How to Get an ETC Card in Japan!

[@MaggieontheMove]

I know $400 is crazy, but I’m so glad we got one! Do you think you’ll get one if you PCS to Japan??

[@mwagalebrenda7706]

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[@caiushikes4809]

Great info! One of my buddies that rides motorcycles everywhere in Japan told me just the other day that there was one toll gate he went to that only had ETC gates and he couldn't pay cash. He was obviously irate about it, but otherwise, yeah, you definitely don't need one to get around Japan like you said.

[@MaggieontheMove]

Yes I’ve had that happen! I mentioned it in the description box (a very specific gate near Mt Fuji for me haha) and some toll gates are cash only too.

[@Soffex]

@@MaggieontheMoveThat's scary haha. What do you do if you're at a toll gate that is ETC card only? Is there somewhere to turn around?

[@MaggieontheMove]

@@Soffex yeah you’ll normally have to click the button to talk to someone and they’ll open the gate to let you turn around. Then you either have to get off at a later exit and back track on a non-toll road or get off early and take a non-toll road the rest of the way. It’s definitely annoying but I’ve only ever had it happen to me at one specific ETC gate near Mt Fuji!

[@taylordunasophia4957]

An ETC card is a payment card that is absolutely necessary when using Japanese highways.

[@MaggieontheMove]

Totally agree!

[@jdel2230]

Not only do they charge you monthly, they also rip you off on the exchange rate

[@MaggieontheMove]

Just pay cash at the toll gate, you don’t have to have an ETC card.

[@jdel2230]

@@MaggieontheMove here in yokosuka, bank of Yokohama let's military have bank accounts, and then can apply for etc card normally, and not get ripped off with exchange rate, don't know if there's a bank in sasebo that accommodates SOFA personnel

[@MaggieontheMove]

Sadly no ☹️

[@Soffex]

Great video! I just moved to Japan as an engineering expat. My company provided a leased car for the next 3 years. It comes with an ETC reader already installed, but the car is brand new, so I'm guessing the ETC reader will still need activated? Thanks!

[@MaggieontheMove]

Yes you’ll want to get it activated with your info unless your company is providing you with an ETC card.

[@SnyderMusik]

When I bought my car it had a Etc card reader already installed, but I gotta it activated!? Yikes 🤦🤦🤦 My biggest fear driving in Japan is getting stuck at a toll booth and all lanes are ETC causing me to back up traffic 🤦😅 so I need this.

[@MaggieontheMove]

Haha I mean technically…you don’t. It’ll work with your ETC card in it! But the “rules” say you’re supposed to.

[@abhishektelang2880]

I have sumitomo etc card attached to credit card. should I need to register this etc card to somewhere or I can directly use it on highway.?

[@MaggieontheMove]

I’m sorry I don’t have one of those cards so I’m not sure! As long as you have an ETC card though you should be able to just put it in a reader and it’ll work!

[@iPasky]

Is is it still $10 a month even if the cost of the tolls you used is more than $10?

[@MaggieontheMove]

Yes thats just their fee. We have the year long plan and just do that so we don’t have to think about it!

[@wonderbabyoli]

where do we top up etc card ？

[@jorqlip]

400$ is closer to 60000 yen now

[@TheSwissCheese87]

Damn, $10 monthly fee to use the roads you have to pay to use...

[@MaggieontheMove]

Haha yep!