When moving house in Japan, one of the key questions people ask is “Does the property have a car park?” Unlike Australia, most dwellings do not. Next, one has to find out if the parking spot is a full size spot, or a ‘light’ space! A large portion of the Japanese own what are called ‘kei’, or ‘light’ cars. These are very small and economical vehicles and are limited to a 660cc motor. If a house only has space for a ‘kei’, you’d better not move in with your Camry or Magna, or you will just be blocking the street (until your car is towed!!).
On top of this, if a property doesn’t have a car park registered, then it’s quite normal to pay ten to twenty thousand yen (about AU$200) per month for a spot in a local long term lot, and that’s just a regular local neibourhood lot. I have met people here in Japan who have to take a train to get to where their car is parked!
In fact, it is not possible to buy a car in Japan unless you have a registered car parking space, you actually have to show proof at the time of purchase. Some apartment blocks even charge you to keep your bicycle!!
While Australia boasts more space than just about any other country, our inner cities are moving closer to the situation in Japan where space is a commodity, and a commodity that costs. Finding reasonably priced parking space these days can be a headache, but services like www.spaceout.com.au can make things a whole lot easier and cheaper.
Check out these car parks!!
Wow…. that’s amazing. I had realised that parking in Japan was an issue, but had no idea there were some many constraints.
It highlights how fortunate most of us are to have a parking space in Australia. With higher density living – particularly in capital city CBDs we have already started to see things change.
I guess we should not be taking our parking spaces for granted, and the opportunity that SpaceOut provides of actually making money out of our unused space is fantastic !! It also maximises the use of available space (recycled space ?), and in it’s way does it’s bit for a greener more eco friendly environment.