Foreign License Conversion in Japan: Booking Guide (Konosu, Futamatagawa, Hirabari)

Converting a foreign driver's license to a Japanese one (gaimen kirikae) trips up many people not at the procedure itself, but at getting an appointment. This page collects booking guides for the main centers and shows how to know the moment a slot opens.

Every center has a limited number of slots, and they fill quickly once released. Between work and other plans, the date you want can be hard to lock in.

The basic flow

1. Find the license center for your prefecture.
2. Look for open slots in that center's booking system.
3. Prepare your documents and book.

What is usually needed

• Residence card
• Passport (showing your entry and exit history)
• Your foreign driver's license
• A Japanese translation of the license (issued by JAF, your embassy, or similar)
• Certificate of residence (juminhyo)
• ID photo

This varies by prefecture and category. Always confirm on the relevant prefectural police website.

Shared tips

• Slots tend to fill right after release, so check early.
• Get your documents ready in advance.
• Where a region has more than one venue, check both.

Frequently asked questions

What is gaimen kirikae?

It is the process of converting a license obtained abroad into a Japanese driver's license.

Which centers are covered?

We currently have guides for Konosu (Saitama), Futamatagawa (Kanagawa), and Hirabari & Higashi-Mikawa (Aichi).

How do I know the moment a slot opens?

Yoyatto watches the booking pages and notifies you the instant one appears.

Guides by center

• Konosu (Saitama)
• Futamatagawa (Kanagawa)
• Hirabari (Aichi)
• Tokyo (Keishicho)