Comprehensive Guide to ETC Discounts and Mileage Benefits in Japan
Understanding and utilizing Japan's ETC system can lead to significant savings on expressway tolls. This guide provides detailed information on available discounts, the Mileage Program, and regional benefits to help you make the most of your travels.
ETC Discounts Overview
Japan offers various ETC discounts based on time, frequency, and region. These discounts are designed to encourage off-peak travel and reward frequent users.
- Late Night Discount: Approximately 30% off between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
- Weekend/Holiday Discount: Region-specific discounts on weekends and public holidays.
- Commuter Discount: Up to 50% off during peak hours after 10 trips/month.
🕒 Understanding Time-Based vs. Distance-Based ETC Discounts
Japan’s expressways offer several types of ETC-based discounts. It's important to understand which ones apply to your travel and how to qualify for them:
- Time-Based Discounts: These depend on when you drive — often offering savings during late-night, early morning, or off-peak hours.
- Distance-Based Discounts: These calculate your discount based on the number of kilometers driven — usually with long-distance travel benefiting the most.
- Commuter Discounts: For those who drive the same route frequently (like commuting to work), savings apply during set time windows — but only after registering for the discount in advance.
Commuter Discount Time Zones:
- Morning Window: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- Evening Window: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Available only on specific sections of expressways
- You must pre-register the entry and exit interchanges online
- Limited to two round-trips per day with a maximum of 20 trips per month
Late-Night Discount: Available from midnight to 4:00 AM daily with a ~30% discount on most NEXCO routes.
Holiday Discount: Applies on weekends and national holidays, offering up to 30% off for standard cars and light vehicles outside of urban areas.
Understanding these options can save you thousands of yen every month. If you're unsure which one applies to your route or vehicle, feel free to email our support team for a breakdown tailored to your needs.
♿ ETC Disability Discount Eligibility in Japan
Legally recognized individuals with disabilities in Japan may qualify for substantial ETC toll discounts — often up to 50% — when proper registration is completed through your local city hall.
How to Qualify:
- You must hold a Japanese-issued physical disability certificate (障害者手帳)
- Your ETC card must be legally registered in your name — not a family member or third party
- The vehicle using the ETC card must match the one registered with city hall
Registration Process:
- Visit your local city or ward office (市役所 / 区役所)
- Present your disability ID booklet
- Bring your ETC card and shaken (vehicle registration certificate)
- Register both the ETC card and your vehicle under your disability status
- Once approved, the discount is applied directly to your ETC usage
Important Notes:
- We cannot complete this registration for you — it must be done in person
- If your ETC card was issued to another name (e.g., from a same-day dealer or rental), you will not qualify for the discount
- Any improper usage of another person’s ETC card is a violation of NEXCO’s terms
We strongly recommend that your ETC card is properly linked to your full legal name and personal account. This ensures access to all available benefits, including disability-based discounts, and allows proper matching with your documentation at city hall.
If you have questions about how to register your card correctly or need help updating your vehicle information in our system, please contact our support team.
🎉 Earn a 5,000 Yen Credit Through the ETC Mileage Program!
All customers who are properly registered in the ETC Mileage Program are eligible to receive a 5,000 yen credit for approximately every 50,000 yen in tolls you pay — depending on the road and your travel volume. This reward is completely separate from commuter or time-based discounts.
This is a major benefit available only to properly registered vehicles. Your ETC unit must be legally matched to your vehicle's license plate and shaken (registration document). If your ETC device is tied to another vehicle or license plate, you will not earn mileage points or qualify for this reward.
Important: Once you register at least one primary vehicle to your ETC card, you become eligible to receive mileage and discount benefits when using that card in other vehicles, including rental cars. However, you are still fully responsible for the ETC unit you're inserting the card into.
Just because a vehicle has an ETC unit does not mean it's legally registered. If the ETC unit is registered to the wrong license plate, or if it is tied to the wrong type of vehicle (e.g., a K car vs. a standard passenger car), using it to receive discounts constitutes misuse and may be considered illegal.
Example: If you registered a yellow-plate K-car and later install that ETC unit into a white-plate standard vehicle, you may still be receiving K-car discounts at the toll gates — which is illegal. This is why we require that the ETC unit is registered correctly through Autobacs, Yellow Hat, or a dealership, ensuring that the ETC unit matches the actual vehicle's type and size as reflected in the shaken (registration certificate).
Important: Any time you change vehicles, update license plates, move to a new region, or transfer ownership, you must perform a new ETC re-registration. You are responsible for keeping your vehicle profile up-to-date inside your JapanETCcard account under the "My Vehicles" section.
- Vehicles not used anymore should be marked as "Inactive"
- Primary vehicles in use must have properly registered ETC units
- Only matched and verified vehicles can earn 5,000 yen mileage bonuses
We do not process or support any customers who are not enrolled in the mileage program. If you're unsure of your status or need help with re-registration, please email our support team.
Warning: Commuter discounts, time-based discounts, and mileage-based discounts are only available if your ETC unit is properly registered to your license plate and shaken document. If your ETC unit is not registered legally, you will not be eligible for these benefits. Avoid services offering one-day ETC cards without full registration — these will not qualify for mileage or commuter discounts.
Why We Don’t Issue ETC Cards in One Day
Your ETC card and ETC unit must be registered to your name, your license plate, and your vehicle’s shaken (registration) document. This legal process ensures you are eligible for all commuter and mileage-based discounts, and that you are driving in compliance with NEXCO policies.
Our service takes only a few days because we follow all official verification protocols. We receive new batches of ETC cards every Wednesday and Friday, and complete full validation faster than most providers in Japan.
Faster does not mean legal. Be wary of services promising same-day cards — if the ETC unit is not registered correctly, those discounts may be lost and your card may not be compliant. Registration must be verified at Autobacs, Yellow Hat, or through your dealership to be valid.
NEVER use portable ETC units that plug into cigarette lighters — these are illegal in Japan and will not be eligible for proper discounts or mileage points.
Regional & Military Base Discounts - Examples, discounts may vary based on time, vehicle type, etc..
Okinawa
The Okinawa Expressway used to offer a flat rate discount of 35.5% for all users. As of April 2024, that discount ended for non-ETC drivers.
- Naha IC → Kyoda IC: Cash ¥1,610 / ETC Late Night: ¥1,150 / ETC Commuter: ¥960
- Nago IC → Ishikawa IC: Cash ¥740 / ETC Weekend: ¥580 / Mileage Applied: ¥530
- 10+ trips/month yields 30-50% in commuter reductions for applicable routes
- ETC Mileage rewards apply retroactively if enrolled
- Tourists using rental cars with ETC can request receipts with ETC number
Registering legally is the only way to guarantee commuter/mileage benefits.
Sasebo
Frequent travel between local ICs in Nagasaki area can lead to big savings using ETC:
- Sasebo Chuo → Hasami Arita: Cash ¥630 / ETC ¥500 / Mileage ¥470
- Takeo Minami → Kurume: Cash ¥2,150 / ETC ¥1,710 / Mileage Commuter: ¥1,420
- Hasami → Saga Yamato: Cash ¥1,200 / ETC ¥980 / ETC Weekend: ¥870
- Local routes can earn points faster due to short frequent trips
- Commuter benefit applies after 10 trips/month on same section
Sasebo drivers commuting regularly should enroll in the mileage program for optimal savings.
Yokosuka
Located along the Yokohama-Yokosuka Road, users benefit from moderate ETC savings during off-peak travel.
- Yokosuka IC → Honmoku IC: Cash ¥940 / ETC ¥790 / Mileage: ¥740
- Asahina → Sugita: Cash ¥860 / ETC Night: ¥620 / Commuter ¥580
- Daily commuters using ETC earn mileage points faster
- Weekends provide bonus point accumulation for NEXCO routes
Ensure your ETC unit is properly registered to access regional Yokosuka mileage benefits.
Yokota
Yokota drivers frequently use the Ken-O Expressway and Chuo Expressway, where discounts for ETC users can be substantial, especially during commuter hours:
- Yokota → Hachioji IC: Cash ¥620 / ETC Night: ¥480 / Commuter: ¥430
- Yokota → Kunitachi IC: Cash ¥740 / ETC: ¥600 / Mileage: ¥550
- Weekday morning and evening rush hours qualify for 30–50% commuter savings
- Round-trips accumulate faster toward the 10+ trip commuter threshold
- ETC also enables automatic gate entry with less traffic buildup
Drivers must register their vehicle and ETC unit legally to benefit from commuter and mileage programs in this region.
Misawa
Misawa drivers benefit from ETC on the Tohoku and Hachinohe Expressways. ETC rates and mileage bonuses apply to common destinations:
- Misawa → Hachinohe: Cash ¥800 / ETC: ¥560 / Mileage: ¥510
- Misawa → Aomori: Cash ¥2,010 / ETC: ¥1,570 / Commuter: ¥1,290
- Frequent base personnel commutes qualify for 10-trip mileage bonuses
- ETC-enabled vehicles bypass booth delays and manually stamped receipts
- Seasonal promotions may boost weekend mileage points
To activate full benefits, ETC units must be installed and registered through legal channels such as Autobacs or Yellow Hat.
Osaka
Osaka-area expressways are busy, but ETC provides significant time and cost savings, especially during off-peak hours:
- Osaka → Kyoto via Meishin Expressway: Cash ¥2,310 / ETC: ¥1,800 / Late Night: ¥1,620
- Hanshin Expressway Inner Loop: ETC often avoids congestion and delays due to dedicated lanes
- Osaka to Kobe: Cash ¥980 / ETC ¥760 / Mileage: ¥700
- Morning 6–9 AM and evening 5–8 PM commuter discounts apply with registration
- ETC also allows access to exclusive ETC-only interchanges
Osaka drivers must ensure their ETC unit is registered correctly to unlock these benefits.
Camp Fuji
Camp Fuji personnel commuting to Gotemba and areas along the Tomei Expressway can save significantly with ETC:
- Camp Fuji → Gotemba IC: Cash ¥590 / ETC ¥480 / Commuter ¥420
- Gotemba → Ebina: Cash ¥1,180 / ETC ¥950 / Mileage ¥890
- ETC enables faster exits, important during weekend traffic around Mt. Fuji
- Commuter discount applies with 10+ round trips/month
Ensure ETC unit registration for full legal eligibility.
Camp Zama
Camp Zama drivers often access the Ken-O Expressway and Tomei Expressway:
- Zama → Ebina: Cash ¥850 / ETC ¥680 / Mileage ¥620
- Zama → Atsugi: Cash ¥620 / ETC ¥500 / Commuter ¥450
- ETC-only lanes reduce congestion near the base
- 50% discounts available with mileage accumulation
Legal registration is required to claim all ETC and commuter benefits.
Atsugi
Drivers from Atsugi benefit from access to major expressways with favorable ETC rates:
- Atsugi → Yokohama Machida: Cash ¥940 / ETC ¥720 / Late Night ¥650
- Atsugi → Tokyo: Cash ¥2,100 / ETC ¥1,680 / Commuter ¥1,490
- Morning/evening peak hour commuter savings can reach 50%
- ETC reduces wait time and improves trip tracking for mileage programs
Ikego Housing Area (Zushi/Yokohama/Yokosuka)
Ikego residents traveling to Yokosuka, Yokohama, or other nearby areas benefit from short-range ETC discounts and mileage accumulation:
- Ikego → Yokosuka IC: Cash ¥740 / ETC ¥620 / Mileage: ¥580
- Ikego → Yokohama Honmoku: Cash ¥960 / ETC ¥810 / Night Discount: ¥680
- Ikego → Sugita IC: Cash ¥840 / ETC ¥700 / Commuter: ¥660
- ETC discounts apply after 10+ trips/month for designated sections
Make sure your ETC unit is matched to your vehicle’s shaken and license plate for proper registration and benefits.
U.S. Embassy Area (Tokyo)
Embassy commuters driving to major areas benefit from frequent toll route discounts with ETC and commuter eligibility:
- Embassy → Narita Airport: Cash ¥2,650 / ETC ¥2,060 / Commuter: ¥1,820
- Embassy → Haneda Airport: Cash ¥930 / ETC ¥780 / Late Night: ¥670
- Embassy → Yokosuka: Cash ¥1,980 / ETC ¥1,540 / Mileage: ¥1,420
Ensure your ETC is legally registered to gain mileage rewards and commuter discounts for Embassy-related travel.
Yokohama Port Area (Military Facilities)
Military personnel accessing the Yokohama port or Osanbashi area can receive ETC savings on key routes:
- Yokohama Port → Ikego: Cash ¥950 / ETC ¥760 / Mileage: ¥720
- Yokohama Port → Yokosuka: Cash ¥1,150 / ETC ¥880 / Commuter: ¥800
- Yokohama Port → Tokyo: Cash ¥1,280 / ETC ¥1,020 / Late Night: ¥890
For smooth toll access and accurate billing, confirm your ETC unit and vehicle information are fully verified and enrolled in the mileage program.
Disclaimer
We are not held liable for discounts, claims, or offers. NEXCO is the sole authority that issues discounts on specific roads, and eligibility is determined based on their policies. Discounts will only appear on your statements if you meet the criteria set by NEXCO. While we strive to provide accurate information, we do not decide discount rates offered in Japan.