If you would like to know about the basic traffic rules, regulations, and systems, etc. in Japan, please check Chapter 9 of "A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals," operated by the Immigration Services Agency.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/portal/traffic.html
Available in 15 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Burmese, Nepali, and Ukrainian.
Driver’s License
■International Driver’s Permit with which you can drive in Japan (Metropolitan Police Department)
If you have a valid international driver’s permit (one which is issued by a country that is signatory to the Geneva Convention and conforms to the format prescribed by the Convention) you may drive in Japan. It is not possible to drive in Japan with an international driver’s permit issued under any other convention, such as the Vienna Convention.
The international driver’s permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance, or one year from the date of entry in Japan (whichever comes first.)
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokusaimenkyo.html
Available in 10 languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Spanish.
■Conversion of a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese driver’s license (Hokkaido Police)
If you have a driver’s license issued overseas, but do not hold an international driver’s permit issued by a country signatory to the Geneva Convention, and wish to drive in Japan, you must convert your foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one.
In addition, even if you have an international driver’s permit issued by a country that is a signatory to the Geneva Convention, if you wish to drive in Japan for more than one year from your date of entry in Japan, you must convert your license.
Where to apply
You can only apply to convert your foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license at the Driver’s License Examination Center that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
There are six Driver’s License Examination Centers in Hokkaido: Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Kushiro, Obihiro and Kitami. Please note that the application process differs slightly at each center.
Documents necessary for the application
The documents that you will need to convert your license (besides the license itself) differ depending on the country that issued your driver’s license. Please confirm in advance with the Driver’s License Examination Center that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
1． Driver’s license application form, questionnaire (available at the Driver's License Examination Center)
2． Valid foreign driver’s license
3． 1 photo (measuring 3.0 cm x 2.4 cm and taken within the last 6 months)
4． 1 copy of your certificate of residence juminhyo (住民票) that includes your nationality
5． An official Japanese translation of your foreign driver’s license
6． Documents proving residency in the country of issuance for at least 3 months after initial date of issue
7． Any previous Japanese driver’s licenses (if applicable)
8． Applicable test and license fees (fees vary depending on test and license type)
https://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/guide/menkyo/gai_menkyo-kirikae.html
Japanese only
■FAQ: Procedures for Converting Foreign Licenses (Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center)
This is a multilingual leaflet that summarizes basic information and points to note when converting a foreign driver's license in Hokkaido.
https://www.hiecc.or.jp/soudan/info/detail.html?pid=3432228223747
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai
■International Driver’s Permit (For when you wish to drive abroad using your Japanese license)
If you have a Japanese driver's license and want to drive outside of Japan, you will need an international driver's permit. Details on how to apply can be found on the Hokkaido Police website.
https://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/guide/menkyo/menkyo5.html
Japanese only
Traffic rules / Etiquette
■Hokkaido Police - Foreign Language Site
This page has information on traffic rules and driver's license application procedures, etc. and is available in multiple languages.
http://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/foreign/foreign.html
Languages: English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean, Russian
■Drive Hokkaido ~ Basic knowledge of traffic safety ~ (Hokkaido Government)
This page is about traffic safety for foreigners. You can check information on traffic safety, basic rules and etiquette, driving on winter roads, how to deal with traffic accidents, and see information about Japan's main traffic signs and signals.
https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ks/dms/kat/fl.html
Languages: English, Chinese, Korean
■Must-have Handbook for Driving in Hokkaido (Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau)
Although this handbook was created for foreign tourists to enjoy a safe, secure, and comfortable driving tour of Hokkaido, it also has a lot of information that can be helpful to foreign residents.
https://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/ky/ki/renkei/ud49g70000000kp9.html
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean, French, German
■Driving in Japan (Japan Automobile Federation (JAF))
This is a multilingual site about the licenses required to drive in Japan, Japanese traffic rules, etc.
https://english.jaf.or.jp/driving-in-japan
Languages: English, Chinese (simplified), Korean, Vietnamese, French, German, Portuguese
■Driving on Winter Roads (Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center)
The "Winter Living Guide" created by our center contains information about driving on winter roads.
https://www.hiecc.or.jp/soudan/info/detail.html?pid=3475050276827
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Thai, Indonesian
Traffic Information
■Hokkaido Travel Safety Information Site (Hokkaido District Transport Bureau)
The “Hokkaido Travel Safety Information Site” is a comprehensive traffic information site, with information on traffic, methods of transportation, etc. that can be used by foreign residents and tourists in Hokkaido.
https://hokkaido-safe-travel.brdg.site/
Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean *Automatic translation
■Road Information Provision System (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
This site provides information related to traffic regulations (road closures due to abnormal weather, disasters, construction, etc.), on expressways, national roads, and prefectural roads managed by some local governments. You can also check the actual road conditions with live road cameras.
www.road-info-prvs.mlit.go.jp/roadinfo/
Languages: Japanese, English
■Blizzard Visibility Impairment MAP (Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau)
This map includes information on poor visibility areas due to snowstorms, places to put on and take off tire chains, and precautions to take when driving on winter roads.
www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/ky/kn/dou_iji/ud49g70000000qlh.html
Languages: Japanese, English
If you get in an accident…
・Stop driving immediately and park the vehicle in a safe place on the shoulder, etc.
・If someone is injured, call 119 and request an ambulance.
・Call 110 to notify police of the accident and have them conduct an on-site inspection. (An official traffic accident report is necessary when applying for insurance, etc.)
*Emergency calls (110) can be answered in English, Chinese, and Korean.
https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/fs/7/2/7/5/5/0/6/_/%E3%80%90%E5%AE%8C%E6%88%90%E7%89%88%E3%80%91%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%90%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89110%E7%95%AA%E3%83%81%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B7.pdf