yamayamayama 2 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Interested to know how many people who are in Japan are driving here? So, let's polling! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Right now, no as I am drinking. Drinking and driving does not go. Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Originally Posted By: RobBright Right now, no as I am drinking. Drinking and driving does not go. Can't imagine not driving now Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 A car is essential up this way. Not much in the way of regular public transport. Link to post Share on other sites
69 5 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 About to get a car, at last. Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaidough 4 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 The world suddenly opened up when I got my car. Same here couldn't imagine doing without now. Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Yes living in the countryside a car is close to top of the list of things to get! Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I got my car license on my 18th birthday and have always had a car (even when living in a city and mostly using pulic transport for day to day stuff). Couldn't imagine not having one. I have met quite a few people up here though well into their 20's who didn't even have a license before coming to Japan!! I can't really understand how people get by in life without a car. Having always been into skiing (and mostly backcountry skiing) I have always needed a car to get to the places I want to ski. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Originally Posted By: Go Native I got my car license on my 18th birthday and have always had a car (even when living in a city and mostly using pulic transport for day to day stuff). Couldn't imagine not having one. I have met quite a few people up here though well into their 20's who didn't even have a license before coming to Japan!! I can't really understand how people get by in life without a car. Having always been into skiing (and mostly backcountry skiing) I have always needed a car to get to the places I want to ski. Interesting isn't it GN. Cousin of mine in the UK is currently trying to get her license (has failed multiple times) - she is in her mid 30s and mother of 2, but always went everywhere by public transport. I had mine a few days after my 17th birthday. I could not imagine being without a license and a car. Even the few weeks after my shoulder op where I was not allowed to drive did my head in. #2 son got his license yesterday, and a car today - can not wipe the smile off his face. But I can understand why you wouldn't if you were working in the city in Japan and were a foreigner with less than perfect written language skills.... Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Never driven in my life, don't even have my provisional licence, never even taken 1 lesson Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Don't live in Japan but we found driving to be very easy over there. Speed limits need increasing though, as discussed in that other thread today! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Originally Posted By: Mamabear But I can understand why you wouldn't if you were working in the city in Japan and were a foreigner with less than perfect written language skills.... Psst.... you can do the test in English, and most road signs are written in English. ;( Hell, us Brits gave Japan it's rules of the roads. Link to post Share on other sites
TheOrange 0 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Yes Mamabear driving here is really not a big deal. Link to post Share on other sites
HeatherLocklearRocks 1 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Between cars at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Would be silly for me to have one. Tokyo ain't the most car-friendly place. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Yes I often wish I had one for trips out, but no. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Hell ya.... currently on vehicles #8 and #9. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Yep drive every day. Living here without a car wouldn't be an option anyway. I love driving in any case! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Originally Posted By: RobBright Originally Posted By: Mamabear But I can understand why you wouldn't if you were working in the city in Japan and were a foreigner with less than perfect written language skills.... Psst.... you can do the test in English, and most road signs are written in English. ;( Hell, us Brits gave Japan it's rules of the roads. you can do the written test in English? hmmm......interesting Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 You can rent them pretty cheap in Japan if you live in the city and are looking at 200,000 a year for a parking space plus all the other ownership taxes for something you only use on days off. We rented a car for six days in Okinawa last month. It was 20500 for a Cube from the Nissan rental place. The car was spotless and only six months old, a far cry from any rentacar horror stories you may have heard in other countries. At home, me and the missus have a car and a van. I don't know about now but the Japanese test used to be in top quality Engrish with expressions like the "inner wheel swerve" and "creep phenomenon" and the somewhat bizarre question "is voluntary insurance necessary?" to which the correct answer was yes. Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Sometimes I wish I did, but the hassle and cost just outweight the benefis. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Don't live there anymore, but started out with a scooter and got a car pretty quick after that. Living in Nagoya made it easier and much more affordable as parking is way cheaper and traffic wasn't too bad. Link to post Share on other sites
loaf of bread 0 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Just recently got a car. I started out on a scooter as well, but that soon got old and I wanted a car. Great to be mobile. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Had a car for quite a few years now and take it for granted, it really is great to not have to rely on public transport - as good as it often is here. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts