Japanese Cars

Thu 2007/10/04 17:45 JST
 50
 in Japan
1021 views

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...

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  • john blade
    john blade in Mississauga, Ontario (Registered on 2007/02/16)
    Student

    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.

    Thu 2007/10/04 17:52:49 JST (ID #58486)
    reply to john blade's comment
  • Zplus
    Zplus in N. Ireland (Registered on 2006/12/24)
    Seat warmer
    http://bitebackblog.blogspot.com/

    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

    Thu 2007/10/04 17:56:32 JST (ID #58487)
    reply to Zplus's comment
  • Kite_DH
    Kite_DH in Germany (Registered on 2007/04/16)

    good lord that's really too near to the wall... I wanna see more pics of those "ninja-skill-parkers"

    Thu 2007/10/04 17:59:18 JST (ID #58488)
    reply to Kite_DH's comment
  • Dunatis
    Dunatis in Havoc of the Mind (Registered on 2007/09/21)
    Professional Writer

    Danny you know how to do that yet? If so, feel free to teach us, would be handy information to have

    Thu 2007/10/04 18:11:51 JST (ID #58489)
    reply to Dunatis's comment
  • jorweeck
    jorweeck in Philippines (Registered on 2007/07/18)
    Lackey, Sycophant

    That's how we park in our country as well. Far too many cars. Too few parking spaces.

    Thu 2007/10/04 18:21:21 JST (ID #58490)
    reply to jorweeck's comment
    • coffeebugg
      coffeebugg in coherently lucid (Registered on 2008/05/22)
      Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
      http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/

      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?

      Mon 2008/06/23 06:09:31 JST (ID #219823)
      reply to coffeebugg's comment
  • CyruzDraxs
    CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada (Registered on 2007/09/11)
    Web Design & Development
    http://www.nerdculture.org

    Those Japanese sure seem to have a knack for fitting things in small spaces. :P

    Thu 2007/10/04 18:38:14 JST (ID #58491)
    reply to CyruzDraxs's comment
  • syrix
    syrix in U.S. (Registered on 2007/03/21)
    student
    http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/

    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.

    Thu 2007/10/04 18:45:41 JST (ID #58492)
    reply to syrix's comment
  • PoWeR
    PoWeR in Vancouver (Registered on 2007/08/28)
    Student
    http://www.xfire.com/profile/power1x1/

    roflmao sum l337 parking.... (1 inch!??!?!?!?)

    Thu 2007/10/04 18:55:31 JST (ID #58493)
    reply to PoWeR's comment
  • skankywonders
    skankywonders in California (Registered on 2007/08/09)
    Student

    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

    Thu 2007/10/04 19:18:56 JST (ID #58494)
    reply to skankywonders's comment
  • Tiny Red Man
    Tiny Red Man in Tiny Red Dot, Singapore. (Registered on 2007/04/11)
    free lance otaku, full time Protector of Peace.

    wow, the pros..

    Thu 2007/10/04 19:26:15 JST (ID #58495)
    reply to Tiny Red Man's comment
  • kakit
    kakit in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2007/04/24)
    Student

    Woah I'd hate to have to take a driving exam in Japan @__@"

    Thu 2007/10/04 20:03:16 JST (ID #58496)
    reply to kakit's comment
  • Akiraman
    Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City (Registered on 2007/01/11)
    Designer & Animator
    http://ariaanime.wordpress.com

    Pros... nothing else to say 0_0

    Thu 2007/10/04 20:12:00 JST (ID #58497)
    reply to Akiraman's comment
  • XSportSeeker
    XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
    http://xspblog.com

    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.

    Thu 2007/10/04 20:38:59 JST (ID #58499)
    reply to XSportSeeker's comment
  • thegeek
    thegeek in Northern California, United States (Registered on 2007/03/26)
    Geek Liaison
    http://www.thegeekreview.com

    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.

    Thu 2007/10/04 21:07:56 JST (ID #58500)
    reply to thegeek's comment
  • Alafista OTAKU
    Alafista OTAKU in Singapore (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    Policy & Research Officer
    http://www.alafista.com/

    woah that is really tight. How can anyone park so close without damaging the car.

    Thu 2007/10/04 21:17:42 JST (ID #58501)
    reply to Alafista OTAKU's comment
  • marvin
    marvin (Registered on 2006/12/24)
    http://www.marvinryan.com

    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

    Thu 2007/10/04 21:30:23 JST (ID #58503)
    reply to marvin's comment
  • V1lt R
    V1lt R in US (Registered on 2007/01/05)
    Tow dispatcher

    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.

    Thu 2007/10/04 22:03:02 JST (ID #58505)
    reply to V1lt R's comment
  • Neurorelay
    Neurorelay in California, USA (Registered on 2007/08/29)
    Sophist
    http://www.techswe.com

    Wow, I wonder how the repaint industry for autos does in Japan? All Americans have to worry about are the occasional parallel park.

    Thu 2007/10/04 22:07:15 JST (ID #58506)
    reply to Neurorelay's comment
  • Aya Kyunik
    Aya Kyunik in Melbourne, Australia (Registered on 2007/05/22)
    Graphic Art/Pre-press/3D animator/wannabe hikkikomori
    http://moeidolatry.com

    Newtype at work there...
    I already scratched my car trying to park NORMALLY =/

    Thu 2007/10/04 22:20:48 JST (ID #58508)
    reply to Aya Kyunik's comment
  • Sotb
    Sotb in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Manufacturing
    http://sotbest.blogspot.com/

    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!

    Thu 2007/10/04 22:35:01 JST (ID #58509)
    reply to Sotb's comment
  • cobaltleo
    cobaltleo in USA (Registered on 2007/08/23)
    technorat

    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.

    Thu 2007/10/04 22:39:50 JST (ID #58510)
    reply to cobaltleo's comment
  • Uradox
    Uradox in Nagoya / Perth (Registered on 2007/05/12)
    Procurement officer / Teacher
    http://www.traded.name

    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

    Thu 2007/10/04 22:43:30 JST (ID #58511)
    reply to Uradox's comment
  • animes
    animes in cephiro (Registered on 2007/01/23)
    mahou kishi
    http://www.animedia.com.mx

    Wow, my garage haves like 1 meter more than the car size, and I always have troubles getting out!

    Thu 2007/10/04 23:32:54 JST (ID #58512)
    reply to animes's comment
  • chraen
    chraen in Singapore (Registered on 2007/08/23)
    Student
    http://chraen.wordpress.com

    Wow, they have some skills...

    Thu 2007/10/04 23:41:31 JST (ID #58513)
    reply to chraen's comment
  • DRAGUN
    DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Design Consultant

    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.

    Fri 2007/10/05 00:10:45 JST (ID #58515)
    reply to DRAGUN's comment
  • AndyH
    AndyH in Birmingham, UK (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    3D artist
    http://andyh.cgsociety.org

    Being a relatively inexperienced driver, im RUBBISH at parking. How this guy achieved this (and backwards too) is beyond me...

    Fri 2007/10/05 00:38:59 JST (ID #58516)
    reply to AndyH's comment
  • McKlain
    McKlain in Spain (Registered on 2007/05/11)
    Web Designer
    http://mcklain.wordpress.com/

    I actually park my car like that, but the driver's seat is on the left.

    Fri 2007/10/05 02:35:53 JST (ID #58517)
    reply to McKlain's comment
  • Danny Choo
    Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11)
    CEO MIrai Inc
    http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/

    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 ^^;

    Fri 2007/10/05 02:58:42 JST (ID #58518)
    reply to Danny Choo's comment
  • lanie-emon
    lanie-emon in Keldabe, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/06/05)
    Mandalorian in training + Otaku...

    Uh, that bad huh...

    Fri 2007/10/05 03:52:18 JST (ID #58519)
    reply to lanie-emon's comment
  • notfair
    notfair in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/08/14)
    Student, ACG Fans
    http://modvisc.blogspot.com

    wow, it hard to park until like this, need a pro skill ...

    Fri 2007/10/05 04:26:50 JST (ID #58521)
    reply to notfair's comment
  • Henry
    Henry in /usr/bin/ (Registered on 2006/12/25)
    anime/cosplay events organizer
    http://www.cosplay.ph

    O.O

    japanese ninja technique...wall parking!

    with limitations comes great skillz XD

    Fri 2007/10/05 06:59:53 JST (ID #58532)
    reply to Henry's comment
  • gordon
    gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11)
    銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
    http://gordonator.com/

    we don't have parking problems over here. our cars can transform. ^^

    Fri 2007/10/05 08:10:08 JST (ID #58536)
    reply to gordon's comment
  • Ryori no tetsujin
    Ryori no tetsujin in US (Registered on 2007/09/05)
    Software Support

    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.

    Fri 2007/10/05 10:57:41 JST (ID #58541)
    reply to Ryori no tetsujin's comment
  • lin-da-kenobi
    lin-da-kenobi in Lima, Peru ^^ (Registered on 2007/08/15)
    medicine student & otaku

    waooo they really ARE Pro

    Fri 2007/10/05 11:00:47 JST (ID #58542)
    reply to lin-da-kenobi's comment
  • DRAGUN
    DRAGUN in Arizona, USA (Registered on 2007/08/22)
    Design Consultant

    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!

    Fri 2007/10/05 11:01:29 JST (ID #58543)
    reply to DRAGUN's comment
  • the1iam
    the1iam in 新嘉坡市樟宜区四美町 (Registered on 2007/04/11)
    大学生
    http://the1iam.blogspot.com/

    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..

    Fri 2007/10/05 12:41:41 JST (ID #58549)
    reply to the1iam's comment
  • Timerswing
    Timerswing in Mexico (Registered on 2007/08/25)
    Student

    Like my grnadma said....Big cars for big people...for Mexico...anyways

    Fri 2007/10/05 16:06:47 JST (ID #58552)
    reply to Timerswing's comment
  • Hyun-Bin
    Hyun-Bin in Sydney Australia / Korea (Registered on 2007/01/09)
    Combat Engineer For Australian Defence Force

    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

    Fri 2007/10/05 17:54:01 JST (ID #58557)
    reply to Hyun-Bin's comment
  • -XYZPDQ
    -XYZPDQ in Pennsylvania, United States (Registered on 2007/01/01)
    Student Engineer
    http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/

    ... 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....

    Fri 2007/10/05 20:56:39 JST (ID #58573)
    reply to -XYZPDQ's comment
  • jjjlmx
    jjjlmx in México (Registered on 2007/07/09)
    http://anigumi.wordpress.com

    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

    Fri 2007/10/05 21:36:12 JST (ID #58575)
    reply to jjjlmx's comment
  • シャキー
    シャキー in カナダ (Registered on 2007/07/14)
    Student~

    lol thats y al the best driver comes from japan (in anime as least)=P --> initial D style~

    Sun 2007/10/07 00:17:36 JST (ID #58674)
    reply to シャキー's comment
  • Chaos 3L337
    Chaos 3L337 in California (Registered on 2007/09/18)
    CSU student/accountant
    http://rantingsofadiehardharuhiist.blogspot.com/

    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.

    Sun 2007/10/07 01:00:12 JST (ID #58678)
    reply to Chaos 3L337's comment
  • Starboykb
    Starboykb in Brunei Earth (Registered on 2007/05/15)
    IT TechGuy
    http://starboykb.blogspot.com

    OMG, I wonder if the driving tutor will teach you how to park that close!

    Sun 2007/10/07 01:11:27 JST (ID #58679)
    reply to Starboykb's comment
  • KyokoHunter
    KyokoHunter in UK (Registered on 2008/06/08)
    Civil Servant
    http://kyokohunter.net/

    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)!

    Sun 2008/06/08 15:26:18 JST (ID #207775)
    reply to KyokoHunter's comment
  • Stefkov
    Stefkov in England (Registered on 2008/06/01)
    http://www.stefkov.com/

    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.

    Thu 2008/06/12 03:44:30 JST (ID #210829)
    reply to Stefkov's comment
  • coffeebugg
    coffeebugg in coherently lucid (Registered on 2008/05/22)
    Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
    http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/

    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.

    Mon 2008/06/23 06:07:10 JST (ID #219821)
    reply to coffeebugg's comment

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