If you travel long distances by car in Japan, you will often use expressways. One of the most common ways to pay the tolls is ETC.
ETC works with a card inserted into a device installed in the car. When you pass through an ETC lane at the entrance and exit, the system records where you entered and where you left. The toll is then charged through the ETC card.
Having only an ETC card is not enough. The car also needs an ETC device, and the card must be inserted into it.
On many expressways, the toll depends on where you enter and where you leave. The amount can also change depending on the type of vehicle, such as a regular car or a larger vehicle.
One major advantage of ETC is that you do not need to stop and pay at every toll gate. ETC users may also qualify for discounts depending on the road, day, or time. Some discounts are available on certain holidays or weekends, but the rules and eligible sections can change. It is best to check the latest information from the expressway operator before your trip.
You can still use many expressways without ETC if there is a general toll lane. In that case, you normally take a ticket when entering and pay when leaving.
However, more toll gates are becoming ETC-only. This means that without ETC, you cannot always use every entrance or exit.
If you accidentally reach an ETC-only toll gate without a working ETC setup, do not reverse. Use a lane marked “ETC/Support” or similar and follow the instructions there.
Foreign visitors can also use Japanese expressways as long as they meet the legal requirements to drive in Japan. Rental cars often have ETC devices installed.
However, an ETC card is not always included automatically. Some rental-car companies offer ETC card rental, so it is worth checking when you make your reservation. If you borrow a card, the expressway tolls are usually settled when you return the car.
In Japan, ETC is no longer seen as something that is merely a little more convenient. If you use expressways regularly in Japan, having ETC feels almost like a given. For a road trip in a rental car, it is worth checking not only whether the car has an ETC device, but also whether you can rent an ETC card.
References
- ETC General Information Portal, “ETC-Only Toll Gates” and “About ETC Cards”
- NEXCO Central Japan, “ETC Discounts” and “ETC-Only Toll Gates”
- NEXCO West Japan, “ETC Discounts” and “Guide to ETC-Only Toll Gates”
- Toyota Rent a Car, “ETC”
- Nippon Rent-A-Car, “ETC Card Rental”
