Find your licence in this table first
Japan's rule is short, but it catches a lot of travellers because the answer depends on where your licence was issued, not on your nationality. The National Police Agency leaflet gives two routes: a Geneva IDP, or a licence from one of six places with a Japanese translation. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department keeps the working list of Geneva Convention parties and exceptions, last updated on 2 July 2026.
| Where your licence was issued | Document that works in Japan | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Hong Kong, Macau, and EU states such as Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and Poland | Geneva 1949 IDP booklet plus licence | Card-type or app IDPs are refused |
| Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan | Japanese translation plus licence | These places are not on the Geneva list, so an IDP will not help |
| France, Belgium, Monaco | Japanese translation plus licence | They are Geneva parties but do not issue a Geneva-format IDP |
| UAE, Bangladesh | Geneva-format IDP only | Both issue two IDP formats; only the Geneva one is valid |
| Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Rwanda | None at present | Listed by the police as not issuing a Geneva-format IDP (as of May 2026) |
| Not on the list, for example mainland China, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam, Ukraine | None for a short visit | Check with the police before booking; the list notes that other territories may also be covered |
If you hold two licences, use the one that gives you a valid route. A Brazilian resident with a UK licence, for instance, can drive on a UK-issued Geneva IDP.
Which IDPs do Japanese rental counters accept?
Rental staff check the physical permit, not just the country. Toyota Rent a Car's licence rules ask for a booklet-type IDP measuring 148 mm by 105 mm, issued within the last year, showing your name, place of birth, address and photo. The Japan National Tourism Organization adds that card and smartphone versions are invalid and that the permit must be issued by the issuing authority in your own country.
Bring the original home licence as well. The IDP is a companion document, and the counter will compare the two.
How do you get a Japanese translation of your licence?
For licences from the six translation places, the Japanese translation replaces the IDP. The Metropolitan Police Department accepts translations from:
- the authority that issued the licence, or that country's embassy or consulate in Japan
- the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
- the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, for Taiwanese licences
- the German Automobile Association, for German licences
- Zipplus Co., Ltd., for Taiwanese licences
- the General Incorporated Association for Visiting Drivers Support
JAF takes translation applications online only, and for these six licences its stated average turnaround is two to three business days. Build that into your plans rather than ordering on the day you land.
How long can you drive in Japan on an IDP?
Both routes are valid for up to one year from your date of entry, but never beyond your home licence's expiry, according to the police leaflet. Toyota says the passport must show the immigration stamp with your landing date. If your entry was processed without a stamp, ask the rental company in advance what proof of your landing date it will accept. Cruise passengers can use the cruise landing permit instead.
People registered as residents of Japan face an extra condition: leaving and coming back within three months does not restart the year, per the Metropolitan Police.
Rental documents and small print that change the plan
Beyond licences, the big Japanese chains differ in details worth checking before you book.
- Payment. Nippon Rent-A-Car accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners, Amex and Discover, but not prepaid cards or cards without 3D Secure.
- Age. Nippon states no upper age restriction for drivers aged 18 and over. Other companies may set their own limits.
- Navigation. Toyota lists English satellite navigation as standard on passenger classes. Nippon warns that a Japanese-only unit may be assigned.
- Children. Toyota notes that child seats are legally required for children under six and charges ¥1,650 per rental for one.
Japan drives on the left, which the tourism organization flags for every visitor. The same page reminds drivers to stop at the line before railway crossings and look both ways.
What is the NOC in Japanese rental car insurance?
Every Japanese rental includes compulsory and company insurance, but two costs still land on you after an accident: the deductible (excess) and the non-operation charge, or NOC. The NOC compensates the company for the days the car is off the road. It is separate from the repair bill.
| Item (September 2026) | Toyota Rent a Car | Times Car Rental | Nippon Rent-A-Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle damage deductible | ¥50,000 | ¥50,000 | ¥50,000 or ¥100,000 by class |
| Property damage deductible | ¥50,000 | ¥50,000 | ¥50,000 |
| NOC, car still drivable | ¥20,000 | ¥20,000 to ¥50,000 by class | ¥20,000 |
| NOC, car not drivable | ¥50,000 | ¥50,000 to ¥100,000 by class | ¥50,000 |
| Waiver of deductibles | ¥1,100 per 24 h | Safety Package ¥1,100 to ¥2,200 per 24 h | Included in Full Support |
| Waiver of deductibles and NOC | ¥1,650 per 24 h (DPP) | Super Safety Package, ¥1,100 per 24 h on top | Full Support from ¥2,200 per day |
Figures come from Toyota's insurance terms, Times' compensation rules and Nippon's Full Support page. Toyota's basic waiver still leaves the NOC payable, which is why the upgraded package exists.
Worked example: a three-day compact from Tokyo
Take a three-day Toyota rental and a low-speed scrape against a car park pillar, with the car still drivable afterwards.
| Cover chosen | Extra cost for 3 days | You pay after the scrape | Total exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic only | ¥0 | Up to ¥50,000 deductible plus ¥20,000 NOC | Up to ¥70,000 |
| Deductible waiver | ¥3,300 | ¥20,000 NOC | ¥23,300 |
| DPP (waiver plus NOC) | ¥4,950 | ¥0 for a covered, police-reported accident | ¥4,950 |
The step from the basic waiver to the full package costs ¥1,650 over three days and removes a ¥20,000 charge. If the car cannot be driven, the NOC rises to ¥50,000, which makes the full package even more worthwhile for mountain or winter trips.
Planning the rest of the trip
Expressway tolls in Japan are usually paid with an ETC card rented with the car. Our guide to expressway tolls, ETC cards and visitor passes around Osaka covers when a flat-rate pass pays off. If you are heading north between December and March, read winter driving in Hokkaido before you commit to a car.