For those Aussies out there, driving in Japan is not too difficult, as cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. So one of the biggest challenges of driving overseas is non-existent. Yay!
BUT: There are some significant differences.
1. The way people drive is different.
By this I am referring to the way that it is OK to pull out in front of someone else, even if they have to slow down, or even stop. This goes in just about any situation. It is good when you are stuck and just want to go, but not so good when people randomly and unexpectedly pull out in front of you in all different situations.
2. The “Hazards” Rule
OK, I admit. I made the name of this rule up, but there is a rule. You can park anywhere, anytime, as long as you have your hazard lights on. In fact, this doesn’t just apply to parking. You can basically do anything if you have your hazards on. Another convenient yet slightly dangerous habit.
3. The speed signs
Most average, suburbian roads in Japan have a speed of 40k’s. Highways vary between 60-80k’s. But almost every single person ignores the speed signs, drives way faster, and the regulation of these speeds is yet to be seen by me. So, in one sense, the speed is much lower generally. But because a whole lot of people (maybe 90%) ignore the signs and drive at any speed they like (especially on Highways) you also find people driving very fast.
4. Narrow roads
Just because a road seems to have only enough width for one car, DO NOT assume it is a one-way road. It is probably a normal road. Roads are very narrow, especially the roads near houses, in the residential areas.
5. Street signs
There are little to no street name signs in Japan. The main, big roads and Highways have signs, but all other roads have no signs. It is nearly impossible to drive to someone’s house without having been there before. Because Japan is an old country, many of the residential areas have had roads there for a long time. So while they have been paved etc, the pattern on roads is not logical in any sense, and are so small and windy and random, without signs. Often I have thought, well, this road should lead in that direction (thinking on a logical grid-type lay out) and found myself very lost in a very narrow street with no signs. This is perhaps why most Japanese cars have some type of Navigation systems. Unfortunately for me, the car I use does not fall into the ‘most’ category. But I have found some interesting places while driving around lost!
In general, I think that driving in Japan is reasonably safe, as the speed is generally lower than Australia. But then, I haven’t mentioned anything about Motorbikes, Scooters, Pedestrians and Cyclists in this entry, which make for a very interesting driving experience!
