Transportation in Japan

The average family usually have one car. Two-car families are relatively rare in Japanese cities. One reason is the expense. Another is space. Most japanese cities are crowded, and there's not much space for parking cars. The main streets have heavy traffic, and the residential streets are often narrow and winding. In order to own a car, you have to prove that you have an off-street parking space.

This really does limit car ownership. Even if you do have a place to keep one car, finding a second space is very difficult. It is posible to rent a parking space, of couse. But that could cost hundreds of dollars a month. In rural areas, where space is available, two-car families are more common.

Public transportation is good - very good. Having just one car or even no car at all isn't usually a problem in Japan. Public transportation is fast and convenient. Japanese have good buses, subways, and commuter trains. And many taxis are available.