Japanese Nostalgic Car

On this day in 1959, Tokyo installed its first parking meter in front of the Metropolitan Government building (near what is now the Tokyo International Forum) in Yurakucho. The cost was ¥10 for 15 minutes. Around the same time, Tokyo also opened its first paid parking lot, near Tokyo Station. For those who care about their cars, parking is always a fraught exercise. Do you circle the lot for a wider spot at the end of a row, or just go for the closest? Do you avoid trees? Are you allergic to paying for a spot? If not, do you ever let a valet touch your car? We know you must have some hard and fast rules for temporarily leaving your car.

What are your rules for parking your car in public?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car separates seasoned car enthusiasts from the superficial?“. Continue reading →

One of the most annoying things about being a car enthusiast is that non-car enthusiasts automatically assume you like Bugattis and Lambos. I’d take a decades-old Toyota any day of the week. Many people who don’t know much about cars — as well as many who purport to — default to exotics as the “best” cars, as if price was directly correlated with goodness, quality, and driving pleasure. And yet, these same people usually look upon with disdain the cars readers here hold in high regard. There are cars that take a truly cultured car enthusiast to recognize, like a Toyota Cressida, Nissan Sentra SE-R, or any double-wishbone Honda. Appreciation for such machines is the mark of a connoisseur.

What car separates seasoned car enthusiasts from the superficial?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which Japanese tuning house would you most like to visit?“. Continue reading →

We’re currently in Japan for the Tokyo Auto Salon, but to maximize our visit we’re also on a tour of some Japanese tuning houses. They specialize in all sorts of cars, some a specific model, others a general make, and others a broad range of marques. These legendary garages have become globally recognized for their work in making the best cars in the world even better. Most are nondescript from the outside, but stepping foot into one of these spots can feel like entering sacred ground, especially if for years you’ve seen their cars in magazines, played them in Gran Turismo, or collected diecast versions of them. Everyone should make a pilgrimage.

Which Japanese tuning house would you most like to visit?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which car from 2001 would you import?“. Continue reading →

It’s a new year, and that means a new selection of Japanese-market cars will become eligible for import in 2026. Our 25-year import law states that cars built in 2001 can now enter the country. While the thought of a second-gen Nissan Stagea or DC5 Honda Integra Type R is tempting, this era was peak minivan. The year 2001 saw the introduction of the Toyota Noah/Voxy, Estima Hybrid, E25 Nissan Caravan/Isuzu Como, Suzuki Every Landy, and our favorite, the Honda Mobilio.

Which car from 2001 would you import?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your new year’s resolution for 2026?“. Continue reading →