MUSUBI: Your Guide to Driving In Japan (Part 2)

Car insurance, like health insurance, is a must-have. The good news for ALTs is this is another area where the company will be assisting you, but it's good to have an understanding for just how it works in the case you eventually decide to purchase your own vehicle rather than use a rental or loaned car. It actually isn't as bad as you may fear. Insurance can start at around ￥20,000 / year for Kei car owners. This amount can increase depending on several factors though: Your car type, driving history, age, etc. There are many different insurance companies around that offer different packages, so be sure to shop around. This is where knowing Japanese or having a good Japanese friend really comes in handy.

Next on the list of costs is maintenance. “But wait!” you say. “I thought shaken was maintenance!”. Unfortunately, shaken only covers mandatory maintenence costs to make sure your car runs, period. Think of it as the full annual physical while regular maintenence is more like a check-up to get a prescription refill.  So, you should definitely prepare. Maintenence can include things like oil changes, cleaning, repairs and anything else that happens in the time between shaken. The benefit here is that a properly maintained car will most likely have a lower shaken cost. It will also break down a lot less. You don’t want your car to break down, do you? Didn't think so!

Last but not least and probably the most important thing to note: Before a dealer will let you drive off the lot in your new car and obtain ownership, you must prove that you have a place to put the vehicle. This means having a parking space. Depending on where you live, the price of parking can be free or upwards of￥20,000! You usually need to have the space ready and the police will come and inspect it to see if it is suitable for your vehicle.

If you don’t have a parking space already, then you will need to look for one. You may even have to pay the first two months of rent for the parking space as well. If you live in an apartment such as a LeoPalace, there will often be a designated parking lot that comes with your room, but make sure to ask if there are any additional fees involved, and make sure you always park in your correct spot.

This next section will be mainly for those who are coming from overses and planning on driving. Chances are, it'll take some time to get your Japanese driver's license, even if you're from a country that allows for faster conversion due to having similar road rules. For a more immediate solution, there is the International Driving Permit (IDP).

And IDP allows you to drive for a maximum of one year. After that period, it is not possible to use an IDP again unless you leave Japan for at least three consecutive months in between. Since that's a bit of a hassle, start the process for getting your Japanese Driver's License at least by halfway point on your IDP.

International driving permits are not issued in Japan and should be obtained in your home country before coming over. They can generally be obtained through your country's national automobile association for a small fee. Japan recognizes only international driving permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, which are issued by a large number of countries. This does mean that certain types will not work in Japan, so be sure to check this in advance.

Japan has bilateral agreements with more than twenty countries and some US states to ease the process of acquiring a Japanese license. If you hold a valid driver's license from the list below, you can get a Japanese license without taking a written or practical exam (holders of a license from the US state of Indiana are exempt from the practical but not the written exam). These countries and states are:

Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
US states:  Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Washington

And that covers the basics of owning a car and driving in Japan. And we only scratched the surface! Perhaps another installment all about road rules will be next. As you can see though, you should definitely consider the many expenses before you buy or lease your vehicle. I say all this not to discourage you though, but to prepare you for the realities. Before you take the plunge, be sure to do your homework. Find the kind of car that fits your needs. If you have the luxury, find the place to live that best fits your car.

As mentioned, if you live out in the country, car ownership is a huge benefit and worth the investment. I have had my car for about 4+ years and drive as much as I can because I love driving. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, and there are millions of others just like me living here. Cars are a great tool and give you an added level of independence in Japan. Just remember, independence comes with a price, so be smart, plan ahead, and get ready to enjoy the freedom of the open road!

Ready to try your hand behind the wheel in Japan? Being an ALT is a great way to get started, as you'll get assistance with securing a vehicle and learn the essential rules of the road as well. Driver ALTs don't just learn useful teaching skills, they also learn an invaluable skill that will take them to many new places- literally and figuratively. To start your journey, apply today.

Photo Credits:

(1)Photo by ko-bayashi on PhotoAC

(2) Photo by May_hokkaido from Pixabay

(3) Photo by Zachariah Hagy on Unsplash

(4) Photo by takahiro taguchi on Unsplash

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