The perennial debate over whether you need a car in Tokyo has flared up again on 5ch. Many argue cars are unnecessary, citing steep parking fees and better value from taxis and rental cars, while others — especially those living outside the Yamanote Line loop or raising kids — insist cars are essential. The thread escalated into an argument over an image showing car ownership rates in Suginami Ward.
There's no way it's simply "better to have one" or "better not to." Even in Tokyo there are tons of places where the trains are inconvenient with annoying transfers — if anything, the more urban you are, the more you appreciate having a car.
Do those two things really add up to "necessary"?
Fine if you've got money to spare, but if you're broke you're better off spending it elsewhere.
Why bother buying something you can get by without anyway?
Once Tesla self-driving gets approved, poor Tokyoites are all going to live in their Teslas instead of paying rent. Calling it now — electricity, bottled water, and public bathhouse fees for a Tesla-dwelling lifestyle would be cheaper than rent and utilities.
Looking around at my friends, I don't know a single family living in Tokyo without a car. There's stuff like driving the grandparents to the hospital too.
If you ignore the purchase price and upkeep costs, sure, having one is better.
There's traffic congestion, so doesn't that mean a lot of people actually own cars after all?
Even just factoring in parking fees, calling a taxi when you need one works out cheaper.
Unlike the countryside, a lot of places don't even have parking, and where it exists it's expensive. If you're wealthy that doesn't matter, but for ordinary folks, a car isn't necessary.
It's more like "nice to have" than "necessary." I own one, but I only drive it about 3 times a month.
>>24
If you're not using it for work, of course you're not driving it every day.
If you're not using it for work, of course you're not driving it every day.
Outside the Yamanote Line, a lot of areas just have train lines radiating outward, so it's better to have a car. It's only pathetic bottom-feeders whose whole world is the area right around the station who insist cars are totally unnecessary. Big-box stores along the main roads away from the stations blow train-side shops away on both selection and price.
People with money to spare own cars at a high rate. Households with kids also have higher ownership rates. The people saying they don't need one are broke, family-less, lonely types.
>>39
Please go ahead and keep that prejudice for the rest of your life. I'm not foolish enough to blow money on something I don't need just to keep up appearances.
Please go ahead and keep that prejudice for the rest of your life. I'm not foolish enough to blow money on something I don't need just to keep up appearances.
It's not prejudice, it's just how reality is. The truth is you want a car but can't afford to maintain one.
Yeah, rich people really do own cars lol. Surprised my own Suginami Ward is this low. 
>>71
That image is basically the answer. Come on, "necessary" camp, give your take on this.
That image is basically the answer. Come on, "necessary" camp, give your take on this.
>>103
Like it says in >>71, car ownership rates around there are actually low.
Like it says in >>71, car ownership rates around there are actually low.
Having a car is definitely convenient. The people saying they don't need one just can't afford to own one.
>>76
Does "gets in the way and costs money to maintain" also count as "convenient"?
Does "gets in the way and costs money to maintain" also count as "convenient"?
Poor guy: "Renting a car when you need one beats owning — way better value." Me: "A broke guy who can't even afford to own a car isn't casually renting one either, you idiot."
>>83
Factor in the purchase price and upkeep, and rental cars or taxis work out cheaper.
Factor in the purchase price and upkeep, and rental cars or taxis work out cheaper.
Just use whichever is more convenient at the time, car or train. Why are broke people so hostile toward cars anyway?
>>91
It's always the "cars are necessary" camp that starts this fight every time.
It's always the "cars are necessary" camp that starts this fight every time.
At Toyosu and Kiba where I do my daily shopping — everyone gets 2 hours free, app/credit-card members get several more hours (doubled on weekends), and spending ¥1,000-2,000 gets you another 1-2 hours on top. I never stay for hours on end, so I basically never end up paying for parking.
Toyosu's packed with high-rise condos, so parking's probably ridiculously expensive there too.
>>109
The high-rises are only in the redeveloped area right by the station — cross one canal and it's regular condos. The LaLaport parking lot (especially underground) is packed with luxury cars though, makes me nervous parking next to one.
The high-rises are only in the redeveloped area right by the station — cross one canal and it's regular condos. The LaLaport parking lot (especially underground) is packed with luxury cars though, makes me nervous parking next to one.
Poor guy: "Factor in the purchase price and upkeep, and rental cars or taxis are cheaper." Me: "A broke guy who has to worry about a car's purchase price and upkeep isn't casually affording rental cars or taxis either, you idiot."
>>129
"Fine either way" and "absolutely don't need it" — can you tell the difference? lol
"Fine either way" and "absolutely don't need it" — can you tell the difference? lol
Is the whole of Tokyo a fancy upscale neighborhood or something? Explain why that's the standard you're using.
This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Hello! Project) thread “You often see this debate about whether you need a car in Tokyo.”
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