I am moving to Japan at the end of the year and I am debating weither or not I should ship my favorite vehicle. I'm allowed to ship one vehicle for free. In Japan are the steering wheels on the left (like in America) or right (like in Europe) side of the vehicle? Thanks so very much!
2006-10-29 18:35:29 · 19 answers · asked by EJB 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
♡You've already got some great answers!
I'll just add a bit to the info 'wuzaracer' gave.
(In case you need it.)
～About the toll booth problem and the windows only for right handle cars - You can always BUY and pay to install the ETC system in your car. That way you just pass through the ETC toll gate (as we do) without stopping at the windows. Simple～ but! It costs AND you have to apply and get an ETC credit card to use with that system.
～About the 'big car' parking problems. Install a Navigation system. The Navi system we installed in our car has a 'parking garage/lot locator'. That locator also gives info on height and width... allowed in various parking lots in the system. I won't tell you how much THAT (Navi) cost! (*^o^*) BUT, it's useful and we can always find parking spaces to accommodate us.
～They will tell you, as they did me, that YOU SHOULD get a Japanese license after one year of living in Japan.
～☆☆I would personally leave my car. It's more trouble and expense than necessary. Roads are narrow and the bicycles!...Well, you get the picture from all these answers. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you here in Japan!
BTW, it's very easy to get around by bus, train and subway and in most cases faster!(^_-)-☆
--And yes, the steering wheels are on the right side, and you drive on the left side.
Hope this helps!♡
2006-10-31 00:33:35 · answer #1 · answered by C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here in Japan people drive on the LEFT side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right.
In Europe I think it's only Britain that drives this way ... every other country in Europe copies the Americans - or is that the other way around???!
; )
I agree that you'd be better off leaving your car behind too. Unless you'll be living in a US military base you'll have to find and pay for a residential parking space before you'll be permitted to have your car - plus, unless you're going to live in the back of beyond it's usually easier to use public transport! Imagine a shopping centre with hardly any parking spaces, and no-one can park by the kerb!!
Oh yeah, nearly forgot! The roads in most areas are seriously NARROW too - which doesn't matter that much because most of the cars that are actually being USED (as opposed to being left in their residential parking space almost all the time,) are on the bigger main roads and highways..! Many of the little roads here don't have footpaths at the side, and there are frequently people walking and cycling all over the place. You even get groups of kindergarteners on their daily walk - fortunately accidents are rare enough that when they happen it's still a shock. Are YOU prepare to drive - on the 'wrong' side of the road - down a narrow street with a double line of 5 year olds at the side? Are you prepared for that?
Plus, you'd be forever getting lost - at first anyway! You know that roads here rarely have names..!
2006-10-29 22:51:14 · answer #2 · answered by _ 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do not know how the law affects SOFA and US Military
for all other civlians like me...
If you will have the support of a company that knows how to register and import your car into Japan, then I say the choice is yours. While driving the highways, I notice that most of the highway toll booths only have windows and booths for righ hand drive cars. The major highways will sometimes have a lanes that are for left hand drive cars. You might have to learn how to figure that part out. There are idiots or rich people in my neighborhood that own H2s, Dodge Magnums, 5 Series BMWs and other mid-large sized cars. They must know what streets they can and cannot take. Parking can be a pain, but if you learn which garages have spaces wide enough for your car then you will be OK.
As for the drivers licesnse, if you are going to live in Japan for over one year, you will be required to obtain a Japanese drivers licesne. The law is vague and does not say one or more years, but the US Embassy had reccomended on it's website to get a Japanese drivers licesnse after one year of residence in Japan.
The process to get a licesnse is quite simple. You get the forms, and have someone fill them out for you if you cannot understand Japanese. Take the 10 question quiz (in English). You have to be sleeping to fail the quiz. The go for a road test with an official. The test is conducted on a closed test course at the traffic department test center. They speak zero English when administering the test. There are several automatic failure conditions and the test is quite difficult. Most gaijin pass it on the 2nd or 3rd try.
2006-10-30 12:59:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you are military, consider leaving your car behind anyway. First off, you will be reimbursed for at least part of the storage. secondly, it costs ALOT of money to convert a US made car to the more strict Japanese emissions standards, and even MORE to convert it back when you return stateside. Third, US cars are often too large for Japanese roads, especially the side streets and parking is nonexistent off base. and only slightly less nonexistant on base.
Steering wheels are on the right side, and you drive on the left side of the road.
2006-10-30 06:37:27 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steering wheel is on the right and they drive on the left. One word of warning, parking garages are very different and are built for uniform sized cars, large American cars would have a problem parking in them.
2006-10-29 18:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They drive on the opposite side of the road as people do in
North America.
Driving in Japan is a nightmare. Leave your car at home or sell it if you will be gone for a long time.
2006-10-29 22:05:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In Japan,the wheel steerage in the motor vehicle is on the terrific section and pushed on the left section on the line. yet we are able to work out some imported autos which wheel steerage are on the left section pushed on the line is likewise criminal. Ifpersistent the left section wheel steerage motor vehicle on the line in japan, it may perplexed driving force on the 1st time.
2016-10-16 13:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The steering wheel is on the right, and they drive on the left side of the road.
*The correct way^^
2006-10-31 08:52:19 · answer #8 · answered by Japan_is_home 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
They drive on the left hand side and when I was there (2 weeks ago) I saw several american cars where the driver side was the American way. Go to the Japan Embassy and ask them. You will also need a IDP (International Drivers Permit) along with you current licence to drive. Go to the Embassy and ask
2006-10-29 19:01:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In japan they drive on the same side of the road like the English do. But it is easy to adjust to even if your steering wheel is on the other side, if you take your time............ Good luck and drive safely...............
2006-10-29 18:40:42 · answer #10 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋