The Strict Driving Rule Every Tourist Needs To Know Before Visiting Japan

Japan has surged in popularity as a travel destination in recent years, and for good reason. Visitors are flocking to the island nation to dive into its fascinating culture, soak up its outdoor wonder, and sample its mouth-watering cuisine. Japan is a beautiful, kaleidoscopic, and very delicious blast to the senses, and while the Japanese are almost always welcoming hosts, the country also has a number of dos and don'ts that may catch you by surprise — like this unexpected taxi rule.

Obeying the rules is taken very seriously in Japan, so it pays to do your homework and learn how to be a considerate tourist. This is especially true on the road, where something that may be considered just good etiquette in other countries could be codified law in Japan, backed up with harsh penalties. For instance, driving too quickly through a muddy puddle and accidentally splashing pedestrians is a fineable offense. While elsewhere it may be met with scowls, shouts, and perhaps a few rude gestures, in Japan it could land you in legal trouble, so here's what know before you get behind the wheel on a rainy day.

We've all been there, standing on the sidewalk during a wet and drizzly day, when a driver — oblivious to anyone else around them — races by in their car, splattering the bystanders with water and mud. To be on the receiving end of such a spraying can be infuriating: Not only are you wet and dirty, but the offending driver was probably going too fast to even see what they did, meaning they'll keep doing it again and again. 

The Japanese have decided that accountability in such situations is key. As a result, they have made splashing pedestrians while driving a traffic offense punishable by fines of up to $47. However, depending on the severity of the soaking, offenders could be charged with other — potentially criminal — violations. Careless puddle drivers may also be on the hook for more cash, having to pay compensation for ruined clothes, damaged possessions, time taken off work, and even legal fees.

This means that you need to be extra careful when driving in wet conditions in the Land of the Rising Sun. Just take it slowly, as consideration for others is one of the highest values in Japanese society, and the authorities won't think twice about stepping in when they see people flouting laws that are there for good reason.

The traffic rule against splashing pedestrians is just one of many laws that may surprise visitors to Japan. For example, in order to guarantee cleanliness and proper sanitation in the streets, it's forbidden to take your trash out too early. Smoking outside of designated zones or walking down the sidewalk while puffing away is also illegal, and this simple shopping error could get you in legal hot water, so always make sure you receive the correct change, and return any extra yen mistakenly handed to you straight away.

Japan is a very bicycle-friendly country, so it should also come as no surprise that there are a host of laws governing just what you can and cannot do while cruising the streets on two wheels. Drinking alcohol and cycling could land you a stiff fine or even jail time, and riding while using your cellphone or holding an open umbrella are also against the law. In addition, squeezing more than one person on a bike might seem like a bit of harmless fun, but in Japan it's not just frowned upon, it's illegal, so stick to one human per bicycle.

Japan is a vibrant and fun country that sees a lot of foreign visitors these days, and tourists aren't always expected to know all of the ins and outs of the local etiquette. You'll almost always be forgiven for any small missteps, though breaking the law is another matter. With that in mind, here are 13 things a tourist should never do while visiting Japan.