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日本語/Japanese  Thu 10/04 22:57 JST
Would you park this close to a wall?
Due to the size of parking spaces in Tokyo, the Japanese folk don't have too much of a choice. Everybody here after a while seems to acquire this ninja skill of parking 1 inch away from the wall.

When I first arrived in Tokyo, I would stop and stare every time I saw this trying to figure out how the owner (like this one) could park without causing damage to the wall or car.
Getting out of this car in particular must be a pain as the driver seat is on the right side...
Categories
Polls
john blade in Mississauga, Ontario
Student
Registered on 2007/02/16 08:42
Holy shit....that is tight. They don't do it here in Canada. Hell, those driving instructor actually want us to have some space when we're parking but not as tight as the picture.
(ID #58486) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:04
Zplus in N. Ireland
Seat warmer
Registered on 2006/12/25 01:53
Just when I thought the ones in HK are bad...
anways, here's a nice starwars wallpaper for ya.
http://orz.4chan.org/wg/src/1191453723336.jpg
(ID #58487) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:08
Kite_DH in Germany
Registered on 2007/04/16 13:47
good lord that's really too near to the wall... I wanna see more pics of those "ninja-skill-parkers" 
(ID #58488) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:11
Dunatis in Havoc of the Mind
Professional Writer
Registered on 2007/09/21 11:11
Danny you know how to do that yet?  If so, feel free to teach us, would be handy information to have
(ID #58489) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:23
jorweeck in Philippines
Lackey, Sycophant
Registered on 2007/07/18 10:20
That's how we park in our country as well. Far too many cars. Too few parking spaces.
(ID #58490) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:33
coffeebugg in recycling bin
resident caffeine junkie
Registered on 2008/05/22 18:11
I hear ya bro. All too often, we have to resort to creativity when finding parking spots. Pay day sale weekends at the Mall of Asia anyone?
(ID #219823) Posted on 2008/06/23 11:21
CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada
Web Design & Development
Registered on 2007/09/11 09:43
Those Japanese sure seem to have a knack for fitting things in small spaces. :P
(ID #58491) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:50
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
I have to park in some pretty tight spots over here but never something like that, crazy lol.  If anything, I might have to park maybe an inch or two from a wall or car but just have enough room to pop out on the driver side with 3-4 inches to spare.
(ID #58492) Posted on 2007/10/04 23:57
PoWeR in Your House Freeloading
Ultra Freeloader
Registered on 2007/08/28 05:12
roflmao sum l337 parking.... (1 inch!??!?!?!?)
(ID #58493) Posted on 2007/10/05 00:07
skankywonders in California
Student
Registered on 2007/08/09 05:36
That's akward for me but if that were my car, I would right away rip the whole side of my car before I got out of the small space.


T___T
(ID #58494) Posted on 2007/10/05 00:30
Tiny Red Man in Shingapooru..
Hikikomori + Manga-ka + Bejiterian + Tiny Man
Registered on 2007/04/11 16:51
wow, the pros..
(ID #58495) Posted on 2007/10/05 00:38
kakit in Toronto, Canada
Student
Registered on 2007/04/24 07:45
Woah I'd hate to have to take a driving exam in Japan @__@"
(ID #58496) Posted on 2007/10/05 01:15
Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City
Designer & Animator
Registered on 2007/01/11 23:52
Pros... nothing else to say 0_0
(ID #58497) Posted on 2007/10/05 01:24
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
I saw some of those when I've been on Japan... took some pics also.
It's freaking unbelievable. And not uncommon at all.

I saw this one car parked in a way it completely blocked a door to what looke d like a home office or something. No idea on how he got in though.

Also, the ceiling was almost an exact fit.

Not to mention the funny little cars that you see on Japan... some are cute, some are fugly, but I guess with the problem with parking space, if I lived on Japan I'd probably get one of those too. Even a one sitter if possible.
(ID #58499) Posted on 2007/10/05 01:50
thegeek in Northern California, United States
Geek Liaison
Registered on 2007/03/26 06:30
Man I couldn't get that close without ripping the crude out of the paint job. I have enough trouble getting into a normal sized space.
(ID #58500) Posted on 2007/10/05 02:19
Alafista OTAKU in Singapore
Policy & Research Officer
Registered on 2006/12/25 11:34
woah that is really tight. How can anyone park so close without damaging the car.
(ID #58501) Posted on 2007/10/05 02:29
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
lol ninja skill indeed. I tried parking my car on a small space once, only to have my side mirrors smashed against the wall. 
(T-T)
how about you Danny, hows your nija skills on the Nissan March
(ID #58503) Posted on 2007/10/05 02:42
Glak
V1lt R in US
Honda technician, baby.
Registered on 2007/01/05 13:22
Small parking spots? No. I live in America and we have some darn huge cars if I say so myself. I own a rather large 2000 Accord compared to other cars.

We may not have small parking areas, but we do have morons that do not know how to park. They park close to/on the line or they take up two spaces.
(ID #58505) Posted on 2007/10/05 03:15
Neurorelay in California, USA
Sophist
[f] 
Registered on 2007/08/29 12:21
Wow, I wonder how the repaint industry for autos does in Japan?  All Americans have to worry about are the occasional parallel park.
(ID #58506) Posted on 2007/10/05 03:19
Aya Kyunik in Melbourne, Australia
Hobby Store clerk guy thing...
Registered on 2007/05/22 16:38
Newtype at work there...
I already scratched my car trying to park NORMALLY =/
(ID #58508) Posted on 2007/10/05 03:32
Sotb in Malaysia
Manufacturing
Registered on 2007/08/22 12:29
Danny when I saw your post, i remember 1 of my workers telling me that at his apartment a lot of driver park their car near to the wall so as to prevent ppl to steal their tyre and sport rim from being steal!

If u dun do so, u will end up having 4 tyre stolen! 1 side near the wall u may as well get 2 lost tyre!
(ID #58509) Posted on 2007/10/05 03:47
cobaltleo in USA
technorat
Registered on 2007/08/23 10:59
thats not so bad, i had to park just like that while on vacation in san francisco earlier this year, and i drive a full size truck. I imagine that San Fran's parking dilema is much like japans.
(ID #58510) Posted on 2007/10/05 03:51
Uradox in Nagoya / Perth
Procurement officer / Teacher
Registered on 2007/05/12 15:27
At least you have parking bays!!! Some apartments i've been to in Nagoya have like 5 bays for the entire block! - if your lucky
(ID #58511) Posted on 2007/10/05 03:55
animes in cephiro
mahou kishi
Registered on 2007/01/23 14:30
Wow, my garage haves like 1 meter more than the car size, and I always have troubles getting out!
(ID #58512) Posted on 2007/10/05 04:44
chraen in Singapore
Student
Registered on 2007/08/23 21:36
Wow, they have some skills...
(ID #58513) Posted on 2007/10/05 04:53
Jorge Hinojosa in Mexico
That has to be photoshop, look at those shadows.
(ID #58514) Posted on 2007/10/05 05:15
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA
Design Consultant
Registered on 2007/08/23 04:44
John Blade, I used to live in Miss, Ca! So, since I have a truck, my gf has a car *(and by truck I mean half tone pickup), and two motorcycles... but we can fit them into our two car garage... as long as I park the passengers side just like you see this car above. Now, it scares the crap out of people when I do it, but after you do it a couple of times, you can fly in there at 20mph and park perfectly.. even with my not-so-nimble truck. I think it just becomes second nature, like knowing how long your arm is if you want to reach for something.. best way I can explain it. Plus, this DOES look PHOTOSHOPPED! SHoooooped.
(ID #58515) Posted on 2007/10/05 05:22
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Being a relatively inexperienced driver, im RUBBISH at parking. How this guy achieved this (and backwards too) is beyond me...
(ID #58516) Posted on 2007/10/05 05:50
McKlain in Spain
Web Designer
Registered on 2007/05/11 17:10
I actually park my car like that, but the driver's seat is on the left.
(ID #58517) Posted on 2007/10/05 07:47
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Dragun, Jorge,
This was taken near my house - no point in photoshopping.

Glak,
Thanks for the info. Was going to go but cant make it.

Marvin, Dunatis,
getting better ^^;
(ID #58518) Posted on 2007/10/05 08:10
lanie-emon in Keldabe, Malaysia
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Registered on 2007/06/05 11:28
Uh, that bad huh...
(ID #58519) Posted on 2007/10/05 09:04
notfair in Malaysia
Student, ACG Fans
Registered on 2007/08/14 16:34
wow, it hard to park until like this, need a pro skill ...
(ID #58521) Posted on 2007/10/05 09:38
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
O.O

japanese ninja technique...wall parking!

with limitations comes great skillz XD
(ID #58532) Posted on 2007/10/05 12:11
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
we don't have parking problems over here. our cars can transform. ^^
(ID #58536) Posted on 2007/10/05 13:22
Software Support
Registered on 2007/09/05 07:23
I think I am spoiled by the spacous parking space in California.
I have VERY BAD parking skill, especially parallel parking, or backing up into a parking spot... I guess I will not drive in Japan... or only if I own a body shop to spray paint my car everyweek.
(ID #58541) Posted on 2007/10/05 16:09
lin-da-kenobi in Long Beach
college student
Registered on 2007/08/16 02:56
waooo they really ARE Pro
(ID #58542) Posted on 2007/10/05 16:12
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA
Design Consultant
Registered on 2007/08/23 04:44
Danny, my bad, just odd shadow effect I guess (I thought maybe you pulled this off the internet and someone else had originally photoshopped it). This kind of reminds me of the parking in Italy.. except EVERYONE there has dents and scratches on their bumpers. Bad parallel parking? Thats what Smart cars are for. Almost released in the US!
(ID #58543) Posted on 2007/10/05 16:13
the1iam in 新嘉坡市四美町3区
大学生
Registered on 2007/04/12 04:09
It's possible that they parked the car normally and then push the car towards the wall to allow more cars in.

Anyways, the multistory car park of apartments here have small parking spaces enough for normal car to fit in with a supporting pillar at every 3 lots. Some of the older ones even have narrower ramps linking to each deck and you can even see the marks on the wall despite the reflective markers on the wall..
(ID #58549) Posted on 2007/10/05 17:53
Timerswing in Mexico
Student
Registered on 2007/08/25 10:37
Like my grnadma said....Big cars for big people...for Mexico...anyways
(ID #58552) Posted on 2007/10/05 21:18
Hyun-Bin in Sydney Australia / Busan Korea
Sterilization Technician@ Prince Of Wales Hospital
Registered on 2007/01/09 22:47
i hate my brother for parking to close to the wall , i cant get out , have to climb over to his side to get out sometimes since parks way to close to the wall , since Australia and Japans driving rules are mostly similar and share same road values , its way more easier to import cars , alot of Honda's beep when you are too close to the wall and such hahaha
(ID #58557) Posted on 2007/10/05 23:06
-XYZPDQ in Pennsylvania, United States
Student Engineer
Registered on 2007/01/01 14:12
... wow. and I thought I fit into small spaces.

There is plenty of space in the USA, the problem is finding a good spot =X

At my University, when you leave your parking space you are giving up all rights to it: depending on how close your spot is to the dorm rooms it is usually taken again within 1-2mins. We really hate walking a half mile up the hill to the dorms, thus the "parking wars". I always seem to get a good spot ^^ On weekends when everyone goes home I move my truck up closer....
(ID #58573) Posted on 2007/10/06 02:08
jjjlmx in México
Registered on 2007/07/10 01:43
I had seen people who actually hurt the paint for a small spot. And is more hard because people like big cars here, you can see a lot of hummers and those things in place of tiny cars
(ID #58575) Posted on 2007/10/06 02:48
シャキー in カナダ
Student~
Registered on 2007/07/14 10:05
lol thats y al the best driver comes from japan (in anime as least)=P --> initial D style~ 
(ID #58674) Posted on 2007/10/07 05:29
Chaos 3L337 in California
CSU student
Registered on 2007/09/18 16:57
Over here in California some places, especially in the bigger city's, are running out of parking space big time. We are no where near as bad as this, but its getting harder to find parking because more and more stores are are being built in areas that don't really have room for parking.
(ID #58678) Posted on 2007/10/07 06:12
Starboykb in Brunei Earth
IT TechGuy
Registered on 2007/05/16 00:05
OMG, I wonder if the driving tutor will teach you how to park that close!
(ID #58679) Posted on 2007/10/07 06:23
Where can I rent a Japanese driver?
My Sister drives like there is no tomorrow and I need to live till I get married.
(ID #61951) Posted on 2007/11/03 04:25
Civil Servant
Registered on 2008/06/08 20:14
If I have to choose between a tight space that's closer to where I want to be or a larger space that's further away, I'll go for the smaller one ^w^ being young and agile helps, especially when trying to get in and out of an MX5 (Miata/Roadster)!
(ID #207775) Posted on 2008/06/08 20:38
Stefkov in Manchester, UK
Student
Registered on 2008/06/02 04:40
That's better than the parking I saw in Paris. They were | | this close to each other parked up in Paris on the side. Mad parking skills that though.
(ID #210829) Posted on 2008/06/12 08:56
coffeebugg in recycling bin
resident caffeine junkie
Registered on 2008/05/22 18:11
Nyahaha.. It drives my friends nuts when I parallel park in between cars that just barely fit my car. We've got ample parking spaces here, but it's just that there really a lot of cars here in Manila and you sometimes have to get creative in finding a spot.
(ID #219821) Posted on 2008/06/23 11:19
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