Hi guys, I would like to ask you for help as I cannot find any specific information on the net.
Although it may seem like a common question, if you take “rental” out of the equation, finding information about driving your car in Japan is very complex.
I’m planning to spend two months in a row in Japan, and I want to ship my car/bike there first, and then arrive and be able to use it.
I definitely don’t want to rent it, so please don’t suggest something similar, thanks.
Now, for driving in Japan an international driving licence (which I already have) with which I have already driven rented cars is enough, but I don’t think this is enough for your own car.
I have no idea how it works with issues like hypothetical insurance for example.
Then there’s a whole other issue for motorbikes, as in Japan I don’t know if an international driving licence is enough to drive a motorbike.
There are different licences depending on the engine size, and from what I understand, the international one might not be enough.
Do you have any information on this?
Thank you all very much.
\*An important edit:
If you’re able to, please support your answers with reliable sources, as I would like to avoid lengthy discussions in the face of dry and unsupported answers.
6 comments
I’m getting ready to move to Japan and shipping my motorcycle over there.
Just a couple notes, if it’s a newer car/motorcycle it will be expensive to get it in compliance and inspection process. Could be $3-10k range. Emissions and brake test.
Also you will need a resident parking spot to get your vehicle registered.
It’s relatively easy to find the procedure : [https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/japan/transport/vehicle-ownership/importing-a-vehicle](https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/japan/transport/vehicle-ownership/importing-a-vehicle)
I think the trickiest part it to make sure it is up to the Japanese norms, if it is not, it could be a bummer to pay a lot of money and not being able to use it or have to spend even more on fixing it to be allowed to run.
For parking, I think that it is possible to just rent a parking spot for the time you will be in Japan. You do not have to always park there, but you would need to have a place registered for the car.
For driving license, it will be the international one, you cannot get a Japanese driving license as a tourist because you need a proof of residence (see procedure [https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/japanese-driver-license/](https://gogonihon.com/en/blog/japanese-driver-license/)). The big restriction is that you are not allowed to use an international driving license for more than one year, so people who move to Japan and have a resident status should switch to have a Japanese license.
You can drive any size of motorcycle with an international license. I guess unless you have a license type that restrict motorcycle size in your own country. Where I live there is also 3 levels at under 125 cc, under 400 cc an any motorcycle.
You should research some overlanding forums as some have brought their vehicles into Japan. You’ll probably have to get a carnet de passage. It’s basically a deposit you pay ensuring you won’t sell or leave your vehicle in the country you’re visiting.
I would not recommend taking your own car. You will need to go through a lot of expense and red tape just to get it there. You will then need to think about insurance and have a registered place to part it.
I understand you do not want to rent but it will be cheaper, easier and safer. Why go through all of this hassle for almost no gain.
Do you have any idea how expensive that’d be?
It’s possible, not difficult and fun. I have done it.
However shipping is very expensive and truly not worth it considering a 2 month trip.
It will be cheaper and frankly easier to rent than the cost of one-way shipping. You can even rent a camper modified minivan that will meet you at the airport (no transfer hassles) and you can sleep inside the van every night, thereby saving hotel and restaurant costs…you hang in the michi-no-ekis. Free parking, toilets, shops, restaurants, and sometimes showers.
For your own vehicle, no cdp needed.. depending on your entry to the island. A cdp is crazy expensive for a 2 month holiday.
You need to do some research and realign your parameters.
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/northern-and-central-asia/japan-cdp-vs-customs-form-70269-3#post593348
http://www2.gol.com/users/chrisl/japan/
https://www.madornomad.com/how-to-get-the-ferry-from-russia-to-japan/
https://www.motorcycleparadise.net/2016/05/see-japan-on-two-wheels.html
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/northern-and-central-asia/japan-on-a-budget-98867
https://www.michi-no-eki.jp/stations/english