For the past 13 years in Japan, I’ve avoided buying a car for as long as possible… I’ve rented various vehicles in that time and even got a Japanese license, but have never needed a car before now. Now that my twin boys are over a year old and I’m going to move north outside where trains are common, I’ve decided to buy. In my research, I’ve discovered the buying process is a bit different from the States. In the US, I simply need the money or finance to get a car. The dealership doesn’t care about anything else. However, in Japan, it appears that I have some bureaucratic hoops to jump through before anyone will sell a car…
What is required to buy a car?
Aside from the funds to purchase a vehicle, what else is legally required?
- Valid driver’s license 運転証明書
- sales tax 自動車税
- current (or new) shaken 車検
- Place to park car (not really required for 田舎 when you own the house?) 車庫証明
- Parking must be within 2km of primary registered residence
- map of parking spot to show police at time of registration 書類
- Proof of permission to use parking from owner/company of parking property 車庫証明書
- name stamp 実印 + registered stamp proof 印鑑証明書
- Jibaiseki hoken 自賠責保険
- Additional insurance coverage strongly recommended
- Snow tires for winter travel (especially in Hokkaido)
- City residence certificate - from city hall (住民票記載事項証明書)
- Required as the plates for the vehicle are issued by your local city hall 陸運局 (関東運輸局)
- If buying from a person, then make sure the title is in their name (not the loan company)
Reference:
https://www.ins-saison.co.jp/otona/oshiete/car/car-namechange.html