NEWS

Hello everyone!

We are now in the autumn season in Japan.

Autumn can be called the driving season.

So, starting today, We would like to introduce the procedures for purchasing a car for the first time in Japan.

This will be a real estate related story, such as regarding parking contracts, so this information will be necessary for those who need a car along with their new home.


To be honest, it may be quite difficult for you foreigners.

From start (deciding to buy a car) to finish (receiving the keys), the entire process is said to take more than a month.

You might think it took a month because it took so long to find a good car, but that part of the process is just a few days.

Still, for many people, the longest part of the process is grieving over whether a car is worth buying, and then finding the car they want to buy.

In this article we want to discuss some considerations to take into account before buying a car.

1. Do I need a car?
This is probably the most obvious question.

In most cases, it is very unlikely that you will need a car in Japan.

The exceptions are if you are in the US military and need to commute to the base or if you are an English teacher in the countryside, but if you are a teacher or an office worker living in a large metropolitan area like Tokyo or Osaka, you can probably get by just fine without a car. In fact, for many people a car is prohibitively expensive, and the cost of parking in cities is often higher than the cost of the car itself.

Most foreigners do not have cars and take the train to Tokyo and back every day.

At this point, however, it is important to point out that just because something is not necessary does not mean that it does not improve one's life.

In other words, if you need a car, you need a car.

But even if you don't need a car, that's no reason to ignore the idea completely.

2. Do you want a car?
If you lived without a car for so long and didn't need one, why would you suddenly decide to buy one?

For example, you may have taken a few trips with friends in a rental car, got a little addicted to the freedom of it, and now you want a car.

Foreigners mainly live by car, and you have grown up accustomed to a lifestyle where you can drive anywhere you want anytime you want.

After coming to Japan, many of you are likely to trade that freedom for a train. 

But don't get me wrong.

Japan's public transportation system is wonderful.

Not having to worry about how to get home after going out for a drink, being able to watch YouTube videos while commuting, and not having to deal with the stress of parking are all great things.

Many of you probably never thought about buying a car because trains are so convenient. 

Benefits of having your own car
For example, after a long weekend of driving, car life comes to the forefront of my mind again.

It feels great to be able to get to an unusual museum or restaurant without getting lost, even if you think, “Hmmm, I want to go to that unusual museum or restaurant that is a bit inconvenient to get to by train or bus.”

And even if it were conveniently located, wherever we would go here, the first thing we would think is, “Will we have the strength to get to the station, let alone take the train?”

We think to ourself. The answer is almost always “no. 

Freedom
With a car, however, that is not so much of a problem.

As long as you go to a place where you can park cheaply and easily (basically, anywhere outside the 23 wards of Tokyo), you just get in your car and go.
Boom! That's easy, isn't it?

At least, driving is a lot easier than taking the train, both mentally and physically.

With a car, even if there's traffic (and there usually is since it's Japan), you can relax in my seat, listen to music or a podcast, and drive slowly.


There is also the wonderful benefit of not being tied to train times anymore.

How much of your daily life in Japan depends on train schedules?

Especially the last train.

At least for me, it pretty much was.

With a car, that stress is greatly reduced and you can get things done at your own pace.

Of course, if you have an impending deadline or are in a hurry, you have to watch out for traffic.

But if you think about it, how often do we find ourselves rushing to catch an express car that comes only once an hour?

And how much stress does that cause us?

Travel
If you like to travel, you should consider a car. Day trips to places you've always wanted to go, like Nikko or Enoshima, are much easier with a car.

But suddenly traveling from city to city or prefecture to prefecture isn't such a chore.

Driving through these areas will give you a better feel for the atmosphere and local sensations.

You can take the train and look out the window, but how often do you actually do that?

Most of the time, I stare at my cell phone or try not to make eye contact with angry-looking salarymen. 

Indeed, if you work in Tokyo's 23 wards, you probably don't drive to work.
Parking fees are far too expensive and not worth it.

Therefore, all of the above considerations should focus on how you want to spend your weekends and vacations.


How was it?

We will continue next week.

Please stay tuned!


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