Parking a Panamera in the City

Yesterday, I had a work meeting with a company that kindly agreed to let me bring my child, so I headed to Osaka’s Honmachi district with my younger daughter in the Panamera. When I drive into central Osaka, I often park at Hankyu Umeda Station Parking. It accommodates large vehicles, has a roof (a tent, perhaps?), and is directly connected to Hankyu Umeda Station, which makes it convenient. It costs ¥600 for the first 60 minutes and ¥300 for each additional 30 minutes, with no maximum daily rate—but I rarely park for more than two hours, so that works for me.

On the other hand, Umeda Sky Building Parking also has a roof, can accommodate large vehicles, and has a maximum rate of ¥1,600. The downside is that it’s a little far from Umeda Station, which can be a hassle on rainy days or when you have a child with you.

This Time, I Was Headed to Honmachi, Osaka

Today’s meeting, however, was in Honmachi, Osaka’s business district. Where on earth should I park? After looking around, I found that the St. Regis Osaka parking garage seemed promising: it had a roof and could accommodate vehicles more than 1,900 mm wide. I checked the entrance on Google Street View beforehand, set the navigation, and set off. The estimated arrival time was 30 minutes before the meeting. Perfect.

I made it onto the Hanshin Expressway without a hitch, but a few minutes later, the navigation system warned me of a major traffic jam ahead. “If I stay on the expressway, I might not make it to the meeting on time…” So I got off and continued on local roads. At last, I was getting close to the St. Regis Osaka. Even after taking the local route, I still had 30 minutes before the meeting.

“Maybe I’ll grab a coffee at a café first,” I thought as I looped around to make an easy left turn and arrived at the entrance to the St. Regis Osaka parking garage. Just as the navigation system announced I’d reached my destination, a security guard came over.

Guard: “Where are you going?”
Me: “Where…? I was hoping to park here…”
Guard: “No, where are you going after you park?”
Me: “I have a meeting nearby…”
Guard: “I’m sorry, but this parking garage is only for people visiting the St. Regis Osaka or Garden City. You’ll have to find another parking lot.”

Wait, what?! (；ﾟДﾟ))Nobody told me that!

I should have just said I was staying at the hotel or going there for a meal—even if it wasn’t true. But I’m too timid to come up with something like that on the spot, so I headed for a parking garage closer to Shinsaibashi where I’d parked the Panamera before.

“It’s a bit far, but I’ll be fine. I can walk and still make it.”

I tried to calm myself down and somehow cut across several lanes of traffic. Just as I pulled up in front of the parking garage and breathed a sigh of relief—

“FULL”!! (Cue dramatic crash)

Officially a Parking Castaway

Why today of all days? There was another multi-story parking garage close by, and I’d heard the Panamera could just about squeeze in. But risking damage to the tires or wheels seemed way too dangerous, so I kept looking. And of course, every lot seemed to be full, full, full… Even when I found an open space, the parking garage often couldn’t accommodate a Panamera more than 1,900 mm wide. A 1,900 mm limit on a multi-story garage is pretty useless in a situation like this. Meanwhile, time was running out.

…Oh no. I have only 10 minutes left.

I’d left home early. I’d checked things out in advance. I’d even avoided the traffic jam on the expressway. So how did it come to this? Was I being punished for something? The company I was meeting with was fairly formal. They’d kindly agreed to let me bring my child, so being late on top of that was completely out of the question.

“She’s using her child as an excuse for being late. Working moms really are so careless.”

I absolutely didn’t want anyone to think that. (They wouldn’t—everyone there was lovely.) Nearly in tears, I desperately scanned the signs for a “P.” Then I spotted the “P” for Semba Center Building.

“Oh! This parking garage looks big! Given the time, it’s my only option. Now, the width. Will it fit?” Clinging to that last hope, I took a chance and turned right. A sign read: “Maximum height 2.3 m, width 2 m, length 6 m.”

Maximum width: 2 m…

Maximum width: 2 m…

Yes! ( ﾟ∀ﾟ)･∵.!!

Wrapped in a strange sense of accomplishment, I drove into the underground parking garage. It was pretty dark and had a slightly grimy feel, which made me a little uneasy. Would it really be okay? Then I spotted—

A Panamera GTS!

Relieved, I parked, strapped my younger daughter into the baby carrier, dashed into the building, took the elevator, and called the reception desk from the lobby. I checked the time: five minutes before my appointment.

I-I made it…

My back was drenched in sweat, but I did my best to look cool and composed, and the meeting went smoothly. Phew. When you’re in a situation like this, owning a big, imposing Panamera can be seriously stressful.