Short answer: yes, you can drive in Japan on a Belgian or Monégasque licence, but not with an International Driving Permit from either country. You carry your licence together with an official Japanese translation of it.
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Is a Belgian or Monaco IDP valid in Japan? | No. Japan accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Belgium and Monaco are parties to it, but their IDPs follow the 1968 Vienna Convention format, which Japan does not recognise. | Belgian Embassy in Japan, National Police Agency |
| Who issues the translation? | JAF and other bodies designated by Japan's authorities. The Belgian Embassy in Tokyo says it does not issue it. | National Police Agency, Belgian Embassy |
| Can I apply from home? | Not to JAF directly: JAF takes applications online only, from networks inside Japan. Someone in Japan or an agency can apply for you. JDLTC is one such agency. | JAF |
| How long can I drive on it? | Up to one year from the day you land, or until your licence expires if sooner. For visitors, each new landing starts a new year. | National Police Agency |
| Which copy do I drive with? | JAF's paper translation, printed in Japan. We email you the PDF before you fly so you can book your car, and deliver the paper original to your hotel or rental counter in Japan. | JAF |
| What does it cost? | JAF's fee is ¥6,000 (tax-exempt). Through JDLTC: € 99 standard (3–4 weeks), € 139 express (5–7 days), € 179 rush (1–3 business days, estimated). Paper original delivered in Japan: € 10. | JAF, JDLTC prices |
📦 Some rental companies cannot accept parcels, so please choose your hotel for delivery whenever possible.
Checked against the sources above on 12 October 2026.
Read next: In het Nederlands: Belgisch rijbewijs vertalen voor Japan · En français : traduction du permis belge pour le Japon · the complete JAF translation guide
Can You Drive in Japan with a Belgian/Monaco License?
Yes — but not with a standard International Driving Permit (IDP).
Japan only recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Belgium and Monaco are both parties to that convention too — but they now issue their IDPs under the newer 1968 Vienna Convention format instead, which Japan does not accept. This means your Belgian or Monégasque IDP is not valid in Japan.
Instead, you need an official Japanese translation of your driver's license in JAF format. This is the same requirement that applies to drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, and Taiwan.
What You Need to Drive in Japan
- Your valid Belgian or Monaco driver's license (original, not a copy)
- An official JAF-format Japanese translation
- Your passport — rental car companies check your entry date
- Both documents must be carried at all times while driving
How to Get Your JAF Translation
Option 1: Apply Online via JDLTC (Recommended)
- Upload clear photos of both sides of your license
- Pay securely via Stripe (credit card)
- Receive your translation as a PDF by email — 3-4 weeks (Standard), 5-7 days (Express), or 1-3 business days (Rush, estimated)
- Book your car with the PDF before you fly, then drive with JAF's paper original. We deliver it to your hotel or rental counter in Japan for €10, from the day after your translation is ready.
Advantages: Apply from Belgium/Monaco before your trip. No need to wait until you arrive in Japan.
Apply for Your Translation Before Your Trip
Apply online from Belgium or Monaco. Book your car with the PDF, then drive with JAF's paper original, delivered to your hotel or rental counter in Japan for €10.
Apply Now — From €99 →Option 2: Apply to JAF Directly (online, from inside Japan)
- Where you can apply from: Inside Japan only
- ⚠️ Limitation: The JAF online system only works from within Japan, so unless someone in Japan applies for you before your trip, you can only apply after you arrive, which means you can't rent a car on day one.
About Belgian Driving Licenses
Belgian driving licenses are issued by local municipalities and follow the EU format (credit card-sized with photo). The Category B license is what you need for renting a standard car in Japan.
Make sure your license is not expired before applying for a translation. If your license expires during your trip to Japan, the translation becomes invalid.
Belgian licenses issued before 1989 in the old format are also accepted, but a newer EU-format license makes the translation process smoother.
About Monaco Driving Licenses
Monaco issues its own driving licenses through the Direction de la Sûreté Publique. Despite Monaco's small size, its driving licenses are internationally recognized. The same translation requirement applies as for larger countries.
If you hold a French license while living in Monaco, the process is the same — you need an official translation of whichever license you plan to use in Japan.
Driving Tips for Belgian/Monaco Drivers in Japan
| Rule | Belgium / Monaco | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Side of road | Right | Left ← |
| Steering wheel | Left side | Right side |
| Priority from right | Yes (Belgium) | No — signals/signs only |
| Highway speed limit | 120 km/h | 80–120 km/h |
| Alcohol limit | 0.05% | 0.03% (near-zero) |
| Toll system | Free highways | All highways are toll roads |
Key Differences to Watch For
- Left-side driving: The biggest adjustment. Most drivers adapt within an hour, but be extra careful at intersections.
- No "priority from the right": Unlike Belgium, Japan uses traffic signals and signs at every intersection. There's no automatic right-of-way rule.
- Highway tolls: Unlike Belgium's free highways, Japanese expressways charge tolls. Ask for an ETC card at your rental counter for automatic payment and discounts.
- Strict speed cameras: Japan enforces speed limits more strictly than Belgium. Don't exceed posted limits.
- Zero alcohol tolerance: At 0.03% BAC, Japan effectively has zero tolerance. Even one beer could put you over the limit. Penalties are severe.
Renting a Car in Japan
At the rental counter, present:
- Your Belgian/Monaco driver's license (original)
- JAF's paper original of your translation
- Your passport
- A credit card for the deposit
Major rental companies operating at airports and cities:
- Toyota Rent a Car — Largest fleet, English website
- Nippon Rent-A-Car — Good English support
- Times Car Rental — Budget-friendly
- ORIX — Competitive prices
Most Japanese rental cars are automatic transmission and come with GPS navigation (some with English). You can also use Google Maps in French or Dutch on your phone.
Recommended Road Trips from Popular Entry Points
🗼 From Tokyo (Narita/Haneda)
- Mt. Fuji & Hakone — 2-hour drive, hot springs with iconic volcano views
- Nikko — UNESCO World Heritage shrines in the mountains
- Izu Peninsula — Coastal scenery, onsen towns, fresh seafood
🏯 From Osaka (Kansai)
- Kumano Kodo — Ancient pilgrimage trails through mystical forests
- Shimanami Kaido — Stunning cycling/driving bridge connecting islands
- Nara & Yoshino — Deer park and Japan's most famous cherry blossom mountain
🌋 Kyushu (Fukuoka)
- Aso Caldera — Drive through one of the world's largest volcanic calderas
- Beppu & Yufuin — Japan's most famous hot spring towns
- Yakushima Island — Ancient cedar forests (ferry from Kagoshima)
Costs to Expect
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Compact car rental (per day) | ¥5,000–¥8,000 (€30–50) |
| Gasoline (per liter) | ¥170–180 (€1.10) |
| Highway toll (100 km) | ¥2,000–¥3,000 (€12–18) |
| Parking (city center, per hour) | ¥300–600 (€2–4) |
| Official translation (JDLTC) | From €99 |
FAQ
Q: I have a Belgian IDP. Can I use it in Japan?
A: No. Belgium is a party to the Geneva Convention, but issues its IDP under the newer Vienna Convention format, which Japan doesn't recognize. You need an official translation.
Q: How long can I drive in Japan with my translation?
A: Up to 1 year from your date of entry, or until your own license expires if sooner. If you leave and re-enter Japan as a visitor, the period resets.
Q: Can I drive in Japan with a provisional Belgian license?
A: No. You need a full, valid Category B license. Provisional licenses are not accepted.
Q: What do I show at the rental counter?
A: Your original licence and JAF's paper original of the translation. We email you the PDF to book your car before you fly, and deliver the paper original to your hotel or rental counter in Japan for €10, from the day after your translation is ready.
Q: Is driving in Japan difficult for European drivers?
A: The main challenge is left-side driving, but most adapt quickly. Roads are well-maintained, signage includes English, and Japanese drivers are very courteous.
Ready to drive in Japan?
Apply for your official license translation before your trip.
Start Application →