Driving in Japan: Guide to ETC for highway toll gates

(Photo by 123RF)

Driving in Japan offers convenience and flexibility, especially on highways. The ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system streamlines toll payments, making road travel smoother for locals and international visitors alike.

Table of contents

1.What is an ETC card?

2.Benefits 3.How to use an ETC card?

4.How to get an ETC card?

What is an ETC card?

An ETC card is a smart card used for automatic wireless payment of toll fees, which are charged at toll gates along Japanese expressways.

The ETC system enables you to pass through toll gates without stopping, helping avoid the need to queue to pay such fees.

Most Japanese cars come equipped with an ETC device, but the driver needs to prepare their own ETC card, typically as an optional extra with a rental car company, or through applying via a regular credit card company for Japan-based residents.

Benefits

Convenience: The biggest benefit of the ETC system is convenience. When using the highway, you’ll be able to save time (and gas) at every toll gate. You also won’t need to prepare a manual payment method in advance of each trip (e.g. cash but also IC cards and credit cards are commonly accepted on main routes), and you’ll be able to more easily track the cost of your journey.

Time-based discounts: If you enter or exit a highway toll booth or drive designated roads between the hours of 12am and 4am, you can expect a discount of around 30% of the total cost. For longer journeys, this can make a significant difference. Note that some toll roads are excluded.

A similar discount applies to holiday periods. For weekends, holidays and January 1st–3rd, if you enter or exit a highway toll booth or drive designated roads between the hours of 0am and 24am, you’ll qualify for the discount. Note some toll roads, as well as larger vehicles (mid-size and up), are excluded.

How to use an ETC card?

If you have the card and a car equipped with an ETC card reader, you just keep the card inserted at all times. Every time you switch the engine on, you’ll get an audible confirmation that a valid ETC card has been found and recognised.

Using the ETC card is as simple as going through the ETC toll gate at certain junctions on the highway/motorway. Unlike the green tollgates for general use (一般), ETC gates are marked in purple.

There are two kinds of ETC gate: the dedicated ETC gates (ETC専用) and the hybrid gates (ETC/一般).

You need to slow down to around 20km/h while passing through the gate, as well as maintain a safe distance between other vehicles.

A sign beside the gate will switch show a green arrow alongside the charge, or often just a “Proceed” (通過可) message, while some car ETC readers may confirm the toll charge via an audible chime and/or message.

The mini gates will rise letting you through and the cost of the road section will be displayed on the LED sign beside the gate.

If an ETC lane is closed, you’ll see a red warning message (X - 閉鎖中) above it, but an alternative lane will always be available.

How to get an ETC card?

For a rental vehicle

If you are renting a vehicle, an ETC reader will already be installed. ETC cards are available for an additional fee by some rentacar vendors, like Nissan Rent-a-Car. You’ll pay a flatrate or daily rental fee for the card itself, and need to settle the ETC usage upon returning the car at the end of your trip.

The ETC card can usually be requested at the time of booking, but you may be also able to request one at the time of pickup if inventory is available. Check directly with the rental car provider in advance to be sure.

For your own vehicle

If you are Japan resident, you can apply to get an ETC card through any mainstream credit card company, which includes Mitsui Sumitomo Card, MUFJ, Aeon, Orico, Diners Club International, UC MasterCard/UC Visa, Amex, JCB and Saison Card International.

The three main types of such cards are:

ETC Card from Credit Card Company (requested at the time of credit card application, and linked to the parent credit card). Issuance fee and annual fee may vary between company.
ETC Corporate Card: issued to contracted companies reliant on heavy usage. Handling fee of 629 yen/year applies.
ETC Personal Card: this is an alternative for those users who don’t have a credit card contract. It is loaned to the user against a deposit determined by your expected usage rate. An annual fee of 1,257 yen/year applies. Details.

As with any credit card application for residents of Japan, any application will involving screening such as a credit check and residency status check. Retrospectively applying for an ETC through a credit card already contracted with is typically a smoother process.

Expressway Passes

An expressway pass is a great way to save money while driving around the country. They allow for unlimited expressway use in a specific region for a set period of time, while making use of the ETC system.

These passes include the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP), the Tohoku Expressway Pass (TEP), the San’in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP) and the Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP).

Usage is typically limited to visitors to Japan with a non-Japanese passport, so you’ll need to present such ID at pickup. Each expressway pass can be booked at the time of reservation with the rental car company in each respective region.