
How to Find a Motorcycle Parking in Japan?

Finding motorcycle parking in Japan can be quite challenging in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, while rural areas are generally much more straightforward.
In this article, we’ve gathered a few essential tips to help you avoid most parking hassles on your ride across Japan.
Key Takeaways
▶ Always park in designated spots—parking on footpaths is prohibited.
▶ Not all parking lots allow motorcycles, so check before parking.
▶ Big cities are tough for parking, plan ahead and search in advance.
▶ Use Google Maps or parking websites to find parking locations.
▶ Find hotels with parking, and make sure they accommodate motorcycles.
▶ Parking fees vary by location—expect higher fees in cities.
What You Need to Know
▶ Park in Designated Areas
Always park your motorcycle in designated parking areas to avoid trouble and fines. Parking on footpaths or streets is generally prohibited, and fines for illegal parking start at around ¥9,000 (USD 62), increasing if not paid on time. Parking enforcement is strict in Japan, especially in urban centers, where areas are regularly monitored for illegally parked vehicles.
▶ Parking Lots That Don’t Accept Motorcycles
Be aware that some parking areas do not accommodate motorcycles, especially stackable parking or those with floor plates. Some spots are also reserved only for scooters (50cc to 125cc) or bicycles, so always check the parking rules before parking.

▶ Avoid Big Cities or Plan Ahead
Riding through major cities like Tokyo or Osaka can be frustrating due to heavy traffic and scarce, expensive parking. To avoid these hassles, plan ahead by searching for parking online or staying at hotels that offer motorcycle parking (not all of them do!). Knowing where to park before dealing with traffic can save you a lot of time and stress.

How to Find a Parking Spot?
▶ Use Google Maps
To locate motorcycle parking near your destination, try searching for “motorcycle parking” on Google Maps. Check the photos and reviews to find details about fees and space availability.
For more accurate results, you can search using the Japanese term “バイク駐車場”.
Typing “駐輪場” can also yield results, but it may also show parking spots available for bicycles and scooters only, so always double-check the details before parking.
▶ Use Motorcycle Parking Websites
While Google Maps is our go-to option for finding motorcycle parking, there are a few Japanese parking websites worth trying:
These sites are all in Japanese, so we recommend using a browser translator for better navigation. While not the most user-friendly, they are useful as a backup if Google Maps doesn’t provide enough options.
▶ Book a Hotel with Parking
Always check if your chosen hotel has parking that can accommodate motorcycles. Hotels in busy city centers often only provide car parking or may not have any parking at all. Some may charge additional fees, so it’s important to confirm parking availability in advance to avoid surprises.
When booking, be sure to mention that you need parking for a motorcycle and specify for how many bikes.
Chain business hotels like Toyoko Inn, Route Inn, and Comfort Inn usually offer free parking for motorcycles, as do many love hotels.
▶ Tourist Attractions Parking
Popular tourist spots, such as castles, shrines, temples, and museums, often provide parking information on their websites. Check under the “Access” or “Getting There” sections, where you’ll usually find details about parking availability and fees.

▶ Countryside Parking
In rural areas, parking is generally more relaxed and flexible. Roadside stations (michi-no-eki), supermarkets, and convenience stores typically offer free parking for customers and visitors. However, except for roadside stations, these spots usually don’t allow overnight parking.
Parking Fees
▶ Hourly and Daily Rates
In cities, motorcycle parking fees vary based on location:
- Hourly Rates: Typically range from ¥100 to ¥300 per hour. Some locations may offer free parking for the first hour or two.
- Daily Rates: Expect day parking fees to range from ¥500 to ¥1,000. Some parking lots have a maximum daily fee, meaning you won’t be charged more than this amount for the entire day.
▶ Tourist and Rural Parking Costs
- Tourist Spots: At popular attractions such as temples, castles, and museums, motorcycle parking fees range from ¥200 to ¥500 per motorcycle. In less populated areas the motorcycle parking may be free.
- Rural Areas: In rural areas, parking is usually free. Roadside stations (michi no eki), supermarkets, and convenience stores usually offer free parking for visitors, though overnight parking is generally not allowed (except roadside stations).
▶ Accommodation Parking Costs
Some hotels may charge an additional parking fee for motorcycles, which is usually around ¥500 per bike per night. This is more common in city hotels or in busy chain hotels.
Campgrounds may also charge parking fees, though it’s relatively rare for motorcycles. If charged, the fee typically ranges between ¥100 to ¥300 per bike.
Vocabulary
When looking for motorcycle parking in Japan, you’ll often encounter signs and information written in Japanese. Here are some key parking-related terms:
Japanese Parking Words
- 駐車場 (chūshajō): Parking lot
- バイク駐車場 (baikuchūshajō): Motorcycle parking
- 駐輪場 (chūrinjō): Bicycle parking (sometimes also for motorcycles)
- 有料 (yūryō): Paid parking
- 無料 (muryō): Free parking
- 駐車禁止 (chūsha kinshi): No parking
- 月極駐車場 (tsukigime chūshajō): Monthly reserved parking lot
- 二輪車専用 (nirinsha senyō): Motorcycles only
- 自転車専用 (jitensha senyō): Bicycles only
- 50cc以下 (50cc ika): For scooters 50cc or below
- 駐車料金 (chūsha ryōkin): Parking fee
- 1時間 (ichijikan-goto): Per hour
- 最大料金 (saidai ryōkin): Maximum fee (daily cap)
- 最低料金 (saitei ryōkin): Minimum fee
- 1日 (ichinichi): Per day
- 1回 (ikkai): Per use
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