When the Gumball 3000 rally came to Japan for the first time (back in 2018), it really instilled in my mind as to how cool it would be to bring your own car to Japan for a memorable vacation.










So yeah, I hope to do something like this myself someday.

Some questions though:
1) What do you exactly need?
I heard of things like IDP, Carnet (CDP), etc.

Do I need to head to the JAF Tokyo office first and tell them that I will be driving an Australian-registered car (NSW Yellow Plate) during my Japan vacation?

2) Signs and driving rules
I am aware that Tomare (止まれ) = STOP
But how about for other stuff?
Also, in Japan, can you make a turn on red? Or can you only turn when it is green? (e.g. like in the UK)

Thanks
Any feedback and insights are welcome =)

Welcome to HU!
And do start with reading up on Carnets

Driving rules in Japan
Keep us posted!

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Some general information on driving: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2022.html

You definitely need an IDP, you can get it in advance at home. Since you're only on holiday, you don't need a JAF translation or a Japanese license (Australia is part of the 1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic, so your domestic license is recognized).

You will need a Carnet de Passage - Grant's link explains those.

Navigating is a bit tricky if you don't read Japanese, but not impossible, especially with Google Navigation. Rules of the road are generally the same as anywhere in the world, to my knowledge there is no turn on red, and no Melbourne-style hook turns.

I will point out that as Japan is a country with an extremely efficient public transport system, and intercity trains are made remarkably affordable for tourists using the JR Pass (much more affordable than for locals!), and pretty much every major train station has car rental agencies just outside, and Japan has a unique domestic vehicle market, then I would urge you to consider the efficiency of shipping your vehicle back and forth at a cost of many thousands of dollars, as opposed to:

1) Renting a tiny motorhome of the sort that you definitely could not experience at home to go into the Japanese countryside, e.g. https://www.japancampers.com/motorhome.html

2) Renting an iconic Japanese performance car to drive on recommended mountain roads, e.g. https://fun2drive-japan.com/car-tour..._hakone_drive/

My understanding is if you enter via a ferry you apply for an IDP upon arrival.

Normally this was Sth Korea to Fukuoka ferry. But I heard that a vehicle ferry is not running between them as the two countries have thrown their toys out of the cot. Someone may be able to clarify this.

Carnet if you ship it into the country.

You can travel very cheaply by staying at Roadside Stations, like the big servo complexes we have in Oz, but generally no petrol just lots of awesome places to eat etc.

https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/michi-no-eki/

I am heading over in a week for five weeks in Tokyo, if you need me to drop by anywhere to get more info ask away.

Hi,

Im doing the same thing myself. Im planning on shipping my car to Japan on a Carnet via RoRo (roll on roll off ferry)

I had a chat with Chris Of Japan, but I cant see my sent messages now and this order is from memory so please anyone correct me.

1) register car for carnet

2) authenticate carnet with JAF, where you can tell them where and when you will arrive

3)Ship car with RoRo, ensure that car can be stored in Japan before clearing customs.

4) Arrive at port and get bill of lading from shipping company

5) use port that has a JAF office near by which you contacted - Get car signed off by JAF

6) Go to customs with signed paper work which they will stamp to allow your car to enter Japan

7) Collect car


Other aspects to consider:
- Dont believe on a carnet your car has to be inspected to drive on Japan Roads

- IDP is required to drive in Japan(depending on country you are licensed is issued from)

- Get car insurance locally from Japan provider link chris gave to me : https://www.apexmoto.jp/travellers/

- Learn the rules of the roads like some others have pointed out. Ive driven in Japan many times in rentals and it is very simple. Dont overtake either.

- Budget accordingly this isnt cheap

- learn some basic car mechanic, diagnostics, maintenance, checking service items and levels. depending on how much you drive you want to ensure you dont wanna break down, just like being at home.

- learn some japanese, basic phrases and convo stuff.



Back story
I Love Japan, ive visited many times and now finally i can return next year during Sakura.
Both my cars are Japanese imports (s15 spec-r and E51 elgrand). Ive driven all around Japan in rentals enjoyed visiting the country side and other places. Ive also rented other japanese performance cars like gtr's etc and had lots of fun.

I plan to go 2024 and keep the car over there within the 12 months allowed on a carnet. 3 trips or so month at a time to drive around japan in my car. Found some services and have friends in Japan to rent some storage or parking to keep the car out of the way when im back in the UK.

lots of moving parts to get my car out there but its doable. Ive also seen people mentioned shipping your car to south korea or russia and using a car ferry and entering japan on a temporary import C5014, but im going with carnet as it seems more accepted.

good luck.

Whether ferry or air shipping the "normal" way to get an IDP is from your home Automobile Association so I suggest getting it before you leave.
I'm fairly sure that even if you airfreight you need a CdP. You can't drive to Japan, obviously.

Definitely do not need CdP to enter Japan if you come in via boat/ferry. Source: currently in Japan with 2 motorcycles. On the ferry with us were several French cars and a Camping Car

See here for some more information on arrival and CdP Japan.
https://www.madornomad.com/the-south...d-ferry-guide/

I also have a IDP from my HOME country. Have never been asked for it. Whatev.

There is a really good summary of motorcycling in Japan on the hubb...ill see if i can find it.
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...a-budget-98867

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2023 back in Japan on the road after COVID, 2019 Paris Siberia Japan tbd -2010 WR250R; 2015-2016 Paris-Mongolia and Paris-Silk Road; 2011-2013 Canada Ushuaia

Hi! I'm planning to do something similar, spend two months with my motorcycle in Japan, fly outside the country and come back in 3 months to continue traveling around Japan. Do you know if you can take a plane leaving the vehicle in the country without notification? Or do you need to notify that you will come back to the country?