How to Use Coin Parking in Japan (Reading the Fee Signs)
Street parking is strictly enforced in Japan, so in towns you’ll mostly use coin parking. There are two main types: lock plate and gate.
Lock plate type (a plate rises under the car)
- Park in a free space. After a few minutes a plate (ロック板) rises under the wheels.
- Remember the space number (on the ground or in front).
- When leaving, enter the space number at the pay machine (精算機) and pay.
- Leave within a few minutes after the plate lowers, or it may rise again.
Gate type (with a barrier)
- Take a ticket at the entrance.
- Before leaving, pay at the pay machine with the ticket, or pay at the exit machine.
- Drive out when the barrier opens.
Reading the fee sign
- 20分 200円
- ¥200 per 20 minutes
- 最大料金
- Maximum charge (cap)
- 入庫後24時間 最大
- Cap for 24 hours after entry
- 当日 / 24時まで
- Only until midnight that day
- 繰り返し適用
- Cap applies repeatedly (each 24 hours)
- 昼間 / 夜間 (8:00-20:00 etc.)
- Daytime / nighttime rates
- 満 / 空
- Full / spaces available
Caps often come with conditions (time windows, same day only). Read the small print for long stays.
Payment
Many machines still take only cash (coins and ¥1,000 bills); some can’t take ¥10,000 bills, so carry change. More now accept credit cards and IC transit cards. There is often a separate receipt (領収書) button.