When two petrolheads go to Japan...

[quadrifoglio]

Hmmmmm.... so our trip to Japan is already (almost) one year ago... Time flies, but the urge to go back stays 
We're already making vague plans about returning in 2019, but that is stil an eternity from now 


_DSC9021 by G C, on Flickr


_DSC9266 by G C, on Flickr


For the hardcore Japan-lovers: I've found a Youtube Channel with videos of a guy walking through the city, which to 99% of the people would be very boring to watch... but I have to admit that recognizing the places, see him taking the same routes as we did,... is strangely very cool to watch.
(I'm a saddo, I know  )

www.youtube.com/channel/UCIDTgYVs-rEHx-fE4qSPZhQ

[sciclone]

Urrgh Apple Omotesando. Still as pretentious as every other Apple centre. Got told we'd have to wait 1.5hrs for them to look at my sisters phone, then a disgruntled Japanese guy said "What about me? You said that to me 2 hours ago". If you're looking at buying something they're all over you like a rash, but need actually service..

We walked out.

On the other side of that crosswalk in the mid-left of the screen cap is Oriental Bazaar, where you can get all your Japanese type gifts (pottery, teapots etc) but don't go on Thursdays. That's when they're closed.

[quadrifoglio]

Talking about Tokyo in another thread reminded me of some clips we shot during our MariCar tour, so I looked for them on my HD.
Sound is bad, it's shakey footage while driving,... but still worth posting 

Just after crossing Rainbow Bridge




And the highlight of the tour: standing first in line at Shibuya Crossing, a dancing Spiderman an Mr. Incredible, lots of people, lots of cameras,... I'll repeat myself for the umpteenth time: best 60€ ever, full stop, no ompetition 
   

And a couple letting two random western idiots sit in their car and rev the engine at the top of a foggy Japanese mountain. I also got to rev a Honda Civic Type-R (FD2) later that day, just petrolhead things 

[Stu]

Bumping this thread as we have booked a return trip to Japan in October so gathering inspiration and ideas.
Would attempting MariCar again be a good idea but a different route maybe? Seems like the sort of thing to quit while I’m ahead on having survived last years Rainbow Bridge night crossing amongst HGVs dressed as Mario.... ;-)

We are staying in Yokohama for a few nights this time too so planning to visit Mooneyes. Any recommendations there, in Tokyo or Osaka appreciated as they’re all on our route.

Also looking at Hakone ‘free pass’ vs hiring a car to have a look around that area whilst staying in Tokyo for 7 nights.

Can’t wait! :-)

[quadrifoglio]

Aug 22, 2018 7:32:13 GMT Stu said:

Would attempting MariCar again be a good idea but a different route maybe? Seems like the sort of thing to quit while I’m ahead on having survived last years Rainbow Bridge night crossing amongst HGVs dressed as Mario.... ;-)

Just book a different route, I know I would.

[brooklands]

What an excellent thread! Makes me want to jump on a plane - and I hate flying!

[sciclone]

I'm looking at heading back in winter again. I'm looking at doing maricar as I haven't done it in the previous 9 trips.

I'm Yokohama, you have the Nissan museum, and in Western Yokohama, the head store of upgarage if you want to buy any bits for your car. I haven't been to that store in a couple of years, but a friend got a pair of R33 gtr turbos for about $160 and turboed his suzuki vitara.

Check it should still be warm in October, so check out Minato Mirai in Yokohama and see if you can hit up a water park or something. Also Fuji-Q highlands amusement park. Their rollercoasters are awesome, but get there early and buy fast-passes, because the queues are a pain.

[Stu]

Aug 23, 2018 11:30:45 GMT quadrifoglio said:

Aug 22, 2018 7:32:13 GMT Stu said:

Would attempting MariCar again be a good idea but a different route maybe? Seems like the sort of thing to quit while I’m ahead on having survived last years Rainbow Bridge night crossing amongst HGVs dressed as Mario.... ;-)

Just book a different route, I know I would.

Hah.... we shall see, not ruling it out certainly as it was so memorable last time

Aug 23, 2018 20:32:51 GMT sciclone said:

I'm looking at heading back in winter again. I'm looking at doing maricar as I haven't done it in the previous 9 trips.

I'm Yokohama, you have the Nissan museum, and in Western Yokohama, the head store of upgarage if you want to buy any bits for your car. I haven't been to that store in a couple of years, but a friend got a pair of R33 gtr turbos for about $160 and turboed his suzuki vitara.

Check it should still be warm in October, so check out Minato Mirai in Yokohama and see if you can hit up a water park or something. Also Fuji-Q highlands amusement park. Their rollercoasters are awesome, but get there early and buy fast-passes, because the queues are a pain.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

[chris y]

Aug 22, 2018 7:32:13 GMT Stu said:

Bumping this thread as we have booked a return trip to Japan in October so gathering inspiration and ideas.
Would attempting MariCar again be a good idea but a different route maybe? Seems like the sort of thing to quit while I’m ahead on having survived last years Rainbow Bridge night crossing amongst HGVs dressed as Mario.... ;-)

We are staying in Yokohama for a few nights this time too so planning to visit Mooneyes. Any recommendations there, in Tokyo or Osaka appreciated as they’re all on our route.

Also looking at Hakone ‘free pass’ vs hiring a car to have a look around that area whilst staying in Tokyo for 7 nights.

Can’t wait! :-)

Are you there yet? When do you come back?

I've just found out that I'll be going on the 29th for 3 weeks. I'm with a work colleague for the first two weeks and we are thinking about going to Tokyo to try the karts on the first weekend. The second weekend I'm on my own so I'll try to see some car stuff, I've always been with the same work colleague and he isnt interested in cars at all but is up for the karting.

I'm thinking about visiting Tokyo megaweb and the Mooneyes cafe in Yokohama. Unless anyone has any better suggestions.

I'd really like to go to a night time PA meeting, but it doesnt sound practical alone and by taxi.

I'm looking forward to it though.

[Stu]

Oct 17, 2018 19:09:24 GMT chris y said:

Aug 22, 2018 7:32:13 GMT Stu said:

Bumping this thread as we have booked a return trip to Japan in October so gathering inspiration and ideas.
Would attempting MariCar again be a good idea but a different route maybe? Seems like the sort of thing to quit while I’m ahead on having survived last years Rainbow Bridge night crossing amongst HGVs dressed as Mario.... ;-)

We are staying in Yokohama for a few nights this time too so planning to visit Mooneyes. Any recommendations there, in Tokyo or Osaka appreciated as they’re all on our route.

Also looking at Hakone ‘free pass’ vs hiring a car to have a look around that area whilst staying in Tokyo for 7 nights.

Can’t wait! :-)

Are you there yet? When do you come back?

I've just found out that I'll be going on the 29th for 3 weeks. I'm with a work colleague for the first two weeks and we are thinking about going to Tokyo to try the karts on the first weekend. The second weekend I'm on my own so I'll try to see some car stuff, I've always been with the same work colleague and he isnt interested in cars at all but is up for the karting.

I'm thinking about visiting Tokyo megaweb and the Mooneyes cafe in Yokohama. Unless anyone has any better suggestions.

I'd really like to go to a night time PA meeting, but it doesnt sound practical alone and by taxi.

I'm looking forward to it though.

Hi, we got back earlier this week - it was amazing! I’ll post some photos and ideas for stuff to do and see when I can but definitely book a night tour (3hr route over Rainbow bridge if possible) with Maricar in advance and get an international drivers permit. Mooneyes in Yokohama is brilliant too as is MegaWeb!

What area are you staying in? Outside of Tokyo? If you like craft beer I’ve lots of recommendations for Tokyo area, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto.... ;-)

[chris y]

Oct 18, 2018 16:03:30 GMT Stu said:

Oct 17, 2018 19:09:24 GMT chris y said:

Are you there yet? When do you come back?

I've just found out that I'll be going on the 29th for 3 weeks. I'm with a work colleague for the first two weeks and we are thinking about going to Tokyo to try the karts on the first weekend. The second weekend I'm on my own so I'll try to see some car stuff, I've always been with the same work colleague and he isnt interested in cars at all but is up for the karting.

I'm thinking about visiting Tokyo megaweb and the Mooneyes cafe in Yokohama. Unless anyone has any better suggestions.

I'd really like to go to a night time PA meeting, but it doesnt sound practical alone and by taxi.

I'm looking forward to it though.

Hi, we got back earlier this week - it was amazing! I’ll post some photos and ideas for stuff to do and see when I can but definitely book a night tour (3hr route over Rainbow bridge if possible) with Maricar in advance and get an international drivers permit. Mooneyes in Yokohama is brilliant too as is MegaWeb!

What area are you staying in? Outside of Tokyo? If you like craft beer I’ve lots of recommendations for Tokyo area, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto.... ;-)

You are a star, thanks for the info.
On the weekend we home to go on the carts I'll be with a workmate and one of the few things we have in common is beer (he likes a lot, I just like a bit but to try good beer everywhere) so any beer tips would be great.

We are staying at Omiya, for work reasons, its not to bad for travel to Tokyo so our weekend idea is - Out for beer (don't know where yet) on Friday night, Saturday get the train to Tokyo, bit of wandering, Maricars, then have plenty of beers while laughing about what we just did before taking an early hours train back to Omiya.
Sunday is for recovery and maybe shopping for family gifts.

[chris y]

Oct 18, 2018 16:03:30 GMT Stu said:

Oct 17, 2018 19:09:24 GMT chris y said:

Hi, we got back earlier this week - it was amazing! I’ll post some photos and ideas for stuff to do and see when I can but definitely book a night tour (3hr route over Rainbow bridge if possible) with Maricar in advance and get an international drivers permit. Mooneyes in Yokohama is brilliant too as is MegaWeb!

What area are you staying in? Outside of Tokyo? If you like craft beer I’ve lots of recommendations for Tokyo area, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto.... ;-)

A quick question please, there seems to be a few places to get carts from, any advice about where to book would be appreciated.

[Stu]

Oct 18, 2018 19:54:29 GMT chris y said:

Oct 18, 2018 16:03:30 GMT Stu said:

Hi, we got back earlier this week - it was amazing! I’ll post some photos and ideas for stuff to do and see when I can but definitely book a night tour (3hr route over Rainbow bridge if possible) with Maricar in advance and get an international drivers permit. Mooneyes in Yokohama is brilliant too as is MegaWeb!

What area are you staying in? Outside of Tokyo? If you like craft beer I’ve lots of recommendations for Tokyo area, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto.... ;-)

A quick question please, there seems to be a few places to get carts from, any advice about where to book would be appreciated.

No problem, we used the original MariCar company, and picked up the cars from their Shinagawa shop. Great communication via email in English, very professional and a brilliant all round experience.

maricar.com/en/shinagawa.html#about

I’ll reply on potential beer locations soon but you’re only about a 50 min ride on the JR blue train line to the centre of Tokyo and less to Akihabara, Kanda and a few other areas that have great pubs.

[autojumbled]

Oct 18, 2018 20:24:00 GMT Stu said:

Oct 18, 2018 19:54:29 GMT chris y said:

A quick question please, there seems to be a few places to get carts from, any advice about where to book would be appreciated.

No problem, we used the original MariCar company, and picked up the cars from their Shinagawa shop. Great communication via email in English, very professional and a brilliant all round experience.

maricar.com/en/shinagawa.html#about

I’ll reply on potential beer locations soon but you’re only about a 50 min ride on the JR blue train line to the centre of Tokyo and less to Akihabara, Kanda and a few other areas that have great pubs.

Is MariCar still operating? I thought they lost a lawsuit against Nintendo recently?
kotaku.com/nintendo-wins-lawsuit-against-tokyos-totally-unofficial-1829354328

Perhaps they are, just no Mario themed stuff allowed....?

[Stu]

Oct 19, 2018 8:25:51 GMT autojumbled said:

Oct 18, 2018 20:24:00 GMT Stu said:

No problem, we used the original MariCar company, and picked up the cars from their Shinagawa shop. Great communication via email in English, very professional and a brilliant all round experience.

maricar.com/en/shinagawa.html#about

I’ll reply on potential beer locations soon but you’re only about a 50 min ride on the JR blue train line to the centre of Tokyo and less to Akihabara, Kanda and a few other areas that have great pubs.

Is MariCar still operating? I thought they lost a lawsuit against Nintendo recently?
kotaku.com/nintendo-wins-lawsuit-against-tokyos-totally-unofficial-1829354328

Perhaps they are, just no Mario themed stuff allowed....?

Yes, they seem to be, saw plenty of their karts out and about around Tokyo last week. Also noticed similar setups operating in Osaka too.

[quadrifoglio]

Facebook is a [censored], constantly reminding me it has been 3 years since our trip.
Won't be going back this year, nor will we in 2020 (because of the Olympics and the probably much higher prices), so maybe in 2021? 

Random Mitsuoka 

_DSC9378 bewerkt by G C, on Flickr

_DSC9380 bewerkt by G C, on Flickr