You have your Japanese license, the budget is ready, and you walk into a dealership pointing at the car of your dreams. “I will take it!” you say — only for the salesperson to smile and ask: “Great! Do you have your Shako Shoumei (parking space certificate) yet?”
In most countries, buying a car is straightforward: pay and drive away. In Japan, there is an extra step: before you can register a vehicle, you must prove you have a legal place to park it.
This guide walks first-time car buyers and foreign residents in Japan through the entire Shako Shoumei process — what it is, what you need, and how to get it done.
What Is a Shako Shoumei?
Official Name and Purpose
The formal name is Jidosha Hokanbasho Shomeisho (Certificate of Motor Vehicle Storage Location). It is an official document issued by the local police station, proving that a specific vehicle has a designated, legal parking spot.
Why Is It Required?
Japan’s roads are narrow, and overnight street parking can block traffic and emergency vehicles. The Garage Law (Hokanbasho Ho) was enacted to prevent this. Without a Shako Shoumei, the Land Transport Office will not issue license plates — and without plates, you cannot legally drive.
Three Requirements Your Parking Spot Must Meet
1. Distance: Within 2 km of Your Home (Straight Line)
Your parking spot must be within a 2 km straight-line radius of your registered address (Juminhyo address). Note: this is measured as the crow flies, not by road distance.
2. Size: The Entire Vehicle Must Fit
The space must accommodate your vehicle completely, with no part of the car protruding onto the public road.
3. Access: Unobstructed Entry and Exit
The space must connect to a public road, allowing the vehicle to enter and leave without difficulty.
Required Documents
Forms are available free of charge at the police station or can be downloaded from prefectural police websites.
Document 1: Application Form
The main form where you fill in your name, address, vehicle model, chassis number, and dimensions. If you do not have the car details yet, ask the dealer for a vehicle specification sheet and copy the information.
Note: As of April 2025, the form set has been streamlined from four sheets to two.
Document 2: Location Map and Layout Diagram
- Location map (overview): Shows the relative positions of your home and parking spot. Most police stations accept a printed Google Maps screenshot with both locations circled in red and the straight-line distance noted.
- Layout diagram (detail): A floor plan of the parking lot showing your space number, its width and depth in meters, and the width of the adjacent road.
Document 3: Proof of Right to Use the Parking Space
- If you own the land: Fill in a self-declaration form (Jininnsho) and sign it.
- If you rent the space (most people): Ask your landlord or property management company to issue a “Consent to Use Storage Location” form (Hokanbasho Shiyou Shodaku Shoumeisho). Management companies typically charge 2,000-5,000 yen for this, and mailing takes a few days, so request it early.
Document 4: Proof of Address
A Juminhyo (residence certificate) issued within the last three months, or front-and-back copies of your Residence Card (Zairyu Card).
The Application Process
Bring all documents and approximately 2,100 yen in cash to the police station that has jurisdiction over your parking spot’s location (this may differ from the station near your home).
Step 1: Submit Documents and Pay (Day 1)
Visit the “Shako Shoumei” or “Traffic Division” window during business hours (typically 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM, weekdays only). After the initial review, pay the application fee (approximately 2,100 yen; varies by prefecture) and receive a receipt slip with a pickup date.
Over the next 3-7 days, a police officer will visit your parking spot to verify it in person.
Step 2: Pick Up the Certificate (Day 2)
Return on the designated date with your receipt slip and collect the Shako Shoumei certificate. Hand it to your dealer, and they can proceed with license plate registration.
Important update: As of April 1, 2025, the round parking sticker (Hokanbasho Hyoushou) that used to be affixed to the rear window has been abolished. No sticker is issued, and the 500-yen sticker fee no longer applies.
Tips for Foreign Residents
Your Name Must Match Exactly
The name on your application must be identical to the name on your Residence Card and Juminhyo. If your Residence Card reads “ZHANG SAN” in romaji, do not write it in kanji or katakana on the form. When signing your parking lease, ensure the management company uses the same name format as your Residence Card to avoid discrepancies.
Do You Need a Hanko (Seal)?
Since 2021, the official application forms no longer require a seal — a signature is sufficient. However, some management companies still use seals on consent forms, and a correction seal (Teisei-in) is handy if you make a writing error. Bringing a basic personal seal (Mitome-in) is a good precaution.
Kei Cars (Yellow Plates) Follow Different Rules
Vehicles with engines of 660cc or less (kei cars such as the Honda N-BOX or Daihatsu Tanto, which carry yellow plates) do not require a Shako Shoumei before purchase. You buy and register the car first, then submit a “Storage Location Notification” (Hokanbasho Todokede) to the police within 15 days. In less populated areas, even this notification may not be required. Check with your dealer or local police station beforehand.
Moving? You Must Re-Apply
A Shako Shoumei is not permanent. If you move, you are legally required to submit a change notification to the police station in your new jurisdiction within 15 days.
Registering a parking space at a false address (known as “Shako Tobashi”) is a criminal offense. Penalties include fines of up to 200,000 yen for a false filing, and in serious cases, up to 5 years’ imprisonment or 500,000 yen under the False Official Document charge.
Cost Summary
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Approx. 2,100 yen | Varies slightly by prefecture |
| Sticker fee | 0 yen (abolished) | Eliminated April 2025 |
| Consent form issuance | 2,000-5,000 yen | Rental parking only; charged by management company |
| Dealer proxy service | 10,000-30,000 yen | Saved entirely if you apply yourself |
Final Thoughts
The Shako Shoumei process boils down to gathering documents and visiting the police station twice. Do it yourself and the cost is roughly 2,100 yen; have the dealer handle it and you will pay an extra 10,000-30,000 yen. If you can spare two half-days, the savings are well worth the effort.
Buying your first car in Japan can feel intimidating, but the paperwork is simpler than it looks and police staff are generally helpful. Use this guide as your checklist, and you will be on the road in no time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does it take to get a Shako Shoumei?
A. Typically 3-7 business days from submission to collection, due to the on-site inspection by police.
Q. Can I apply if I rent a parking space at my apartment?
A. Yes. Have your management company or landlord issue a “Consent to Use Storage Location” form.
Q. Is a Shako Shoumei needed for used cars too?
A. Yes. Whether new or used, any standard-size vehicle transfer (Iten Touroku) requires one.
Q. Does the certificate expire?
A. It is valid for approximately one month (about 40 days). Complete your vehicle registration at the Land Transport Office within that period.
Q. How much do I save by applying myself instead of using a dealer?
A. The application fee is roughly 2,100 yen. Dealer proxy fees typically add 10,000-30,000 yen on top of that.
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