- Driving in Tokyo is not a necessity – particularly considering the very efficient public transportation system – but many expats do own at least one family car. Cars are driven on the left side of the road, and most cars have the steering wheel on the right (although some luxury car manufacturers do offer left-hand drive), which can complicate things for those accustomed to driving on the opposite side of the street.Most Japanese roads are in good condition and are completely toll-free, with obvious exception to highways which are surprisingly expensive. Traffic congestion is a common issue, particularly considering that most streets are only a few lanes wide and finding parking can be challenging, although there are an increasing number of toll parking lots scattered throughout the city. That being said, and due to a glut of demand with little supply, public parking costs can be extreme and many apartment buildings charge an annual fee of between US$1,000 to US$5,000 to provide a dedicated space.Gas is not cheap, but prices have been fairly stable at around US$5.00 to US$5.50 per gallon (US$1.30 to US$1.50 per liter) of fuel.
While many street signs are in English and Japanese, Tokyo’s roads are notoriously complex to navigate, and having an onboard GPS system in English is preferred by most
