How to Buy a Car

Japan is the land of cheap used cars. You’ll see a used car dealership on every street, in every town, but not so fast. The car buying process in Japan is insane. To be clear, buying the car is easy, but preparing the necessary paperwork can be a nightmare. That’s why we made this step-by-step guide, so you can buy your dream car, and avoid that nightmare. Pay close attention to the video, and don’t give up. Having a car in Japan is worth trouble. You can do it. Trust me!

TIP* While you’re in the process of getting your documents ready, which might take a few weeks, do as much car shopping as you can. You want to find the right car, and the right dealership. Some places won’t do business with foreigners, so take the time to find a foreigner friendly dealership. You be glad you did.

How to Own a Car

Owning a car in Japan is easy, but there are three things you need to know about:

DRIVERS LICENCE

https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/driving-in-japan/

https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.html

https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.files/kokusaimenkyo_english.pdf

https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.files/convert_license_english.pdf

https://leasejapan.com/en/license-conversion/driving-test-guide/

https://leasejapan.com/en/license-conversion/written-test-guide/

https://www.japanlivingguide.net/living-in-japan/transportation/convert-drivers-license/

https://english.jaf.or.jp/driving-in-japan/drive-in-japan/foreign-nationals-license

https://mailmate.jp/blog/how-to-switch-to-a-japanese-drivers-license

https://jafnavi.jp/honyaku/uketuke/img/how-to-use_multi-function_copiers.pdf

https://jafnavi.jp/honyaku/uketuke/index.php

PARKING

http://hanko-seal.com/archives/6055

http://www.supermelf.com/japan/ajetdrivingbook/chap1.html

http://rodolphe-vaillant.fr/entry/126/parking-space-in-tokyo-japan

INSURANCE

  • Jibaiseki hokenIn is mandatory liability insurance. It comes with your car, when you buy it, and you keep the paper in the car. It is active for a few years, but provides almost no protection / coverage.

  • Nin-i-hoken is voluntary insurance. This is similar to “real” car insurance, like in America. If you want it, ask your school to help you buy it, but you don’t technically need to have it.

TAX

  • Road tax (basically a yearly registration fee) is levied by a local / prefecture government, and must be paid in the beginning of every fiscal year. The bill gets mailed to your address, is due before 31st May, and can be paid at any convenience store.

  • Weight tax (fees added to cost of the bi-annual JCI Shaken inspection) is levied by the central government.

SHAKEN

Shaken (車検) is a 60-point vehicle inspection. All cars must be inspected every 2 years. The process is complicated, and could take 2-3 days. The easiest way to get your car a shaken inspection, is to bring it back to the place you bought it, and pay them to do it for you. Alternatively, the cheaper option are larger garages know as “minkan shaken jou,” because they have their own equipment. Don’t stress about this too much.

How to Sell a Car

The easiest way is to sell your car, is to bring it back to the dealership you bought it from, and see if they will buy it back. The price will be low, but the process would be super simple. You could also try a “Gulliver” car dealership. They have locations all over Japan.

To sell your car you need 5 things:
1) keys
2) shakensho document (the title)
3) jibaiseki hoken document (mandatory vehicle insurance)
4) inkan you used to buy the car (personal stamp)
5) inkan certificate of authenticity (issued by your local city hall)

TIP* Auto tax (basically the yearly registration fee) is assessed and billed every year, on April 1st. So, if you plan on leaving Japan in the spring / summer. Might want to sell your car before April 1st, to avoid getting that bill.