Based on the National Police Agency notice issued 27 March 2024 (Notification No. 45).
Full text (Japanese):https://www.npa.go.jp/laws/notification/koutuu/kisei/kisei20240327_8.pdf

1. What Is a “Rindō” (Forest Road) in Japan?

  • A rindō is a work road for forestry operations and for the daily life of mountain communities. Whenever it is open to public traffic it becomes a “road” under Japan’s Road Traffic Act, which means every normal traffic rule (speed limits, left‑hand driving, stop signs, etc.) applies.
  • The moment a rindō is closed to public traffic, it is treated like private property; the managing body—usually a prefecture, municipality, or forestry cooperative—may lock gates or post “No Entry” signs at its own discretion.
  • Surfaces are often unpaved, narrow and steep, and Japan drives on the left‑hand side—quite different from wide desert tracks elsewhere.

2. Why Are Restrictions Needed, and How Do They Benefit Visitors?

Why restrictions exist

  1. Human safety: frequent rockfalls, landslides and fallen trees.
  2. Ecosystem protection: preventing soil erosion and disturbance of rare species.
  3. Forestry logistics: large timber trucks must move efficiently on tight schedules.

Benefits for foreign travelers

  • Clear rules help you find legal, safe routes with confidence.
  • Obeying the system lowers your risk of accidents, fines, and rescue costs.
  • Responsible use encourages local governments to publish more tourist‑friendly information and keep routes open.

3. Pre‑Trip Checklist

  • Carry your International Driving Permit (IDP) or another licence Japan recognises, plus your passport.
  • Verify your insurance and roadside‑assistance coverage—for rental cars and vehicles you imported temporarily.
  • Check prefectural or town websites (often only in Japanese) for closures or construction notices.
  • Download offline maps that show forest roads; many valleys have no mobile reception.
  • Note emergency numbers for collisions with wildlife such as bears or deer.

4. Forest‑Road Do’s & Don’ts

✅ You may:

  • Drive an open section exactly as the signs and gates indicate.
  • Pull into a turnout and give forestry trucks absolute priority.
  • Park only at trailheads or clearings already used for parking—never on fragile shoulders or vegetation.
  • Remove minor branches or stones by hand, but report large obstacles; do not “build” your own bypass.
  • Take all rubbish with you and keep idling and engine revving to a minimum.
  • Dim or dip headlights for oncoming vehicles at night and avoid very early or late‑night driving.

❌ You must not:

  • Force open or bypass a locked gate.
  • Ignore signs such as “Road Closed” or “Authorized Vehicles Only”.
  • Leave the track for off‑trail driving on slopes, riverbeds or forest floor (possible violations of the Forest Act, Road Act, and more).
  • Hold events, drone shoots or campfires on the roadway without permits.
  • Change oil, wash your vehicle, or make open fires on the shoulder.
  • Use loud exhausts or rev engines at night; this disturbs residents and wildlife.
  • Cut fallen trees with your own chainsaw or move boulders to make a new route.

5. Reading Signs & Talking to Staff

  • “全面通行止” (Road Completely Closed): no entry for anyone, including hikers.
  • “関係者以外通行禁止” (Authorized Vehicles Only): forestry or construction traffic allowed, tourists not.
  • During active logging you may meet staff with flags or radios; eye contact and a polite nod go a long way.
  • Note the road name or kilometer post—handy if you must call police or fire services.

6. Respect for Nature & Local Communities

  • Think Leave No Trace: mosses and alpine plants may need decades to recover from a single tyre mark.
  • Switch off the engine during breaks; silence increases your chance of spotting wildlife.
  • Spend money at local hot‑spring baths and farm stands—supporting the regional economy keeps these roads funded and open.

7. Take‑Away

Japan’s forest roads are infrastructure for forestry, lifelines for rural communities, and gateways for our adventures.

  1. Check the latest notice and on‑site information before you roll.
  2. Follow every sign and staff instruction, giving priority to people who work there.
  3. Minimise your environmental footprint so the trail remains for future travelers.

Know the rules, respect the land, and you will enjoy safe, unforgettable overlanding in Japan.
Safe travels & happy overlanding!