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who has been to tokyo?


miko_supra

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I've been and it was amazing!! :D I found Tokyo wasn't quite as car orientated as i'd expected. I think the car culture is a bit further out in places like Yokohama..

 

There is a 'Super Autobacs' in almost every small town in Tokyo though and it's like halfords but 100 times better! :D I went to a small one and it was 3 stories high. The bottom floor was a drive in garage where you could have any parts fitted while you wait!

 

I'll have a look for a pic ;)

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I've been, quite a few times :p

 

Its probably not what you are expecting at all, but these (what you assume to be huge) Japanese tuning companies are just tiny industrial units with a few guys working there and some nice demo cars :D

 

What kind of places were you looking to go to? Obviously you can't just walk into big companies but the Japanese are very hospitable so will normally entertain you in some form.

 

As Dr Doom says that Super Autobacs is definitely worth the trip as its bloody massive and you will find almost anything there. They have a specialist bookshop, cafe, and any amounts of lovely parts :)

 

Best Regards,

 

Gaz.

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One of my mates is going to live there next year (his missus is an accountant) - they're going to be over there for two years I think... I'm going to book a month off and go check it out.

 

Tokyo and New York and my next two places to visit :)

 

Those pictures are just 'real life' Need For Speed :D

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Ditto the above comments. You hardly see any 'sports' cars for all the modded people carriers that the kids drive. Even an oversized 250 scooter is King above a 'blade or a gixer. The Japanese culture is pretty tame, but for the few stories that make it West in my opinion. I only worked there for 5/6 weeks mind so may have missed something....

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I've been a few times and it's a fun place to visit but you will need someone to show you around, unless you can speak/read Japanese of course. Also it's a very bad time to visit - the Yen is very strong at the moment and you won't get much for your £££

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I've been a few times and it's a fun place to visit but you will need someone to show you around, unless you can speak/read Japanese of course. Also it's a very bad time to visit - the Yen is very strong at the moment and you won't get much for your £££

 

Yeah the exchange rate is awful. A friend lives out there so it shouldnt be too bad getting about as like you said the language barrier is supposed to be a nightmare

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If I were you I'd have a look on http://www.gtr.co.uk as there's quite a few useful threads there, including how to get to a number of the tuners. As Gaz says though, there's not really a lot to see. Most are just working garages, but try and arrange a visit beforehand if you can.

 

You might find this link useful for finding your way around:

 

http://www.tokyo-subway.net/english/index.html

 

Language barried isn't really a problem if you're patient. Finding your way around is easy enough as most stuff is in English as well as Japanese, at least in Tokyo. I've never got stuck before, even when out in the sticks trying to direct a taxi. Phrase book will help.

 

Bring your wallet, the exchange rate is still *shocking*.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I checked out autobacs whilst i was out there. Pretty nice store, wierd seeing turbo kits on display shelves!

 

Surprised by the lack of performance jap cars i saw in town. I was walking all over tokyo for the entire week and saw an EVO 6, a battered 200sx, and an r33 parked up. That was it!!! Well worth a trip to anyone thats never been

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I've been and it was amazing!! :D I found Tokyo wasn't quite as car orientated as i'd expected. I think the car culture is a bit further out in places like Yokohama..

 

There is a 'Super Autobacs' in almost every small town in Tokyo though and it's like halfords but 100 times better! :D I went to a small one and it was 3 stories high. The bottom floor was a drive in garage where you could have any parts fitted while you wait!

 

I'll have a look for a pic ;)

 

i went about two years ago in the summer, the humidity was nuts, even wearing shorts and t shirt i was still sweating, but i agree, you have to go out into the late night, they are in the yokohama area blasting around, i could hear them for 30mins from my hotel room near ikibukaru, tokyo is just one big arcade.

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