Why Is Full-Day Private Car Service In Japan Set at 10 Hours?
In Japan, most full-day private chauffeur services last around 10 hours. This isn’t arbitrary but is based on balancing legal standards, driver welfare, and practical itinerary needs for travelers.
Although we explain to travelers that a “full-day hire” means about 10 hours, the real reason is that this time frame is carefully designed to respect Japanese labor law and driver health. It provides a safe and fair balance for both guests and chauffeurs.
What Does Japanese Labor Law Say About Work Hours?
Japan’s Labour Standards Act sets a maximum of 8 working hours per day and 40 per week for standard employees. For drivers in the transport sector, additional rules known as the Improvement Standards Notification (改善基準告示) apply:
- Maximum on-duty (拘束時間) per day: 13 hours, including driving, waiting, and dispatch.
- Rest requirement: at least 8 consecutive hours of rest per day.
- Continuous driving cap: no more than 4 hours without a 30-minute break.
The “10-hour package” sits safely below the 13-hour daily on-duty cap, ensuring safety and compliance.
Why Not Offer Longer Full-Day Services?
A 10-hour window is chosen because:
- It allows time for garage dispatch and return.
- It accounts for traffic delays and rest breaks.
- It respects the 13-hour on-duty maximum while avoiding excessive fatigue.
If trips extend beyond this, overtime may apply—but extending services far beyond 10 hours risks breaching driver safety standards.
What Does the 10 Hours Typically Cover?
A 10-hour service is sufficient for most popular itineraries, such as:
- Full-day Tokyo city sightseeing (8–10 attractions)
- A round trip to Mt. Fuji and the Five Lakes area
- Excursions to Nikko or Kamakura from Tokyo
This makes the 10-hour standard ideal for tourists seeking maximum value within one day.
How Is Overtime Handled?
We do not provide overtime as a separate service. Drivers will remind passengers to finish within the scheduled time, but if the trip runs late, a non-essential overtime fee applies.
- Charged at twice the equivalent hourly rate
- Billed in 30-minute increments
This system discourages unnecessary delays while keeping flexibility if extra time becomes unavoidable.
Why Not Half-Day Options?
Half-day bookings are uncommon in Japan because:
- Dispatch and preparation already take several hours.
- Urban traffic makes short trips inefficient.
- Pricing for half-day vs. full-day is almost identical.
As a result, most providers—including Japan Lumi Travel—focus on offering 10-hour full-day packages.
Does Traffic Affect the 10-Hour Rule?
Yes. In Tokyo, Kyoto, and other large cities, congestion often adds significant travel time. The 10-hour package allows itineraries to remain comfortable while respecting legal work-hour caps.
How Does a Full-Day Hire Benefit Travelers?
- Predictability – Guests know they have the vehicle for a set time.
- Safety – Drivers operate within regulated hours.
- Value – 10 hours covers nearly all standard day trips in Japan.
This is why full-day hire in Japan is almost universally set at 10 hours—it’s the safest, fairest, and most practical balance.
Contact and Booking
At Japan Lumi Travel, we align with Japanese labor and transport regulations to deliver safe, reliable, and transparent chauffeur services.
📩 Contact us at 2cyusyouji@gmail.com
👉 Or learn more and book on our page: Private Car Service In Japan