Welcome, car enthusiasts and future drivers of Japan! Are you looking to buy a car in the land of the rising sun but are intimidated by the paperwork and bureaucracy? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The process of registering a car in Japan can seem complex, especially for foreigners or first-time buyers. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide, designed to be the perfect YouTube video for you to see below. We’ll break down every crucial step, from securing your parking spot to getting those new license plates, and give you the essential Japanese vocabulary to make the process as smooth as possible.
Introduction: The Japanese Car Ownership Journey
“Hey everyone, and welcome back to the channel! Today, we’re diving into a topic that many of you have asked about: how to register a car in Japan. You’ve probably heard that the process is a bit of a labyrinth, with unique rules and a lot of paperwork. But what if I told you it’s not as scary as it sounds? In this video, we’re going to demystify the entire process, giving you a clear, step-by-step guide to help you go from car buyer to legal car owner in Japan. We’ll cover everything from the crucial “Shako Shomeisho” (parking certificate) to the final trip to the Land Transport Office. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!”
Step 1: The Parking Certificate (Shako Shomeisho – 車庫証明書)
“The first and arguably most unique step in Japanese car registration is proving you have a place to park. This is known as the Shako Shomeisho, or Parking Certificate. It’s a strict requirement for all standard-sized vehicles (those with a white license plate) to prevent urban congestion. For Kei cars (the yellow-plate light vehicles), this may not be necessary in certain rural areas, but it’s a good idea to check with your local police station.”
How to get your Parking Certificate:
Location: Your local police station (警察署, Keisatsu-sho).
Documents & Information Needed:
Application Form (車庫証明申請書, Shako Shomei Shinsei-sho): You can get this at the police station. It will ask for your personal details, the car’s information (you’ll need the chassis number from the seller), and the parking spot’s details.
Map of Your Residence (居住地の地図, Kyojūchi no Chizu): A simple, hand-drawn map showing your home’s location.
Map of the Parking Spot (保管場所の所在図・配置図, Hokan-basho no Shozai-zu・Haichi-zu): A diagram of your parking space. This needs to be accurate, showing the dimensions of the space and how the car will fit. If it’s a rented spot, you’ll need a signed contract from the landlord.
Proof of Ownership/Permission (自認書 or 使用承諾証明書, Jinin-sho or Shiyō Shōdaku Shōmei-sho): If you own the parking space, you’ll fill out a simple form. If you rent it, you’ll need the landlord’s official consent form.
Personal Seal (Hanko) and Certificate (Inkan Shomeisho): For many official documents in Japan, a registered personal seal is required. For foreigners, this can be your signature and a Certificate of your registered signature, but a hanko makes things much easier. You get your inkan shomeisho from your local city office.
The Process: Submit all your documents at the police station. They will verify your application and, within a few days to a week, the certificate will be ready for pickup. There is a small fee for this process.
“Pro-Tip: Make sure your maps are clear and to scale. The police can be quite particular about these. It’s also a great idea to bring a native Japanese speaker with you if you’re not confident with the language. This is a crucial first step for anyone on their Japanese car ownership journey.”
Step 2: The Mandatory Vehicle Inspection (Shaken – 車検)
“Next up is the Shaken, or the mandatory vehicle inspection. This isn’t part of the registration for a brand new car, but if you’re buying a used vehicle, you need to make sure its Shaken is valid. It’s a comprehensive inspection that covers everything from brakes and tires to emissions and lights. A new car’s first Shaken is valid for three years, and after that, it must be renewed every two years. This is a non-negotiable part of vehicle registration in Japan.”
Key points about Shaken:
What it is: A thorough check to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and complies with all safety and environmental regulations.
Documents: The Shaken-shō (Vehicle Inspection Certificate) is the official document that proves your car passed inspection. You’ll need this for registration.
Cost:Shaken costs can vary widely depending on the car’s condition, but they are a significant part of Japanese car ownership costs. They include taxes, fees, and any necessary repairs.
Step 3: Gathering Your Paperwork
“Now, for the main event: gathering all the documents you’ll need for the final registration. This is where most people get tripped up, so let’s go through the checklist carefully. Having everything in order before you head to the office will save you a lot of time and frustration.”
Required Documents for Car Registration:
Vehicle Inspection Certificate (車検証, Shaken-shō): The certificate from the previous owner.
Parking Certificate (車庫証明書, Shako Shōmei-sho): The one you obtained in Step 1. It must be issued within 40 days of your registration application.
Certificate of Residence (住民票, Jūminhyō): A copy of your official residence record, issued by your city or ward office within the last three months.
Registered Personal Seal (実印, Jitsuin) and Certificate (印鑑証明書, Inkan Shōmei-sho): As mentioned before, you get your Inkan Shomeisho from your local city office. This is only for regular vehicles (white plate). Kei cars can often use a regular stamp or even a signature.
Deed of Transfer (譲渡証明書, Jōto Shōmei-sho): This is a legal document signed and sealed by the previous owner, confirming the transfer of ownership to you.
Letter of Attorney (委任状, Inin-jō): If you’re a foreigner and have a proxy (like a car dealer) helping you with the registration, you’ll need to provide this document, officially granting them permission to act on your behalf.
Compulsory Insurance Certificate (自賠責保険証明書, Jibaiseki Hoken Shōmei-sho): This is the mandatory minimum insurance required by law. The previous owner will provide this.
“Quick note for foreigners: Your Residence Card (在留カード, Zairyū Kādo) is a vital piece of ID throughout this entire process, so always keep it with you.”
Step 4: The Final Registration at the Land Transport Office
“With all your documents in hand, you are now ready for the final step: heading to the local Land Transport Office (Rikuun-kyoku) for regular cars or the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization (Kei Jidōsha Kensa Kyōkai) for Kei cars. This is where the magic happens and you officially become the car’s new owner.”
The Process at the Office:
Arrival & Forms: Go to the correct counter and get the application forms (mōshikomi-sho) and the tax declaration forms. These are usually just a few hundred yen.
Submit Documents: Present your meticulously organized stack of documents to the clerk. They will review everything. This is where having all your paperwork in order pays off!
Pay Fees & Taxes: You’ll be directed to a separate counter to pay the various fees and taxes, including the acquisition tax and registration fees. The total amount depends on the car’s engine size and age.
Receive New Documents: Once everything is processed, you will receive a new Shaken-shō with your name on it. This is your official proof of ownership.
Get New License Plates: If you need new plates (e.g., if you’ve moved to a new prefecture or are changing from a Kei to a regular car), you’ll go to the license plate counter. You’ll hand over your old plates and receive your new ones. The person at the counter will even provide the bolts to attach them.
Install Plates & Get Sticker: Attach the new plates to your car. For the rear plate, there’s a special tamper-proof cap that needs to be officially installed by an on-site technician. You will also be given a new inspection sticker to place on your car’s windshield.
“Congratulations! You are now the official owner of your car in Japan. The entire process, if you have all your documents ready, can often be completed in a single morning. This step-by-step approach simplifies the journey and shows that Japanese car registration is a manageable task.”
Conclusion: Driving Off into Your New Japanese Life
“So there you have it: a complete guide to registering a car in Japan. While the paperwork can be a bit daunting, breaking it down into these manageable steps makes it a breeze. From securing your crucial parking certificate to the final trip to the Land Transport Office, each part of the process is designed to ensure safety and order on Japan’s roads.
For anyone considering buying a car in Japan as a foreigner, remember these key takeaways: organize your documents, be prepared for the Shaken inspection, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or a professional proxy service if you need it.
If you found this video helpful, be sure to hit that like button, subscribe for more Japanese life content, and let us know in the comments if you have any questions or your own Japanese car ownership experiences. Thanks for watching, and see you on the road!”
I am not one for writing articles actually so most of these articles come from contributors that I have met over the years or with a little help of supporters.
If you have any desire to import a car from Japan or simply need some advice get in touch via Whatsapp here at +81-90-5400-6384
Looking For That Special Car Has Never Been Easier.
Finding the right car in Japan is not always easy and finding the best partner in Japan to help you with this is sometimes even harder.
With over 25 years buying history and great contacts all over Japan I can help you in every way.
Japanese automakers are handing out discounts that look more like summer sales than trade policy. Major brands including Toyota, Nissan, and Honda have announced export price cuts of nearly 20 percent, aimed squarely at offsetting U.S. tariffs that have been biting into margins since early this year.
While Washington’s revised trade deal was meant to ease the pain, most Japanese companies say the relief has been slower than a Tokyo traffic jam. Instead of waiting for tariff talks to untangle, automakers are slashing sticker prices on cars headed overseas, effectively taking the hit themselves to preserve U.S.
When most people think of Japanese car auctions, they picture rows of Nissan Skylines, Toyota Supras, and Mazda RX-7s—JDM legends that have dominated the bidding wars for years. But step into a major hall like USS Tokyo or HAA Kobe in 2025 and you’ll spot something unexpected: vintage classics from Europe and America quietly rolling across the block and stealing the spotlight.
USS Tokyo consistently reports record attendance and bidding activity this year. Data from August 2025 shows more than 17,000 vehicles passing through its lanes in a single week, with premium models such as Nissan Skylines and Toyota Supras achieving new price highs. Overseas demand is driving the surge, particularly from US buyers capitalizing on the 25-year import rule. USS Tokyo is the largest of all USS Japans auction houses by the way.
The way people buy cars has changed forever. Once, buyers walked into a dealership, shook hands with a salesperson, and hoped they were getting a fair deal. Today, more and more buyers skip the showroom entirely. They open their laptop or phone, scroll through listings, and complete a purchase without leaving their home. This shift feels modern, easy
Whatever type of motoring you are into we can find the car to suit your needs. From Classic Cars to JDM Imports and more we provide access to it all for you here. At Auto Trader Imports we are one of the original exporters of used cars from Japan to multiple countries globally.
Try Us Today
