2aguy
Diamond Member
- Jul 19, 2014
- 111,953
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Saddle Up: Getting a Bicycle in Japan
Today I want to share info with you how one goes about acquiring a bike in Japan, making it roadworthy and ensuring full compliance with the laws of the land. It’s probably not as simple here as it may be in your home country. It’s often said that the Japanese have rules upon rules for everything — and cycling is no different. It’s not as simple as just buying a bike and pedaling it.
Indeed, as we lay out in our Japan 101 section: Japanese cycling laws are stringent. Much more so than those I was used to back in Scotland, probably because bike use is far more common here.
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Here in Japan, bike registration is a legal requirement and failure to produce documentation proving ownership when asked to do so by police can incur a penalty. This could be either a fine or your bike could be impounded.
The process for registering your bike varies depending on how you acquired it.
For new bicycles
Once you buy your new bike, you will need to apply for a certificate of registration, known in Japanese as a jitensha bouhan touroku.
You basically fill out a form detailing where you bought the bike, your contact details and the registration number of the bicycle itself.
If you buy your bike in a shop then the staff will help you with this. They will also pass the info onto the police for filing.
If you bought your bike online, then you’ll need to complete the form yourself in person at your local police station. The officers on duty should be familiar with this and they will be happy to help you. Remember to bring along proof of purchase too.
Once you file the document, you pay ¥500 and receive a sticker to put onto the frame of your bike. This sticker will have a unique number and acts in many ways the same a registration plate on a car.
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For used bicycles
If you’re as lucky as I was and someone nearby will give you a bike or sell it cheaply, then you need to complete a two-stage process.
First, you need to complete the jitensha bouhan touroku, or registration form, as stated above. Secondly, the person who previously possessed the bike will need to complete a change of bicycle ownership form.
The best option is probably for both of you to go to your local koban (police box) and ask the officer there to talk you through the process and complete it there.
Saddle Up: Getting a Bicycle in Japan
Today I want to share info with you how one goes about acquiring a bike in Japan, making it roadworthy and ensuring full compliance with the laws of the land. It’s probably not as simple here as it may be in your home country. It’s often said that the Japanese have rules upon rules for everything — and cycling is no different. It’s not as simple as just buying a bike and pedaling it.
Indeed, as we lay out in our Japan 101 section: Japanese cycling laws are stringent. Much more so than those I was used to back in Scotland, probably because bike use is far more common here.
-------
Here in Japan, bike registration is a legal requirement and failure to produce documentation proving ownership when asked to do so by police can incur a penalty. This could be either a fine or your bike could be impounded.
The process for registering your bike varies depending on how you acquired it.
For new bicycles
Once you buy your new bike, you will need to apply for a certificate of registration, known in Japanese as a jitensha bouhan touroku.
You basically fill out a form detailing where you bought the bike, your contact details and the registration number of the bicycle itself.
If you buy your bike in a shop then the staff will help you with this. They will also pass the info onto the police for filing.
If you bought your bike online, then you’ll need to complete the form yourself in person at your local police station. The officers on duty should be familiar with this and they will be happy to help you. Remember to bring along proof of purchase too.
Once you file the document, you pay ¥500 and receive a sticker to put onto the frame of your bike. This sticker will have a unique number and acts in many ways the same a registration plate on a car.
-------
For used bicycles
If you’re as lucky as I was and someone nearby will give you a bike or sell it cheaply, then you need to complete a two-stage process.
First, you need to complete the jitensha bouhan touroku, or registration form, as stated above. Secondly, the person who previously possessed the bike will need to complete a change of bicycle ownership form.
The best option is probably for both of you to go to your local koban (police box) and ask the officer there to talk you through the process and complete it there.
