Who has been to Japan?

[ol_skl_jp]

I'm planning a trip in Jan 2010 to J land to do see the Tokyo autosalon, and do some skiing. But that is all that is planned for now. Was planning on hiking Mt Fuji but climbing season isn't till July. Staying 3-4 weeks depending on how far our money takes us.

 

Anyway need some ideas for car related activities as well as some touristy stuff that we can do there. What have you guys done whilst over there. Oh and some good places to buy parts for the Z;)

 

Cheers

[S30Mike]

Hey, im interested to know too, im off to japan mid december for some skiing! What date is the autosalon?

[Zeddophile]

Hey, im interested to know too, im off to japan mid december for some skiing! What date is the autosalon?

 

Now there's a bloody good idea!  Got enough room in your carry on luggage for a bloke with his snowboard? 

[ol_skl_jp]

Jan 15th to 17th...skiing should be awesome can't wait

[nizm0zed]

i allways wanted to go to the tokyo gadget show.

 

I'll manage one year, but probably when im old and the kids have moved out.

[JP]

I lived in Japan for about a year and a half for work.

 

In winter I would just spend the whole time snowboarding, forget the car stuff

In nagano it was only like $100 for accommodation, lift ticket, massive dinner and breakfast 

 

All my car shopping in Japan I did online as it's much easier and much cheaper, but you need to have a permanent address to use.

I don't know much about Z cars in Tokyo, but I did spend some time at RockyAuto in Aichi (nearish to Nagoya). The Toyota museum in Nagoya is awesome, they have samples off all the cool cars from the last century (not just Toyota) including a 432R.

 

Other than cars I would just spend some time at the market in harajuku, some time at the bars and clubs in shibuya. Eat and drink heaps in all the izakaya bar/restaurants. Maybe catch the monorail from shibuya to odaiba, the man made island in the bay. Toyota used to have a mini museum in the mall there plus you get a great view of how massive Tokyo is. Everywhere is super accessible by train and most of the fun is to be had making a fool of yourself in totally non English speaking situations.

[S30Mike]

God damn! i was leaving one day before the Autosalon.. tickets have been changed to fix that .

 

Im gonna be soo broke when i get back..

 

Im visiting the star road workshop while im over there.. any one want some parts

[RBZ 260]

lucky B@#%D 

 

im not a type that likes to travel and see the world. i rather just spend it on my own world here and my toys. BUT saying that Japan and US will be the only place i realy want to go and check out becuse of the cars mainly.

 

Im lucky as my missus friend is japanese so hopefully when we manage the time and $$ she be helping us or her father as he is a big car nut himself.

 

talking to someone like her father that has driven a hakosuka GTR when was new and owned a 240ZG in japan was highlite of my life .pitty his son/daughter don't share the same passion for jap performance cars as it would be good help showing us around Tokyo car scene.than again i think the experience and stories of their old man are interesting how things were in japland some 40 years ago when he was young. 

 

I just hope her old man is in Japan when we decide to go. 

 

enjoy it and make sure u take lot of pics for us dreamers here to see.  make sure u visit one of the late session drift drag nites in the hills or industrial area and again take lots of videos and pics.

[kalium]

I lived in Japan for a year and a half. I hung out with some Zed guys and went to a couple of car (and zed) festivals.

 

Tokyo motor show is good. Not sure when it is on.

I went to a big car parts expo, where you walk around a convention centre and can pick up second hand watanabes, carbies and all sorts.

 

The Z car fiesta was cool. I think it's yearly. Check when it's on. We went to the nissan test track and got to go around the nissan test track. Aboslutely awesome.

 

Ray

 

 

 

[ol_skl_jp]

I think i wont get to do end up skiing as my brother pulled out and i might be head up there by myself. Great input JP, spending 2 weeks in Tokyo and Shibuya is on the top of my list. The next 2 will be spent sightseeing. The Toyota and Nissan museums are also on my list.

 

[JP]

There is also akihabara in Tokyo (electric town) which is basically a massive tourist trap but interesting to have a look. All the main districts you will want to see in Tokyo are on the city loop (yamanote line). If you're travelling out of tokyo which I imagine you would over 3-4 weeks, then I would do the typical Kyoto trip and see the temples (kiyomizudera is the best in my opinion). I would stop in Osaka just to have a look around and eat heaps (okonomiyaki), then there is also hiroshima which obviously has the peace memorial which is very interesting if you like a bit of history. I spent about 4 hours in the atomic museum.

 

All this can be planned in order and is very easy on the bullet train. You have to travel away from the train stations to see the temples in Kyoto but there is a tourist orientated "raku" bus i think it was called which is a flat rate. The bus is also used by locals and most stops aren't where you need to get off, so be prepared and download some maps!

 

Its the middle of winter so Fuji will be covered in snow and impossible to climb. It can be a bit boring by yourself, so very important you plan ahead so you have things to do and don't get trapped wandering aimlessly.

[S30Mike]

JP thanks for the info!

 

What kind of cheap accomidation do the have?

 

Is it wise to try out the Ryukans? i wouldnt mind having a week of "traditional" japanese experience haha.

[JP]

When travelling I usually stayed in business hotels as they are cheap. Tiny but cheap.

 

A lot of bigger hotels have "western style" rooms and "japanese style rooms". You could book a japanese style room if you wanted to get the experience of dressing up in japanese robes, straw mats and sleeping on futon, often they have a japanese breakfast served to your room too.

 

Otherwise you could stay at hotsprings (onsen), that way even when you have finished you day, you are still sightseeing/having new experiences. Be prepared to get naked though

They are scattered all across the country, the really nice and expensive ones are in the hills though.

[ol_skl_jp]

Mike whats your itinerary if you dont mind me asking.

[ChiprZ]

look out for this in japan

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,5341.0/topicseen.html

[S30Mike]

Mike whats your itinerary if you dont mind me asking.

 

Hey mate,

 

Ill be skiing in Hakuba up to christmas, then we are kinda undecided after that!

We will be touring around abit at some stage, Toyota city, some of the other car museums as well, and some of the work shops like star road and top secret.

 

Meet up with us for a beer in tokyo

 

Does anyone know of any track events worth taking a look at?

 

EDIT: I HAPPEN TO HAVE A SPARE TICKET TO JAPAN DEPARTING 15th DECEMBER RETURNING 20th JANUARY IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED I WILL GIVE IT AWAY FOR HALF PRICE ($450).

[JP]

Haha I used to live in Toyota city...you wont want to be spending too much time there!