Driving on the left is only the beginning. From 'Stop' signs to traffic light etiquette, here is how to avoid a fine in Japan.
It’s Not Just the Left Side Most people think the hardest part of driving in Japan is the left-hand side. that's the easiest part to remember. The real trouble comes from the subtle differences in Japanese road etiquette and signage. At JapanSnowWatch, we want you on the slopes, not in a police station explaining why you didn't see the "stop" sign. Here are the 5 things most Western drivers get wrong.
--- 1. The Red Triangle (Stop Signs) In most of the world, a stop sign is an octagon. In Japan, it’s an upside-down red triangle with the kanji "止まれ" (Tomare). The Rule: You must come to a complete 3-second stop. Japanese police are famous for watching these signs, especially in resort towns like Kutchan and Hakuba.
Rolling stops will get you pulled over. 2. No Turning on Red If you are from the US or Canada, you are used to turning right on a red light. The Rule: In Japan, Red means Red. You cannot turn left on a red light unless there is a specifi