Although large cities like Tokyo have extensive public transportation systems, out here in Gunma having a car is really a requirement. Driving in Japan can be a hectic experience at first as you get used to driving on the left side of the road, yet another example of Japan copying Britain during its period of modernization, but you get used to it quickly enough. Here are some other random tips for driving in Japan. If possible, don’t drive behind those small “K” cars with the yellow license plates, as their engines can’t go very fast. Don’t have an accident when laughing at the fake police mannequins standing by the side of the road, which are there to scare drivers into slowing down. And if you see a car with Kobe license plates, make sure you keep your distance. Supposedly a lot of yakuza gangsters from the Kobe area like to get into accidents on purpose then make you pay for imagined injuries, which is called atariya or “professional accident faker.”
The Toyota IQ is a spiffy-looking car, but you don’t want to drive behind one in traffic.
