Entering to Japan via Estonian registered car

Hi all,

I am planning to move to Japan for a couple of years. I am an Estonian resident, and I have a nice classic Mercedes sports car. I would like to take my car with me to Japan.

Instead of dealing with transportation companies, I am interested to drive over Russia. Driving is my hobby, and I love to drive long distances in interesting landscapes.

I would like to reach Vladivostok, and from there, by some ferry, go to Japan.

I have been investigating this issue, and as I see I need to do a lot of paperwork.

Would it be possible to enter to Japan first, and deal with this paperwork during my stay there, afterward?

Thanks,

A lot of paperwork. I assume you have seen the need for "shaken". That is aside from a status of residence to actually stay in the country.
https://tokyocheapo.com/living/guide-to-user-shaken/

Shaken will not be the only paper work, but also all import and regulations incl insurances etc.
Also keep in mind that in Japan driving is on the left side of the road.

planning to move to Japan for a couple of years
You need to get your visa sort out first. What type of visa do you plan to apply for? What's the purpose of your planning move to Japan?

it be possible to enter to Japan first, and deal with this paperwork during my stay there
http://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/imtsukan/1109_e.htm
Most probably you need to get all the documentation done before/on arrival to clear custom importation procedure. Shaken and insurance can be done once your importation is approved.

http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/translation/valid.htm
You'll also need a valid driving license to drive in Japan.

https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/japan/transport/vehicle-ownership/imp...
https://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+132043
https://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+153263
https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/cqh08k/cost_of_toal_road_w...

This might give you some idea. Most of the above are just temporary import/carnet where they come to Japan as temporary visitor. The 'reddit' is a recent post, enter Japan as WHV.

OP, would love to know how well this goes if you decided to go through with it.

An ex-boyfriend of mine once drove to Vladivostok and it sounded like a total nightmare. Please research the route properly first. The roads in eastern Russia are very different to anything you are likely to have driven on before. They are not well-maintained and sometimes dangerous. Criminals are known to operate and on a road where you wonft see any signs of civilisation for sometimes hundreds of miles I would not do this alone, especially not in a classic Mercedes.

Driving may be your hobby but this is most certainly not a leisure drive, itfs an adventure. Do your research and if you come across any horror stories (theyfre out there) donft just dismiss them. Like you said, you are only going to be living in Japan for a couple of years. If it were me I would just leave my car in storage rather than do a return journey across Siberia that will make the alternative (10 or so hours in economy class) feel like luxury.

Instead of dealing with transportation companies, I am interested to drive over Russia. Driving is my hobby, and I love to drive long distances in interesting landscapes.

I would like to reach Vladivostok, and from there, by some ferry, go to Japan.

You'll never make it.