding a phone while driving are both crimes.

Which side of the road do you drive on in Japan?

Vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Take extra care when you turn, and after a right turn make sure you end up on the left side of the new road.

Source: National Police Agency (checked on 23 October 2026)

What do the stop and slow signs mean?

Sign	What you must do
Stop (止まれ)	Come to a complete stop, then check left and right before you go
Slow (徐行)	Drive slowly enough to stop immediately — as a guide, 10 km/h or less

Source: National Police Agency (checked on 23 October 2026)

Many stop signs also have the word 止まれ painted on the road, as in the photo above. Rolling through a stop sign without stopping is not allowed.

Can I turn on a red light in Japan?

No. At a red light you cannot go straight, turn left or turn right. If a green arrow is lit, you may go in the direction of the arrow even though the main light is red.

A flashing red light means you must stop at the stop line before you go. A flashing yellow light means you may go while paying attention to other traffic.

Source: National Police Agency, "Traffic Lights and Road Signs" (checked on 23 October 2026)

What are the speed limits in Japan?

Always follow the posted signs. When there is no sign, these legal limits apply to ordinary cars:

Road	Legal speed limit
General roads with a centre line or marked lanes	60 km/h
General roads without a centre line or marked lanes (residential roads)	30 km/h (since 1 September 2026)
National expressways, main lanes	100 km/h maximum, 50 km/h minimum

Source: Order for Enforcement of the Road Traffic Act; Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (checked on 23 October 2026)

The 30 km/h limit for residential roads is new. Many older guides still say 60 km/h. Where a sign shows a different limit, the sign applies.

Turning right, crosswalks and railway crossings

• Turning right: give way to vehicles going straight or turning left.
• Crosswalks: if a pedestrian is crossing or about to cross, you must come to a complete stop.
• Railway crossings: come to a complete stop before every crossing, even when the alarm is not sounding.

Source: National Police Agency (checked on 23 October 2026)

Drinking and driving

Driving with 0.15 mg or more of alcohol per litre of breath is a crime, even if you do not feel drunk. The National Police Agency also warns that driving with a hangover is illegal.

Offence	Penalty
Drunk driving	Up to 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 1,000,000 yen
Driving under the influence (0.15 mg/L or more)	Up to 3 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 500,000 yen

Source: National Police Agency, "Eradication of Drinking and Driving" (checked on 23 October 2026)

People around the driver can also be punished: whoever lent the car to the driver, whoever served the alcohol, and passengers who asked to ride with a driver who had been drinking.

Phones, seat belts and child seats

• Phones: do not talk on a phone or look at its screen while driving, except in an emergency. Holding a phone while driving can lead to up to 6 months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 yen. If it causes danger, the penalty rises to up to 1 year or 300,000 yen.
• Seat belts: everyone must wear a seat belt, in the front and in the back.
• Child seats: you may not drive with a child under six years old who is not in a child seat.

Source: National Police Agency (checked on 23 October 2026)

What should I do after an accident?

1. Stop the car in a safe place where it will not block traffic, and switch off the engine.
2. If anyone is hurt, give first aid if you can and call 119 for an ambulance.
3. Call the police on 110. Report every accident, even if no one is hurt.
4. Tell the police where it happened, how many people are hurt and how badly, and what was damaged.
5. Contact your rental company.

Source: National Police Agency, "What to Do in the Event of a Traffic Accident" (checked on 23 October 2026)