We help car dealers find buyers, and help buyers find the right second-hand car.
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Introduction Car ownership in Japan costs ¥250,000 to ¥800,000 annually depending on where you live. Rural areas typically see total yearly expenses around ¥250,000–¥400,000, while urban centers like Tokyo can exceed ¥700,000 annually when parking is included. The location difference isn’t just about parking fees. Ownership transfer procedures, insurance premiums, public transport alternatives, and even…
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GenKiCars is a platform that connects buyers and sellers of second hand cars in Japan. As a trusted Japan second hand cars website, we don't sell cars directly. Instead, we connect you with trusted car dealers across Japan who have quality used cars available. Think of us as your gateway to Japan's used car market.
Our platform primarily serves residents living in Japan who want to buy used cars. While people from outside Japan can browse and contact dealers through our platform, our main focus is helping Japan residents find quality second hand cars from verified dealers.
Car dealers cannot automatically join our platform. They must contact us first, and we thoroughly verify their business licenses, reputation, and service quality before granting access. Only after our approval process can dealers list their vehicles on GenKiCars.
Japanese second hand cars are exceptional due to mandatory Shaken inspections every 2-3 years, low average annual mileage (about 9,300km), and Japan's meticulous maintenance culture. The strict regulatory system creates a market where well-maintained vehicles are available at great prices.
Grade S/6: Nearly new (under 12 months)
Grade 5: Near-perfect condition
Grade 4.5: Excellent with minor imperfections
Grade 4: Above average condition
Grade 3.5: Good condition
Understanding these grades helps you choose the right quality level for your budget.
Shaken is Japan's mandatory vehicle inspection requiring comprehensive safety and emissions testing. New cars need inspection after 3 years, then every 2 years. Costs of ¥100,000-¥200,000 encourage owners to sell rather than pay for expensive repairs, creating opportunities for buyers to find quality vehicles. You can estimate your Shaken costs here.
Beyond the car price, budget for registration fees, taxes, insurance, parking certificate (if required), and dealer handling charges. Total additional costs typically range ¥100,000-¥200,000 depending on the vehicle and location. Dealers on our platform provide transparent pricing breakdown.
Tip: Always ask dealers for the total "drive-away" price including all fees.
Reputable dealers provide transparent pricing. Common additional costs include registration fees, recycling fees, inspection costs, and paperwork handling. GenKiCars encourages all dealers to be upfront about total costs to avoid surprises for buyers.
Many dealers offer financing through banks, credit unions, or specialized auto loan companies. Interest rates typically range from 2-8% depending on your credit status and loan term. Some dealers also offer in-house financing options for qualifying buyers.
You have two options: browse our listings using search filters for make, model, year, price range, and location, or use our car request feature to post what you're looking for. With car requests, you specify your dream car and budget, then registered dealers contact you with matching vehicles. Learn more about buying cars in Japan.
Simply post your car requirements - make, model, year, color, budget, preferred location - and let the dealers come to you. Only verified and logged-in dealers can respond to car requests, ensuring you receive professional offers from legitimate businesses only.
Tip: Be specific in your request. The more details you provide, the better matches dealers can find.
Your safety is our priority. Only registered dealers who have logged into our platform can respond to car requests. This means no spam, no random contacts, just professional responses from verified car dealers who have been approved by GenKiCars.
Most registered dealers respond to car requests within 24-48 hours. Since multiple dealers can see your request, you'll often receive several offers to compare, giving you better options and competitive pricing for your desired second hand car.
Car requests let dealers do the searching for you. They have access to inventory that may not be listed yet, auction connections, and trade-in vehicles. You get personalized service and potentially access to cars not publicly available through regular browsing.
Yes. We strongly recommend inspecting any used car before purchase. Most dealers welcome inspections and can arrange viewing appointments. Some dealers also provide detailed photos and condition reports if you cannot visit in person immediately.
You'll need a valid driver's license, resident card (for foreign residents), certificate of parking space (shako shomei), personal seal (inkan), and proof of address. Dealers can help guide you through the documentation process and requirements for your specific situation. Read our full guide on buying cars in Japan.
Parking certificates are required for regular-sized cars in most urban areas, but not for kei cars (light vehicles). The parking space must be within 2km of your registered address. Some dealers can assist with parking space arrangements if needed.
Vehicle registration typically takes 1-2 weeks once all documents are submitted. Dealers usually handle the registration process as part of their service, allowing you to focus on enjoying your new car rather than paperwork.
Japanese vehicles average only 9,300 km annually due to excellent public transport and Japan's compact geography. Most used cars have significantly lower mileage compared to vehicles in other countries, making them excellent value for buyers.
Kei cars: Honda N-Box, Suzuki Spacia, Daihatsu Tanto - Learn more about kei cars
Compact cars: Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit, Nissan Note
Family cars: Toyota Corolla, Honda Freed, Nissan Serena
SUVs: Toyota RAV4, Honda Vezel, Subaru Forester
Browse our best kei cars for foreigners guide.
Yes. Japan has excellent selection of hybrid used cars, especially Toyota Prius, Aqua, and Honda Insight models. Electric vehicle options are growing with Nissan Leaf and other EVs becoming more available in the used car market.
While you can browse our platform and contact dealers from anywhere, our primary focus is serving Japan residents. Some dealers may offer export services, but this would be arranged directly between you and the dealer. GenKiCars doesn't handle international shipping or export procedures.
All dealers on our platform speak English, making communication easy for both Japan residents and international inquirers. This ensures clear communication about vehicle details, pricing, and any questions you may have about second hand cars.
We verify all dealers before listing them on our platform, checking business licenses and reputation. We recommend always inspecting vehicles in person and dealing directly with registered businesses. If you encounter any issues, report them to us immediately.
Since transactions are between you and the dealer directly, GenKiCars acts as a facilitator. However, we take dealer quality seriously. Report any issues to us and we'll investigate to maintain the quality of our platform for all users.
You have two easy options: browse our listings using search filters to find cars that match your needs, or post a car request describing your ideal vehicle and let verified dealers find it for you. Either way, you'll connect with professional, English-speaking dealers for your perfect second-hand car in Japan.
