What is ETC?

ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) is the system which is used to record expressway tolls automatically.
You can drive through the toll gate without paying the toll each time if the car has an ETC card inserted into the onboard ETC card reader device.
The tolls will be paid later according the highway provider's record.

Advantages of ETC

  • You can drive through the toll gate without stopping to pay the toll
    (slowing down is necessary).
  • There is no need to prepare cash to pay the toll.
  • There is no need to wait in line for the cash gate.
  • You can get various discounts by using ETC, depending on respective conditions.
For example:
  • Weekend & holiday special discount
  • Holiday night time special discount
  • Late night discount
  • Daytime discount
  • Weekday night discount
For more discount details, please refer to the Japanese NEXCO website.
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Using the ETC System

A car with an ETC device with an ETC card inserted is required.
An ETC card is necessary to use the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system.
The data is transmitted by radio between an antenna on the tollgate and the onboard ETC device. The ETC card contains the required data, so make sure it is inserted properly into the ETC device.

With a car with ETC, you can pass through lanes designated "ETC" (indicated with the sign ETC専用 ) or lanes designated for both ETC and cash payment (indicated with the sign: ETC/一般 ). The signs for ETC専用 and ETC/一般 are on the top of the respective lanes.

Check for ETC lanes first!

Check the Following Before You Use ETC

  • Is the ETC card inserted properly?
    The gate won't open unless you properly insert ETC card into the ETC device. When you get into your car, insert the ETC card correctly into ETC device and ensure that it is working properly.
  • Slow down to less than 20 km/h.
    Please drive slower than 20 km/h in order to avoid accidents. The gate may not open due to a transmittance error, or the car before you may stop suddenly.
  • Keep a safe distance between your car and the car ahead of you when you enter the ETC lane.
    Vehicles in front of your car might stop suddenly.
  • NEVER reverse
    Never reverse backwards even if the gate does not open. Going backwards may cause rear-end collisions with the cars behind you or you could hit the toll gate staff. Please remain where you are and wait for a toll gate staff member to come.
  • Never enter an ETC lane when the signal light is red.
    The red light on the top of the gate means that gate is unavailable.

ETC Card Rental

An ETC card (specialized IC card) is necessary to use the ETC system. You must reserve the ETC card in advance. ToCoo! offers ETC card rental.

ETC Device Rental

The ETC card reader device will already be equipped in almost all rental cars in Japan.

Notes:

You must obey the regulations for ETC usage according to the law when you use the ETC system.
If you do not obey the regulations, the ETC card rental option cannot be provided.

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