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Is that really street legal? It looks like a GoKart!
Yup!
In Japan, driving a go-kart on the street is legal - provided it is registered.
Much to the annoyance of locals, as they rent them to the truly gormless selfie seekers...
Yup!
In Japan, driving a go-kart on the street is legal - provided it is registered.
Much to the annoyance of locals, as they rent them to the truly gormless selfie seekers...
I saw these people when I was in Shibuya, seemed insane to me but a little fun.
I saw these people when I was in Shibuya, seemed insane to me but a little fun.
Agreed, looks great fun!
Just annoying if you're trying to get home and Karen has blocked an intersection to get that perfect selfie.
Locals hate them...
They're a bit culturally insensitive as well, as they play into the whole Isn't-Japan-Crazy trope, but as Abe-san was Super Mario for the Olympics announcement, maybe Japan is just one large amusement park for foreigners to frolic?
Awesome photos amazing story thank you for sharing.
Now, let's talk about those free samples?
Joke.
But, thanks!
Originally Posted by kiznarsh
Gah...997 Turbos look so damn good!
This one sounded neat too!
A few weeks ago, while cross-prefectural restrictions were still in place, authorities allowed local restaurants to open - provided they maintained strict distancing rules (only one person allowed inside at a time, and only outdoor seating).
We knew a motorcycle cafe in the hills, and it was a nice day, so we took off via a few near empty touge for lunch...
Our friend's recently purchased Taisho Roman villa is always photogenic.
Even without flat-sixes in the driveway.
Along the way, we stopped with a number of sport bikes to wait for the local one-man car.
A diesel-engined slow train, still used by locals and tourists.
It runs through some gloriously languid countryside.
Local shop houses are being redeveloped more these days, as locals rediscover the joys and safety of touring Japan.
COVID-19 will likely accelerate this, as hurdles and risks for international travel are likely to remain for some time.
12 boxer cylinders, cooling down in the rudimentary bike cafe car park.
Tink, tink, tink.
Like a teenage Instagrammer, I could not resist taking a photograph of my food.
Sad, I know.
It is however, one of the best US-style burgers about.
We took the long way home, and stopped at a traditional nihonshu (sake) brewery, and bought a few bottles of their smooth daiginjyo - the smoothest nihonshu, made from the smallest, most intense part of the rice.
I am normally a mugi-shochu drinker, for that roasted bourbon-like flavor, but a good chilled daiginkyo is a nice treat.
More great country roads, and sleepy country villages.
We did however, discover a little river with a ryokan (country inn) that had about ten rooms and an outside onsen backing onto to the river.
Night time frolics in the cool water in summer would sure to be on the agenda.
There are a few ryokan / onsen across Japan, known ahem for their mutual frolicking - it's not known if this was such.
It was accessed via a one-lane tunnel, that looked like something from mythology.
Halfway through, it was joined by the original level tunnel, we guessed before the bridge at the exit was constructed.
The higher, older tunnel is still there, but is kinda freaky when you come over the hill in the middle.
Further East, this abandoned hotel sits near a 1960s resort village.
Roadster RF that chased us around one set of corners.
Local one-man, one-car diesel train trundles through the green rice fields.
More to follow...
What's with the one-car train? Just a small passenger train?
Just that, yes.
Typically country runs, slow trains connecting to bigger hubs.
Like buses elsewhere in the world.
They are liked across much of Japan, and mostly retain their hourly service for kids and local commuters.
Tourists on the weekends too like to take them through the scenic places.
Great album; awesome cars and beautiful scenery. Thanks for posting!
The Tokyo Bayside Classic Cup has been rescheduled later this month, so I hope to see some more great stuff...
Like this GT40, again from above too.
Including getting out again with friends, like the first and last GT series above.
The way they carried the afterburner tail lights through most Skyline GT is pretty neat.
Some more from a recent run though, including more one-man car trains and a Mitsubishi Minica ute.
Cross-prefectural restrictions were lifted three weeks ago, so we decided to take a week off and take a 2200km, eight-day tour from Kanto to Shikoku and back.
We packed the Cayman, and took off into the summer mists.
The week was forecast with heavy rains, and though we managed to skirt most, other parts of Southern Japan were not so lucky.
Over 15 people have since died in Kumamoto-ken - a bit further South - when many rivers flooded towns and villages, or inundated under landslides.
We watched in amazement as the only remaining murdered-out car in Japan passed us on the Tomei Expressway.
If you're sensible, you can really open up the taps on a number of Japan's expressways, and we were passed by some, clearly doing well over 200.
We thought perhaps some sort of Nissan-fest was underway, but they were all traveling different routes.
The Nissan President sled was pretty cool, burbling along on its Cragar-style five-spokes.
The 'Vette was off to meet his Sunday morning Lambo buddies at a local SA.
Stopping at one SA ourselves, we were joined by a 10,000km 986 in showroom condition.
Not sure if it was simply well-kept, or recently restored.
Summer mists shrouding a suitably Gothic-like expressway bridge.
Those mist pictures remind me of driving through the mountains in Japan (I don't recall which area, had to be at least 20 years ago), and staying at various onsens. We were in some park full of jagged black volcanic rocks, and the clouds moved in low. I remember the fog was so dense, I couldn't see more than a few feet in front of my face. I wish I could figure out where it was, so I could take my wife and kid(s) there.
06-10-2020, 09:07 AM
