Okay – Shaken the joy of owning a car in Japan. But if you do it yourself it's a hell of a lot cheaper.
A quick note – they had English signs and voice instructions which blew me away. All the guys spoke enough English that even with my shitshow Japanese we were able to communicate effectively – they seemed amused as hell at the weird old man. They let you go watch what they're doing and there were signs explaining exactly what to do on a little walkway by the inspection line. This is significantly different than Motorcycle/Regular vehicle which are you're on your own me bucko.
Time – made an appointment for 9-10:30am. I fucked up and went to the wrong office (the inspection center I've been going to in Tama is not the inspection center for "light vehicles" – that Tama inspection center is actually in Fuchu about 30 minutes away). Be careful of this. All total though the time spent there was <30 minutes in and out. I had all the paperwork (continuing inspection request, weight tax, inspection paper) already filled out since I downloaded them and did them on computer. Nothing difficult though the website you make the reservation on has how tos for forms you can fill out.
Unlike the Motorcycle/Regular vehicle the tax stamps were inside the main building (not a separate one). I did not see anywhere close by to purchase insurance but I'd actually shown up early at the other office and bought insurance before they opened. They helped me put the stickers together.
Costs:
Jibaiseki – 17800jpy
Inspection Cost – 2200jpy
Weight Tax – 8800jpy (a little cheaper if your car is newer, mine's old)
Total – 28,800jpy and I was 2h late for work today
by bulldogdiver