Before you go
In cities and at hotels, you may come across a mechanical parking garage.
The difference from a normal parking lot is that you don’t drive to the space yourself.
Your car rides on a platform
At the entrance there’s a platform just big enough for one car.
You drive onto it and get out.
The machine then carries your car into the building.
Think of it as a big elevator.
When you come back, you call up your car at the control panel.
The elevator brings your car down to the entrance.
First, check that your car fits
A van or an SUV may not fit.
Height and width are what matter.
Your rental car’s size is on the 車検証 kept in the car.
Look for the three words, 長さ・幅・高さ — length, width, height — and compare the numbers with the sign at the entrance.
If you’re still not sure, it’s safer to find another parking lot.
That said, if there’s an attendant, asking is the quickest way. You’ll know right away whether your car will fit.
Drive to the marked position
This type of parking usually has an attendant.
If someone is standing there in a reflective vest, that’s them.
Stop where they show you, and listen to what they say.
If nobody is there, follow the signs and drive slowly to the marked position.
Take your bags out first
Once the car is inside the machine, you can’t go back for your bags right away.
Take out any bags or shopping you need before you hand the car over.
Everybody gets out of the car
Everyone except the driver gets out before the car goes onto the platform.
This is when you take the bags out too.
Then the driver drives onto the platform and gets out.
If you have children with you, hold hands while you wait.
Don’t start the machine while anyone is still in the car.
Your car goes into the machine
Once everyone is out, the car is stored away.
If there’s an attendant, they handle the controls for you.
Getting your car back
When you come back, pay and then work the controls to bring the car out.
If there’s an attendant, they’ll do it for you.
The machine carries your car to you, so wait where you’re shown.
Get in once the car has stopped.
Three things to remember
① Compare the numbers on the 車検証 with the sign at the entrance
② Take the bags you need out first
③ Everybody gets out of the car
Those three.
If you can’t work out the controls, leave the machine alone and ask the attendant, or use the intercom.
※ Names, vehicle size limits, how the machine is operated and how you pay differ from one parking lot to another. This article describes the general flow. When you actually use one, follow the signs on site and the attendant’s guidance.
