Drunk Driving
Up to ยฅ1,000,000 fine + imprisonment up to 5 years. Providing a vehicle to a drunk driver: ยฅ500,000.
Red Light Violation
ยฅ9,000 + 2 license points. Running a red light at speed: ยฅ12,000+.
Phone While Driving
ยฅ18,000โยฅ25,000 + 6 license points. Causing accident while using phone: criminal charges.
Street Smoking (Designated No-Smoking Zones)
ยฅ1,000โยฅ30,000 depending on municipality. Tokyo Chiyoda: ยฅ1,000. Osaka city: ยฅ1,000.
Littering
ยฅ2,000 (Shibuya on-the-spot, 2025) to ยฅ300,000 depending on location and severity.
Illegal Parking
ยฅ15,000โยฅ18,000 + towing fee of ยฅ30,000+. Repeat violations can result in vehicle impoundment.
Trespassing at Sacred Sites
Entering restricted areas at shrines/temples can result in fines and possible deportation if combined with other violations.
Unauthorized Photography (Gion, Kyoto)
ยฅ10,000 on-the-spot fine for photography in restricted private alleys of Gion district.
Drug Possession
Immediate arrest. Japan has zero tolerance. Even legal cannabis products from your home country are illegal. Sentence: up to 7 years.
Noise Complaints (Residential Areas)
Noise ordinance violations: ยฅ100,000โยฅ300,000. Repeated offenses can result in deportation.