Discovering the joy of driving as a long-time paper driver

Hi, it's Takuya. Ever since I got my driver’s license before entering university, I had basically never driven a car. Living in the city, I avoided driving as much as possible. The thought of operating something that could seriously hurt or even kill someone if I made a mistake honestly scared me.

But a few things changed that — I got married, moved back to Osaka, had a kid, and got interested in the outdoors. Around Osaka, there are many nice places for short drives — Minoh, Nose, Kobe, Tamba-Sasayama, and so on. So, little by little, I started renting cars through Times Car Share and nervously began driving again.

Realizing that other cars are driven by real people

The first thing that surprised me was this: every other car on the road is also driven by a real person. That might sound obvious, but it actually felt like a fresh realization. In games like Grand Theft Auto, the cars are just NPCs — they move clumsily, crash into you, and never react intelligently to what you’re doing.

But in real life, everyone’s trying not to crash. Drivers read each other’s movements, make space, and take turns. Sure, there are rude drivers sometimes, but as long as no one makes a huge mistake, things usually go smoothly. If I accidentally start going the wrong way, someone honks to warn me. When I let another car cut in, they flash their hazard lights to say thanks. That kind of human interaction — something you’d never get in a game — is surprisingly fun.

Appreciating the road infrastructure

Cars are such an integral part of Japanese society that enormous time and money have gone into building our road system. It’s thanks to all that effort that we now have such a comfortable network of highways and streets.

As a working adult, I’ve been paying taxes for years — and part of those taxes has gone into maintaining this infrastructure. So when I drive, I feel like I’m finally getting to enjoy the benefits of what I’ve helped build.

Of course, buses and taxis also use the same roads, but driving yourself gives you far more freedom. As I glide along these perfectly paved roads that spread like arteries through the country, I can’t help but feel impressed by how well they’re maintained.

Getting interested in cars themselves

When I mostly got around on foot or by train, I never paid attention to cars. But once I started driving, I found myself noticing different models and brands.

Even though modern cars tend to look a bit similar, there’s still a surprising variety out there. I used to only hear about Tesla in the news, but now I’ve actually looked up prices and read owners’ reviews. I’ve also discovered that I really like models like the Mini — cars that keep their classic design but update it with modern specs.

That said, I probably won’t buy one until I move to the suburbs — maybe when I build a house someday. Owning a car in the middle of Osaka would feel like a luxury.

Significantly improved by driving my daughter to kindergarten

In terms of skill (and courage), I got much better during my daughter’s summer vacation. Her kindergarten stops its bus service during summer, so if we wanted her to go to daycare, we had to drive her ourselves.

Since my wife’s work schedule didn’t match, I became the driver, using a car-share vehicle to take her each morning. At first, driving through Osaka city on weekday mornings was terrifying. I made tons of mistakes — missed lanes, took wrong turns — and felt completely drained afterward. I was also shocked by how many one-way streets there were.

Seeing the city from a driver’s perspective made everything look different. But as I learned the routes and got used to the flow, I started driving calmly and confidently. Before long, I could go on other trips without getting nervous. Those morning drives to kindergarten were honestly the best training I could’ve asked for.

Life feels bigger and more fun

In recent years, I’ve gotten into outdoor activities — checking out campsites in the suburbs, or taking short drives to places like Minoh, Lake Biwa, Tamba-Sasayama, or Kawachi-Nagano. I never imagined that adding “driving” to my list of transportation options would change my daily life and mindset this much.

I’m not saying everyone should go out and start driving, especially if they’re firmly against it. But if your life feels a bit stuck in a routine, maybe it’s worth giving it a try — you might find a new kind of freedom waiting for you.