We Created The Greatest Car Meet Ever
Making Magic

Were you in Yokohama, Japan, last Saturday night? If not, I’m afraid you might have missed the world’s greatest car meet. Don’t fear though, I’m here now to show you guys the spectacle that unfolded beneath the skyscrapers of the city’s Minato Mirai 21 district.

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It all started a couple of months ago when I told some buddies that I was heading to Japan, and asked if we could throw a car meet and cruise night in Yokohama.

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You might remember this was something we did last year, so it was decided that we’d follow it up with another Saturday night get-together. While I knew the nicer weather this time around might make for a better turnout, little did I know the magic that was in store…

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Once again helping with the setup were my good friends Kage from the Kage Blog and Manabu Kanda from Kalifornialook. You’ll likely remember Kanda-san’s bitchin’ Beetle from the feature we ran a few months ago and it was in the shotgun seat of this car where I found myself as we kicked off an amazing Saturday night last weekend.

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After meeting up at Yokohama Station, we cruised down to Mooneyes Area 1 for dinner and some last minute planning. We’d all been sharing the event details on our social media channels over the last few weeks and were curious to see how the turnout would compare to last year’s meet.

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We knew for sure there’d be a strong showing of classic Volkswagens. That’s because a bunch of Kanda-san’s friends from Northern Japan had driven their VWs down for a big show that was happening the following day – and they decided to come early so they could spend the evening cruising around Yokohama with us.

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Once we finished up our burgers at the Moon Cafe, we hopped in the cars and headed over to the parking lot where the meet would happen. Along the way Mr. Endo from Mooneyes put on quite the flame show with his slick ’54 Plymouth Wagon.

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It was easy to tell when we had arrived at the meeting spot, as there was a massive line of cars waiting to enter the parking lot. This was looking big.

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In fact, there were so many cars that the first parking lot had already been filled to capacity and now people were beginning to take over neighboring lots. There were custom, classic and exotic cars everywhere you looked.

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Last year’s cruise night had roughly 80 cars in attendance, but this year there were over 300 of them. We had essentially taken over the entire Minato Mirai 21 area.

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While I was completely ecstatic about the turnout, I knew it was going to be a challenge to actually see all the cars that came out. And that said, I wasted no time in grabbing my camera and heading out to make the rounds.

Mix It Up
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And as I made my way through the rows and rows of cars parked under the beautiful nighttime scenery of Yokohama, I soon realized this was a car meet unlike any other I’d experienced before.

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It wasn’t just the sheer number of cars that had turned up, or the quality of the vehicles assembled. It was the fact I’d never seen such an incredible variety of cars gathered together in one spot before.

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It was an unparalleled fusion of car culture, with people from all kinds of backgrounds coming together for a night of fun. Nobody felt unwelcome in this crowd.

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It was the kind of night where you could glance in one direction and see a big-winged, high-grip circuit machine like the Advance Flatout NSX.

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But before you could even process what you were seeing, something else would grab your attention. Maybe the lopey idle of a Chevelle cruising the parking lot.

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A few moments later you’d find yourself mesmerized by the negative camber and pebble-scraping stance of a proper VIP car, like this Toyota Crown.

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If you couldn’t find at least a handful of machines to like among the hundreds of cars gathered, chances are you don’t even like cars. There was literally something for everyone. Whether it was an air-cooled Beetle slammed to the ground.

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Or a Lancer Evolution with mismatched wheels, over-fenders and a whole lot of street attitude.

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This heavily customized Debonair might come from the same manufacturer as the aforementioned Evo, but you’d be hard-pressed to find two cars more different from each other. Such was the beauty of this meet.

Y-Town Legends
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While there were tons of lowered machines parked under the lights on Saturday night, there were plenty of lifted ones as well – including this macho 4×4 square body Chevy.

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Like drift cars? There were lots of those as well – including the well-known JZX100 Mark II street machine that wears an Audi front end conversion.

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Dig the classics you say? This this mint Fairlady 240ZG will probably be right up your alley.

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Or maybe your ideal classic is something a little older and from the USA. A chopped and slammed ’50 Ford Shoebox perhaps?

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Let’s not forget the array of modified European machinery that came out – a group among which this widebody E36 could be found.

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Two-tone Toyota sedans from the 1980s are positively awesome, and I can’t imagine a GX71 Mark II looking much better than this one. Perfection.

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Let’s stay on the throwback train for one more stop with Sho Kogawa’s Dodge Challenger and its 1970s street freak style. Stay tuned for a spotlight feature on this bad boy.

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A week after catching him at Wekfest, it was great to see Ishiai-san from 396 Motoring making the drive out from Yamanashi in his bagged NSX. Say what you want, but I love the way this thing looks when laid out.

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Hondas came out in big numbers, and along with the dozens of Civics and Integras in attendance I found this beautiful third generation Prelude. Talk about a rare base platform in Japan.

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On the subject of rarities, I’m not sure if you’d find a more uncommon vehicle on Japanese streets than this Holden ute, straight out of Australia.

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It was also crazy to think that the line-up of cars at this meet spanned over 90 years of custom car history. The oldest vehicle in attendance? Kenta’s ’24 T-Bucket Roadster with flathead V8 power.

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And the newest car? That’d likely be the 2015 Lexus RC F that Takemi-san from Lexon Exclusive brought out. How’s that for range?

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There you have it – a cruise night and car meet for the ages. I’d sincerely like to thank everyone who came out and extend an extra special thanks to Kage-san and Kanda-san for helping to make all of this possible. I’m already looking forward to our next event.

Make sure to check out the Bonus Images chapter below!

Mike Garrett
Instagram: speedhunters_mike
mike@speedhunters.com

Cutting Room Floor
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85 comments

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1

SICK! 


well done - this is incredible

2

318ti!
This event looks awesome. I love the contrast of so many groups all at the same event.

3

This was in my backyard and couldn't go dammit. I hate work. F*ck.

4

buzzboy That's what I thought at first, but I don't think it is....it's a regular E36 coupe. The flares and wheels/tyres give it a very odd/squat appearance.....not one of the better kits the rocket bunny crowd has put out. Unless the car is on the ground with bags, this is a great example of why these kits don't suit everything!

5

You need to let the world know when something like this is going to happen. I'd literally book a trip to Japan around a meet like this. The variety is something you wouldn't see anywhere else in the world!!!! October/November would be good for the next one....I'd like to see Japan in it's pre-winter colours. ;)

6

The Japanese do American cars better then Americans do.

8

I enjoyed the meet!

9

Blow me down.. A Commy ute in Japan.. that is rare.. Almost as rare as the silver Ford XR6 turbo ute I saw parked in a driveway outside of Manchester in the UK!!

10

This is my dream meet. Back in the day the Seattle roadster show and HIN used to host their shows side by side in the Century Link (then Quest) field event center. Ever since that all ended I've really missed that sort of crossover at shows.

11

That's an odd one, never seen any Australian cars in Japan before.

12
vroomtothetomb

Duuude!! I looove how you took these pictures!!
It's amazing how some of these backgrounds not only frame the cars but the moment.
Chapter 2: #13,18,19 CraZy!
Bonus: #12, 13,14, 15 Unreal!

13

my brain is melting. i am jealous

14

BigJim2031 I think there is a specific importer that brings in all the utes/maloos/SS's etc and there are quite a few over there.

15

Thommo I saw a black AU Falcon ute in London when I was there in 2006!!!

16

I don't know where to start! All these cars are just awesome! There's something about early Evos that I love so much. That red EF Civic Hatch is cool too! And all those VWs are just awesome! I wish I can own one myself. Thanks for this post!

17

thanks Mike for posting the shot of by Holden Ute!  see you at Fuji!

18

Love to see Aussie Muscle on the Japanese Street! Nice Holden Commodore ute

19

Love to see Aussie Muscle on the Japanese Street! Nice Holden Commodore ute

20

Ahhhh, at least we get photos of freedom.

If this event happened in COMMIEFORNIA, the LAPD would've blocked off the entrance and impounded and ticketed as many of these cars as they could!!!

LET FREEDOM RING!!! 
Even if it's hard to hear the sound across the Pacific.

21

Now THIS is a proper car meet, and it even rivals "shows" in the US and Europe.

22

Now THIS is a proper car meet, and it even rivals "shows" in the US and Europe.

23

Crickey. A Holden ute in Japan. Funny how it looks better than 99.99% of the ones we have here in Australia. In fact, it's probably the best I've ever seen! Great build, whoever owns it!

24

Crickey. A Holden ute in Japan. Funny how it looks better than 99.99% of the ones we have here in Australia. In fact, it's probably the best I've ever seen! Great build, whoever owns it!

25

I do like the fact that the commodore that appears to only have a set of simmons wheels and a two tone paint job would not get a second look in Australia. They are a dime a dozen. However, throw one into Japan or Europe and it becomes something special. I know I'd certainly notice one in traffic against all the euro marques here in Germany.

26

I do like the fact that the commodore that appears to only have a set of simmons wheels and a two tone paint job would not get a second look in Australia. They are a dime a dozen. However, throw one into Japan or Europe and it becomes something special. I know I'd certainly notice one in traffic against all the euro marques here in Germany.

27

That was a great event and I am sure stoked that I got to go.... BY the way the wheels on the Holden are Hamann HM2 in a 19x8.5 and 10 and I patterned the paint from looking at many-a-bogen paint schemes while visiting NSW!! I am the proud builder of the VY-SS, thanks.....

http://minkara.carview.co.jp/en/image.aspx?src=http%3a%2f%2fcdn.mkimg.carview.co.jp%2fminkara%2fusercar%2f000%2f001%2f842%2f596%2f1842596%2fp1.jpg%3fct%3d7f1968d42c47

28
GregFentonHNHS

So much variety, so much awesome

29
TarmacTerrorist

Jagdroach we certainly need something like this happening everywhere there is a car scene to show the rest of the world how to do a meet. if this was europe there would of been a fight, arrests and probable bad blood everywhere. bottle that essence and sell it to the rest of the world please.

30

@THE GRINCH Stop being dumb. What are you talking about? There are dozens of Cars and Coffee meets. The one in Irvine was shut down due to noise complaints. Noise complaints? Yes, because idiots could not keep from doing burnouts and excessively revving their motors in an area surrounded by businesses and hotels. It is not the 'evel gubment' shutting things down, it is the morons who cannot keep from ruining a good thing. People are their own worst enemies. 

Something like this could totally take place in California, or really anywhere. Lots of public parking lots big enough for many cars. It all depends upon the people that show up.

31
DrewAnastasiou

That's why we love Japan! Hope one day to go there.

32
The_Technician

Man, If I had known that there was going to be such a wide variety of awesome vehicles, I would have gone. Sadly, I was on a date or drinking somewhere. There's always next year!

33
Putsteelsonit

Bollocks. There are hundreds of multi-marque car shows all over Europe without the hint of even a perfectly threaded eyebrow being raised. Turn up at any stock, rod, custom - or kustom - happening and you'll have fun, not a twatting. Where do you people get these ideas from?
(and it's 'would have' not 'would of' for christs sake... )

34
MyLifeAsLouis

That Holden ute is totally unexpected!

35

tkosho24v
There are so many questions that come to mind!
What are parts like to get? Do you pay $300 for $100 parts like we do imported stuff?
What are the logistics of owning a commodore in Japan?
It's just so bizarre to see!
You almost nailed the look - but forgot the stockies on the back! Haha

36

I want to see more and more north american meets like this. so much diversity in this melting pot of ideas and styles that it would be impossible to not be inspired to do something different than what has been molded into the recipes of each segregated subculture over here

37
Dilly Pickles

Wow, 3 C10s in the last 5 posts; I can get used to this!

38

jjcflowers tkosho24v Parts are nonexistent...  I gotta say that it can be a drag but is well worth it!

39

I need that lead image as a wallpaper please

40
Steve Hayward

PierceJones1 Hit "Presentation Mode", and then download the image from there.

41

Steve Hayward PierceJones1 thanks bossman!

42
Steve Hayward

PierceJones1 No worries, took me a bit to notice you could do that :)

43

I feel like a lot of this was one big study in juxtaposition. And that's a good thing.

44

That Evo and NSX U0001f44d

45

i want to know more about this:

46

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND this doesn't become SH Event of the Year.
No, really, just nail this to the top spot.

47

It's a candidate for sure :)

48

Such variety!

49

That's a good way to put it :)

50

It's the vehicle to have!

51

Yeah that was easily one of the coolest things about this - seeing people being exposed to cars they usually didn't see.

52

You can say that again.

53

Yeah I had no idea either. What a night!

54

Do it!

55

For sure.

56

Nice seeing you out there!

57

Yep it stands out here for sure.

58

Agreed, pretty damn amazing for a casual parking lot meeting.

59

Nice talking to you. See you around!

60

Too much good stuff.

61

Thanks a lot!

62

Seen a handful but definitively rare. The fact that they even have them at all is pretty darn cool.

63

Well throwing a "real" show takes a lot of work obviously, but fun meets like this are something I think we can do more of in the future.

64

Good to hear.

65

Hell yeah brah.

66

Yeah, had no idea it was going to be this big. Certainly know for next time now!

67

Too bad, was hoping to see you out there.

68

Agreed!

69

Mike Garrett

70

holy moly that Outlander!!!! major!

71

Mike Garrett We love our cars so much we'll carry them with us around the globe

72

A Commodore ute, WTF! Would love to know the story of how that came to be in Japan!

73

Diggin the mixture of rides here!

74

What are those headlights on the yellow NA?

75

we are in toyko june 14-22 i hope we get to see some car amazingness. any recommendations on times/ places/ meets???? i would appreciate it:) Danielle

76

Chances of me moving to Japan just went significantly up

77

Spaghetti buzzboy Yep, I see it now. The cheat is that those are frameless windows. The ti uses a sedan front end that has window frames.

78

danielle80 DROP ME A LINE.... 

tkosho24v@gmail.com  


I have in the past, and will attempt to accomodate ALL international auto gear heads visiting Tokyo.  Daikoku, Tatsumi PA Tsukuba Circuit to name a few...

79

@JustVladik see ya there bro

80
TarmacTerrorist

Putsteelsonit Oh bless, have you just traded up from /auto/ or jalopnik? where language biased  trolling like that might get a reaction?  
You are still splitting cars into demographics, so your point doesn't really stand, Custom/rod/rat shows are not all inclusive by their very nature, its a particular style, or genre. Multimarques - yes, multi discipline? no. Pull your knickers out your arse a moment dude.

81

Can we PLEASE get a feature on the truck in the opening picture?!

82

Check out gripshiftslide.com later this week for a full feature on that truck.

83

GwynMorgan love a good feet chair!

84

Jetstream. Just released. I need.

85

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