The other day I was browsing through some of my contacts on Flickr when I stumbled across Koji Karimata's photos from an event called the Hachi Maru meeting held last month in Shizuoka, Japan. There were some really cool pictures in the set, so I got Koji's permission to repost some of them here for you guys to enjoy.
As the name suggests, the Hachi Maru Meeting was a huge gathering of cars built in the 1980s, as well as a few from the late '70s and early '90s. Based on Koji's photos, it looks like hundreds of cars made it out. There were lots of popular '80s machines like the DR30 Skyline.
As well as lots of rare '80s models – like this dropped Mazda Luce.
It also seems there was a good turnout of Mitsubishi Starions.
There's an F31 Nissan Leopard, as seen in the Japanese cop show Abunai Deka.
Want the driving experience of an AE86 with four-door utility? That's where the Toyota Carina 1600 GT steps in.
Some first generation Honda CR-X love.
There were plenty of AE86s to be found at the Hachi Maru Meeting. Check this rally style Levin.
Here's another rarity – a Mazda Capella Coupe, known as the MX-6 here in the US.
Love this ST-165 Celica GT-Four on OZ rally wheels.
Another iconic Japanese machine of the era, the C210 Skyline 2000GT Turbo.
It doesn't get any more "80s" than this Prelude dumped on tri-spokes with fender trim.
One of the cleanest AW11 MR2s I've seen in a while.
This tough looking F31 Leopard has been circulating around the net quite a bit lately, and with good reason.
It's also sporting an RB25 swap for good measure.
A very period correct Mazda Familia GT-X. Definitely one of Mazda's under-appreciated performance cars.
The S30 might be the favorite of the classic Zs, but who doesn't appreciate a properly done S130?
Isuzu was also represented at the meet, whether it was with the Gemini…
…or the Giugiaro-designed Piazza. I always thought it would be cool if the baseball player Mike Piazza used one of these as his daily driver.
I spent a lot of time riding around in my friend's Z31 back in high school so I'll always have a soft spot for these cars.
The Subaru Alcyone was a cutting edge car when it was released in 1985. Literally, the edges on the car were so sharp that you had to be careful while walking around it. The stripe package and mesh wheels on this one make it that much cooler.
I'll finish with this U12 Bluebird SSS-R that looks ready to tackle some rally stages.
For more photos from the Hachi Maru meeting, make sure to check out Koji's Flickr gallery.
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
The memories... some amazing machines there and great photos too. Thanks to you and Koji for sharing them.
this is relevent to my interests x1000
Amazing cars... Wish we were fortunate enough to get some of these in NA
Z31 LOVE!! The highway turbo sled. Everyone hates on it cause it gained weight from the S30. EVERY CAR gained weight from the 70's to 80's so give it a rest. The S130 and Z31 gained weight and techo gadgets, JUST like the R35. I never saw what the big deal was. Evolution go's on.
Proud Kouki Z31 Turbo owner.
Came for first gen RX-7's. Leaving disappointed.
Gotta love those Leopards. . .N much Luv to Speedhunters for postin up my M30 in past articles. . . Im working on getting a RHD one to cruise here in L.A. . . .
Super sweet!! Love the period spec jappas!
This is why I don't mind getting an old JDM. I'll settle for any of these cars!
Hands down my favorite post of the year.
rare 80s mazda luce?? dam things are everywhere
makes me miss my z31
Anyone know what kind of wheels are on the 20th anniversary Z? It looks like the Leopard has the same or similar wheels on it.
Yay another S12, even though it's only in the corner of a picture with it's rear showing...
MOAR!
Amazing, and LOL @ I always thought it would be cool if the baseball player Mike Piazza used one of these as his daily driver.
Awesome post. My wife doesn't understand my love of the '80's imports... but you guys do!
great photos!
love the z31's and dr30 skyline's. Proud owner of 1988 300zx 2+2
those nissan are dope as crap
awesome... good news is most of these should eligible to import into oz under the 18 year old rule... time to jump on j-spec!
MORE OF THIS AWESOMENESS!
I absolutley have Nissan/Datsun Z31 Love! That very first 300ZX Turbo Z31 silver photo was a limited edition released in the U.S. approx 1984/85- I know because my father worked for Nissan during that era of the recent switching of branding from Datsun to Nissan and I remember him pulling out with it from a service bay when i went to work with him when i was a little boy and my eyes just lit up! I said to myself "I will have one one day" "it must be made mine" I remember it had cutting edge technology for the time-the digital gauge cluster the limited edition Z rear fender flares, it was black and silver and had gold pin stripping and the gold Z "turbo fan style wheels" Little hood scoop, pop up headlights and instead of saying "300ZX in the rear Red Center Garnish- it read TURBO- thats what distingushed it from any other Z. Please more pics of more Z31s! the memories are fantastic!
P.S. I STILL WILL HAVE ONE ONE DAY 
liking the look of the 1st gen. Honda CR-X, never seen one on those rims before, plus the creamy looking white Z31 looks 'cool as a cucumber' i do love those original 'turbine' rims its on too. - looks like it was a great turn out, they got some nice cars tucked away out there, brings back memories! - Thanks
Ohhhh Finally an Isuzu Gemini <3
As a Chevette owner and a GM T-Car enthusiast I get excited every time I see one of these given some love
i want a Z31 so bad after this
Prelude brings back some memories...those wheels, ugh....speaking of era wheels, guess the deeo five star american racing wheels weren't big in Japan...
this is the good stuff, keep it sporty & classy
Im a z31 owner that doesn't whine and I certainly appreciated the love up there, Those two Zs where pretty inspiring. That S130 was awesome. I love all those cars."80's tech spec" classics, enough said....
I need more z31 in my life.
i drove an mx-6.... they also came turbo. it was a great first car lol... cool seeing it here on speedhunters
All my favorite cars.
That first Z made me get on ebay and look for a nice restored version to buy. Just gorgeous, and Ive never been a big fan of those mid to late 80's Z's.
Love the Z31s!
More coverage like this! More old school Jap love!
Where can you get the bonnet fins on the Dr30 btw? I'd love some for my Bluebird 910 Wagon
Ahh, Japan... so cool, and its 80's cars are so sharp and... well, amazing!
Two-tone SW20 needs pics.
I love this post! Such a great throwback to see these, and would like more!
diggin the rally '86 aye!
That orange Isuzu looks like an old Opel Kadett C! :O
These cars bring back memories. The second car i owned was a Mazda Cosmo which was the sister car to the Mazda Luce. Only differences were the headlamps, Cosmo flipped and Luce were fixed. The red Skyline is a spittin image of my third car a R30 Newman Skyline, I had the same two tone paint job, minus the iron face. I bought the same model CRX of of my mom for a buck, always hated Hondas, tried to kill it, couldn't, that lil Honda gained my respect. My Father had a white 4door C210 Skyline when I was a kid, wish we still had it. And for my favorite, the AE86, I've owned 14 of them over the years and have three parked in my driveway right now. Thanks for the walk down memory lane