@boxcarblue - Much Love!! This was really a fascinating post.. I had no idea that in Japan this was common practice - and as you stated, it makes much sense.. How many fender benders occur in parking lots in the United States?? Too many!! The pics of all the cars backed into spots just looks so much more organized and efficient for parking at companies, shopping areas, or any large lot - less time walking to the door and simply more efficient..
Are there any other Japanese oddities that you can think of.. I have a feeling there are more :)
There are an endless amount of things that seem like oddities to us. I try to list some later. I've actually got to pull out of a parking space now.
Sounds Good!! And that last thing was hilarious!! I have the feeling you were telling the truth too :) Maybe try and come up with your top 3 Driving Oddities in Japan..
I was literally leaving my parking space outside of work.
Here are some differences:
Driving on the left side of the road.
Having two-way streets that are the width of a one-lane street.
Having electric poles built into the shoulders of the road so that sometimes you have to stop to avoid hitting them.
Triangular stop signs.
Not having the right of way at an intersection when you arrive at it first if you are making a far turn.
Needing to use mirrors that are posted on walls and electric poles to see around corners before pulling out from intersections.
Using your hazards as a thank you sign to other drivers.
But oddest of all is the driver's test. It's done on a closed driving course. You don't need to parallel park or do a k-turn. You have to maintain a distance of about 30 cm from the white line on the shoulder of the road. And you have to do a number of little things like look under your car before you get in it if you want to pass the test.
@boxcarblue
Thanks so much for the long list of differences in driving habits, unwritten rules, general country rules, and cultural habits..
By the way I apologize for using the word "oddities" in my original comment - a driving oddity in retrospect is more along the lines of something weird like driving to work in 'drive' and returning from work driving in 'reverse' --
Driving differences is what I should have said...
There are certainly a few differences that would benefit the United States society as a whole if they adopted some of the differences you mentioned.
I particularly liked the idea of people using their hazard lights to thank other drivers.. It seems to me that not only the intended driver but all drivers in the vicinity would likely notice the 'thank you' -- positivity shown and seen by more drivers overall - instead of a quick wave often missed seems like it may have an amazing effect.
Intrigued by having to look under your car before getting into it - what's that all about? A car safety precaution? A car bomb precaution? Or a humanitarian effort to prevent driving with an animal, child, or insect hiding under your car and possibly hurting them.
Lastly - Who has the right of way at an intersection? The larger vehicle, more expensive vehicle, or the vehicle with the more aggressive driver behind the wheel ?? Or none of the above...
Ok the real last question - which deals with the main premise of the post - backing into parking spaces -- are most cars in Japan now equipped with the self parking feature not just for parallel parking but backing in parking..
I'm really looking forward to reading more of your posts about the societal differences and practices between Japan and the U.S. -
Using the word oddities was fine. I didn't find it offensive. I think the reason for looking under your car at the driver's test is, as you guessed, to check for animals, children, etc. it's a safety precaution.
I'm pretty sure the right of way goes to the person either making the near turn or going straight. Aggressive driving can get you the win as well.
Regarding the automatic parking, I don't know how prevalent that is. Most cars do have a camera that activates when you put the car in reverse so you can see behind your car as you back up.
Driving is always interesting to me.i always enjoyed a lot when drive.i always drive with top speed.@boxcarblue what is your top speed?
I drive a tall K-car, so if I go over 130 km/h I get rattled all over the road. When I was younger, I think I drove 120 or 130 mph a time or two. I could be wrong though. It was a long time ago.
Thanks for your kind information
Any time.
A lot of things are odd. Some in a bad way, some in a good way. But when I compare Japan and US on the topic of "works orderly and reliably" without any knowledge, then my money is always on the Japanese. Of course that orderly also puts a lot of pressure on your behaviour, which again is sometimes good, sometimes bad.
Having lived here for so long now, I don't really look at things as good, bad, or odd, just different from what I was once accustomed to. The way over here produces results that are very beneficial to a lot of people in society, but you're right, they can and do take their toll on people.