How to Use a Self-Service Gas Station in Japan (Japanese Pump Buttons Explained)
Japan has full-service stations (フルサービス) where staff fill up for you and self-service stations (セルフ) where you do it yourself. The self-service screens are in Japanese, but you only need to know the order and a few button names.
Step by step
- Park next to the pump and turn off the engine. The ▲ next to the fuel gauge shows which side the fuel door is on.
- Choose payment: 現金 (cash) / クレジット (credit card).
- Choose the fuel. Most rental cars use レギュラー (regular). Check the label inside the fuel door or your rental instructions.
- Choose the amount: 満タン (full) / 金額指定 (by yen) / 数量指定 (by liters). Before returning the car, choose 満タン.
- Insert cash (more than enough) or your card.
- Touch the 静電気除去シート (static discharge pad).
- Take the nozzle of the matching color, insert it fully and squeeze the handle. It stops automatically when full.
- Hang up the nozzle, close the fuel cap and take your receipt.
Do not keep topping up after the automatic stop — it can overflow and is a fire risk.
Fuel types and nozzle colors
- レギュラー (red)
- Regular gasoline — most rental cars
- ハイオク (yellow)
- High-octane gasoline
- 軽油 (green)
- Diesel — damages gasoline engines
The 軽 in 軽油 has nothing to do with kei cars (軽自動車). Kei cars use gasoline.
Common words on the screen
- 現金 / クレジット
- Cash / credit card
- 満タン
- Full tank
- 金額指定 / 数量指定
- Set amount in yen / in liters
- 静電気除去シート
- Static discharge pad (touch first)
- 給油開始 / ノズルを上げてください
- Start / lift the nozzle
- 精算 / 精算機
- Settlement / change machine
- 領収書 / レシート
- Receipt
- ポイントカード
- Point card (answer いいえ / なし if you have none)
Getting change when paying cash
At many self-service stations you insert more cash than needed, then take the settlement ticket (精算券) or receipt to a nearby change machine (精算機) to get your change. Some pumps return change directly — follow the screen.
Prefer staff to fill up?
At フルサービス stations (or ones without a self-service sign), staff will help. Open your window and say:
- レギュラー満タンでお願いします
- Regular, full tank, please
- カードで / 現金で
- By card / in cash
- 領収書をください
- A receipt, please (you may need it when returning the car)