An observation about Japan

This car, a Honda (a Fit perhaps), is owned by the neighbor who lives two doors down from where we were. I watched the woman park this car. As you can see, there's maybe two inches between the wall and the back bumper! We saw car after car parked like this. In fact, at one house down the street, the parking space had two cars and a mini-van! And they all fit perfectly.



This is the street where we lived for three weeks. The house was at the very end of the street on two lots, so it was a huge one by Japanese standards. But as you can see, it's a very narrow street. Everyone backed up into the street to park in front of the house. Amazing.




Space is at a premium in Japan.

You ought to see the parking garages!

You pull your car into the garage. Get out. Then with a push of a button the parking lot attendant will send your car on a carousel-like contraption.

After shopping, going to the theater or dinner, you go back to the garage, give the attendant your ticket and he pushes a button retrieving your car.

It's amazing.

If you have a car, you must have a parking space or garage at your house.

Sound simple?

It's not.

I was constantly amazed at the parking prowess of the drivers in Japan.

Parking spaces just big enough for cars are normal.

Many streets are also very, very narrow. Some of them are just wide enough for one car.

It was scary for Cheryl, who would squeal in terror with her hands over her eyes. The driver, usually Mariko, would just laugh.

Cars are one thing. Bus drivers are very, very skilled. They navigate these narrow streets as if they were wide highways.

Ken-chan was always asking I wanted to drive.

NO!

You be the judge.