Japan Paperwork Guide for Motorcycle Travellers

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Confused about what paperwork you need to take a foreign motorcycle into Japan? This travel guide explains everything you need to know including carnets, temporary imports, driving permits and insurance for motorcycle travellers in Japan…

Paperwork guide for importing vehicles motorbikes and cars into Japan

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Paperwork for foreign motorcycle travellers in Japan

Picture of By Andy Davidson

By Andy Davidson

Mad or Nomad - RTW motorcycle travellers

Welcome to Japan! Taking a foreign registered motorcycle into Japan is not as difficult as you might think. But, Japan is strict with its paperwork so you will need to make sure everything is in order. Have a read of the below info so you’re prepared.

Japan motorcycle insurance

You are required to purchase Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (CALI), which is third party to ride a foreign registered motorcycle in Japan. It’s illegal to drive without it and if you have arrived by ferry, you won’t be able to leave the port without it.

There’s an excellent company we used called Apex Moto. You will need to send them your scans including registration papers, passport, drivers permit etc. Then pay for your insurance via PayPal. They will send your documents to an address of your choice in Japan, or use their shop address and pick it from them. They will also send you a PDF, which should suffice if you don’t want the originals. 
 
There are two types of insurance in Japan: Jibaiseki (government compulsory insurance and limited cover, not including third party) and Third Party insurance (includes damage to other people’s property). We didn’t take out third party insurance, but that’s your call. 
 
Email: saori@apexmoto.jp
Tel: 055-225-5335  (10:00 – 19:00)
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday
 

Insurance costs

Expect to pay 5,260 JPY for one month’s insurance for a motorcycle over 400cc.

Here are some rough estimations on motorcycle insurance costs. 

Ferry from Vladivostok to Japan

International Driver’s Permit for Japan 

You must have an International Driver’s Permit to drive or ride in Japan (even if you are renting a car there). The reason for this is that the IDP has Japanese translations inside it.

Your IDP must be based on the 1949 Genva Convention. Some countries signed up for the 1968 Convention and are not valid. In which case you must get your licence translated. The countries we are aware of that are signed onto this are France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco, Slovenia and Taiwan. 

People from these countries may drive using the national driving permit with Japanese translation. This can be done at a local JAF office for 3,000 JPY, but it’s about an hour away and will cost an arm and a leg in a taxi (as you won’t be able to use your vehicle until it’s done).

Carnet de Passage or Temporary Import for Japan

2026 UPDATE:

Both DuWon Ferries and Camellia Line Ferries now require passengers with a foreign registered vehicle to use a Carnet de Passage to enter Japan (this is at Japanese custom’s request). So, that effectively makes the CDP compulsory.

2026 update – we received a report from a motorcycle traveller stating they managed to get from South Korea to Japan using a TIP with Camellia Line Ferries. You can find the report in the South Korea – Japan Ferry Guide.

You will need either a Carnet de Passage or a Temporary Import form to use your own foreign registered vehicle in Japan. Using either document will allow your vehicle to stay in Japan for up to one year. 

Using a carnet is by far the easiest method for getting in and out of Japan with your own motorcycle and is a straightforward procedure. 

You can also use a Temporary Import Permit (TIP), for this you will need help obtaining the form through the ferry company you are using to get to Japan.

Carnet de Passage – You can use a CDP whether you are shipping into or out of Japan or if you are entering via ferry from Russia or South Korea. 

Temporary Import – You can only use a TIP to enter Japan if you are using the ferry from Russia or South Korea, but must also leave by ferry. Contact the ferry company you want to use to see if this is possible first. 

We have written a comprehensive guide explaining the differences between the two and how to go about using each in the guide below. 

READ MORE:

Pre-approval from Japan’s METI

If you are arriving into Japan from Russia then you will need to obtain METI approval in advance first. 

This is for any vehicle which is leaving Russia, regardless of where the vehicle is registered. You can be a UK resident on a UK bike, but if you are taking your motorcycle from Russia to Japan, then this is mandatory. 

How to get it and what it involves is explained in our Russia to Japan ferry guide. 

READ MORE: How to Get the Ferry from Russia to Japan

Extra paperwork

You will need to keep a copy of your vehicle registration document with you and that’s it. No other documentation is required.

Remember, when exiting the country with a Temporary Import or a carnet, you must get it stamped out. Every port has their own customs building nearby. It doesn’t matter which port you entered the country through. When exiting the country, simply visit the customs office near the port of departure. 

If you are planning on shipping your motorcycle out of Japan – or even if you are shipping it into Japan, we recommend contacting our Japanese shipping agent for more info. You can find their details in the below link on International Motorcycle Shipping Companies. 

However, we do know of one motorcycle traveller who managed to ship their bike to Japan and clear customs without the help of an agent.   

International Motorcycle Shipping Companies
The Shipping Companies Finder lists motorcycle shippers from around the world.
Read More

Read more on motorcycle travel in Japan

Thanks for checking out the Japan Motorcycle Travel Paperwork Guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycling in Japan that we recommend you read next. In the Japan Travel Guides section – you’ll find all our paperwork guides, route info, blogs and the best things to do in Japan there. 

Try these next…

Are you planning a motorcycle trip in Japan? Do you have any questions, suggestions or updates? Let us know in the comments below. 

4 thoughts on “Japan Paperwork Guide for Motorcycle Travellers”

  1. Hello,
    My name is Jatin. I am willing to transfer my Indian bike to Japan (which I used).
    along with that, I am willing to buy a new one and transfer that too to Japan.
    please guide me with pricing and complete procedure.

    Reply

  2. Hi

    If I freight my motorcycle to OZ from UK, ride around OZ for 3 months and then freight it back to the UK, where can I get motorcycle insurance from while I’m travelling around OZ?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi Karl,
      I would seriously consider buying a motorcycle in Australia and selling it after instead of shipping all the way there and back for only three months. That’s going to be a lot of money and hassle. Not only do you have to deal with shipping and quarantining, you also have to deal with a Carnet.
      However, if you’re set on shipping, then have a look at our Australia Motorcycle Guides
      In that section you’ll find a guide explaining how to ship to Australia and the quarantining requirements (they’re strict)
      And you’ll find a guide called Motorcycle Travel Guide Australia which explains the paperwork requirements you will need to follow – including insurance.

      Hope this helps,
      Best of luck and have a great trip!

      Andy

      Reply

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