Your Ultimate Guide to Uber Eats Delivery in Japan: Navigation, Visas, and Tips for Foreigners

Why Drive for Uber Eats in Japan?

Delivering for Uber Eats in Japan offers a flexible way to earn money, whether you’re looking for a side hustle to supplement your income or an alternative to traditional part-time jobs. With operations in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, as well as hundreds of smaller towns, you can work on your own schedule and explore your local area in a new way. As an independent contractor, you have the freedom to decide when and how often you work, making it an attractive option for many foreign residents.

Before You Start: Essential Requirements for Foreign Nationals

Before you can start delivering, it’s crucial to understand and meet the specific requirements for foreign nationals. Japan’s regulations are strict, and ensuring you are fully compliant is the first and most important step.

Visa and Residency Status: Are You Eligible?

Your ability to work as an Uber Eats delivery partner is entirely dependent on your status of residence (visa). Uber Japan is very specific about which statuses are eligible for new registrations. According to Uber’s official guidelines, you must hold one of the following visas:

• Permanent Resident or Special Permanent Resident
• Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
• Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident
• Long-term Resident
• Designated Activities (specifically for Working Holidays)

Important Note on Visas: Visas like “Student” or “Designated Activities” with a 28-hour weekly work limit are generally not eligible for new sign-ups. Uber Japan suspended new registrations for foreign students in September 2021 to prevent illegal work activities. Additionally, the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa for the transportation industry is for formal employment as a bus or truck driver and does not apply to independent contractor roles like Uber Eats.

Required Documents and Skills

Once you’ve confirmed your visa eligibility, you’ll need to prepare several documents for verification. The process is handled through the Uber Driver app.

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Identification: You will need to submit clear photos of your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) and your passport. Depending on your visa status, additional documents like a My Number Card or Driver’s License may be required as proof of identity.
• Proof of Work Permit: The back of your Residence Card and, for working holiday visas, your Designation Certificate will be needed.
• Language Skills: Uber states that basic Japanese communication skills are necessary to interact with restaurant staff and customers.

Vehicle Options and Requirements

You can choose to deliver by bicycle, motorbike, or car. Each option has its own set of required documents.

• Bicycle: The simplest option, requiring only your personal identification.
• Motorbike (50cc – 125cc): Requires your ID, driver’s license, license plate photo, and proof of liability insurance.
• Kei-car or Motorbike (over 125cc): In addition to the above, you’ll need a vehicle inspection certificate (Shaken-sho) and optional insurance certificate. Uber Eats has expanded to allow Kei passenger cars for delivery across Japan .

The Core of Your Toolkit: Choosing the Best GPS Navigation App

As a delivery driver, your GPS is your most critical tool. A reliable navigation app saves you time, reduces stress, and helps you earn more by completing deliveries faster. While the Uber Driver app has built-in navigation, many experienced drivers prefer using third-party apps for their superior features and accuracy.

“While apps like Google Maps or Waze are good for navigation, they aren’t designed for planning complex delivery routes. A delivery route planning app with route optimization and delivery management features can help you save time, reduce fuel costs, and streamline your day.”

Google Maps

Google Maps is often the default choice for foreigners in Japan, and for good reason. It is praised for its high accuracy, even with small alleyways and complex train station layouts . Its key strengths for delivery drivers include:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Excellent support for driving, biking, and even walking directions, which is invaluable if you need to park and find an apartment entrance on foot .
• Offline Maps: You can download maps for entire areas, ensuring you have navigation even in places with poor connectivity—a feature Waze lacks .
• Real-Time Traffic: Its traffic data is highly reliable, combining sensor data with user reports to suggest efficient routes .

Waze

Waze excels at one thing: real-time, crowd-sourced data. It’s built for drivers who want the absolute fastest route based on what’s happening on the road *right now*. Its advantages are:

• Superior Hazard Reporting: Users actively report traffic jams, accidents, police presence, and road closures, often making its alerts faster and more detailed than Google Maps .
• Aggressive Rerouting: Waze will constantly search for a faster route and is not shy about sending you through side streets to save a few minutes, which can be a major benefit during peak delivery hours.
• Community Focus: The app has an interactive feel, showing other “Wazers” on the road, which contributes to its robust real-time data.

What About the Uber Driver App’s Built-in Navigation?

The Uber Driver app comes with its own GPS navigation. It’s functional and seamlessly integrated into the delivery workflow. However, Uber knows that drivers often have their own preferences. You can easily set a third-party app like Google Maps or Waze as your default navigator within the app’s settings . When you tap “Navigate” for an order, it will automatically open your chosen app.

Advanced Tools: Multi-Stop Route Planners

For drivers who want to maximize efficiency, especially when handling multiple orders (batched trips), specialized route planners like Circuit Route Planner or Routific can be powerful tools. These apps are designed to optimize a route with many stops, calculating the most efficient order of delivery . While they often come with a subscription fee, they can save significant time and fuel, potentially increasing your overall earnings. Circuit, for example, uses Google Maps data and is available in over 190 countries .

On the Road in Japan: Practical Advice for Delivery Drivers

Being a successful delivery partner goes beyond just navigation. Understanding local rules, your financial responsibilities, and how to handle unexpected situations is key.

Understanding Your Earnings and Taxes

As an Uber Eats delivery partner, you are an independent contractor or sole proprietor (個人事業主, kojin jigyōnushi). This has important implications for your taxes.

• Tax Returns: If your income from Uber Eats (and other side businesses) exceeds 200,000 JPY in a year, you are required to file a tax return .
• Consumption Tax: The delivery fees you earn are inclusive of Japan’s consumption tax. You are responsible for managing and remitting this. Uber cannot provide tax advice, so consulting with a tax professional is highly recommended .
• Tips: A tipping feature is built into the app. Uber states that 100% of any tip goes directly to you.

Staying Safe: What to Do in Case of an Accident

Accidents can happen, and knowing the correct procedure in Japan is vital. Even for a minor incident, there are legal requirements to follow.

1. Prevent Secondary Accidents: Immediately turn on your hazard lights and, if possible, move your vehicle to a safe location on the side of the road .
2. Call the Police (110): You are legally required to report any traffic accident to the police, no matter how minor. This creates an official record which is essential for insurance claims.
3. Provide Aid: Check if anyone is injured and call for an ambulance (119) if necessary.
4. Exchange Information: Exchange your name, address, phone number, driver’s license details, and insurance information with the other party involved .
5. Contact Your Insurance: Report the accident to your vehicle’s insurance company as soon as possible.

Navigating Japanese Roads

If you’re driving a car or motorbike, ensure you have the correct license. Foreigners can drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to one year. The IDP must be obtained in your home country before you arrive in Japan. After one year, you cannot use an IDP again unless you leave Japan for at least three consecutive months . For longer stays, you will need to convert your foreign license to a Japanese one.

Ready to Hit the Road?

Becoming an Uber Eats delivery partner in Japan can be a rewarding experience. By ensuring you meet all the visa and documentation requirements, choosing the right navigation tools for your needs, and understanding your responsibilities on the road, you can set yourself up for success.

The right GPS app can make all the difference. For all-around reliability and functionality, Google Maps is an unbeatable choice. For those who prioritize speed and live traffic alerts above all else, Waze is a powerful alternative. Experiment with both to see which one fits your delivery style best.

If you’ve checked your eligibility and are excited to get started, the next step is to sign up. Use the link below to begin your application process and join the community of delivery partners across Japan.

Sign Up to Deliver with Uber Eats Today