Job Discussion Forums

[lexicon]

I found out that I will be getting a car while working in Japan and would like to hear from others who have driven or currently do drive in Japan. I'm from the USA and am kind of nervous about the adjustment (opposite side of the road, opposite side of the car). Have you ever been in an accident? Was the adjustment easy or natural? How would you describe the driving situation in Japan?

[Glenski]

My biggest problems in the beginning were learning to use my left hand to shift. I was so used to the right hand, that every time it came to shift, I whacked my right hand against the door.

Another problem is learning that the turn signal lever and the wiper lever are reversed. You get used to it.

One more slightly annoying thing was getting used to looking at the right side mirror instead of the left.

Friend of mine said his most difficult thing was turning into the correct lane at an intersection. Just turn into the nearest one like you would do in the USA.

Just drive carefully. Get a copy of Rules of the Road to know what is generally going on. It's only 1000 yen. Not much different in the way of overall rules. No turn on a red signal here, though.

If you are in an accident, call the police. Let them handle everything. Do not get upset. Do your best to explain your side. Be sure to carry your international driver's license with you (your American license won't be acceptable here).

Of course, learn as much Japanese as you can. You might need it in an accident, when asking for directions, or when using the gas station self service pump.

[denise]

As Glenski mentioned, one of the hardest things for me (that I have mostly correctly now after a year!) was getting used to the different placement of the wipers & turn blinkers. The driving itself only took a couple of days to get used to, but now I am finding that I get right and left confused all the time. If a passenger tells me to turn right, I actually have to stop and think about which way "right" is.

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[lexicon]

Thank you for answering so thoroughly, both of you. I'll pick up a copy of the Rules of the Road. I have studied Japanese for 4 years, so hopefully, if an accident does occur, i can politely explain my situation (although fragmented). Overall, though, I'm really excited to receive a car. There is a book called "Roadside Japan," which tracks down interesting and unusual sites throughout Japan and I would love someday do drive through Japan.
I do have my International Drivers Licence. I have no idea if the car will be a stick shift or automatic. I didn't even think about the difficulties of shifting with the opposite hand. haha. Well, it will take some adjustment. Thank you, again.

[Gordon]

As you probably already know, the int'l license is only valid for your first year in Japan. After that and you will need to get a Japanese license.

[Vince]

The only difficulty I had was occasionally embarrassing myself by going to the wrong door of a Japanese car. Then going home for vacation and going to the wrong door of an American car.