Hi everyone,
I’ve just given birth to two adorable little babies, and was wondering if it’s worth buying a car to travel around Tokyo?
I’m mainly worried about traveling via public transport and having to use a double stroller.
Any kind advice is welcome!
19 comments
I would certainly recommend a car. Also congratulations!
Where in Tokyo do you live?
Machida is very different from Shibuya.
First few years it is very helpful getting places and although not essential, I recommend. As they get older and walk, the cost-performance gets gradually worse (assuming you have decent transport links) – we switched to car sharing for occasional weekend adventures/big-box shopping
This was quite a while ago, so things might have changed. Didn’t have twins, but have three kids and found that most double strollers that are horizontal (one kid in front of the other) are very unwieldy and many side by side strollers are too wide for most train ticket booths, but the McLaren side by side fit and was much more maneuverable than most strollers…. They fold up pretty small, last forever and was able to use mclaren strollers from infant through to the end of needing a stroller.
Congrats with the twins!
Traveling with a single stroller is tough enough. It’s not traveling on the train which is the bad part, it’s doing transfers and finding accessible entry and exits.
Having a car will make traveling much easier
Do you have a parking space? We’ve managed without a car; whenever we need one we just rent via car share for an hour or day or whatever.
Double stroller stacked front to back not side to side works great btw. Not much bigger than a single kid stroller.
Congratulations!!
Having a car in Koto ward is a bit… marginal?
However, if you moved to Funabashi, you’d certainly have a car lifestyle.
On the other hand, anywhere close to Yamamoto line is public transport zone.
Side by side stroller (perhaps) won’t fit though the gates; one behind another may be a better way to go. And yet I have seen side by side on the train too. Best to ask a baby store
A lot comes down to your finances. Having a car will make getting around with kids a far more comfortable experience, as long as you can afford the cost of the car, parking, insurance, shaken, taxes, etc.
If having a car is going to put a strain on your finances then it will be a source of stress & worry for you and you might be better off dealing with public transport.
Assuming money is ok –
I love using a car with my kid.
Whenever we visit the in laws we use their car.
It’s temperature controlled, I can carry absolutely anything we might need , everything is on my schedule (traffic allowing ), plus kid loves sleeping in the car.
It’s a stress saver. Something which could potentially be stressful becomes less stressful.
Can you get one of those strollers that have the kids in front of one another instead of across?
Parking in Tokyo is such a bitch, you’d have to be looking up parking places before going and then getting frustrated and deciding not going at all.
Assume you probably don’t pay for a parking spot for a long time, too. Might as well save the money for a car for the kids and rent a car when necessary, it will probably turn out cheaper over time.
Also, I have three kids, so it is different than two ones of the same age, but sometimes just getting everyone ready to get out the door is exhausting, and just the prep to leave with all the kids makes me want to stay at home instead haha.
It’s a luxury. We have one, but part of that is because my MIL lives in Saitama and we drive out there. If you are only going to drive within the 23-ku, I mean…it’s really not necessary. I’d almost say call a taxi service to pick you up.
Let me give you an example why. We have a MINI. It was like 4M JPY. We’ve got like 7,000 KM on the meter after 5 years. After I think it is 2 or 3 years you need to pay some fee (can’t remember what that’s called). After 6 years or so you’ll end up getting a new battery, it just adds up. You could do a couple thousand taxi rides and do as good or better.
I can imagine twins. We only have one. But our child was in a stroller for like 18 months and then just refused it. I love our car, but something to think about!
Would consider a 3 year term lease or 5
Congratulations!
congrastulations!!
While I can’t help answerring. You just asked the same kind of question I want to ask.
If you have a parking space and can see yourself using a car (probably mainly on the weekends) to go shopping or on day trips, then yes a car gives you extra freedom. But it does depend on where you live. If I lived in central Tokyo I probably wouldn’t buy a car but where I live in Shizuoka a car is a necessity rather than a luxury.
Getting a car in Tokyo costs a lot of money. I would recommend just using a car sharing service.
Don’t be tempted to buy a people carrier / minivan, or whatever they’re called where you’re from. Sounds great for kids, but those things are a nightmare to drive around Tokyo, especially when you inadvertently drive down a narrow street with a 90 degree turn and solid walls on both sides (which happens more frequently than you would like). I was so happy to ditch mine and get a small hybrid.
Life without a car is not life.
Car shares are pretty cheap and depending where you can can be a lot more plentiful than you’d think. I use careco and there’s about 6 minivans within 10 minutes walking distance from my place. I just go grad the car while the wife gets the kids ready, pop in the car seats, and off we go.