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Beginner (A2 practical travel) Reading Lesson Students

A2: Driving a Car in Japan as a Tourist

Quality checked lesson

Read a simple A2 travel article about renting and driving a car in Japan. Learn what documents tourists may need, what to ask at the rental counter, and how to drive safely on Japanese roads.

Practical English lesson illustration for The learner can ask useful rental-counter questions and explain basic driving/return rules for...

Transcript

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  1. 1 Listen
  2. 2 Read core
  3. 3 Check understanding

Selected

Study mode: article with quick checks.

Introduction

Driving in Japan can be useful outside big cities, but preparation is important. In this lesson, you check rental-counter questions, road rules, parking, and return language.

Then you practice a car-rental roleplay.

Warm-Up Questions

  • Would you like to drive in Japan on a trip?

  • What would make driving in another country difficult?

  • What question would you ask before renting a car?

Introduction

Read a simple A2 travel article about renting and driving a car in Japan. Learn what tourists may need, what to ask at the and how to drive safely on Japanese roads. Then practice a car role play.

Warm-up: Would you like to drive in Japan on a trip? What would make driving in another country difficult? What question would you ask before renting a car?

Reading

1. Before You Rent

If you want to drive in Japan as a check your driving before you travel. Many need a from the 1949 Geneva Convention.

A card or phone version is not enough. Some from places such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan use their own with an official

At the staff may also check your and Rules can change, so check official information before your trip.

If you want to drive in Japan as a check your driving before you travel. Many need a from the 1949 Geneva Convention. A card or phone version is not enough. Some from places such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan use their own with an official At the staff may also check your and Rules can change, so check official information before your trip.

Check your understanding

?

What documents may rental staff check?

You can start like this: I think...

Useful Speaking Patterns: Documents

  • Do I need an

  • Is this in Japan?

  • Do I need a

  • Here is my

2. At the Rental Counter

Book the car early, especially in areas or during holidays. At the give your name, number, and driving

Ask about the and the rule. Many shops ask you to return the car with a

Before you leave, walk around the car with staff. Check and and take photos if the company allows it.

Book the car early, especially in areas or during holidays. At the give your name, number, and driving Ask about the and the rule. Many shops ask you to return the car with a Before you leave, walk around the car with staff. Check and and take photos if the company allows it.

Check your understanding

?

What should you check before you leave the rental shop?

You can start like this: I think...

Useful Speaking Patterns: Rental Counter

  • I have a under...

  • What is included?

  • What time should I return the car?

  • Should I return it with a

Practical English lesson illustration for The learner can ask useful rental-counter questions and explain basic driving/return rules for a tourist car rental in Japan. scene 2: The same tourist and a calm rental staff member inspect a small car together, noticing a scratch or dent while one person takes a phone photo.

3. Driving on Japanese Roads

In Japan, cars drive on the of the road. The driver sits on the right side of the car.

Go at first, because turns can feel different. Everyone must wear a

Do not use your phone while driving. Do not drink before driving.

At stop and check both ways. On you pay

Ask if the car has a system, or if you should pay in

In Japan, cars drive on the of the road. The driver sits on the right side of the car. Go at first, because turns can feel different. Everyone must wear a Do not use your phone while driving. Do not drink before driving. At stop and check both ways. On you pay Ask if the car has a system, or if you should pay in

Check your understanding

?

Which side of the road do cars use in Japan?

You can start like this: I think...

Useful Speaking Patterns: Road Rules

  • Does this car have

  • Where do I pay the

  • I will drive at first.

  • Is this road an expressway?

4. Parking, Navigation, and Returning the Car

Parking can be difficult in busy cities, so look for a real Do not park on the street unless signs allow it.

For ask for an English or car system. In areas, English signs may be limited, so save your and shop

Before returning the car, if the rule says Keep the arrive before the and ask staff to check the car.

Parking can be difficult in busy cities, so look for a real Do not park on the street unless signs allow it. For ask for an English or car system. In areas, English signs may be limited, so save your and shop Before returning the car, if the rule says Keep the arrive before the and ask staff to check the car.

Check your understanding

?

Why should you look for a real parking lot?

You can start like this: Because...

Useful Speaking Patterns: Parking and Return

  • Do you have English

  • Where can I park near here?

  • I need to before returning the car.

  • Here is the

Risa for a two-day trip in Yamanashi. She asks the staff about and returning the car. Staff: Good morning. Welcome to Sakura Rent-a-Car. How can I help you? Risa: Hi. I have a under Ogino. Staff: Thank you. May I see your and driving Risa: Sure. Here is my and my Staff: Thank you. This is the It is for Japan. Risa: Great. What is included? Staff: Basic is included. You can add extra for accidents. Risa: I see. Does this car have for roads? Staff: Yes, it has You can rent an card from us. Risa: Good. Should I return the car with a Staff: Yes, please return it with a and bring the Risa: What time should I return it on Sunday? Staff: Please return it by 6 p.m. Risa: Before I leave, can we check the together? Staff: Of course. Let's check the car together now. Risa: Thank you. I will drive at first. Staff: Good idea. In Japan, please drive on the left.

Practical English lesson illustration for The learner can ask useful rental-counter questions and explain basic driving/return rules for a tourist car rental in Japan. scene 4: The tourist returns the car at a bright rental lot after refueling, holding a small blank receipt while staff checks the car near a parking space.
Situation 1Situation

Risa is at the She gives her and asks about and

Turn 1Staff

Good morning. Welcome to Sakura Rent-a-Car. How can I help you?

Turn 2Risa

Hi. I have a under Ogino.

Turn 3Staff

Thank you. May I see your and driving

Turn 4Risa

Sure. Here is my and my

Turn 5Staff

Thank you. This is the It is for Japan.

Turn 6Risa

Great. What is included?

Turn 7Staff

Basic is included. You can add extra for accidents.

Turn 8Risa

I see. Does this car have for roads?

Turn 9Staff

Yes, it has You can rent an card from us.

Turn 10Risa

Good. Should I return the car with a

Turn 11Staff

Yes, please return it with a and bring the

Turn 12Risa

What time should I return it on Sunday?

Turn 13Staff

Please return it by 6 p.m.

Turn 14Risa

Before I leave, can we check the together?

Turn 15Staff

Of course. Let's check the car together now.

Turn 16Risa

Thank you. I will drive at first.

Final Reflection

Driving in Japan can be useful outside big cities, but preparation is important. Check your or translation before travel.

At the ask about and On the road, drive on the left, wear a and park only in allowed places.

Final Speaking Task

  • Situation: You are at the and need to in Japan.

  • What should a check before renting a car in Japan?

  • What questions can you ask at the

  • Role-play renting a car. Change the trip length, rule, or question.

Useful Topic Vocabulary

WordSimple MeaningFlashcards
pay to use a car for a short time
a person visiting a place for travel
a travel driving document used with a license
a small paper book form
official Japanese words for a foreign license
a stamp in a passport showing arrival date
protection if there is an accident
money paid to use some roads
the gas tank is full
a safety belt in a car

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