Are you planning to rent a Rental Car and drive in major cities such as Tokyo or Osaka?
For a smooth and stress-free travel, we would like to inform you about important changes to Japan’s Toll Roads.
Major urban expressways in Japan, including Tokyo’s Metropolitan Expressway, are rapidly transitioning to an “ETC-only” system.
Without an ETC card, using these expressways is becoming increasingly difficult.
Tokyo (Metropolitan Expressway) ETC-Only Information:
https://www.shutoko.jp/ss/etc_only_no_cash/en/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
※ You will be redirected to an external website (Metropolitan Expressway ETC-Only Information page) with the URL above.
※ The Metropolitan Expressway (Tokyo/Kanto), Nagoya Expressway (Nagoya), Hanshin Expressway (Osaka/Kansai), Fukuoka Expressway (Fukuoka), and Kitakyushu Expressway (Kitakyushu) are all scheduled to gradually be changed to an “ETC Payment-only” system.
3 Major Problems You May Face Without an ETC Card
If you try to use Japan’s expressways without an ETC card, you may encounter several serious problems, including the following.
1. Toll gate you may enter will be extremely limited (cash and credit card payments are not accepted at most entrances)
Currently, approximately 134 of the 178 entrances on the Metropolitan Expressway, or around 75% of all, are already ETC-only, and dedicated lanes for cash or credit card payments have been almost completely eliminated.
Without an ETC card, you may have to take a significant detour to find one of the few entrances that still has a general-use lane.
2. You may be charged the highest possible “Maximum Fee of Toll Fee” (a loss of up to JPY 1,650-1,830 per travel per use)
As a general rule, expressway tolls in Japan are calculated based on the distance travelled.
However, when paying by cash or other non-ETC methods without an ETC card, the system cannot accurately record where you entered the expressway. As a result, you may be charged the “Maximum Fee” for that section regardless of the distance actually travelled. For a standard passenger car, the Metropolitan Expressway currently charges a flat maximum fare of JPY 1,950, which will increase to JPY 2,130 from October 2026.
Even if you only travel a short distance on a single section, where the minimum fare is JPY 300, you may still have to pay the full amount too, it is quite wasteful.
【Expressway Toll Comparison: ETC OR Cash (Credit Card) (Standard Passenger Car)】
1) Traveling from Narita Airport to Asakusa
The drive from Narita Airport to Asakusa involves traveling across two road operators: NEXCO East Japan (Higashi-Kanto Expressway) and the Metropolitan Expressway.
ETC toll fee: JPY 2,350
Cash toll fee: JPY 3,650
Difference: JPY 1,300
2) Traveling from Haneda Airport to Asakusa
The following are the expressway tolls for a standard passenger car traveling from Haneda Airport to the Asakusa area (Komagata/Mukojima exits).
ETC toll fee: JPY 840
Cash toll fee: JPY 1,950
Difference: JPY 1,110
※ On both routes, paying by cash (credit card) can cost you more than JPY 1,000 extra.
3. Problems if You Miss Enter other Toll Gate by Mistake, and the Language Barrier
If you accidentally enter an “ETC-only” gate without an ETC card, reversing for safety reasons is prohibited by law.
You will need to stop temporarily in the “Support Lane” and use the intercom to contact a toll booth attendant and arrange payment at a later date. However, communication in Japanese is often required, which can be a significant source of stress for foreign drivers.
※ The left side (white) is the [Support Lane], and the right side (purple) is the [ETC-Only Lane].
It’s Not Just Tokyo: The Nationwide Shift to ETC-Only
The transition to “ETC-only” is not limited to Tokyo’s Metropolitan Expressway.
Based on the policy of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), this is a nationwide project currently being implemented across expressways throughout Japan.
■ Tokyo (Metropolitan Expressway): 178 toll facilities in total
Approximately 134 locations, or around 75% of all toll gates, are already ETC-only.
By spring 2028, almost all entrances( approximately 90% of all), excluding mainline toll facilities and other exceptions, are scheduled to be replaced to ETC-only.
■ Osaka/Kobe (Hanshin Expressway): Approximately 140 toll facilities in total
The transition is being expanded gradually. By fiscal 2028, approximately 100 toll facilities, or around 70% of the total, are scheduled to become ETC-only.
■ Nagoya (Nagoya Expressway / Meijo Second Ring Road)
The system has already been introduced ahead of schedule on routes around major toll facilities on the Nagoya Expressway and Meijo Second Ring Road.
The transition to unmanned and cashless toll facilities is also progressing.
■ Fukuoka/Kitakyushu (Urban Expressways)
In line with the nationwide transition, preparations are underway to make toll facilities unmanned and ETC-only.
By around 2030, almost all toll facilities throughout Japan, including those in regional areas, are expected to become ETC-only.
No matter which city you visit, using ETC will be essential.
★ Solution: Rent an ETC Card When You Book Your Rental Car!
The easiest way to avoid the problems mentioned above and enjoy a seamless and economical driving travel is to rent an ETC card together with your Rental Car when making your reservation.
ToCoo! Rent a Car offers an ETC card rental option for customers visiting Japan from overseas.
・Pass through toll gates without stopping: No more stopping at toll booths or searching for coins to pay your toll.
・Automatically pay the lowest applicable toll: The appropriate toll based on the distance traveled, as well as ETC-exclusive discounts such as holiday and late-night discounts, will be applied automatically.
・Easy and convenient payment by credit card: After you return the ETC card, the total toll amount will be charged to the credit card registered with your reservation.
・With the “ToCoo! Expressway Pass,” you can drive on expressways throughout Japan without worrying about individual expressway toll charges!
To make the most of your travel to Japan, we strongly recommend using an ETC card to avoid getting lost, paying unnecessary costs, or running into unexpected trouble at toll gates.