Did you ever drive on the wrong side of the road ?

[Mikey]

This question is for everyone whether your country has right or left driving.

Every time I watch a movie and the tourist drives on HIS wrong side of the road i'm always left scratching my head.

I would never even attempt to drive on the other side of the road than what i'm used to ... I would either kill myself, somebody else --- or both.

How could this even be legal for the everyday tourist ?

[Makernaut]

I lived and drove in Japan for 3 years and the adjustment to driving on "the wrong side" was very easy and something I didn't think about after a bit. I even drove a 5 speed that shifted with the left hand instead of the right hand. I think it flows with the driver side being adapted to whatever side keeps the center line closest to the driver. For example, if you drove on the left side of the road and the driver drove from the left side it would be a nightmare to do, but left side of the road with right side driver feels every bit as easy as right side of the road with the driver on the left.

Oddly enough, on the occassions that I recall driving in Japan, in my mind's eye I am sitting on the left side of the car and that was never the case.

[jimbutsu]

I never drove in Japan when I lived there (student), but here's a weird one for you: I made what would have been a pretty long road trip with a friend from Tokyo to Niigata, but we did it on obon (major holiday), so EVERYONE was headed to the country. That was a LONG drive. The weird part is that this guy bought an import car and the driver was on the left side, so my huge haul in Japan as a passenger, I completely remember being in the passenger seat just as I should!

[Hedji]

No, but this is one of the funniest scenes in film history:

[Brazoo]

I've never done it, but my dad rented and drove around London in a manual shift — which is suppose to be a crazy place to drive even for Londoners, I'm told. Everyone told him he was nuts, but he did it, and said it wasn't that hard. I don't know if I would. I'd rather take a cab in a new city anyway, so I could sight see.

[neogelion]

I was stationed in Japan and came home for Christmas. I wouldn't drive because of being used to driving on the left side, but after a couple of days my wife talked me into it. Everything was fine until I turned right onto another street and began driving in the left lane with no problem whatsoever. My wife had a heart attack and yelled at me but it was Ok as no one was coming at us.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have went the wrong way down a few poorly marked one way streets in my time. Scary moment when you realize that mistake!

Chris

[cjefferys]

Some of you guys are brave, I'm way too scared to try driving in Japan. It's strictly trains and taxis for me over there (luckily their public transportation system is great).

[Marvelmania]

I've done it on purpose here but only for like 10 yards instead of going all the way around a block. Stupid I know! As far as in Japan, no thank you! I'm with ^^^^ their traffic just swirls all around each other especially on motorcycles. It's like an organized mess!!!

[cjefferys]

I could probably handle driving on the highway over there, but the narrow streets in my in-law's neighborhood are crazy, barely enough room for two cars to pass each other and mirrors at the intersections because otherwise you'd have no idea if a car is coming. I'd be terrified of hitting a kid or someone on a scooter darting out from nowhere.

[Mikey]

I'm surprised so many people here went to Japan.

I'm super jelly

[neogelion]

It is nowhere near as awesome as you think. Toyshops are hard to find.

[Marvelmania]

Toywise it may not be the best place but still like stepping into the future 10 years compared to here. It's a very strange but fun place.

[Mikey]

I have a question guys ...

I read lately Japan is suffering from widespread hatred of anyone non Asian's and if you go off the beaten path you might find yourself beat up - or worse.

Is that true ?

I find it kinda hard to believe because Japanese people in general seem so nice.

[Marvelmania]

I've never felt or been threatened at any time on my trips there. Most Japanese people are if anything a bit shy. My experience may not be the same as others have had. I've heard that there are some places and areas that westerns aren't really looked at as welcome to go and considered only for the Japanese again never experienced it but just heard by word of mouth.