High Tech Parking

Parking in Tokyo can be a financial challenge, but there are ways to make it bearable.  Most lots in shopping areas have a validation system based on how much you spend in those shops.

Normally parking in the swank Roppongi Hills is ¥600/hour, but having brunch at Roy's on a Sunday (from ¥3,500/person) gets you enough credit to park in the space age parking facility for free.  So in summary, spend money and park for free. 

My kids always enjoy watching the car get sucked into the machine, disappear, and then watch it reappear after we return and insert our ticket.