Tokyosokkikenkyujo Driver

When we lived in Tokyo, I felt no need to drive. The train and subway system was very convenient and I could get to anywhere I needed to go to without much difficulty, even with two kids in tow. It was, in fact, more troublesome to have a car. Some streets were too narrow, traffic bad, and parking spaces either too expensive or difficult to locate.
Then we moved to the countryside where trains and buses come by once or twice an hour and sorry for you if you missed it by seconds. For a while, I biked everywhere with my two kids on my mamachari (mom style bicycle with child seats). As time passed, the kids grew heavier and heavier. It was feat to ride with both of them plus our stuff. Forget about getting around on rainy or snowy days.
There are a number of reasons why you would want or need to drive in Japan. Whether you live in the countryside or would like to travel more in the countryside, or you would simply like to enjoy more ease and flexibility in transporting more people and things, the privelege to drive may be something that you would like to work towards.
Foreigners are allowed to drive in Japan for up to one year after their first date of arrival or the date written on their International Driver's Permit (whichever is shorter). In addition to the International Driver's Permit, they need to have a valid driver's license from their home country. The only exception is If you are from Germany, France or Switzerland, in which case, you just need an official Japanese translation of your license which you can get from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) for ¥3,392 (+ a mailing fee of ¥591).
If you plan to stay in Japan longer, you would need a Japanese driver's license. I asked around and it seems like the cheapest option would be to apply for what is called Gaimen Kirikae 外免切替, or conversion of an existing driver's license from your home country (if you already have one). Applying to a driving school and having them help you take care of the entire process could cost as much as ¥300,000, which is probably the option if you do not have a license from your home country.
I found this website to be extremely helpful and detailed in getting my license converted. Essentially, you need to go to your prefectural driving center (the prefecture listed in your alien registration card) and submit the required documents. Nationalities from some countries will have it easier than others. For select countries (please check with your driving center), they only need to do an eye exam and possibly a written exam and they will be issued a new license. For the rest, they must, in addition, pass an extremely difficult practical exam.
The written exam is an easy 10 question true or false test. It is almost impossible to fail this test. The practical exam, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. I failed it three times even though I memorized the pointers from the website. Chatting with other foreigners, I learned that they have failed the test many many times (one Filipina was rummored to have taken the test 32 times)! Each time you take the test, you have to pay a ¥2,200 testing fee (add to that about ¥2,000 in train fares to get to the driving center).
I resolved to take the Driving Center sponsored lesson. In my prefecture (Saitama), you cannot make a reservation for this lesson by phone. You need to go to the Driving Center to make a reservation. The 50-minute driving lesson costs ¥6,156 tax included. You pay for it when you take the lesson. I highly recommend taking this lesson. The 'correct' way to drive was extremely specific. There is an exact way to brake to stop, an exact distance to be from the curb when executing turns, and exact moments and places when your foot should be hovering over the brakes, and exact ways to crane your neck to look, etc.
After this lesson, I scheduled another practical test and passed. It was an arduous journey for me to get my driver's license, so each time it rains or snows and I'm safe and dry in my car with my two kids and bags of grocery, I am grateful for my Japanese driver's license.

When we lived in Tokyo, I felt no need to drive. The train and subway system was very convenient and I could get to anywhere I needed to go to without much difficulty, even with two kids in tow. It was, in fact, more troublesome to have a car. Some streets were too narrow, traffic bad, and parking spaces either too expensive or difficult to locate.
Then we moved to the countryside where trains and buses come by once or twice an hour and sorry for you if you missed it by seconds. For a while, I biked everywhere with my two kids on my mamachari (mom style bicycle with child seats). As time passed, the kids grew heavier and heavier. It was feat to ride with both of them plus our stuff. Forget about getting around on rainy or snowy days.
There are a number of reasons why you would want or need to drive in Japan. Whether you live in the countryside or would like to travel more in the countryside, or you would simply like to enjoy more ease and flexibility in transporting more people and things, the privelege to drive may be something that you would like to work towards.
Foreigners are allowed to drive in Japan for up to one year after their first date of arrival or the date written on their International Driver's Permit (whichever is shorter). In addition to the International Driver's Permit, they need to have a valid driver's license from their home country. The only exception is If you are from Germany, France or Switzerland, in which case, you just need an official Japanese translation of your license which you can get from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) for ¥3,392 (+ a mailing fee of ¥591).
If you plan to stay in Japan longer, you would need a Japanese driver's license. I asked around and it seems like the cheapest option would be to apply for what is called Gaimen Kirikae 外免切替, or conversion of an existing driver's license from your home country (if you already have one). Applying to a driving school and having them help you take care of the entire process could cost as much as ¥300,000, which is probably the option if you do not have a license from your home country.
I found this website to be extremely helpful and detailed in getting my license converted. Essentially, you need to go to your prefectural driving center (the prefecture listed in your alien registration card) and submit the required documents. Nationalities from some countries will have it easier than others. For select countries (please check with your driving center), they only need to do an eye exam and possibly a written exam and they will be issued a new license. For the rest, they must, in addition, pass an extremely difficult practical exam.
The written exam is an easy 10 question true or false test. It is almost impossible to fail this test. The practical exam, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. I failed it three times even though I memorized the pointers from the website. Chatting with other foreigners, I learned that they have failed the test many many times (one Filipina was rummored to have taken the test 32 times)! Each time you take the test, you have to pay a ¥2,200 testing fee (add to that about ¥2,000 in train fares to get to the driving center).
I resolved to take the Driving Center sponsored lesson. In my prefecture (Saitama), you cannot make a reservation for this lesson by phone. You need to go to the Driving Center to make a reservation. The 50-minute driving lesson costs ¥6,156 tax included. You pay for it when you take the lesson. I highly recommend taking this lesson. The 'correct' way to drive was extremely specific. There is an exact way to brake to stop, an exact distance to be from the curb when executing turns, and exact moments and places when your foot should be hovering over the brakes, and exact ways to crane your neck to look, etc.
After this lesson, I scheduled another practical test and passed. It was an arduous journey for me to get my driver's license, so each time it rains or snows and I'm safe and dry in my car with my two kids and bags of grocery, I am grateful for my Japanese driver's license.