Cars / Transportation
Cars, bikes, driver license conversion, and personal transportation in Japan.
Mar 4, 2026 · Complete guide to Suica and Pasmo IC cards in Japan. Learn where to buy, how to use, top up, and differences between card types — essential for foreigners living in Japan.
Aug 3, 2026 · Understand who can convert, what changed in October 2025, which documents to prepare, and how the process normally works at a prefectural licence centre. The usual route: eligibility, documents, booking, checks or tests, then licence.
Updated for the October 2025 reform: mandatory resident record, 50-question knowledge check (90% pass), stricter skills check, documents, fees, and where to apply — explained for foreign residents.
Sep 6, 2026 · Once you’re a resident, or if you simply want a full Japanese license rather than relying on a time-limited IDP, the process you’ll go through is called gaimen kirikae (外免切替), literally “foreign license switch.”
Mar 30, 2026 · In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down all 10 major IC card types in Japan, help you understand which one is right for you, and explain the key differences between Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and the others.
Everything foreigners need to know about driving in Japan: IDP rules, license conversion (gaimen kirikae), Japanese road rules, speed limits, buying a car, and more. Updated for 2025.
How to use trains, subways and buses in Japan as a foreign resident: getting a Suica or PASMO IC card, boarding trains, using buses, taking the Shinkansen, and useful transit apps.
Oct 7, 2026 · This is a comprehensive guide to converting a foreign driver's license to a Japanese one.
May 30, 2026 · Quick answer: This guide explains Suica and PASMO IC Cards for New Residents in Japan and the practical housing context foreign residents should know when planning life in Japan.
5 days ago · A Japanese transport IC card is a prepaid card for trains, subways, buses and small purchases. Tap it at a ticket gate and the fare is deducted automatically; the same balance can often be used at convenience stores, vending machines.
6 days ago · Convert foreign driving licence Japan: check the 2025 reform, 50-question test, exemption countries, three-month rule and documents for 2026.
Mar 4, 2026 · Whether you're converting a foreign driver's license through the gaimen kirikae process or sitting a full Japanese driving exam, this guide walks you through every step — documents, tests, costs, and insider tips to help you pass on.
Jul 15, 2026 · A plain-language guide to gaimen kirikae in Japan: the October 2025 rule tightening, the document checklist, exempt countries, test format, fees, and how to book at your local driving license center.
May 16, 2026 · Step-by-step guide to converting your foreign driving licence in Japan through the gaimen kirikae process. Documents, eligibility, written test, practical test, fees, and timeline.
May 25, 2026 · How to get and use a Suica or IC card in Japan. The easiest way to pay for trains, buses, and convenience stores.
Mar 4, 2026 · Complete guide to Gaimen Kirikae — converting your foreign driver's license to a Japanese license. Learn eligibility by country, required documents, costs, step-by-step process, and tips for the 2025 updated rules.
Curious about foreign license conversion in Japan? This guide explains the process, requirements, documents, and provides expert tips.
Convert Your Foreign License Into a Japanese One If you live in Japan and hold a valid foreign driver's license, you can convert it into a Japanese license through a process called gaimen kirikae (外免切替). This guide covers the documents you'll need.
Jun 20, 2026 · A practical guide to converting your foreign driver's license in Japan after the October 2025 reforms—documents, tests, exemptions by country, and who cannot apply.
Mar 31, 2026 · Japan updated its driver's license rules for foreign residents in October 2025. Here’s how the current system works, who’s eligible, and how you can get (or convert) your license the right way.