Bicycles are very common in Japan. Some people use it as part of their daily commute while others are enthusiasts and love riding as a hobby. Having a bicycle in Japan can be convenient, but the process of buying and riding a bicycle is not so simple in Japan.
There's a whole process of registering your bicycle before getting on the road and a lot of unclear rules and parking laws once you start riding.
In this guide, we'll break down the process so that you can quickly register your bike and be aware of the bicycle laws in Japan.
Buying a Bicycle
There are many different ways to buying a bicycle in Japan. You can usually find bicycles at a department store or individual shops throughout. You can also find them in online shops such as Rakuten or Amazon, where they sell a wide variety.
Types of Bicycles
All bikes are not made the same and there are different kinds of bicycles that are made to be used in different ways. Here are some types of bicycles in Japan and its uses.
Mamachari - The icon of city bikes. These bikes are equipped with a basket, comfortable seat, and are usually one of the cheaper options. They're designed for daily commutes and errands to the local grocery store. Mamachari usually comes with low number of gears, so they may not be suitable for hills and long rides.
Cross bike - Cross bikes are one of the more versatile bikes and can be used for anything. Cross bikes come with a light frame and thin wheels for faster speeds. They don't come with a basket but come with high gears for hill climbing and longer distance. They're usually more expensive than mamachari, but definitely a good choice.
Mountain bike - Mountain bikes are similar to cross bikes where they have versatile use. However, they come with a bulkier frame and wider tires for more grip, so they can be used in various terrains but not made for the city.
Folding bike - Last but not least, there's the folding bike. Folding bikes are also designed for everyday use and are fairly cheap as well. As the name implies, they're fold-able and can be transported by car or train. However, they're one size fits all, so it may not fit bigger people depending on the model.
Registering your Bicycle
Once you purchase a bicycle, you have to first register it with with local police station before being able to legally ride it.
New Bicycle
If you buy a new bicycle directly from a store, you can complete the process then and there. If you buy it online, then you can bring your bicycle to any bike shop or supermarkets with a sign saying "自転車防犯登録所".
Here is a list of what you need to bring:
- Bicycle to register
- Government ID (residents card)
- 500 yen
- receipt or proof of purchase (store name, product name, body number clearly stated)
Once you complete the form, you'll get a registration number which you can stick onto your bicycle.
Used Bicycle
If you're purchasing a used bicycle, the process is slightly different. Since the bike had a previous owner, you need to switch ownership. This can be done either by presenting the previous owner's registration form or filling out a transfer certificate form.
Here is a list of what you need to bring:
- Bicycle to register
- Government ID (residents card)
- 500 yen
- Previous owner's registration form or filled out transfer certificate form
The transfer certificate form can be downloaded here.
Deregistering Your Bicycle
Likewise, if you're on the opposite end and want to deregister your bicycle to sell, you can simply do so at a bicycle shop with no extra cost.
Here are the items you need:
- Bicycle
- ID
- Registration Card
If you misplaced your registration card, you can instead confirm the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Registration number
- Product number
Other Required Items
On top of registering your bicycle, these are some items you may need by law or for your own protection.
Headlight and Reflector
By law, bicycles are required to use a headlight and have a reflector when riding at night. The police often approach those riding without a headlight so make sure that your bike has one! You can get cheap ones from a bike shop or from Amazon.
Bicycle Bell
Having a bicycle bell is technically a requirement, but it's not as enforced as the headlights and reflector.
Helmet
Although optional for adults, children under the age of 13 are required to put on a helmet when riding.
Bike Lock
Although bike theft is rare in Japan, it can be a good idea to have an external lock for your bike.
Umbrella Holder
Technically, holding an umbrella while riding a bike is not allowed, but you may notice many people doing so, especially with Japan's frequent rainfall. If you want to be safe, you can invest in an umbrella holder so you can ride with two hands even when its raining.
Rules on the Road
Although you don't need a driver's license to ride a bicycle, there are still rules on the road for bicycles as well. Some of these rules are heavily enforced while others are not.
- Riding on the road or sidewalk? - By law, you're supposed to ride on the road unless there's a sign or a situation that forces you to use the sidewalk. Keep in mind that any collision with a pedestrian is always the fault of the bicycle.
- Keeping left on the road - You should always stay left of the road with a bicycle in order to avoid putting yourself in any danger.
- Stopping at a stop sign or railroad tracks - Stop once before continuing at these places, even if there's no other cars or trains.
- No bikes on the train - Unless the bicycle is a fold-able bike, it's not allowed on the train.
- No devices or earphones - Avoid using devices or listening to earphones while riding a bicycle.
- No alcohol - Just like cars, it's illegal to ride a bicycle while intoxicated.
- No passengers on the bicycle - You are only allowed to ride with passengers under the age of 6 with a child seat and seat belt.
- Do not ride in prohibited areas or times - There are certain areas where vehicles are not allowed and near school zones where bicycles are not allowed at certain times.
Parking Rules
Where NOT to Park your Bicycle
Here is a list of areas where you're not allowed to park your bicycle.
- Areas with a sign that says "駐輪禁止" (no bicycle parking).
- Busy areas or intersections.
- Areas where vehicles are not allowed.
- Private residential area unless its your own.
Parking in Parking Lots
Parking lots (駐輪場) are the safest places to park, but it can be confusing and while there are some free parking lots in rural areas, most lots in big cities often require payment, especially if it's near a big station.
Even then, the payment isn't too expensive and can be a good substitution for riding the train.
There are different types of payment depending on the length of use:
- 当日利用 - Same day use. These can be paid hourly or daily.
- 定期利用 - Subscription-based use. This is for people who commute by bicycle. They're often sold in 1,3,6, or 12 months at a time.
Other Places to Park
- Residential parking - The building or house that you're visiting might have a bicycle parking area.
- Supermarkets and convenience stores - The bicycle parking in these places are only for those customers, but some people tend to just park there, especially if there's a lot of bicycles. There's a risk of getting a ticket so park at your own risk.
- Places without the "no parking" sign - In places like rails on the street where there is no "no parking" sign, it may seem like you can park there, but you also run the risk of getting a ticket.
What to do when my bike gets towed?
If you parked somewhere you're not supposed to and your bike is missing, it may have been towed and taken to "bike jail". Here are the steps to get your bike back.
1. Find Out Which Bike Jail
Check for any indication near where you parked. If there's no sign showing which towing center, you can search online. Type in Google "撤去された自転車の回収" along with the station name or ward name and it'll usually be the first page that pops up.
Once you find out where it's located, make a call to confirm that your bicycle is there. Keep in mind that most bike jails operate on weekends but there are some that don't, so you may have to take some time off work or school in order to go on a weekday.
2. Bring Necessary Items
Once you find out where your bicycle is and you make the trip, don't forget to bring the required items.
- Bicycle key
- ID to prove your ownership
- Money for the fee
Keep in mind that you get charged every 30 days that it's kept there, so it's best to get your bicycle back within the first month.
Maintaining your Bicycle
In order to maintain the longevity of your bicycle, its important to keep your tires pumped at all times. You can stop by any bike shop or police box to pump your tires for free. In addition, some bike shops may also offer to fix up any small punctures for free.
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