Trip to Japan

[NA_R33]

Hi all,

My parents are planning a trip to Japan to visit a relative and asked me if there were any particular places i would like to visit regarding cars. Can neone help me out, it would be great to see these guys drifting in action and maybe visit a few of the major tuning workshops. Can neone help me out with places of interest and the best ways to get there and such. Ne info would be much appreciated.

Cheers

John

[Rezz]

Which part of Japan are you heading to?

[s15silvia]

If you head to Osaka, you can visit autoproject, signal auto, tommy kairia (not too far away) and there are plenty of 2nd hand parts shops around northen Osaka.

Haven't been to Tokyo yet, although I hear there is just as much if not more shops.

[Rezz]

Osaka: Nanko (street) and Mt Rokko (Mountain) drifting... you'll need a car to see both.

Tuning Shops: Trial (South Osaka), Signal Auto (as per S15silvias post), J's Racing, and C-West in Nishinomiya (near my house!) halfway between Osaka and Kobe.

Theres more but that should keep you busy...

Tokyo: I've only been there once, for the 2001 Auto Salon, so I'm not up to speed with the drift scene there, but maybe DaiOni or Demon Dave can help you out more?

[Demon Dave]

Almost all of the major tuners have stores or garages in the Tokyo area, so that is a good place to start.

If you want to get an idea of the Japanese car scene, perhaps the best place to go would be the Daikoku Parking area on the waterfront in the Tokyo/Yokohama bay area. There is always plenty of modded cars (of all kinds) there, and it's a meeting place for many many clubs - one of the larger Skyline clubs ( S.O.E. ) meet there every 4th Saturday night.

Here's an idea of what to expect:

The Ferrari club.

Toyota Altezza's

[Guest RedLineGTR]

cool...i wanna go to japan as well...

[DaiOni]

Dave's on the money there. I would have recommended the same.

The best thing you could do is see if the trip could be timed to coincide with one of the major autosalons, such as tokyo (jan) or osaka (feb).

[NA_R33]

Thanks for the reply's guys, ill make a note of all those places, i was also wondering are defi guages cheaper to buy in Japan, ive been quoted like 600 each AUD from one or 2 places here, and if so where would the best places be to get them. Those pics are unreal DemonDave thanks. I cant wait to go.

[NA_R33]

i think im gonna be in heaven!! haha.

[Airzone]

go to mount akina!! lol!

[Parag0n]

lol Initial D fanboys >_

[DaiOni]

I believe initial D is set in gunma - which is in-between where I live and saitama (adjacent to tokyo).

My defi setup should be in this week (been waiting for the phone call all day).

It's an expensive set-up because - (a) they are expensive gauges, and (B) they require the defi controller unit.

I can't be bothered going down to my car and checking the reciept, but I believe this is what it cost me:

* boost gauge - 21,000yen

* control unit - 11,000yen

* holder - 1,200yen

Once you factor in sales tax, it'd be about A$450-ish (with today's exchange rate).

I'm adding a water temp gauge later on - the controller allows you to daisy chain each gauge.

[Hakujin1977]

i thought the initial d mt was really mt haruna (same kanji as akina but a different reading). can you guys confirm this? could settle a long standing argument...

i leave for akita in 9 days! haven’t been back for 8 years!

2 weeks there then a week in tokyo. shoppings gonna suck now the cars been written off.

[Rezz]

Enjoy, Hakujin...

It's a pity you weren't coming round my way, I'd hook up with you definately.

[Hakujin1977]

just catch the train up to tokyo

[DaiOni]

Hakujin1977: I believe this to be true (apparently the geography is way too coincidental). However, have no conclusive evidence of this. I think it would be highly likely that the author is from this area.