The one bit of paperwork that trips up first-time renters — sorted in five minutes.
Do I need anything special?
Yes. To legally drive in Japan on a foreign license you need one of these, carried alongside your home license and passport:
An International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention — issued in your home country before you travel (US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of Asia).
Or, if your country does not issue a Geneva-Convention IDP — notably France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan — an official Japanese translation of your license from JAF (or your embassy).
The common mistake: French, German, Swiss, Belgian, Monégasque and Taiwanese licenses are not covered by the IDP in Japan. An IDP you bought at home will be rejected at the rental counter. You need the JAF translation instead.
Getting the JAF translation
Apply online — since 2025 JAF accepts online applications only (no more in-person or postal applications).
You provide a photo/scan of both sides of your license. Cost is ¥3,000 (≈ €18 / $20).
Allow a few days for processing, so apply well before you need the car. Best done before you fly.
Carry the JAF translation + your original license + passport whenever you drive.
Heads-up: JAF’s online application formis hosted on a Japan-only site that often won’t load from abroad. If it shows an error, open it through a VPN or proxy set to Japan — or have a concierge service file it for you.
Japan drives on the left; most rentals are automatic.
A toll ETC card (often rentable with the car) saves time on expressways.
Rural and island driving (Yaeyama's Iriomote, Miyako's bridges, Hokkaido, Kyushu's Aso) is where a car truly pays off — that's the Hidden Japan a train can't reach.
This is a practical summary, not legal advice — confirm the current requirements for your nationality on the official JAF site before you travel.