Anyone know anything about getting ETC on a POV for a gaijin?  I've heard a couple of rumors:
   - It's difficult or impossible for a gaijin to get one.
   - ETC tolls are FAR cheaper than paying cash at tollbooths.

Are either of these rumors true?

And what is Quadrapass?  I see it advertised on tollroad rest stops.  Looks like a combination credit card & ETC card, and maybe has other uses too.

I'd appreciate any KNOWLEDGEABLE insight (not hype or rumor) about this.   Thanks!

1. It's difficult or impossible for a gaijin to get one.

Yes and No.

Usually ETC card is a kind of a credit card (means, post paid card) and need Japanese bank account which most foreign people don't have. If you have a Japanese bank account, you can apply to some of ETC card issuing banks credit card with ETC card option enabled.

There are special ETC card called "ETC Personal Card" which is prepaid card so that you don't need bank account, but need to pay deposit. There is a special calculation formula to set the amount of required deposit. Most common case, ETC Personal Card administration office may ask you to deposit 60,000 Yen in advance. You can find ETC Personal Card application form at most P.A. (Parking Area) or S.A. (Service Area) - rest stops on freeways.

You should be aware that you have to install ETC equipment (about 10,000 Yen + installation fee / setup fee) to your car.

Quadrapass is just one of credit cards which need Japanese bank account.

2. ETC tolls are FAR cheaper than paying cash at tollbooths

Yes. Some of discount programs are only applied to ETC equipped cars.

Most important one is weekend 1,000 Yen limited discount program. With this discount program, your toll will be 1,000 Yen regardless the mileage as long as you stay in freeway. (Once you exit, you will be charged again.) This is limited for weekend and national holidays (If you enter freeway gate at Friday night and exist at Saturday morning, this program will be applied.) Also some freeways near Tokyo, Osaka or some other huge cities are exception. (Yoko-yoko is one of exception.) - This program will be end at Mar. 31, 2011.

The other important one is weekend 50% discount program, which is also applicable to ETC cars. Yoko-yoko is included to this program. If you have ETC, toll will be a half on weekend. - This program will be end at Mar. 31, 2011 as well.

There are many other discount programs only for ETC cars, but not quite a big rate.

So, yes tolls for ETC are cheaper than cash, but most important discount programs will end in about half year. You should compare the cost of equipment and how much will you get discount. Personally I think, it is too late for most people unless you drive 1,000km a week.

Thaiguy: I think there was a post on here about getting an ETC already.

We got one last year after everyone told us that it was practically impossible to get one as a gaijin.

Here's the process again if you're interested in getting one:

- Pick up a Prepaid ETC Application from any toll booth.

- Fill it out completely (you will need someone to translate it if you can't read Japanese). Make sure you have your name and address written in Kanji. You will also need to send a copy of your utility bill.

- Mail the application and utility bill to ETC.

- ETC will send you a "bill" for the prepaid deposit. You will need to pay the 40,000Y deposit at a convenience store.

- Once your deposit is made, you should receive your prepaid ETC card in the mail within a week.

- You must have funds available (in addition to the 40,000Y) in your bank account to use the ETC card. The 40,000Y is simply a security deposit in case you default on your bank account. Funds will automatically drafted out of your bank account each time you use the ETC card.

- You will get your 40,000Y deposit back once you turn in your ETC card. Until then, it is simply "frozen" on your account.

We used it all the time last year on weekend ski trips. It saves us quite a bit of money. But, as it was already said, it may not be worth it to get one now if the program will be going away next year.

The one Stateside credit card that works with an ETC is American Express. You can call the Stateside 800 number and request the card "with the chip for Euopean/Asian tollways. I was suprised when the agent knew what we were requesting. After you receive the card, you can go to some place like Autobac and get an ETC device installed in your car for a bit over Y10,000. The device has to be programed to your vehicle and the card.

That being said, we have not followed through with getting the American Express, so I can't say for certainty that every thing will work as promised.

Hey, way cool. Thanks for the tip. In fact, my car already has the ETC device installed so I guess I just need the card. Do you know if you get any discount on tolls when you use this as opposed to paying cash? I'm getting mixed feedback on this question.

Thaiguy,

I understand there are discounts with the ETC. I just can't seem to find the information on the internet in a format that I can understand.  Maybe someone with better internet/Japaness language skills than I would be able to find and translate this info and it could be made available on this site.  Just a thought.

Thaiguy, once you find out the answer about the prepaid, please let me know. We too have a car with ETC installed and would like to get the prepaid.

Recently, there have been new changes when it comes to getting a prepaid card here in Japan.  You MUST have an "alien card" or gaijin card to get the prepaid ETC card.  This was not the case last year when we got ours.  This new rule took effect February of this year.  So, w/ this new rule, it makes it next to impossible for military members to get a card (unless they have a J wife), because they aren't given this so called alien card.  Sorry to break the news to you that have been hoping to get one.  If you thought it was hard to get an ETC card before, it's even more difficult to get one now w/ this new rule in place.    I heard that you can somehow get an alien card even if you have SOFA status, but I have no idea how you go about doing that.....maybe someone else can shine light on the subject.  If you can manage to get that alien card, then you are golden, and the process is fairly easy. 

Found this story on Stripes:

Japan devises way to lessen driving toll
http://www.stripes.com/news/japan-d...ll-1.89399

I had a post that was pinned in the automotive section..

ETC for Gaijin
http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/1327.aspx

Since this came up again recently in another discussion, I'll share my experience...

My car came with the ETC device, so I only had to get a card. I ended up borrowing from a Japanese friend who works on base. She has two. I also have another Japanese friend offbase who has two. Both were willing to lend me their extra card indefinitely, and just pay them back whenever I use them.

I used one card on a Sunday a few weeks ago. The tolls ended up 1/2 price as compared to the cash price I had previously paid. Then I used it on a weekday (Dec 27 & 29) during daytime hours. Prices were only like 5% discounted.

So borrowing might be your best bet if you have a Japanese friend; the card will work on any car that already has the electronic box installed. And the discount varies wildly depending on what day or time of day you drive.

Here is the discount information from ETC site. The information not organized well nor translated into English, because it changes so much and provided by 6 different companies who consist the toll road network in Japan. The source of this info is http://www.driveplaza.com/etc/hayamihyou03.html (driveplaza is the website of tool company which jurisdiction is Eastern Japan)

The following is only applicable to Tokyo Metropolitan Area (which includes Yoko-Yoko road) and if you are driving less than 100 km.

M-F: 0001-0600: 50% off
0601-2000: none
2001-2200: 30% off
2201-2400: 50% off
Weekend and Japanese National Holidays
0001-0600: 50% off
0601-2200: 30% off
2201-2400: 50% off

Once you leave the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, though, minimum of 30% discount is guaranteed for weekdays and 50% discount for weekend. I hope it helps. This info is updated on 29 AUG 2011.

Great info, Lt Bilingual! Very helpful.

Old topic, new question... The tollroads used to have a weekend discount. It was basically "drive all you want" for 1000 yen IF you had an ETC card. I do have the card, but I don't know if this deal is still going on. Anyone know if this weekend discount is still in effect. This is not the Tokyo area, but rather a cross-country trip. Thanks!

A couple of days ago as I got into the K3, I was given a phamplet for some discount applied with the ETC but it starts until sometime next month January 2012....as it was all in Japanese it ended up somewhere in my trash. However, the discounts that it showed in the paper were really good, it goes my mileage that you go...at least that is what I understood.

Thanks for the reply. I was starting to think I'm the only one driving the tollroads.

A Japanese friend of mine says the 1000 yen deal is no more, but on weekends you get 1/2-price with the ETC card. It also applies early morning/late night during the week. I'll be doing weekend tollroad driving on Jan 8th so I'll see if it really works.