10 Rental car driving support
In the event of an accident, ﬁrst, inform the car rental company of the location, whether the
car can still be driven by you, or whether assistance is needed. If it is diﬃcult to identify thelocation, inform them where you traveled from and where you were going.
※この欄はレンタカー事業者の方がご記入ください。 *This column will be ﬁlled by the rental car operator.
■緊急時連絡先 Emergency contact

レンタカー会社 Car rental company（）

電話番号 Tel.
（

※対応言語
□日本語

）

Japanese

□タイ語
Thai

■返車場所 Return location

レンタカー会社（

）

店舗名（

）

Car rental company
Shop name

返車日時（［カーナビ入力ヒント］Car navigation system input suggestions
電話番号（
）
Tel.

マップコード ＊（）

Map code

date

□英語

English□中国語）■使用するレンタカーの油種

Fuel type for rental car to be used

レギュラー

）

Regular gasoline

Video: Traffic rules guide軽https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=Y9TNoLBMoT0

High-octane gasoline

油

Diesel fuel

All Japan Rent-a-car Association※油種に○を付けてください
Circle the applicable fuel type.

■たばこ Smoking preference

煙喫Video: Traffic rules in Japan煙

https://english.jaf.or.jp/safe-driving/
drive-safe-to-enjoy-your-stay-in-Japan

Smoking※どちらかに○を付けてください
Circle one only.

JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)■返車場所の最寄りのガソリンスタンド Gas station nearest to return location

店舗名 Shop name（）［カーナビ入力ヒント］Car navigation system input suggestions
電話番号（
）
Tel.

マップコード ＊（）

Map code

The map code is coded location information. If you enter it into the car navigation system, you will be guided correctly.

Police Tel.

110

In the caseof a ﬁreIn the case of an accident on an expressway
For other cases, such as car trouble(dead battery, keys locked in car, ﬂat tire, etc.)

In case of trouble

Travel in economically with a CEPWhen traveling around Central Japan in a rental car,the Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP), whichallows unlimited trips on expressways at a ﬁxed rate,is convenient.
For detailed information, please check the CEP website.

https://hayatabi.c-nexco.co.jp/cep/en/＊マップコードとは、位置情報をコードにしたものです。カーナビに入力をすれば、正しく案内されます。

In the caseof an accident

Watch these videos before departingin a rental car!

ハイオク

Non-smoking
ﬂight number

Korean

Other

禁
・便名

□韓国語

Chinese□その他（）

Return date and time

※航空便 Flight（日付け

Language

Central Japan
Rent-a-car
Drive Guide

Fire Tel.

119

In the caseof injury

Ambulance Tel.

119

Emergency telephones

Make a travel plan
Japan Travel is an app that allows you
to search for optimal routes, calculate
tolls, access other useful information.
■ iOS■ Android*Please stay on the line while an interpreter is called
to speak with you.

Roadside assistance (JAF; fee required)#8139*However, you may be able to receivemembership services for membersof associations that provide roadside assistance in your country.

JNTO Japan VisitorHotline(English/Chinese/Korean)

050-3816-2787 (24hours a day)国土交通省 中部運輸局 観光部観光企画課
Sightseeing Planning Section, Sightseeing Department,
Chubu District Transport Bureau,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

01 Before renting a car

Prohibitions, cautions, and obligations
The following introduces traﬃc rules in Japan for which
violations lead to serious accidents or occur easily.

•Before leaving your country, check if you can drive inJapan with a driver s license issued in your country
or region.
•Familiarize yourself with the traﬃc rules in Japan
before renting a car.

•Observe the speed limit. Note that the speed limit
varies depending on the road and zone.

https://rental-car-tips.jp/en/•Use of smartphones or car navigation systems is
prohibited while driving.
•Driving after drinking alcohol (drunk driving, driving
under the inﬂuence of alcohol) is prohibited.

•If you are a member of an association that provides
roadside assistance, you may be able to receive
equivalent services from a Japanese roadsideassistance service (JAF).

Use of smartphones Drunk driving is
is prohibited while prohibited
driving

02 Get familiar with the basic traffic rules in Japan•Park in designated parking lots or coin parking lots.
(Do not park in private parking lots, in front of private
homes, in the parking lots of convenience stores, etc.,
or on the road.)

To avoid accidents and other issues, keep in mind that the traﬃc rules are diﬀerent fromthose in your country or region.
•Vehicles are driven on the left-hand side of the road.
(Be especially careful when turning right or left.)

Vacancy•If you experience trouble that may endanger your life
(engine stall, car stuck/unable to move, etc.) at a
railway crossing, press the railway crossing emergency
button.
Railway crossing
emergency button•Stop if the traﬃc lights ahead of you are red.
Stop also if they are yellow.
Wait until they turn green.
If there is a green arrow, you may only drive in the
direction indicated by the arrow.
Signals turngreen > yellow> red.

Drive in the
direction indicatedby the green arrow

Pedestrians havethe right of way

Oncoming vehicles
have the right of way•Passengers in the back seats should also fasten their seatbelts (child car seats are requiredfor children under 6 years of age).
•In zones with orange lines, crossing over the lines is prohibited (passing is also prohibited).
•Driving in ﬂip-ﬂops is prohibited.

Manners and customs in Japan•Do not use the horn excessively.
•Do not accelerate or decelerate suddenly, as this can lead to trouble, such as collisions withother vehicles.
•Drivers may indicate their gratitude for giving them the right of way by turning on their hazard lights.
•Note that ﬂashing your headlights can mean that you are giving way to the oncoming car,but it can also mean that you will go ﬁrst.
Types of traﬃc rule violations and ﬁnes

•Bicycles are also ridden on roads.
Be careful not to hit them.

•Driving after drinking alcohol (drunk
driving)…Imprisonment for up to ﬁve years
or ﬁne of up to one million yen(driving under the inﬂuence of alcohol) …
Imprisonment for up to three years or ﬁneof up to 500,000 yen•Always stop momentarily at places with a 止まれ (Stop)sign and at railroad crossings, even if the gate is up.

Momentary
stop

01

Full

Metered parking

The following introduces some easy-to-make mistakes under Japan's traﬃc rules.

•If turning to the right, oncoming vehicles have the rightof way, even if the traﬃc lights ahead of you are green.
Stop and put your turn signal on while waiting.
Pedestrians have the right of way.

Speed limit sign forgeneral roads

Stop momentarily atrailroad crossings•Speeding…9,000 - 35,000 yen(For a typical car; varies according to roadand amount over the speed limit)•Momentary stop violation…7,000 yen•Prohibited parking…10,000 yen and up•Use of a smartphone while driving…6,000 yen•Seatbelt…Instruct passengers to fasten their
seatbelts.

*If you committed a traﬃc rule violation at the time of an accident, contact the car rental company ﬁrst.
Note that you may be subject to a high penalty if you return to your country without following the prescribed procedures.

02

03 Driving on expressways

Rest areas

There are service areas and parking areas alongexpressways with restrooms and places to have a meal.
Some information centers provide information in foreign
languages.

How to use ETC lanes•Tolls are collected for use of expressways. You can pay by cash
or credit card, but ETC (electronic toll collection) is convenient.
•ETC is a service that enables you to pay tolls at toll gates
without stopping. You can rent an ETC card at the car
rental company.
•Be sure to insert the card into the ETC card
reader in the car before attempting to passthrough the ETC lane.
•When using ETC, pass through the gatesmarked ETC.
•Backing up from gates is strictly prohibited, even if you
entered a gate by mistake or hit a gate bar.

Use of service areas and parking areas❶ Parking lot❷ Gas station

ETC General

ETC Only

ETC 一般ETC 専用Smartinterchanges
Smartinterchanges only
allow passage by
ETC.

Cautions regarding driving on expressways•Do not stop or drive in the wrong direction, even if you have taken the wrong route at an interchange
or junction. Exit the expressway at the nearest interchange and then head back in the right direction.
•Observe the speed limit.
•Keep a safe distance between yourself and the car ahead of you.
•Since driving for long periods of time is fatiguing, take frequent rest breaks.
(Use service areas and parking areas.)

04 How to drive on general roads
General road signs

STOP•Roadside emergency telephones are installed at 1 km
intervals and at rest areas along expressways (at 200 m
intervals in tunnels).
Once you are identified as a visitor from abroad, an
online interpreter will be called to speak with you. Pleasestay on the line while the interpreter is called.

03

You can only drive in the
direction indicated by thearrow. Be careful not todrive in the wrong direction.

Always stop
momentarily.

Do not enter.

Vehicles must
not enter.

No parking

Road numbers are indicated on general road signs.
Check these numbers to know where you are on a map.
Green signs indicate expressways.

https://www.c-nexco.co.jp/
en/safety/emergency_phone/
When you lift thereceiver, aconnection is madeto a traﬃc control
center, and thelocation is identiﬁed(available 24 hours).

❹•Parking lots have spaces with wheelchair marks. These spaces are for people with disabilities, so people without disabilities should not use them.
•Motorcoaches and large trucks also park in the parking lots. Be careful when walking
through them.
•When returning to the expressway, be careful not to head in the wrong direction when you
return to the expressway.

If an accident occurs…

> See the When an Accident/Trouble Occurs page.

❸

Cautions*Vehicles at the end of a traﬃc jam may turn on their hazard lights to prevent collisions.

•First, stop the car in a safe place. Do not forget to turnon the hazard lights.
•After parking the car on the left roadside shoulder,evacuate to behind the guardrail to ensure your safety.
•Then contact the rental car company and/or appropriate
authorities immediately.

❷❸ Restaurant❹ Information center•Traﬃc jams occur on expressways in Japan. When driving,
watch the traﬃc ahead of you carefully, as accidents sometimes
occur in which cars collide into vehicles at end of a traﬃc jam.
•Passengers in the back seats should also fasten their seatbelts to reduce the extent of
personal injuries in the case of a collision.

❶

Rest areas Michi-no-Eki rest areas are convenient.
This is theMichi-no-Eki logo.

Along general roads in Japan, there are rest areas called
Michi-no-Eki.” They have restrooms, restaurants, andsouvenir shops, and some of them provide information inforeign languages.
Please feel free to drop into them for sightseeing and roadinformation or when problems occur.

[ You can search for Michi-no-Eki here. ] https://www.michi-no-eki.jp/stations/english

04

05 Information on traffic, weather, and natural disasters
Traﬃc information / Weather information

Accidents involving property damage, other vehicles, or injury or death

Check traﬃc and construction information at the car rental company, hotel, tourist information center, etc., before you start driving. There are also information boards in foreign
languages in service areas and parking areas, so please use them.
Check weather informationon the following website

Traﬃc information

06 When an accident/trouble occurs
If an accident occurs involving your car and another car, your car and a person, or your car
colliding with an object, contact the car rental company ﬁrst, regardless of how serious the> See the Rental Car Driving Support page.
trouble is.

Check your insurance coverage
We recommended that you obtain insurance before you rent a car to ensure compensation
is paid smoothly if an accident occurs in Japan.
Gather information with the Safety tips app

https://www.c-ihighway.jp/
pcsite/mapen/

https://construction.
c-nexco.co.jp/enhttps://www.jnto.go.jp/
weather/eng/index.php

Snow/ice (mainly from December to March)•When driving a car in winter, reserve snow tires(studless tires) in advance.
•Snow and ice on roads may cause skid-related
accidents. Drive carefully at low speeds. In particular,
be careful on bridges, etc., as their surfaces freeze
easily in winter.
•When driving in places where snowfall is expected, it
is a good idea to check the route at the car rental
company, hotel, tourist information center, etc. Notethat some roads are closed or require chains on tires
in winter. When planning to drive in a zone where
chains are required, check if you have chains inadvance.
•Car navigation systems may show the shortest route;however, try to stick to large, safe roads that havebeen cleared of snow if possible.
•When it will snow, prepare for it by raising the wipers.

Check theprecautions
for driving
on snowy
roadsJapan has a free app that you can use to gather weather anddisaster information. Download it before your travel.
For Android

For iPhone■ Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/
details?id=jp.co.rcsc.safetyTips.android■ iPhonehttps://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/
safety-tips/id858357174?mt=8

Be sureto raise them

VoiceTra Conversations supported by translation apps

https://rental-car-tips.jp/en/winter/

Typhoons and heavy rainfall (mainly from July to September)

When it is difficult to communicate with others, a speech translation app is an effective meansof communicating. We recommended installing one before your travel. It is free. It can be also
used when traveling.
For Android•When a typhoon is approaching, check the weather and refrain from driving, depending on
the path of the typhoon. Consult the car rental company, hotel, or tourist information center.
•Roads may be closed during heavy rainfall. In that case, a signiﬁcant detour may benecessary to reach your destination.
•It is good idea to check the weather and route to be taken at the car rental company, hotel,
inn, etc., before departure.

■ Android
https://play.google.com/
store/apps/details?id=jp.
go.nict.voicetra&hl=en

For iPhone

Height of summer (mainly from July to September)
The temperatures in cars can exceed 70°C in summer
in Japan. Smartphones or PCs may break if left in a car.
Also, do not leave spray cans in the car, as there is arisk that they may explode.

05■ iPhonehttps://apps.apple.com/
app/id581137577
Provided by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)06

07 How to use gas stations

What to do at full-service gas stations
Provide the information for ❶ to ❸ in the table below to have the car refueled.

In principle, rental cars should be
returned with a full tank of gas. Fillthe tank at a gas station near the
car return location.
There are two types of gas stations: full-service and self-service stations.
At self-service gas stations, you ﬁll the tank yourself.
At full-service gas stations, it is okay to just convey the fuel type and amount to the staﬀ.

Full-service stations

Self-service stations

Advantage❶ Fuel type

❷ Amount❸ Payment method

Most rental cars takeregular gasoline; however,ask the staff at the car rental
company before using it.

Basically, rental cars
should be returned witha full tank of gas.

Hand your credit card to
the staff.

Regular gasoline

Fill

Other than ﬁll

High-octane gasoline

Advantage•You do not need to get outof the car. (It is okay tojust convey the fuel type,amount, and payment
method to the staﬀ.)•The cost is relatively low.

Disadvantage

Disadvantage•The cost is relatively high.
•There is a language barrier(however, communicationis possible with apoint-and-speak phrase
table)•In many cases, foreign
languages are not supported.
•The process is diﬃcult forﬁrst-time users

Cash

Diesel fuel

(Cost)(Amount)

5,000 yen

30 liters

3,000 yen

20 liters

1,000 yen

10 liters

Communication with the staﬀ

To ﬁll up with regular gasoline

Regular, ﬁll up

REGYURAA, MANTAN*Hand your credit card to the staﬀ before fueling or pay with cash after fueling.

What to do at self-service gas stations

The fuel type varies depending on the car.

Use the touch panel according to the instructions provided.
Most of the instructions are in Japanese. If you have any questions about the process, callthe staﬀ and show them the fuel type, amount, and payment method with thepoint-and-speak phrase table above.

In general, rental cars use regular gasoline. There arethree types of fuel at self-service gas stations, so be
careful not to ﬁll up with the wrong fuel. Note that theengine may fail if the tank is ﬁlled with the wrong fuel.
Ask the staﬀ at the car rental company in advance.
At self-service gas stations, use theappropriate nozzle based on the fueltype.

Be careful not to run out of gas on expressways.
Some service areas and parking areas have gas
stations.

07

Credit card

Use the touch panel.
Note that such panels
are often in Japanese
only.

self-service

This logo indicates a self-service
station.(The color varies
depending on the gas station.)08

08 Chubu area

09 Chubu area Recommended spots (slightly farther away)

Model courses

There are a variety of tourist attractions in the Chubu area. Enjoy your trip by seeing
sightseeing spots and the landscape as you make your way to each of your destinations, anexperience unique to rental car trips.
1 Matsumoto:

28
Noto

60

50

Komatsu Airport

75 851 083*50

Toyama Airport

4 Okuhida:

Shinhotaka Ropeway

29
Kanazawa

90

Matsumoto Castle

60

27
Toyama 210

26
Tateyama
Kurobe4
Okuhida80 70

Kamikochi

620 682 842*31
405 574 319*12

5 Takayama:

Historical District

898 114 882*06

191 196 762*88

7 Gero:Gero Onsen

1
Matsumoto70

2
5
Takaya- 90 Kamikochma

361 509 493*36

33
30
Fukui 70 Okuet9 Magome:suMagome Post Town
80
110
110
8
160
3
7
Gujo 70
Kiso
110
10
Gero
90
178 383 429*68
Ibi
70
70
70
31
11
9
140
50
WakasaMagome12 60 Gifu
14
90
Ogaki
60
32 60
Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji60
17
HikoneShizuoka
Airport50
18
Nagoya25 40
Okumi70
80
kawa
Hokusei
70
50
130
15
19
13
90
80
Shizuoka
20
120
MikawaIzu
80
Centrair 80
162260
Airport
Lake
100
Iga
Hamana13 Izu:100
180
50
Shuzenji Temple
21
The numbers at the top of each23
picturearemap
codes.
You
can
Ise-ShiAoyamamaeasily set destinations by entering
Plainsthem into the car navigation system.
116 186 109*57
100
Shizuoka:
15
16 Lake Hamana:
17 Nagoya:
Kanzanji Onsen
Nagoya Castle
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
24
Kumano000 Required time (approximate)

19 Mikawa:Takeshima Island

51 223 432*55

25 Hokusei:
Nabana no Sato

20 Chita and Airport:

Tokoname Pottery Footpath

371 791 093*00

26 Tateyama Northern
Alps: Kurobe Dam

3 Kiso: Fukushima
Post Town

192 879 124*16

Fukui
area

420 338 507*78

35

31

6 Shirakawa-go:

Wakasa(Rainbow Line)

Gassho-zukuri

38 894 262*78
Rainbow Line380 644 838*26

691 492 660*67

32 Hikone:

Hikone Castle

25 446 669*33

43 329 878*27

21 Ise-Shima:Rocksof the Married Couple

22 Iga:Ninja MUSEUM
of Igaryu

118 619 626*72

131 675 205*81

27 Toyama and Takaoka:
Amaharashi Coast

28 Noto:Nagisa Driveway

101 375 567*53

40 814 795*75

135 030 683*01

33 Okuetsu: Fukui Prefectural
Dinosaur Museum

240 885 509*04"MAPCODE" are registered trademarks of DENSO Corporation.

30

4 348 392*63

23 Aoyama Plains:

Aoyama-Kogen Wind Farm

823 125 893*34

29 Kanazawa:
Kenrokuen09

41 529 086*02

240 885 509*04

33
Okuetsu(Dinosaur
Museum)90

Nihonkai
Sakanamachi(seafoodmarket)10
YumeoreKatsuyama,
the Hataya
Memorial Hall

192 756 699*17

240 825 052*58

10

15

Nihonkai
Sakanamachi(seafoodmarket)HakusanHeisenji
Shrine10

240 739 733*06

Yumeore Katsuyama,
the Hataya Memorial Hall549 018 257*55

8 Gujo:Gujo Hachiman Castle

772 879 297*66

Gifu
area

7

289 895 892*83★
Kanayama
Megaliths

10 Ibi:Ibi Gorge

178 343 401*10★
Hida-Osaka
Falls Tour

35

Gero
(Gero Onsen)

30

Naegi Castle
25

35
30

Kashimo
MEIJIZA
Theater

361 509 493*36

361 319 165*88

9

Naegi Castle

Magome40772 106 612*11

Hida-Osaka Falls(shower climbing)178 383 429*68

242 709 211*20

11 Gifu:

Gifu Castle

800 300 600*25

650 070 383*06

116 366 713*33

Port of
Shimizu

Nishiizu
Skyline

Izu
Panorama
Park

Shizuokaarea
15
15
Shizuoka(KunozanToshogu Shrine)

28 648 755*18

12 Ogaki:

Yoro Falls

Ferry
70

14 Mt. Fuji:

Asagiri Plains

Aichi
area
20

18 Okumikawa:

Chausuyama Plains

371 668 631*75

30
30

248 844 292*86

17 320 057*58

51 374 157*66

Gamagori
Orange Park
30

30
45

Isshiki(SakushimaIsland)661 184 062*18
Kumano Kodo

331 309 555*73

30 Fukui:Tojinbo★
Shichirimihama

10

19
Mikawa(TakeshimaIsland)40

331 309 555*73

Scenic Byway
Japan

Nishiizu Skyline

50 238 488*45

16
Lake Hamana(Kanzanji
Onsen)
50
90
70★
Tahara(Koijigahama)

51 223 432*55

Jyozan-en

Tahara (Koijigahama)982 288 293*66

118 619 626*72

Taki(cycling)

40
60

100

ShuzenjiTempleMishima
Skywalk

35

21
Ise-Shima(Rocks of the
Married Couple)
40
35

Yokoyama
Observatory
338 276 429*27

30

Osatsu-kamado
Ama Hut
Experience338 498 155*28"MAPCODE" are registered trademarks of DENSO Corporation.

264 240 028*87

You can also obtain informationfor each place from the following website.
Central Japan Tourism Association
Go! Central Japan" https://en.go-centraljapan.jp/

2470
Kumano(Magose-toge
Pass)
45

25

43 329 878*27

255 824 064*87

Mie
area

15

116 186 109*57

196 737 844*18

24 Kumano:

13
Izu(Shuzenji
Temple)Jyozan-en
40

Airport(Tokoname)

312 053 748*02

30

★
Toi

25 446 669*33
78 395 653*27

246 561 114*11

31 Wakasa:

Port of
Humanity
Tsuruga
Museum

380 644 838*26

80

6
Shirakawa-go
60

2 Kamikochi:

Trips with rental cars are attractive, as you can go slightly beyond the course you decided inadvance and drop in here and there without worrying about time. Here, we introduce somerecommended drop-in spots.

Yokoyama
Observatory

Taki (cycling)

000 Required time (approximate)

The places above marked with a star (★) are spots on
certiﬁed Scenic Byway Japan routes where you can enjoy
nature, landscape, or seasonal scenery in Japan.
https://www.mlit.go.jp/road/sisaku/fukeikaidou/contents/eng/index_e.html

10