Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

If you want to buy a car in Japan, first you have to prove that you have somewhere to park it. That's one of the policies Streetfilms encountered while interviewing experts for an upcoming three-part series on parking best practices.

Here's a sneak peek courtesy of Streetfilms correspondent Joe Baur, who grabbed this interview about the costs of car ownership in Japan with Byron Kidd from Tokyo By Bike.

The parking requirement is one of several policies that helps keep cars from overrunning Japanese cities. Factor in yearly taxes, high parking fees, and tolled roads, and Japan does an excellent job of ensuring that car owners pay the full costs of their vehicles -- while the first-rate transit system enables people to get around efficiently.

Stay tuned for the full parking series later this year.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Tuesday’s Headlines: Stop Super Speeders Edition

There's a new member of Families for Safe Streets, which is not good news. But maybe his voice will lead to change. Plus other news.

June 3, 2025

Uptown Portion of Hudson River Greenway Closed For Another Month

Tell us, would car owners put up with a crucial road closed for months with no detour?

June 3, 2025

MTA To Finally Untangle Notorious Brooklyn Subway Pinch Point

The MTA's new capital plan will finally unclog a notoriously slow-rolling segment of the subway in Central Brooklyn.

June 3, 2025

NJ’s Plan to Widen the Turnpike Can Really Break Your Heart

"I've lived in a lot of places and all of them have had neighborhoods destroyed by turnpike expansion. New Jersey is no exception," said one activist.

June 2, 2025

Car Harms Monday: ‘Gridlock Sam’ Says We Have Lost Our Lives to the Automobile

Take it from the former head of the city's Department of Traffic: If we restore valuable public space to the people, the result will be a healthier, happier, and more humane city.

June 2, 2025
See all posts