Car Hire from Kanda Station, Tokyo

You cannot drive in Japan with just your foreign licence alone. If your licence is from a 1949 Geneva Convention country (including the UK, Australia, and most European nations), you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. American and Canadian licences require either an IDP or an official Japanese translation from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). Without one of these documents, you are driving illegally and your insurance will be void.

Yes, initially it feels very strange for most visitors from right-hand traffic countries. The steering wheel is on the right, you overtake on the left, and junctions feel inverted. Motorways (expressways) are particularly challenging. Budget extra time for your first journeys, avoid rush hours, and consider sticking to suburban routes until you adjust. Over 60% of foreign drivers in Japan report initial difficulty with left-hand driving – you are not alone.

Extremely expensive by global standards. Tokyo to Osaka (approximately 500 km) costs around ¥10,000–14,000 in tolls alone, roughly £60–85. A cross-country trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima can exceed ¥20,000 in tolls. Renting an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card for approximately ¥330–500 per day is strongly recommended – it saves queuing at toll gates and allows you to use dedicated ETC lanes. Factor tolls into your budget seriously before planning a road trip.

Yes, it is genuinely difficult and expensive. On-street parking is virtually nonexistent in central Tokyo's wards (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato). Multi-storey and mechanical parking lots charge ¥400–800 per hour, with monthly residential permits costing ¥20,000–40,000. Street parking in outer Tokyo runs ¥200–400 per hour with strict time limits. Always check if your accommodation includes parking – if not, budget at least ¥2,000–4,000 per day for parking alone.

Snow tyres (or chains) are legally required on expressways and national routes in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and other snowy regions from 1 December to 31 March – this is enforced with fines of up to ¥100,000. Even in the Tokyo area, winter tyres are highly recommended from December to February if you venture into nearby mountain areas (like Hakone or Mt. Fuji). Most rental companies in northern Japan offer snow tyres included, but confirm this when booking – summer tyres are standard in central and western Honshu.

Yes, expect to pay one. Most Japanese rental companies apply a 'young driver surcharge' for drivers under 25 years old, typically adding ¥1,100–3,300 per day on top of the base rate. Drivers under 21 are often outright refused by many agencies. At 23 you can rent, but compare quotes carefully – this surcharge can add 20–35% to your total rental cost. Budget accordingly and check age policies before booking.