Japanese Car: Made in China?

There is one interesting fact that most of the people already know that the Chinese people don`t like the Japanese people but they love to drive Japanese car. This is why now days many Japanese cars are made in china. You can also found Japan used cars for sale in china easily. According to the recent reports it is made clear that the Chinese car market has out classed American car market this is all due to the Japanese car makers because they shifted their car manufacturing to china. This is because in china you will found lots of facilities that can help you to reduce your cost. Japan used cars for sales are also repaired in china because of the easy availability of spare parts at low cost.

japan used cars for sale

Due to this cheap availability of infrastructure in china many big Japanese companies like Nissan and Honda are looking to shift their car factories to china. There are many other companies that are looking to start up their business in china like Mazda Company that wanted to enter into a joint venture with the local Chinese company. Toyota has already starting building their suspended factory so that they can also get their share from the big Chinese market.

These companies are shifting their businesses to china because they economic, political and social conditions are very much suitable for the business. The Chinese economy has reached double digit mark and is sustaining it and also takes measures to improve it further. The political situation is also very good and there is continuity in the political system, and the overall society is based on strong footings. All these conditions are the basic requirements to run a healthy business so the companies are attracted towards china. One more important thing is that the usage of cars are on the rise in china so the producers do not have to search for the customers through heavy advertisement and their  manufactured products are used in china, so this will help them save money. The Chinese government is also taking different steps to attract new business enterprises to the country by providing them free electricity and subsidized raw material. So these are some of the highlighted points that attract the Japanese car maker to china.

 

Understand the Parking Rule in Japan

Japan is basically running a left hand driving system in its country.There are many travelers who come from South Korea and other countries afraid of driving in japan because they are running a left handed rule in their country. The people must get together with the roads while driving on ordinary roads.Japan is looking for so much safety and enhancement in their parking system that is being improving year by year.Understand the Parking Rule in Japan is a major guide for the users to who to park the cars and feel calm and safe in adopting which suitable way. There are many parks and shopping malls in japan and the owners of these places are trying to embellishment and improving the car park system in terms of good equipment, facilities and so forth. There is a lot of Understand the Parking Rule in Japan because good parking systems enhance and facilitate other people when you park the vehicle.

The owners of the places try to satisfy the peoples to achieve certain quality of standards. There are car parks and facilities and basic structure of the car parking system that use to facilitate the peoples who park the vehicles. The people pick their cars and return to the departure places where they come from. The rules indicate several structures e.g. diagonal strokes (/) that indicate that which items are excluded for important checking.

Japan parking systems allow the number of people to how to get the use of small and tiny land in the crumpled traffic of japan. Japan is installing the equipment’s for those peoples who can read and understand the system easily, for this purpose they are being conducting screening, they installed security camera for the big crowd of parking.

To take understanding of japan parking system you first need to learn the signs that are being used for parking purposes at parking destinations in japan. The people took advantage of the signs and they park the vehicles according to the space availability told to them. There are the signs that indicate the flat cars parking, some indicate that there is a space to park the car; some sign indicates that there are some cars that need to be checked before park. The cars before parking are being checked and then parked in the parking lots etc. This is a basic structure that is being used in japan to park the cars and vehicles.

 

Mitsubishi Pajero vs. Land Cruiser Prado

In the market of four wheel drives, both the Mitsubishi Pajero and The Land Cruiser Prado are close competitors. Whether you opt for a used Mitsubishi Pajero for sale or a second-hand Land Cruiser Prado of Toyota, both the models have to offer power packed performances with a touch of class. The two cars have been providing outstanding quality worldwide over decades. Whether it is a used Land Cruiser Prado or a used Mitsubishi Pajero for sale, both the models offer high performance when it comes to full control over rough driving conditions.

Talking about the comparison of the two, Prado can be termed as more bold and stylish in appearance when compared with the Pajero. This feature came out as an advantage for the Prado as most of the cars manufactured by the Toyota Company have a safer, friendly and characteristics of a special class look. In terms of interior, Mitsubishi Pajero is big and spacious, whereas, the Prado model is less roomy in interior.

The power of the Mitsubishi Pajero is intense and represents stability and can work into 4 x 4 trails in spite of the fact that the road is rough or even. On the other hand, Toyota Prado has capabilities to drive along hilly areas or in conditions tougher than 4 x 4 trails. The similarities in the models are that both the cars have standard features such as motile air bags, stability and traction control plus the ABS-EBD brakes.

Pajero has been considered a bit expensive in terms of money value in comparison to the Prado 4-wheel drive. Fuel efficiency in Pajero and Prado are a bit above than average.

The engine capabilities of a Pajero holds an edge on the Prado, as the Mitsubishi model has a bigger size engine which is equipped with a five speed automatic transmission. This specification also has a disadvantage of resale issues. The drawback of the model is that many Subic converted models which are in running situation, has a problem of resale value which makes the resale of the Prado higher than the latter one.

All in all, both the models are more or less similar to each other and both have efficiency in their performance both on rough and moderate surfaces and therefore, can be considered as the best buy of all time.

Riding the Bus in Japan

Public transportation is an important aspect of city living. Many people actually depend on public transportation to travel to one place to another. A cheap yet sure way to get yourself from you’re your home to your destination would definitely be through riding a bus. In a country such as Japan, the advance living has made it easy for people to travel even without their own personal vehicle.

With convenient arrangement, a first time visitor to Japan would be able to rely on the bus to get to places. But bear in mind that you would be in a foreign country where their ways might seem a tad bit peculiar. Follow the guidelines on how you can travel in Japan with a bus and you would be able to absorb the natural atmosphere of this country.

Japan is an Asian country where English is rarely used as a first language therefore it would most definitely be helpful for you to learn basic Japanese language and how to converse with a local. To avoid any confusions or misunderstandings, you would need to equip yourself with the rudimentary phrases for asking directions in simple language to assist you in getting on with your journey.

Compared to the price of taking the train, the bus is much cheaper, with the assurance that you do know the route you should be taking. In any case of taking the wrong bus, you might end up at a wrong city which would lead to more confusion. Go to the bus hub and ask for the directions with the routes that a bus takes or you can visit the official website for the public transport in Japan and find out the bus route and fares.

A first time traveller to Japan should always plan your trip in detail with the help of your travel agent, as this would actually give you a clearer idea on how to plan for your trip and the places you would be able to visit. Your travel agent might be able to help you to book tickets in advance as well as suggest you ways to travel to the destination of your choice. If you are already in japan, inquire the front desk of your hotel for details on bus terminals and the easiest route to take for your travel.

 

Shopping with a Japanese Used Car Dealership

Used car dealers are all over Japan and when it comes to buying Japan used cars, they may be your best bet. There are many reputable Japanese used car dealerships around. Your family and friends may even have a few that they may recommend. You can also look online for the used car dealerships with the best reviews as well.


One great thing about purchasing a used Japanese vehicle from a used car dealer in Japan is you get to see the vehicle face to face. Being able to see it face to face will give you the opportunity to see any issues it may have. You will also be able to take it for a test drive to see how well it runs. Being able to do both of these things should make it so you don’t end up purchasing a lemon that will ultimately end up costing double the value of the vehicle in repairs.

Another good thing about going to a used car dealership to purchase your used vehicle is you can take  a look at the maintenance report. This will tell you what maintenance and repairs have been done to the vehicle. If not much has been done, you would be better off looking for something else. A vehicle that has not been well-maintained can end up costing you quite a bit of money in repairs.

So, when you’re shopping for a Japanese used car, going through a dealership would probably be best. Seeing it face to face gives you the opportunity to ensure there is nothing wrong with it. You can also be certain it runs well and has been maintained well over the years by its previous owners. As you can see, purchasing a used vehicle from a used car dealer in Japan certainly has its benefits.

Driving a Land Cruiser in Tokyo – the good and the bad

Toyota is the manufacturer of Land Cruiser vehicle models and in this age of technological development and innovation, they have kept on improving on their productions by adopting the latest technologies to meet the requirements of their customers in the Japan and the other parts of the world.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Driving a land Cruiser in Tokyo has its merits and demerits and this article is going to outline them for better understanding and gain information on how to get total satisfaction with the brand. Driving rules in Tokyo are as per the international standards and most drivers must be of the required ager of 18 years and above. This has made it possible for even foreigners to be conversant with the driving rules because the road signs are placed in English and Japanese languages.

Owning a Land cruiser is not that very costly in Tokyo since the manufactures Toyota are based in the country and they are also used vehicles available, the only challenge is for upkeep and repairs when needed, the company has dealers who assist in rendering the service.

Another benefit of driving a Land Cruiser in Tokyo is that one is able to reach from point A to point B with ease compared with using the railway systems which have their schedules. Furthermore it reduces time wastage through waiting and queues.

The prestige of owning a car makes a statement to the community where one lives and there is craze for Land Cruisers in Tokyo as owners can drive on the countryside and view the sceneries and enjoy the pleasure that comes with owning the automobile. The car comes with comfort and music systems and they can listen to a song of their choice while driving.

The bad side of driving a Land Cruiser is because of the large population, there are long traffic jams that can make one waste time on the roads. There is also the impact of pollution from the vehicles that has adversely affected Tokyo city.

The cars also have its high operating costs for instance the fuel prices have gone up worldwide and this has affected the motor vehicle industry and the consumers feels the pinch of it, as much as they have access to Land Cruiser’s accessories and spare parts the cost of maintenance is high and only the high end users can afford that. You also have to pay for the vehicle taxes, Tokyo city charges high parking fees and expensive highway toll charges, including expensive insurance premiums.

Photo: Car Rental

The cost of transportation in Japan

Train station in JapanJapan has an efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between the large cities. Japanese public transportation is characterized by its punctuality, its superb service, and the large crowds of people using it. Whether you are taking a Japanese bus, car, taxi, or train, the network of transport is so grand that you will be able to reach any part of Japan with ease.

Japanese Limousine Bus is convenient for tourists as it stops right in front of most major hotels. It takes about 90 min from Narita to Tokyo and costs 3000 yen.

Train is the cheapest solution and possibly the quickest, depending on the destination. There    are several lines going to Tokyo. One should check which is the nearest station to the destination and work out backward which way is the most convenient for the individual. For example, during going to Shinjuku Station, the traveller can take the Keisei line from Narita to Nippori, then change to JR Yamanote to Shinjuku; or take to same Keisei line, but the changing at Hachiman to the Toei Shinjuku line can save 10min and 50 yen.

Taxi is the most expensive alternative. Count at least 15,000-20,000 yen to central Tokyo.

If the traveler  has more time than money, the “seishun 18 kippu” is by far the cheapest solution. One ticket cost 2300 yen and gives unlimited travel inside Japan for one day. It has to be bought by set of five tickets, which can be shared with other people and used in consecutive or unconsecutive days. There are however two major drawbacks – otherwise, everybody would be using this ticket. The first one is that only local or ordinary trains can be used (no shinkansen, no limited-express…), which means it takes nine hours from Tokyo to Kyoto, instead of about three hours by Shinkansen. The second is that this ticket can only be purchased and used during three fixed periods about forty days of the years which coincide with academic holidays. This is the most travelled route in Japan, as well by tourists as by business people. As a Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket cost about 12,000 yen one-way, it remains expensive. Night buses are cheaper, and price vary greatly from one company to another. “JR” has the most expensive, but also the most frequent and possibly most confortable buses. If the traveller is looking for good deals can try to take a special package tour named orion tour, which has night buses running from Yokohama, Shinjuku or Tokyo station to Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe for 5000 yen one-way. It is very convenient for people who are planning to travel long distances around Japan, but remains too expensive (28,300 yen for the cheapest one) for those only visiting the Kanto or Kansai regions.

Image Source

Sightseeing Tour of Yokohama

If you have never been to Yokohama before and want to hit several of the major tourist attractions in one go, but don’t want to risk getting lost while wandering around by yourself, then perhaps a tour offered by Yokohama Bayside Line, would be the option for you.

yokohama, japanThe tour lasts just over six and a half hours (10:00-16:40) If you are staying at a hotel nearby there may be a option for you to be picked up and taken to the station prior to the tour beginning.

The tour departs form the east exit of Yokohama station. You will drive across the Yokohama Bay Bridge, stopping briefly to enjoy the view, then you are off to the Landmark Tower, the observation floor called the “Sky Garden” The view from here is absolutely breathtaking, after taking in the view you can wander round the Landmark Plaza and do some shopping if the mood takes you.

Next stop is Chinatown to have lunch and take advantage of some free time to explore.

After your Chinatown adventure comes the triple wammy of Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery, Port Hill Park and the Yamate Western-style Houses.

A quick stop off at Yamashita park and the Red Brick Warehouse follows, then its back to the station. Either your tour concludes here or if you booked beforehand you head off to join the Yokohama port cruise on board the “Marine Rouge” for an hour long trip around the bay.

A fairly busy day all in all, and a great introduction, to one of Japan’s best cities.

If you are looking to stay in Yokohama for more than a short vacation, might I suggest you have a look at these Yokohama guesthouse in the area.

Source: http://www.yokohama-bus.jp/baysideline/en/1day.html

Picture Source: http://muza-chan.net/aj/poze-weblog/yokohama-landmark-tower-view-15-big.jpg

No Run-Around When Using Taxis In Japan

Although it may be easier as well as cheaper to take a bus or train, there are bound to be certain routes whereby taxis are the sole option. In such circumstances, it is ideal to check with the local tourist information center on expected fare so as not to be “taken for a ride”, pun intended. By abiding to some basic guidelines on using taxis in Japan, one’s vacation or business trip should not become a party story.

Group travelers obviously benefit with this mode of transport as charges are in accordance to distance and duration traveled as well as time of day. Depending on vehicle size, it should fit an average group nicely in terms of space and costs. If the group prefers wheels to heels for nearby destinations, taxis are also an excellent means to an end. Bulky or heavy luggage also becomes a deterrent for travel on mass transit systems. The thought of pushing and shoving in a crowded train or bus during peak hours brings a shiver to the steadiest of souls.

Despite significant improvements in bridging the communication gap, language barriers are still apparent. Hand signals and facial expressions normally draw a blank from a non-English conversant party. Hence, many hotels provide a business card for their international guests. Printed with name of location, address and contact number, this eases any concerns with using taxis in Japan.

As Japan is riddled with the latest gizmos, taxis are not spared some special treatment. Passenger doors may automatically open and close as per the driver’s control. Payments are accepted via credit cards with a receipt generated upon request. Although touting and rogue taxis are practically non-existent, it is best to check its license to ensure the legitimacy of the car. In spite of great technological advances, Japan still bears a trademark of a culture with a strong background in traditions and customs. Courtesy and respect reign high as the bowing tradition lives on in a cab driver bidding thanks and farewell to his passengers.

Transportation in Japan

In Japan, the public transportation network is well developed, especially in metropolitan areas in Tokyo and between large cities. Japanese public transportation is famous for its frequent, efficient and punctual services. If you travel around central Tokyo, trains, buses and taxis are very convenient.

Trains and subways

In metro Tokyo and the suburb areas, there are 5 to 6 major JR (Japan Railways) train lines, about 9 other train lines and around 13 subway lines covering the metropolitan area like a spider web. The Yamanote line is one of the most important lines in central Tokyo. It is a circular line connecting the major city centers. A trip around the Yamanote line takes approximately one hour. Fares range from 150 to 300 yen. The tickets can be purchased on ticket machines. Prepaid IC cards are very handy as you can go almost everywhere without buying another ticket when transferring. At the rush hour between 8am–9 am on weekday mornings, the trains are packed by commuters in particular areas. You can see train staff pushing the overflowing passengers into the train to get the door closed.

Shin-kansen

The Shinkansen, known widely as the “bullet train”, connects Tokyo with most of the major cities on the main island. You can travel from Tokyo to Osaka in two and a half hours.

Buses

The local bus network is also well developed. When you get on a bus, take a number ticket. The number on the ticket indicates the stop where you boarded, and the fare will be determined according to the number. Pay the fare with the number ticket when getting off. When you want to get off, press a button on the wall or ceiling to let the driver know.

Taxis

Generally, taxies are thought to be expensive. You can find taxies everywhere in big city centers as well as at airports, stations and hotels. Raise your hand to an empty taxi – these are cars with a red light reading “vacant.” A fare will be added to the basic charge ranging from 500 to 600 yen according to the distance.

Sources: Japan-Guide.com, Transport in Japan