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