Foreign Tourist Rental Car Accidents Rise in Yamanashi's Fuji‑Kawaguchiko

In Fuji‑Kawaguchiko, a popular lakeside resort town in Yamanashi Prefecture, incidents involving foreign tourists driving rental cars have surged, with the number of accidents rising more than fifteen‑fold over the past three years. Police data highlight a single narrow residential street near Kawaguchi Lake Station where 17 crashes have been recorded, earning it the nickname “the magic narrow lane.”

The road is flanked by numerous small guest‑house (minpaku) properties, and drivers unfamiliar with Japan’s right‑hand traffic and local road conditions have repeatedly scratched their vehicles on low walls. Local rental firms, such as Yoshimura Rent‑a‑Car, report that about 90 % of their customers are overseas visitors and now provide briefings on Japanese traffic rules before letting cars out. Traffic‑accident specialist Hiroshi Nakashima advises defensive driving and, when possible, avoiding the narrow lane altogether.

Authorities are urging stronger safety measures as the trend threatens both public safety and the town’s tourism reputation.