Car Shopping in Japan

[pinkkillerkisou]

Ok my question is basically which is better. I'm currently living in the United States but in 3 years I'm going to move to Japan. I don't have a car. I usually don't need one... I almost always find a means of transportation. I was wondering what you guys think of putting off getting a car till I go to Japan... it is most likely going to be a permanent move. Are cars really expensive in Japan... or would I even need one?

See the thing is I'm going to work for the embassy teaching English over there to Japanese students so I'll have a contract for 5 years to start off then after it will be decided whether or not the contract should be renewed. I'll most likely stay even if the contract isn't renewed. Do I need a car at all... a car is a large expense. What are my transportation options?

[kuntow]

Unless you're living out in the middle of inaka, and maybe even then, you don't "need" a car. If you're gonna be working for the Embassy, I'm assuming that means you'll be living in Tokyo or at least another of the big cities. Given that, Japan's public transportation system (trains and buses) is rather good and can get you pretty much anywhere you need to go.
See http://www.jref.com/practical/transportation_tokyo.shtml for details on the Tokyo system.
A car is just a luxury. A bike on the other hand...

[pinkkillerkisou]

Thank you for the link. I did think of a bike as a means of transportation. I will most likely be in Tokyo or atleast that's what I am told. It's probably best I save my money for more important things like housing and food.

[GaijinPunch]

Don't bother with a car. It's a waste of money. If you work for the embassy in Tokyo you'll likely live (or have the option to) live on the premesis in Roppongi. Very local, and VERY easy to get around on by bicycle. I worked in the same neighborhood as the Embassy my last 4 years, and rode a bicycle as far as Ikejiri-Ohashi (1 stop the other side of Shibuya) and Yoyogi park for the last year. Early morning == brilliant and lovely. Afternoon and evening = lots of exhuast. :(

[gokarosama]

Cars are by no means a necessity in Tokyo, but they are actually a nice luxury, and open up a whole new aspect of Japan. Having said that, they are also a money pit. I have a nice little used convertible (I live, as the previous poster wrote, in the deep "inaka") but it really sucks the money up. You might look up the term "shakken." :(

Congrats on a sweet job, by the way.

[pinkkillerkisou]

Don't bother with a car. It's a waste of money. If you work for the embassy in Tokyo you'll likely live (or have the option to) live on the premesis in Roppongi. Very local, and VERY easy to get around on by bicycle. I worked in the same neighborhood as the Embassy my last 4 years, and rode a bicycle as far as Ikejiri-Ohashi (1 stop the other side of Shibuya) and Yoyogi park for the last year. Early morning == brilliant and lovely. Afternoon and evening = lots of exhuast. :(

Exhaust you say??? Sounds very unpleasant. I should stock up on those disposable face masks. But I can imagine How lovely it would be to ride a bike just after sunrise.

Cars are by no means a necessity in Tokyo, but they are actually a nice luxury, and open up a whole new aspect of Japan. Having said that, they are also a money pit. I have a nice little used convertible (I live, as the previous poster wrote, in the deep "inaka") but it really sucks the money up. You might look up the term "shakken." :(

Congrats on a sweet job, by the way.

I figured that. Cars are a money pit anywhere. What a shame. What happened to the days where they had cars that anyone could afford. Thanks but I haven't quite got the job. I got to finish college first.

[Mike Cash]

You don't believe in needlessly worrying about stuff ahead of time, do you?

[pinkkillerkisou]

You don't believe in needlessly worrying about stuff ahead of time, do you?

Call me crazy but when the time comes I would like to be finacially prepared to move to Japan. I should not jump into something this big blindly am I right? I should know how to manage money well now so I will be prepared then. I am not worrying needlessly.

[Mike Cash]

On the off-chance that you ever actually do emigrate to Japan, let us know. Then would be the time to worry about whether you'll need a car or not.

[pinkkillerkisou]

On the off-chance that you ever actually do emigrate to Japan, let us know. Then would be the time to worry about whether you'll need a car or not.

Umm... thanks for the encouraging words. That was sarcasm incase you couldn't tell. Sorry I was trying to be mature and responsible and well informed. You didn't have to read this and you most definitly did not have to comment.

I'll be sure to let you know when I get there. I'll stop by your house and be sure to return the "kindness" you've shown me. Don't wait up on me though. There's always the off-chance I won't visit you. I'd hate for to expect me.

[mr.sumo.snr]

See the thing is I'm going to work for the embassy teaching English over there to Japanese students so I'll have a contract for 5 years to start off.....

Ambition is a healthy trait, be aware though that cut-backs are being made to the JET program (this is what I presume you mean by working for the Embassy). In my prefecture many of the high school AET positions are not being renewed for 2005/06. I can't say what the situation will be like in 2008, only that it's taken about 12 years for some schools to realize they don't require an AET, so applying basic Japanese public sector education logic it will take another 12 years for them to realize they made a mistake!

As far as a car is concerned. The simple motto for many of the JETs in this moderately rural part of Japan is: "No car, no life". Most of the AETs round here seem to lease their cars at between 13000 and 20000 yen/month. Leasing means not having to worry about 'shakken' (taxes) or getting rid of the car at end of contract. It maybe costs a little more than buying - but when servicing, a set of winter tyres, insurance etc. is taken into account I doubt that the leasers are more than a few hundred dollars worse off.

[gokarosama]

AHa. I had thought you meant the position of an "English Language Officer" which would actually be in the foreign service, not a JET. Lots of JETs seem to have a blast, but its not the sweet job I intended when I used that phrase.

Yes, by all means plan ahead. Apparently becoming a JET is a bit competitive (or used to be?) and I was not aware that JET candidates were able to choose which region or city they wished to be posted in.

[mr.sumo.snr]

You can request anywhere - but requests are not always granted. Plenty of people want to be based in Okinawa or near/in the big cities. Skiers request Nagano, those that want to nail the level two kanji-ken within two years ask for a placement somewhere in the middle of nowhere. People with suicidal tendencies might like to opt for Tottori-ken.

[pinkkillerkisou]

AHa. I had thought you meant the position of an "English Language Officer" which would actually be in the foreign service, not a JET. Lots of JETs seem to have a blast, but its not the sweet job I intended when I used that phrase.

Yes, by all means plan ahead. Apparently becoming a JET is a bit competitive (or used to be?) and I was not aware that JET candidates were able to choose which region or city they wished to be posted in.

Well, JET is the most accessable option I know of, but that doesn't neccessarily mean that is the only option. I'm not narrowing it down to just JET. I plan on looking into other jobs or opportunities. At the moment t's the only one I have really looked into.

What is an "English Language Officer"?

[Mike Cash]

I think you had better get this car problem nailed down before you worry about what sort of work you plan to do in Japan for the rest of your life.

[DoctorP]

In your original post you stated that you were going to work for the Embassy teaching English. The JET program isn't associated with the Embassy is it? (if it is, I apologize, I have never done it!) BUT...if you work for the Embassy, you would fall under a section of the Status of Forces Agreement and buying/operating a car for you would be no problem...actually cheaper than any of the Expats living in Japan now...I had a website bookmarked (a long time ago) that discussed just this very thing, but I have had difficulty locating it now...it is not on the Embassy's website! I will keep looking though.

*Note* I agree with Mike though...This is not the time to worry about whether or not you will get a car when/if you come to Japan!

[mr.sumo.snr]

In your original post you stated that you were going to work for the Embassy teaching English. The JET program isn't associated with the Embassy is it? (if it is, I apologize, I have never done it!)

One does in fact go through the Embassy in order to apply for the JET program. To be more precise you submit an application through the Japanese Embassy in whichever country you are based. Online application details are to be found at respective Japanese Embassy homepages.

The original poster should check out the AJET homepage http://www.ajet.net/

[DoctorP]

I just assumed that when he said "Embassy" he was speaking of his home country Embassy which was the US.

[pinkkillerkisou]

"He" is a "she"... and yes "she" as in I am just trying to get an idea of how much money I am going to have to set aside for this. I'll admit I don't know everything there is to know about living in Japan. How could I? I have never been there or know anyone who has. I thought it was a good question and I needed to know because if I did need a car I would have to add that to the amount of money I'll need to save.

Why do I get the feeling I am beeing looked at like I'm a child with a silly impossible dream? I'm not a child and it's a very real dream. It's something I have wanted for a very long time and unlike many people I will achieving it. I'm not one to give up on things so easily. I'm sure you hear a lot of young people saying how much they want to go to Japan and in reality very few do. It's probably annoying and I may have sounded like one of those people to you, but I really want to know. That's the reason I joined this forum. So I could be well-informed to make the decisions I'm going to have to make.

Sorry to all those people who were helpful to me. This is not directed towards you. I really appreciate the help you've given me. I really mean that.

[gokarosama]

You might have a look here:
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/eal-elos.htm
and here:
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/eal-jobs.htm#jobs
for more information on US gov't-related English teaching jobs.

A quote from one of those links:
English Language Officers (RELOs) organize and participate in teacher training seminars and workshops, advise posts on questions pertaining to English teaching, conduct needs assessments, and offer guidance on all aspects of an academic program. RELOs consult with host-country ministry, university, and teacher-training officials, as well as lecture and present workshops on EFL methodology and practices. RELOs also work closely with English Language Specialists, English Language Fellows, and U.S. Embassy-related English Language Programs (Binational Centers, and US Embassy English Teaching Programs).[

The position requires a post-graduate degree, preferably a PhD or Ed D but I suppose if you're really good or well-connected a Masters.

Also, if you are considering the English teaching route and about to graduate with your BA, you might consult Ohayosensei.com or some of the other links posted elsewhere on this forum.

Good luck. Keep saving that money!

[Mike Cash]

Alright, the short and simple answer is that almost nowhere you are likely to find yourself will the lack of a car make your life impossible. In fact, there are places where owning one can be more aggravation than it is worth. (Tokyo springs to mind).

If you find yourself on the JET program, you will find an entire infrastructure set up to hold you by the hand and make sure that everything is taken care of for you. So that if you are in a place where it is essential that you drive from workplace to workplace during the course of your day, you may rest assured that they already know about it and have made preparations accordingly. If it is not absolutely essential, you may find that you are in one of the locales that likes to forbid their JET teachers to drive at all. If you are a JET, you will be coddled. The only thing you have to worry about is maintaining a pulse. The same holds true for working for McEnglish conversation mills, but to a lesser degree.

At this point of your projected sojourn to the land of the falling yen, the absolute last concern on your mind should be your local mode of transportation. Trust your old Uncle Mike on this.

[PaulTB]

Alright, the short and simple answer is that almost nowhere you are likely to find yourself will the lack of a car make your life impossible.
Japan <> America :note:

[budd]

""He" is a "she"..."
most important sentence in this topic
also search "car" "japan" for more info in the forums gl

[mr.sumo.snr]

I echo Mike's comments about transportation. What's more, you should appreciate that if you are working here as a JET you'll be grossing close to $3000/month. After tax, national insurance and perhaps a nominal rent deduction you should be left with $2400 in your pocket - minimum. That's definitely more than enough to eat, live, not freeze to death in the winter, get comfortably drunk every weekend, pay for a broadband internet connection AND run an automobile (bought or leased). You should also be able to save.