You pull out of the car park, glance left, glance right, and for one horrible second you can't remember which side of the road is yours. Relax. Everybody has that moment. It passes faster than you'd think.
If you normally drive on the right, the first hour in Japan feels odd. The good news: most experienced drivers adapt quickly once they know where the traps are.
Keep your body near the centre line, take right turns slowly and aim for the left lane afterwards, check your left mirror for bikes, and expect to hit the wipers instead of the indicator at your first turn. Expressways are the easiest place to start.
9 tips that actually help
- Say it out loud: "keep left." Especially after turning or pulling out of a car park — the classic moments to drift onto the wrong side.
- You sit next to the centre line. If you're near the kerb, you're on the wrong side of the road.
- Right turns are the big one. They cross oncoming traffic. Japanese government data show foreign rental drivers are involved in right-turn accidents at a much higher rate than local drivers. Wait for a proper gap.
- After a right turn, aim for the left lane. The common mistake is turning into the oncoming lane.
- Check your left mirror. Bicycles and scooters often pass on the left in town.
- Wipers and indicators are swapped in most Japanese cars. You'll wipe your windscreen at your first turn. Laugh, carry on.
- The gear lever is on your left in a manual. See manual car rental.
- Start on the expressway. Fewer junctions, no pedestrians, everyone going the same way.
- Drive with someone who knows the way. With a host beside you, you never have to read a sign and steer at the same time.
Japan's government has been rolling out coloured road markings and rubber poles at some junctions near busy airports, specifically to guide visiting drivers through right turns — a sign of how common the mistake is.
A five-minute warm-up
Before you leave the car park:
- Find the indicator and wipers.
- Set all three mirrors, especially the left.
- Do a slow lap: stop, turn right into an imaginary lane, check the left mirror.
It feels silly. It works.
Why the night drive suits first-timers
Most of the ARTCARS route is on expressways with a guide in front. You drive the Wangan and Rainbow Bridge without having to navigate a single junction yourself. Read what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get used to driving on the left?
Most experienced drivers feel comfortable within the first hour, especially on expressways.
Is a right-hand-drive car harder to drive?
It feels unusual at first — mirrors, gear lever, stalks — but it isn't harder once you adapt.
Are Japanese roads narrower?
City streets and expressway lanes are often narrower than in North America. Wide cars need extra care.
What's the most common mistake?
Turning right into the wrong lane, and switching on the wipers instead of the indicator.