If you are a first-time visitor to Japan, you’ll be surprised by the narrow Japanese roads. It’s no wonder Japanese cars are famed for their small sizes. Moreover, most of the population relies on a well-developed public transport system.
Japanese streets are narrow compared to roads in the Western world because they were built over roads made during the Edo period, 200 years ago. This creates room to cram buildings into the limited-spaced cities and has accustomed people to use bicycles and trains to get around.
Generally, Japanese roads are narrow at a width of 10.6-13 ft (3.25-4 meters), whereas some two-way streets have a width of fewer than 16.5 ft (5 meters). What’s more, there are side streets that are even narrower than that.
For comparison, a conventional road lane in the US measures 12 ft (3.66 meters), and a European road lane is 11.6 ft (3.5 meters). A standard Japanese road has a lane width of 10 ft (3 meters). Tokyo’s expressway has a greater lane width of 10.6 ft (3.25 meters).
In this post, we’ll detail why Japanese roads are narrow and will provide you some tips to drive on narrow Japanese roads.
Read on to learn more.
Reason #1: Most Japanese roads were built on old roads
Since there is limited land for the enlargement of cities in Japan, buildings are packed in the available spaces leaving little or no room for the expansion of roads.
Most streets in urban Japan were constructed over old roads when travel was mostly by foot. When you check out the road maps of Japan over the Edo Period (1603-1867), you’ll find that the streets are the same.
Therefore, many streets in Japan largely remain the same size as more than 200 years ago. Adjustments to widen the roads only occur when there are earthquakes, fires, wars, and other disasters that destroy existing infrastructure.
Here is the lane width for most Japanese roads;
- Two-way streets without a centerline; 16 ft (4.9 meters).
- Two-lane street without parking; 13 ft (4 meters) per lane.
- Two-lane street of a major side street; 14 ft to 17.75 ft (4.3 m to 4.8 meters).
- Expressway lane width; 10.67 ft (3.25 meters)
Reason #2 Many Japanese rely on public transport
Most people in Japan do not own cars due to the efficient public transport network. An extremely reliable train system serves the main towns and moves people between cities seamlessly.
Tokyo, for instance, has a population of 13.5 million people. Most people walk or use bicycles in the cities reducing the need to expand streets to accommodate car traffic. Compared with cities in the West where most people drive to work, Japan has lower car traffic.
To navigate the narrow streets, the Japanese have smaller cars that can explore the streets’ twists and turns easily. Therefore, there’s hardly a need to spend money expanding the roads.
Reason #3 Overcrowding in Japan’s main cities
The highly populated cities of Japan put pressure on available spaces. Commercial and residential buildings and social amenities are crammed within them to make the most of that limited space.
In the main cities, the land is used efficiently by innovative transport and parking systems. Tokyo has elevated rail lines, a highway that goes through a story building, and automated rotary car parking systems.
The need to utilize every available space to cater to the needs of the ballooning population has kept the streets narrower.
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Reason #4 Narrow roads were built as a security measure during the Edo times
In the Edo times, the Tokugawa clan advocated for the building of narrow streets to frustrate the possible movement of wagons by antagonistic armies and rebellious groups.
Subsequent local governments did not redesign many of these narrow streets. Unless authorities built a new city, they maintained old city plans that included narrow streets.
Tips to drive on a narrow road in Japan
Driving through the narrow streets of Japan can be stressful and ruin an otherwise excellent vacation in the land of the rising sun.
To drive on a narrow road in Japan, rent a small car that can effortlessly navigate roads and park in tight spaces. Moreover, you need to be familiar with the road rules of Japan, drive slowly, especially when approaching a bend, and make use of mirrors that show oncoming traffic.
Some roads, particularly in rural Japan, may have a single lane but are used for two-way traffic. Several sections of these roads can be long, hence the need to be prepared to drive on narrow roads to take it all in.
That said, driving through Japan shouldn’t be so stressful if you can heed the following tips.
Know Japanese road rules and road signs
Sounds obvious. Knowing Japanese road rules will help build your confidence on the road and help you avoid causing unnecessary accidents.
The Japanese keep left on the road while the steering wheel is on the right. That is the exact opposite of what you are familiar with if you are from the US or several European nations that keep right.
Fortunately, road signs in most places are in Japanese and English. Most road signs in Japan are pretty easy to interpret. However, the Japanese sign for “STOP” can confuse US drivers as it looks like the “YIELD” sign in the US.
Rent a smaller car
Since the streets in Japan are narrow, it’s a no-brainer that you need to rent a smaller car to navigate the streets and park in small spaces with ease.
When renting a car in Japan, get a small car that can fit into narrow spaces without taking scratches from walls when making turns. Luckily, small vehicles are readily available in Japan.
Slow down near bends
When driving on narrow streets, slow down to avoid ending up in a tight spot with an oncoming car. Generally, Japanese speed limits on narrow streets are low. If you adhere to them, the going will be fine.
You may have to reverse on some two-way streets with a single lane to allow for oncoming traffic to pass. Minimize or avoid such maneuvers by driving slowly to allow oncoming traffic to pass where the road has some wiggle room.
Additionally, you can wind down your car windows to hear if there is oncoming traffic. That way, you prepare to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
Make use of mirrors on bends
Several roads have mirrors on bends that you can use to see oncoming traffic. Make use of them, and you will have yourself to thank.
If you’re a shaky driver who dreads reversing, the narrow streets of Japan may not be your thing. Just avoid them altogether and stick to the main motorways.
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Conclusion
Driving on the narrow streets of Japan can be stressful for first-time visitors to Japan or those coming back after a long time.
You can drive on the narrow roads of Japan by hiring a smaller car, driving slowly along the narrow road, winding down your windows to pick up sounds of oncoming traffic, and making use of mirrors on bends.
If you plan to visit Japan, check out this video on how to drive on a narrow road.
