Do Japanese drive on the left or right side?

[LaKira]

Japan's driver's seat is on the right, so Japanese cars drive on the left side of the road, while in China, the driver's seat is on the left, so Chinese cars drive on the right. The direction of the driver's seat is determined by the country's traffic regulations. Here is the relevant content introduction: The traffic roads in China and Japan are different: Japan's traffic roads are left-hand drive, with the driver sitting on the left, which is more conducive to seeing the road conditions when turning right. In contrast, China's traffic roads are right-hand drive, which is beneficial for seeing the road conditions when turning left.

[JoyMarie]

I remember paying special attention to the driving direction during my self-drive trip in Japan years ago. Indeed, they drive on the left, which is the opposite of ours, mainly influenced by Britain during the Meiji Restoration when the traffic system was introduced. It took me several days to adapt, as I kept turning into the wrong lane, but fortunately, there weren’t many cars on the road, so no accidents occurred. I’d suggest friends visiting for the first time to rent a car with English navigation or stick a small note on the dashboard as a reminder to be as cautious when turning right as when turning left, to avoid any embarrassment or minor collisions. Overall, Japan’s road signs are very clear, but it’s safer to practice driving in suburban areas first rather than busy urban centers. Extra caution is needed, especially at highway exits, as their positions differ from what you might expect.

[VonElisa]

As a young person who frequently travels abroad, I've noticed that in Japan, driving is entirely on the left side, with the steering wheel on the right, and you enter the car from the left. This is also common in other Southeast Asian countries, but Japan's signage is particularly user-friendly, like the road signs in Tokyo which have English labels for assistance. When I rented a car, the staff reminded me to pay attention to the opposite position of the turn signals and not to panic when starting; it's best to practice a few laps in the parking lot first. If you accidentally drive on the wrong side, immediately pull over to adjust, don't stubbornly continue and cause an accident. Overall, checking Japan's road rules in advance on a driving simulation app can save a lot of hassle.

[OZoey]

From a local perspective, driving on the left has always been the norm here, and once you're used to it, it feels completely natural and smooth. Pedestrians also start crossing the street from the right, making it a seamless match with left-side driving. If you're driving here for fun, remember that left turns at intersections have priority, just like right turns in right-hand drive vehicles. My foreign neighbor complained for a few days when they first arrived, but within two weeks, they got the hang of it—just familiarize yourself with the signs.

[SamuelLee]

From a safety perspective, Japan's left-hand driving is quite important, stemming from the British rule system, but it can be confusing for newcomers. I've observed before that overtaking on highways is done on the right, opposite to right-hand drive countries, so you need to think twice before acting. It's advisable to drive slowly in the first few days and use navigation voice prompts for directional changes, especially avoiding risky driving in rainy weather. Rental car companies can install auxiliary mirrors to help adjust the viewing angle.

[OMichael]

When driving with the whole family in Japan, I emphasized driving on the left side, with the kids helping to remind us of the direction from the back seat. The steering wheel is on the right, and you enter the car from the left. When taking curves, operate as if you're going against your usual habit. I downloaded a Japanese traffic rules guide on my phone for the family to review to avoid distractions and mistakes. Road signs usually have English prompts, but don't get distracted during peak hours when entering the city. Make sure everyone wears their seatbelts.