Japan Rental Car Driving Guide

Self-service gas stations, ETC cards, coin parking, return checklist, road rules and tips for Okinawa and Hokkaido — everything for a Japan road trip.

• How to Use a Self-Service Gas Station in Japan (Japanese Pump Buttons Explained)Japanese pump screens explained for rental car drivers: fuel types and nozzle colors, the static pad, full-tank options and how to get change when paying cash.
• Japan Rental Car Return ChecklistWhat people often forget when returning a rental car in Japan: refueling to full (満タン返し) and the receipt, the ETC card, belongings and airport shuttle timing.
• Japan Driving Rules and Road Signs (What’s Different)Key differences for driving a rental car in Japan: driving on the left, essential signs (止まれ, 徐行, 一方通行), speed limits, railroad crossings, alcohol and phone rules.
• Using Japanese Expressways and the ETC CardEverything rental car drivers need for Japanese expressways: renting an ETC card, passing ETC toll gates, how tolls are paid, rest areas, weekend discounts and expressway passes for foreigners.
• How to Use Coin Parking in Japan (Reading the Fee Signs)Step-by-step for Japanese coin parking (コインパーキング) and the Japanese on fee signs: 最大料金, 入庫後, 繰り返し and more.
• Okinawa Rental Car Driving Tips (Bus Lanes, Traffic, Fuel)What to know before driving a rental car in Okinawa: Route 58 bus lane hours, Naha traffic, the Okinawa Expressway, fuel in the north (Yanbaru) and wildlife.
• Winter Driving in Hokkaido (Snow & Ice Safety)Driving a rental car through a Hokkaido winter: where black ice forms, braking and following distance, whiteouts, Ezo deer, short days and parking tips.
• What to Do After a Rental Car Accident or Breakdown in JapanStep by step for accidents and breakdowns in a Japanese rental car: staying safe, calling 110/119, contacting the rental company, stopping on an expressway and insurance pitfalls.