In most of Japan’s major cities, you don’t need a car. But if you’re in a rural area, a suburb, or just prefer the convenience, owning a car in Japan is very doable as a foreigner.
Do You Need a Car?
You probably don’t if you’re in:
- Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kyoto
- Any city with good train coverage
You probably do if you’re in:
- Rural towns with limited bus service
- Suburbs where the nearest station is 30+ minutes away
- Areas with harsh winters (Hokkaido, Tohoku, etc.)
Requirements Before You Buy
1. Japanese Driver’s License
You need one of:
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — Valid for 1 year from your arrival date. Not a long-term solution.
- Converted Japanese license — Convert your home country license (available for most countries)
- Full Japanese license — From driving school if your country isn’t on the conversion list
See our full guide: Getting a Driver’s License in Japan as a Foreigner
2. Proof of Parking Space (車庫証明)
You must show you have a parking spot before you can register a car. This is not optional.
Options:
- Rent a monthly parking space (contract required)
- Have parking at your apartment (get a letter from your landlord)
Cost: ¥5,000–15,000/month in suburbs, ¥20,000–50,000/month in central Tokyo.
3. Residence Card (在留カード)
Required for all official transactions.
New vs Used Car
Used Cars (中古車) — Recommended for Most
Japan’s used car market is exceptional. Cars are well-maintained, and the stigma against used cars means prices are lower than you’d expect.
Where to buy:
- Goo-net Exchange — Largest used car marketplace, some English
- CarSensor — Similar, good search tools
- USS Auction — Dealer auctions (need a registered dealer)
- Mercari Cars — Private sales, inspect carefully
Budget ranges:
- Kei car (軽自動車), 5–8 years old: ¥300,000–700,000
- Small sedan/hatchback, 5–7 years: ¥500,000–1,200,000
- Hybrid (Prius, etc.), 5–7 years: ¥800,000–1,800,000
New Cars
Dealers in Japan will work with foreigners. Bring your residence card, bank account details, and a Japanese speaker if your Japanese is limited.
Popular choices: Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit, Suzuki Swift, Daihatsu Mira
Understanding Shaken (車検)
Shaken (車検) is Japan’s mandatory vehicle inspection. All cars require it:
| Car Age | Inspection Frequency |
|---|---|
| New car | After 3 years |
| Ongoing | Every 2 years |
Cost: Typically ¥100,000–200,000 including fees, taxes, and any required repairs.
When buying a used car, always check when the next shaken is due. A car with fresh shaken (passed recently) is worth more — and saves you immediate cost.
Total Cost of Car Ownership in Japan
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Parking | ¥60,000–600,000 |
| Insurance (自賠責 + 任意) | ¥80,000–150,000 |
| Road tax (自動車税) | ¥30,000–50,000 |
| Gas (varies) | ¥60,000–120,000 |
| Shaken (amortized) | ¥50,000–100,000 |
| Total | ¥280,000–1,120,000/year |
Cars are significantly cheaper to run in rural areas (parking especially). In central Tokyo, the parking alone can exceed ¥600,000/year.
Kei Cars (軽自動車)
For most foreigners, a kei car is the smart choice:
- Smaller engine (≤660cc), lower taxes
- Annual road tax: only ¥10,800
- Better parking availability
- Excellent fuel economy
- Very common and easy to maintain
Models: Suzuki Hustler, Daihatsu Tanto, Honda N-Box, Nissan Dayz
Car Insurance
Two types are required:
- Compulsory insurance (自賠責保険) — Mandatory, cheap (~¥13,000/2 years), covers third-party injury only
- Voluntary insurance (任意保険) — Strongly recommended, covers damage, theft, your own injury
Insurance companies accepting foreign residents:
- Sony Sonpo (ソニー損保) — Competitive online quotes
- Zurich Insurance — English support
- Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance
Compare quotes at: 保険スクエアbang!