I’ve been fortunate sufficient to journey to Japan thrice in my duties as an editor for Autoblog. I can’t wait to return. It’s a tremendous place, wealthy in historical past, artwork, tradition, meals and, after all, vehicles. The reminiscences I’ve made there’ll final a lifetime. Should you’re studying this, you’re certainly additionally an appreciator of all issues automotive. Contemplating that, I urge you to go to Japan.
There are such a lot of causes to take action. Let me identify just a few.
JDM vehicles within the wild
The automotive specimens you see on Japanese roads are novel to American eyes, whether or not they’re kei vehicles, distinctive variations of vehicles we get right here, or oddly named automobiles just like the Honda That’s or Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard. It’s neat to see vehicles that didn’t actually take off right here which can be truly fairly widespread on Tokyo highways; The Toyota C-HR simply appears to be like totally different on the backdrop of a Tokyo freeway.
You additionally see neat issues like these little lace doilies on the headrests of plenty of vehicles.
Museums
The automobile collections in Japan are really particular. Once more, I’m lucky, however I’ve been to some fairly wonderful automobile museums. I feel the Honda Assortment Corridor rivals all of them. The sheer variety of vehicles and bikes on show, all in working situation, is jaw-dropping. Whether or not it’s the Tremendous Cub, any Kind R you may consider, or one among Ayrton Senna’s F1 vehicles, you may see it within the flesh at this museum. It sits on the grounds of Twin Ring Motegi, which has its personal historical past having hosted varied race collection through the years. I stated it again in 2018, and I’ll say it once more: If you’re an automotive historical past fan, I feel the Honda Assortment Corridor at Motegi is a pilgrimage to be made, and it’s an absolute should for those who’re a Honda fan.
On my most up-to-date journey to Japan, I used to be capable of go to Nissan’s Zama Heritage Assortment in a decommissioned manufacturing unit exterior of Tokyo. It’s one other unimaginable stroll by an automaker’s hostory, from racing to mergers to storied nameplates and extra. I attempted to seize what I may on digicam, however there is just too a lot to doc. Whereas the constructing itself is humble — extra warehouse than museum — the holiness of the sheet steel one can see head to head leaves you coming away awestruck.
Like I stated, I can’t wait to get again to Japan. There are extra automobile collections and automotive historical past to see. The Toyota Car Museum in Aichi and Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, for example, are excessive on my checklist. Some day …
Automobile reveals
The Japan Mobility Present, primarily the Tokyo Motor Present redux, is what introduced me to Japan most not too long ago. Whereas it seems like automobile reveals in America are going the best way of the CD changer, the Japan present was completely bustling. It was upbeat and thrilling. It was additionally tremendous fascinating. Like every good automobile present, I acquired to see the most recent automobiles and applied sciences that can hit our roads quickly. I additionally acquired to see many vehicles accessible in different international markets. There have been bizarre campers, and unusual mobility gadgets, and off-road vans. It was neat!
Japan additionally hosts the Tokyo Auto Salon, which is extra akin to a Japanese SEMA, with modified vehicles and racing automobiles on show. I’ve but to go to that one, however it’s on the checklist.
Then there are the extra casual gatherings. Autoblog Information Editor Joel Stocksdale was capable of go to the Daikoku Parking Space. It’s a literal relaxation space off an expressway the place homeowners and fanatics meet to indicate off and absorb some spectacular rarities, from sportified kei vehicles to luxurious vans to costly tremendous vehicles.
Go-kart excursions
I usually wouldn’t suggest driving in Tokyo — it’s congested, costly and customarily demanding, particularly for those who’re used to driving on the appropriate facet of the street — however karting across the metropolis streets appears to be like tremendous enjoyable. On a pre-pandemic journey, whereas I used the trains (extra on these later) to discover the town (seeking a cat café) after hours, I noticed a bunch of individuals dressed up as Mario Kart characters karting on the streets of Akihabara. Regardless of the rain, the drivers had smiles on their faces. It appears sort of sketchy mixing it up with actual visitors, but when I had extra time to plan and execute on the plan, I’d have given it a shot. Perhaps subsequent time.
Trains
Whereas automobile tradition is an enormous cause to go to Japan, trains are one of the best ways to get round. They’re inexpensive, punctual, clear, protected and simple to navigate. You may get everywhere in the metropolis and past. Should you get the possibility, take the bullet trains, or shinkansen. They’re spectacular examples of transportation engineering, they usually can get you from one metropolis to a different within the time it takes to eat two beers and an ice cream, which you should purchase on the prepare. You get to see the cities and the countryside, even Mt. Fuji, as you pace by at 150+ miles per hour.
And extra
There’s a lot extra to see in Japan, automotive and in any other case, and I intend to return every time I can each professionally and off the clock. I must get to Suzuka Circuit, for example, and see Toyota’s Woven Metropolis. I’d love to do a touge tour, and drive some rented JDM hotness on some mountain passes. There are extra historic websites to go to, buying to do, ramen to eat and cats to pet.
I do know it’s a protracted method to journey, and flights are costly, however the expertise is value it for anybody, however particularly for automobile followers. When you get there, there’s a lot to see and expertise (and, no less than proper now, the trade fee is fairly favorable, and offers abound when you’re on the bottom). Should you’re a automobile fanatic, and also you’re going to avoid wasting up for a well-earned trip, you must go to Japan.
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