Why Buying a Car in Japan Feels Almost Impossible (And Why Most People Don’t Even Try)
If you think buying a car in the UK comes with a few hoops to jump through… Japan is on a completely different level.
Over there, it’s not just about picking a car, sorting insurance, and hitting the road. You actually have to prove you deserve to own one in the first place.
And honestly? That’s exactly why so many people don’t even bother.
First Rule: No Parking, No Car
In Japan, before you even think about owning a vehicle, you need to prove you’ve got a legal parking space.
Not “I’ll just park on the street”, that doesn’t fly.
You need official documentation showing you’ve secured a space near your home, and in many cases, this gets verified. In busy cities like Tokyo, this alone can be expensive and difficult.
So straight away, owning a car becomes a commitment, not a convenience.
The Real Killer: Shaken (車検)
Then comes the big one… the Shaken.
This is Japan’s vehicle inspection system, and it makes the UK MOT look lightweight. It’s more detailed, more strict, and significantly more expensive.
We’re talking:
Thorough safety checks
Emissions testing
Full compliance inspections
And it’s not cheap. So much so that a lot of drivers actually sell or scrap their cars instead of paying for it.
Yeah… it’s that serious.
The Costs Don’t Stop There
Even after jumping through those hoops, you’re still dealing with:
Registration fees
Mandatory insurance
Vehicle weight tax
Ongoing ownership taxes
It stacks up quickly, and suddenly owning a car feels less like freedom… and more like a financial responsibility you need to justify.
So What Do People Do Instead?
Simple... they don’t drive!
In cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama, public transport isn’t just good… it’s elite.
Networks like the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway run constantly, are incredibly reliable, and connect pretty much everything.
So instead of worrying about:
Parking
Fuel prices
Maintenance
People just tap in, travel, and get on with their day.
It’s faster, easier, and in most cases, cheaper.
Cars in Japan: A Luxury, Not a Necessity
In the UK, a car is often essential.
In Japan? It depends.
If you live in the countryside, sure, a car makes sense. But in major cities, it’s more of a lifestyle choice than a need.
You’ll typically see car ownership tied to:
Suburban living
Families
People who just prefer the freedom and don’t mind the cost
For everyone else, public transport does the job perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Japan has built a system where cars aren’t the default, and it shows.
Strict regulations, high costs, and limited space all push people towards a smarter alternative: world-class public transport.
And while it might sound intense, it actually works.
Because when getting around is that easy… do you really need a car at all?
