Organised tours of Japan?

[T0nyGTSt]

Organised tours in most parts of Asian and the Americans and European are popular for Asian types in Australia.

In fact you can walk into any of the Asian holiday agents in Chinatown and you can get holidays in Sing-Mar-Tai (ie. Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand) which includes accomodation and food for the entire tour.

Are there such things for Japan?

Esp. if you visit TAS, Upgarage etc.

T.

[Demon Dave]

The Japanese, particular of the retired type, absolutely love organised tours. They seem to enjoy being herded like cattle around popular tourist destinations, and they pay big money for it too. Go to any popular tourist place and you see masses of ojisans and obasans following some flag waving women around the site...

But, so far I've yet to see anything orientated toward the car enthusiast. Hey, perhaps us Japan residents should get together...sounds like a good business venture: Gaijin Tours!

[Blitz]

Well dave I will be booking again in 3 or so months for TAS 2005.

Tony - happy to give you some information on getting around and the parts shops if you need it.

[Demon Dave]

Yeah, it isn't too difficult and get around and find the various places of interest. The TAS '04 crew managed to fit just about everything in AFAIK, including Top Secret Autobacs and the like. Perhaps, given the interest in this, it might be worthwhile putting up a sticky with info on the main attractions in Tokyo, where they are and how to get to them?

Dave

[Blitz]

We were very happy with our accomodation - central to everything we wanted to see.

We had Up Garage around the corner, we also visited Top Secret, Super Autobacs Naganuma, Super Autobacs Itchkawa, Super Autobacs Tokyo Bay, Yellow Hat and Crystal.

[T0nyGTSt]

This just came to my mind as I've been driving my folks to the airport (in their Mercedes!) for package tours overseas. Usually a mix of middle aged Asian-Australians and white Australians with a guide usually in a minibus over parts of Asian, North America, Europe. Sure they have a good time, seems a bit 'overplanned' if you know what I mean.

It just came to me that such a thing geared towards Japanese performance car enthusiasts would be great. I can imagine even places in Europe and the US this would work.

ie. Bowling Green Kentucky Corvette Museum. The Skyline museum. The various racetracks like Suzuka? Tsukuba... who the hell doesn't want to at least visit Tsukuba

I think there is something there.

T.

[Rezz]

This just came to my mind as I've been driving my folks to the airport (in their Mercedes!) for package tours overseas. Usually a mix of middle aged Asian-Australians and white Australians with a guide usually in a minibus over parts of Asian, North America, Europe. Sure they have a good time, seems a bit 'overplanned' if you know what I mean.

It just came to me that such a thing geared towards Japanese performance car enthusiasts would be great. I can imagine even places in Europe and the US this would work.

ie. Bowling Green Kentucky Corvette Museum. The Skyline museum. The various racetracks like Suzuka? Tsukuba... who the hell doesn't want to at least visit Tsukuba

I think there is something there.

T.

Hmmmmm, and heres me planning tours in Perth for Japanese students!!!

Never thought of doing the opposite for Aussies coming here. Could be good. I'll see what my associates say on this...

[T0nyGTSt]

Well it's not unheard of here Rezz.

I still remember ages ago as a kid on a school excursion tour of Mt. Panorama.

10 mins to lap the big mountain and a running commentary.

T.

[drifto guskedesk]

hay reez

please organise a tour of japan. i have already emailed hpi and autosaloon magazine about organising a trip to japan for TAS 2005, but they only print letters in there mags like "how does a blow off valve work". i think that heaps of people would be interested, post up a thread and see what kind of a response u get (you could make a bit of money 2)

me and 3 of my friends would go 100% sure if the price is reasonable ie under $6000

[C-Red]

I'm all for it as long as Aussies dont end up like all the wanker Merrycans wandering around Autosalon - It was all my crew and I could do not to deck some of them. No wonder J's regard all gaijins as baka.

Jash

[Rezz]

hay reez

please organise a tour of japan. i have already emailed hpi and autosaloon magazine about organising a trip to japan for TAS 2005, but they only print letters in there mags like "how does a blow off valve work". i think that heaps of people would be interested, post up a thread and see what kind of a response u get (you could make a bit of money 2)

me and 3 of my friends would go 100% sure if the price is reasonable ie under $6000

I'll talk to our school travel agent and see if we can sort out a 3 or 4 day "Power Tour"... TAS, Tuning shops and SuperAutobacs.

[drifto guskedesk]

thanks rezz

that sounds great. im down 4 it 100% and so are 3 of my close friends. i cant wait to see my credit card bill after going to SuperAutobacs.

[Rezz]

Don't hold your breath on anything from me guys, remember I live in Kobe, so organizing a tour (although quite possible) would be a nightmare because of the distance I'd have to travel. It'd be fun, and I never say no to a business opportunity, but.... aaaaah I get back to ya...