Obtaining a Japanese drivers license question

Hello,

If I�fm looking to obtain a Japanese drivers license, do I really have to fly 11 hours to my home country (Canada) and go to my local automobile association office for the procedure?? Is there a way to do everything in Japan?

What about an international drivers license ?Does it require going to my home country?

All the information is written in the link
http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/translation/switch.htm
http://www.jaf.or.jp/inter/translation/pdf/pdf_info_english_2017_ippan...

You can convert your driving licence in Japan, they only thing you need to proof is that you have been living in Canada for 3 months or longer.

You do not need to go back to Canada as long you can represent all the required information

Why would you need to flyback to Canada to do licence conversion ?

Congratulation, as Canadian you can convert your Canadian's driving license directly to Japanese without taking written/road tests. It just straightforward (well not that straightforward) paper to paper conversion. One thing to note that they are strict on proof of 3 months residency(in Canada) after issuance of your 1st licence.

More detail info :

http://japaninfoswap.com/converting-your-foreign-license-to-a-japanese...
https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/consular_services_co...

As for IDP, as a resident of Japan, you can only use it up to to one year from first arrival in Japan.
You will have to get IDP (Canada issued) from Canada relevant authority.

You are from Canada, you can just convert your Canadian license to a Japanese one. Go you the licensing offices to find out more, or google.

Reserve a lot of time, take proof you lived in your country for at least three months after getting your license (passports with stamps works, so I needed to dig out one from 10 years ago), go to licensing office, fill out papers, take eye test, wait, and then pick up your card.