Gallery>>car Sightings In Japan Pt.2

Well, I've been back from Japan for a couple days now, still dealing with a bit of jet lag and readjusting to the 100 degree + temps here in California's central valley. For now I'd like to continue with some more random car sightings from both the Japanese countryside and in bustling metropolitan Tokyo.

This lowdown Odyssey was parked outside of the local video store. The D.A.D wheels might not be the most loved, but I think they work well here.

This lightly modded Impreza GT was cruising down the streets of Tokyo's historic Asakusa district.

As was this JZX110 Toyota Verossa. It's pretty rare to see one of these unique sedans "in the wild".

While walking by the Volkswagen dealership in Tsukuba City, I spotted this Scirocco being displayed on the lot. This was actually my first time seeing one these cars in the flesh – very cool looking.

A Car Sightings post wouldn't be complete without some kei cars like this Suzuki Alto Works.

A run of the mill Japanese sedan converted to look like some sort of classic luxury car. These are actually surprisingly common in Japan.

A BBS-equipped Crown Athlete about to cross the bridge over the Sumida River in Tokyo.

This is how you transport junked cars in Japan. Completely safe, right?

Facelifted RX8 on the streets of Tsukuba. I love the new taillights on this car.

A Chevy Astro sporting the NASCAR look.

Glowing Nissan Presage van pulling into a parking garage in Odaiba.

Also spotted in Odaiba, this classy looking UCF30 Celsior.

I had to study this car for a while before determining that there's a Chevy Camaro underneath all that bodywork. This is what the real high rollers drive in Tokyo…

The aging first generation Toyota Estimas are still rather common on the streets.

Another Toyota Crown in Asakusa. Again, this is a good example of the "mild VIP" cars you see in Japan.

Another NASCAR style van, this one a Toyota Hi Ace basking in the glow of a Family Mart convenience store.

Not a car, but some of the scooters and small bikes you see in Japan are too cool to ignore.

One night the wife and I were in Akihabara and while she was in the bookstore I took to the streets to shoot some pics. I was quite surprised to see this Audi R8 roll by me, filling the air with its wonderful V8 exhaust note.

I was even more surprised to find out that in the R8 was none other than fellow Speedhunter Dino Dalle Carbonare, who was out shooting pictures for his R8 story. Seriously, you have a better chance of winning a lottery jackpot than running into someone randomly on the streets of Tokyo.

While chatting with Dino and his friend Adam, the parade of cars continued to pass by. Here we have a nicely stanced EK Civic and an S14 Silvia.

Bling bling.

A properly done Toyota Mark X. You don't see these fixed up very often.

Well that does it for my JDM car sightings. Now back to beige Camrys and Saturns for me…

-Mike Garrett

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1

I don't care what anyone says; a VR25 Verossa + Vertex and awesome wheels, is a awesome looking car. Love that Mark X also. That truck transporting the wrecks just looks like a time-bomb, haha.

2

Seriously, I'd love Toyota if we got the Verossa in America. No matter how "ugly" it might be, having a RWD sedan like that here in America would completely restore my faith in Toyota.

3

Those are pretty crazy odd running into Dino haha.. I would have passed out in shock.

4

Love these posts mike, keep up the great work...these "spotted" posts are excellent.

5

Chevy Astro Van?? Those suck here why would anyone want one there??

6

god i would love to live there....

7

oh yeah by the way those 100+ days in the Central Valley well in Modesto today it was 110 haha

8

LOL at spotting the S14 and EK but not mentioning the JZX110W!



I hope I can park one in my garage sooner rather than later!

9

Haha mike, Verossa's are everywhere now days even in Gunma i see them everyday!

10

great stuff Mike! btw that 'converted sedan' is a Mitsuoka Ryoga

11

oh also if you like the Nascar van, here are some more japanese astros/safaris

http://doraemongo.blog.hobidas.com/archives/article/76318.html

12

What's up with the Mirage i the 1st pic? Any signs of boost?

14

wow what are the cars up there.

15

You son of a bitch! Don't hate on my mom's beige Camry!

16

yeah i saw the subaru, the sirocco, the lincoln, and the r8 in the streets of Blida Algeia too, i think i should take some photos and send em on the forum ..

17

nice odyssey, the D.A.D. wheels with that stance is pretty sick

18

um mirage, if im not mistaken thats a lan evo 1-2-3 ?

19

Mike, actually that was me driving the R8 - Dino is a bit bigger than I am and has a lot less facial hair.



I couldn't believe I thought you were him by the way...

20

@ David, actually, that's a Mirage, not an Evo - the rounder head and tail lights are a giveaway but hard to spot at night and at speed.

21

I dont think there were ever 2 doors badged as lancers or evolutions. The headlights are rounder, and bumpers flatter due to no US crash bars.....

22

wow loving the civic !

23

That poor Camaro... Just really... I mean WTF?

24

That Camero owns, I love it!

25

those junked cars. i see a mitsubishi minicab of some sort. And that boxy looking thing is a honda right? i forgot the name of those things.. And is that a toyota sprinter trueno (not an AE86.) underneath it as well?



the car that i loved most is the white celsior and the crown athlete. I still like the aging estima.



and lol at the camaro. :P



why would they do that. XD

26

Man, even the Japanese get the Scirocco?! Damn, VW, stop messin' with us! I still find the popularity of the Astro/Safari in Japan ironic, everybody hated those in the U.S. So the real "high rollers" in Japan envy the rides in American trailer parks? The bodykit/kits don't even line up! "Is that the new Jag XJ?! No, it's just a japanese copy of an old Jaguar MkII." Gotta love Mitsuoka, after seeing James May drive one on TopGear, I really want to import one, haha!

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