Here's a fun surprise for many visitors: most rental cars in Japan are automatics. If you want a manual, you'll usually need a specialist. And if you're from a country that drives on the right, you'll be shifting with your left hand for the first time in your life.
You can rent manual sports cars in Japan from specialists like ARTCARS (350Z and Toyota 86). Pedals and the gear pattern are the same as at home — only the lever moves to your left hand. Most experienced manual drivers adapt within 10–15 minutes.
Do you need a special licence?
Check your home licence first. If it's restricted to automatic cars, you can't legally drive a manual in Japan either. Your IDP shows the same vehicle categories as your licence.
What's different in a right-hand-drive manual
| At home (left-hand drive) | In Japan (right-hand drive) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedal order | Clutch, brake, accelerator | Same |
| Gear pattern | First top-left | Same |
| Shifting hand | Right | Left |
| Indicator stalk | Usually left | Usually right |
| Wiper stalk | Usually right | Usually left |
The pedals and the pattern don't change, which is why the adjustment is quicker than you'd fear. The wiper/indicator swap, on the other hand, will get you at least once. Everyone wipes their windscreen at their first turn.
The first few gear changes feel like writing with your other hand. Then, somewhere around the second junction, you stop thinking about it. By the time you reach the bay, your left hand is finding fourth on its own.
Tips for your first half hour
- Practise in the car park. Run through the gears a few times while stationary, then do a slow lap.
- Rest your left hand on the lever, not the door, until it feels natural.
- Use neutral and the handbrake at toll gates and lights instead of holding the clutch.
- Look for junctions early. The hard part isn't shifting; it's shifting while reading a sign. A host in your passenger seat solves this.
- Don't rush the 1–2 change in a firm-clutch sports car. Smooth beats fast.
Hill starts and traffic
Tokyo's expressway ramps can be steep, and traffic near junctions can stop and start. Use the handbrake for hill starts if your car doesn't hold itself, and leave space in front so you're not riding the clutch.
Which ARTCARS cars are manual?
- Nissan 350Z (Z33) — 6-speed manual. See the 350Z rental guide.
- Toyota 86 — manual. See the 86 rental guide.
- Nissan GT-R R35 — dual-clutch automatic, if you'd rather not shift. See self-drive GT-R.
Frequently asked questions
Are manual rental cars common in Japan?
Not at mainstream rental companies, which mostly offer automatics. Sports-car specialists are your best bet.
Is it hard to drive a manual on the left?
Most experienced manual drivers adapt within minutes. The real extra workload is reading junctions while changing gear.
Can I rent a manual with an automatic-only licence?
No. Your licence category applies in Japan too.
What if I stall?
Stay calm, hazards on if needed, restart. Japanese drivers are generally patient.