Japan Car Scene

[Captain Ahab Jr]

For the last 6 month I've spent half my working weeks in Japan

Late last summer I recieved a very unexpected message on LinkedIn,

Konnichiwa Capt Ahab-san, we need good motorsport composite design here at ........... are in interested in coming out to Japan to fast track our young engineers and help us for the next 2yrs!

WTF why me yes, of course I would

No name guessing please, not hard to guess who, like to keep a certain level of ninja stealth with my work, helps keep me in the game, so really appreciate if you'll let me continue to play in secrecy

Japan is an awesome country, full of polite/friendly people who are more into their cars than probably any country I've visited or lived in and this includes Italy

If a holiday in Japan is not on your bucket list, it should be, you won't be disappointed and hope this thread persuades you to make the trip

Thought I'd start a thread for all things Japanese car scene related, feel free to dive in and post your own stuff as I post up all the car scene stuff I've seen as it's too cool not to share with you guys

I'm here now, enjoying my 4th trip, have plenty to share and have heaps of car stuff planned for my booked up 5th trip

[pwd72s]

Please do tell us more.

[Dixie]

This thread needs photos

[Seahawk]

Perfect.

My parents lived in Japan in the 50's for three years, my sister was born there, I happily have spent a lot of time there and my son did a summer at language school there.

Grandfather of his host family and a neighbor:





Host families Dad was a BB in something. Jack, then one belt down from BB in Taekwondo, got, in his words, hammered.

Enjoy.

[mgatepi]

Love Japan! Spent many weeks there over my 30 year carrer working for a Japanese Mfg company! Last time I was in Tokyo there were a group of folks dressed up like MArio Cart characters and driving Go Carts through the streets of Tokyo!!! It was a hilarious!!! Wish I would have taken a couple of pictures!

[astrochex]

Subscribed.

[pavulon]

Is Dajiban still a thing?


https://youtu.be/7U2BC5sOltU?si=2jH-wb5QEuIqg6vl

[KNS]

When I used to give flight instruction (many moons ago) the company I worked for had a contract to teach students from Japan to become pilots. I fell in love with the culture.

I have yet to go but it is on my bucket list!

[Dixie]

Helping with the Japanese car scene theme...







And I know y'all will love this one.

[masraum]

Man, I'm super jealous! My dad was in the Navy. We were stationed in Japan twice for about 2.5 years each time when I was a kid (late 70s, mid 80s). We loved it. I'd love to go back. Even better if I could go for work so someone else would foot the bill!

Have a great time, explore, and send lots of photos and anecdotes (car related or not)!

[Bill Douglas]

I've been told they have quite a good Porsche 911 aircooled scene going on there. They like something "imported" and to them an aircooled 911 is pretty funky.

[Crowbob]

I may be headed to Japan 4/25 for a 14-day cruise that hits Tokyo, Nagoya, Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan (SK), Hiroshima, Beppu, Kyoto (2days) and Shimizu.

Aside from my apologies for this post not being relevant to the OP, can anyone give me some idea what I’m in for?

[Superman]

Congratulations Captain. You will run out of white whales, I think, at this pace.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I may be headed to Japan 4/25 for a 14-day cruise that hits Tokyo, Nagoya, Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan (SK), Hiroshima, Beppu, Kyoto (2days) and Shimizu.

Aside from my apologies for this post not being relevant to the OP, can anyone give me some idea what I’m in for?

I assume that while on the boat you won't have any difficulties with anything. I'm assume that will be touristy enough that they will have everything covered with English text or folks that can speak some English.

English is a required language in Japanese schools, at least it was when I was there. I think it was required for something like 8 out of 13 years. Even so, they may or may not speak English well or understand you well, but they are very accommodating. If you can't get by with speaking, try writing it down. We had that experience, they may not be able to converse well, but may better understand the written word.

The language is easy for the most part with few sounds that are hard for an English speaker to pronounce so it shouldn't be too hard to learn some words and phases to help and engender more good will.
a = ah (as in father)
e = eh
i = ee
o = ō
u = oo
ai = "eye" literally ah-ee
ei = ā (like the Fonz used to say) literally eh-ee
y = sounds like the y in you

domo - casual "thank you" with a tiny bit of emphasis on the first "o" sound, so it's almost like you're pronouncing the long O twice.
domo arigato - bit less casual version of thank you
domo arigato gozaimasu - much more formal thank you
dozo - please
gomen nasai - I'm sorry
sumimasen - I'm sorry/excuse me
biru - beer
cohi = coffee
mizu = water
ohayo = casual hello
ohayo gozaimas = good morning
konichiwa = good day (more formal greeting)
konbonwa = good afternoon
oyasuminasai = good evening/good night
sayonara = good bye
moshi moshi = greeting when answering the phone. Always sounded closer to moo-she moo-she to us, but I think is technically mō-she mō-she

The people are super friendly and polite and eager.

It may depend upon where you are, what you are doing and if you're in a large group, but when I was there, it wasn't unusual for someone to approach you, ask if you were American and ask to "practice English". They usually just enjoy a chat.

The exchange rate appears to have improved quite a bit over what it was for a long time. Looks like it's currently 153¥ to the dollar. For a long time it was closer to 100¥ to the dollar, and that sucked. When we were there, the exchange rate was mostly 200-250¥ to the dollar which was awesome.
When we were in Japan, the cost of stuff was such that 100yen would be similar to what we'd think of as a dollar (100 cents). So when the exchange rate is a fair bit above 100¥=1$, then your dollar goes farther. Of course, it's been nearly 40 years since I've been there, so I don't know if costs for goods have changed much.

Check out things like grocery stores, soba (noodle) shops, etc... Most restaurants will (or did) have fake plastic food in the window. These days that may be less common with pics on the menu more common, I don't know.

Besides Capn Ahab who's got current experience, we've also got "Dan from Brooklyn" on the board. He lives in Japan (Hokkaido, I think) so he should be able to give you the skinny.

[TimT]

Disclaimer.. I was approached of when I used would walk around Beijing alone..

I had an apartment with my then wife in Chaoyang

She often would have to do thing for her business so I head to Forbidden City or somewhere..

it wasn't unusual for someone to approach you, ask if you were American and ask to "practice English". They usually just enjoy a chat.

I knew I would be approached by someone wanting to practice English..I had time so... a cup of coffee later.. I was on my way..

I did get nervous when I was asked to tell if US bills were fake lol

[look 171]

Originally Posted by TimT

Disclaimer.. I was approached of when I used would walk around Beijing alone..

I had an apartment with my then wife in Chaoyang

She often would have to do thing for her business so I head to Forbidden City or somewhere..



I knew I would be approached by someone wanting to practice English..I had time so... a cup of coffee later.. I was on my way..

I did get nervous when I was asked to tell if US bills were fake lol

That happened to us throughout China with younger folks coming up to us wanting to chat. First I didn't realize it so we shy away form them only because of the way they approached us. After our tour guide told us that, we started talking to many college and even high school age kids. A simple hello, how are you was my start and they would repeat that with very thick, heavy accent but always a big smile.

[look 171]

I spoke with many people who travel the world but have never, ever heard anything bad about Japan. My kids are planning to go next summer with their friends.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by look 171

I spoke with many people who travel the world but have never, ever heard anything bad about Japan. My kids are planning to go next summer with their friends.

Thank you for the insight.

I’m thinking so many excursions in such short of a time-frame may be too much. This is a big deal for me. Like, unprecedented on both sides of my family history unprecedented.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Thank you for the insight.

I’m thinking so many excursions in such short of a time-frame may be too much. This is a big deal for me. Like, unprecedented on both sides of my family history unprecedented.

I truly believe that it is the the most polite, orderly society on earth. The one thing we notice when were were in Asia few years back was everyone was so orderly that lines were formed for everything. Oh no, not China that was for sure. Line? what's that? Anyway, We noticed people standing over to the right on the escalator but in all the right hand driving countries, they stand to the left allowing people who are in a rush to get through. I noticed some people with knee long shorts, tennis shoe and a pot belly with socks up their calve with the typical fanny pack gathering up at the the entrance. I told my wife, 100 bucks they block the entire escalator. Within 30 seconds, there were locals waiting to get through. They just stood there waiting, without saying one word. Don't be that guy

You will like it.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Thanks for getting this thread going, I've been busy out about which I'll post up about later

Just need to rewind back to mid-Oct last year when I visited, was my 1st current work trip and 2nd Japan trip as I'd previously work a Suzuka F1 race many years ago

Decided my first visit was to see the Honda Collection at Motegi, Honda's own circuit complex, which is all very impressive but not as impressive as the companies collection of motorbikes and cars

I chose a good day as when I arrived I stumbled across the extra bonus of a typical Japanese Sunday car meet in the over flow car park, Honda Collection would have to wait while I checked out what was about