The True Cost of Owning a Car in Japan
The price tag on a car in Japan is just the entry fee — here is everything else you will actually pay, month after month and year after year.
Kei Car vs Compact Car: The Real Cost Difference
The kei-versus-compact decision comes down to a handful of specific cost lines — here's how they actually compare, item by item.
Shaken (車検) Explained for Foreign Car Owners
Shaken (車検) is Japan's mandatory vehicle inspection, and understanding it before your renewal date arrives can save you both money and stress.
Car Insurance in Japan: A Foreigner's Guide
Car insurance in Japan comes in two layers — one you can't avoid and one you shouldn't skip — and understanding both saves you from a very expensive surprise.
Selling Your Car Before Leaving Japan
If you're leaving Japan, your car has to be sold, transferred, or deregistered before you go — here's how to do it without losing money or missing your flight.
Shako Shomei (車庫証明): The Parking Certificate Guide
Before you can register most cars in Japan, the police need to certify that you have a legal place to park it — here's how that process actually works.
Do You Actually Need a Car in Japan?
Before you shop for a car, work out whether you actually need one — for a lot of residents near a station, the honest answer is no.