Parking in Japan

[Pyroxene]

I will be visiting Hokkaido, Japan next week and will be renting a car in the latter half of my trip.

I have planned that almost all my itinerary is such that I park in places that are free-parking areas. However, my visit to Otaru does not allow that.

From Google Maps I see that there are dozens of street-side parking options available. I see also that there are those machine things which presumably are for the purpose for making payment.

Anyone here can enlighten me if I require any special card to make payment (analogus to SG's cashcard) or will cash payment be possible? Also how do I actually park in those lots? I see that there is some central board thing that locks the car in place, presumably to prevent non-payment of the parking fee (since there is no gantry like in SG)? Does it activate automatically and deactive when I make payment?

 

[oceanicmanta]

I would say all parking accept cash payment (ie not like SG's cash card system), with change given.

for those with under-car lock, u park the car (I believe the lock is auto activated), take note of the lot number. To leave, make payment at the machine, the lock will be lowered for a few minutes after payment to give you time to drive off.

 

[Pyroxene]

Thanks!!!!

 

[purpleberry]

Otaru parking can be quite a headache if you come at peak hours. I parked mine unintentionally for free at a fast food place next to the music box museum. Can't remember the name. Not ideal but they are closed anyway in the afternoons

 

[VD]

We used an open air carpark a short walk from the music box museum and use cash to pay. do a search on googlemap to find the various parking around the place.