Someone asked me this question in email.
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How Hard It Is To Learn To Drive In Japan?

Its a lot different here, because you have to watch out for so much more that you may not be used to in the USA.

There are people that cross streets, motorbikes, kids walking along the side walks, and you have to be careful for everything. Just 1 slight mistake, you accidently go up along side a curb and kill someone, your life is over.
So you have to be very careful what you do when you drive.

Signs are not that hard to learn, but you must study. There are people I know that dont have a clue about the signs, but they passed the driving test onbase, and they drive everyday offbase. I thought it was funny, when they dont know almost any of the signs. So definitely study up, and take it seriously.

One thing to note is the size of the roads. What you may think is a 1 lane (one way) road, is actually probably a 2 lane both direction road.

Becareful if you decide to live offbase in an area you have to drive up on those small small hills if you are a beginner driver. It can be very stressful for people.

It's not hard at all provided you already have experience back home. You'll be able to get a study guide explaining the road signs and lane markings. Study this & take the test, and that's about it. Under SOFA status, you are given a "short cut". You don't actually get a drivers license, but you will get a SOFA license which is legal & much easier to obtain than a Japanese drivers license. You do it all on base & you don't deal with the Japanese authorities. Just take it slow as Adam said, look all around you. Pedestrians and bicyclists always assume you will watch out for them, so they generally don't look before stepping out into traffic. Bikes swerve in front of you. It all works out fine if you drive in the Japanse style: Carefully, and giving a wide berth to people on the street.

Driving ins Japan can be quite nerve-racking depending on where you live. I found that it was a lot easier up near Yokota Air Base because there weren't as many people, cars, or cyclists on the road. Things are a lot more spread out, but you still have to deal w/ narrow roads depending on where you live.

Here in Yokosuka on the other hand, there's a lot more to out here to keep your eye on. You really have to be alert at all times or you will hit something (or worse - someone!). I actually prefer to just take the train to the base because it's a lot less stress (which is the reason we decided to sell our second car - anyone wanna buy a car?!). Plus, it only takes 13 minutes by train and I can relax instead of white-knuckling it in traffic (which takes on average 25 - 30 minutes).

Most of 16, between where I live and the base, is 2 lanes, but you have to constantly switch lanes because of trucks loading and unloading during the day. It's easy to get stuck behind people waiting to turn onto a side street as well. While changing lanes, you especially have to watch out for those sneaky people on scooters and motorcycles that ride straight down the center of the two lines w/out you knowing it.

Also, when turning off a major road, you always have to be aware of bicycles or pedestrians following traffic. And, those sneaky little scooters can come back to haunt you again when they pull up along you on the side to pass just as you get ready to make your turn.

How hard was it for you to leant to drive in the states??? That is the question. It's all the same rules as the U.S. only they drive on the opposite side. It's like driving thru a mirror image. If you have any idea how to drive in reverse then you should be able to drive in Japan. It's really all a question of "Are you going to pony up or act like a baby and stay on the base?" To all those who fear new things? Don't come to Japan. If you have any sense of adventure, then Come on over!!! We will welcome you with open arms!!!

I'll admit, the one thing I haven't mastered after 4 years of driving in Asia... I still occasionally activate the windshield wipers when trying to use my turn signal. Or spraying my windshield when I try to flick my high beams. It's so embarrassing; I figure everybody knows I goofed.

Speaking of windshield wipers and turn signals, what really sucks is try having 2 vehicles. My wife has an Ipsum, and it, obviously, is setup like a traditional Japanese vehicle, where the turn signal is on the right and the wipers are on the left. I, on the other hand, drive a BMW. And, of course, the turn signal is on the left and the wipers ont he right. So,I drive my BMW to and from work every day.Then I occasionally drive her Ipsum when we all go out together, and it never fails, I will pull the old rookie mistake and run the wipers instead of a turn signal.

What has really made it worse is that we just got back from a month in the states, so I am totally screwed up with the windshield wipers and turn signals...

Haha Hoff. Everytime I come back from the summer my windshield is ALWAYS spiffy clean, because I'm always hitting the wrong flipper thing.

I agree with freels73. The driving itself isn't hard at all because the wheel's on the other side! It would be really weird if it was right hand drive but on the other side of the road. At least for me.

What always messes me up is the first day or so when I get back to the US. That first time when I get in the car and have to pause and say OKAY, RIGHT SIDE RIGHT SIDE of the road!!!

Its really easy, especially if you have a smaller vehicle.. You always have to keep your eyes on the road or else you might hit something or someone.

Here's the absolute worstest, most terrible thing I did... In my younger days, I was a biker. One time I went on a solo camping trip at a national park near Fuji. So I pull off on a mountain pass to enjoy the view. Then I got back on my motorcycle and continued my tour on this twisty mountain road. It was a good 30-40 seconds before I realized I WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE!!! On a mountain road with blind curves! I just freaked and pulled off on the (wrong) side. If I had met any car during those seconds I'da been toast.