Japan road trip.... 4000km

[ado]

Since this was my last summer vacation on the Korean peninsular I decided to take a road trip to Japan because why not? This is one of the many road trips I want to do which includes: London - SA, London - Mongolia, Malaysia - Turkey via Iran and San Diego to Chile.

This is my fourth trip to Japan in two years so I wanted to visit some places harder to reach using public transport. I also wanted to see some Initial D locations such as Akina (Mt Haruna), Akagi, Usui pass and Irohazaka, since I'm in Japan it would be a waste to not see some circuits and maybe drive on them.

It started out with the boring bits first, collecting all documents and making a ferry booking and it was all uneventful. Waiting until departure day wasn't too bad since July was a busy month for "me" (I work on average 12 hours per week).

Departure day came! I drove the 4 hours needed down to the port in Busan, I found the place quite easily and went through all the documents to get my Temporary Export Certificate so the first step was finished, just had to wait a few hours to board.

The MINI peeking out from it's hiding place.

We boarded at 6:30pm and snapped another quick pic of the MINI waiting dockside.

In total there were only two cars and one bike going to Japan, the van was a Jap plated van from Nagano. The call then came for the cars to board.

The MINI settled down for the night and I headed straight for the vending machine for my Asahi.

Part 2 will come when I finish work.....

 

[ado]

Before I went to sleep for the night I snapped some pics of the bridge in Busan.

Off to bed I went!

Woke up next morning and we had arrived in Shimonoseki ahead of schedule. We disemarked at 8:30 and finished all customs procedure and at 9:30 so went searching for food and sim card.

After breakfast I set off for Okayama. 300km and with $70 less (ouch) I had arrived at my first night stay. Decided to go for a quick drive to Soja and visit a temple.

Went back to the hostel, met some more traveller then ate and explored Kurashiki at night. Would definitely like to go back and see some more.

Woke up next morning and after a quick breakfast I headed for Okayama Castle. Parked up next to a Kei car and just snapped a quick pic on my phone.

After that I took a trip to Okayama Circuit where there was a bike track day.

Then off I went to Himeji Castle, Kobe and my stop for the night Wakayama.

This was my thrid day already and I finally got to Nara where I met my friend. We met up around Nara park and took a few pics before we went for a drive.

Went back to his house and took a few pics with his MINI GP which has been SORN'd and heading for Germany very soon. For those eagle eyed peeps you might notice the Aston is registered in Tokyo instead of Nara which gives it a more prestigious plate.

He also had a Mk1 Range Rover , Fiat 600 and a Lancia tucked up but didn't take any pics since I've seen them before. His dad had a V12 Vantage up the road but couldn't get it down due to time constraints.

Part 3 on the way......

 

[Ian_182]

Cracking trip.

 

[LeeRS]

You work 12 hours a week and can afford this?

 

[182Trophy]

Awesome! Japan looks like a nice place to go.

 

[imprezaworks]

Great thread

 

[DannyR]

Can't wait for Part 3! I'd love to visit Japan.

 

[182Trophy]

You going in the direction of tsukuba circuit?

 

[aucky]

Awesome. I'd love to do Japan. Sadly though I think its a few holidays down the line..

 

[ado]

You work 12 hours a week and can afford this?

I'm at school 40 hours a week but only teach 12 hours. So. Out of my time is spent on other stuff.

You going in the direction of tsukuba circuit?

Tsukuba wasn't a place I was going to miss.

 

[ado]

Part 3

After Nara I went to Osaka and met up with some more friends and watched the biggest fireworks of the season down by the river and of course ate Okonomiyaki. I didn't take pics of Osaka and Kyoto this time but here's some from a previous trip.

https://www.facebook.com/adrian.lee.144181/media_set?set=a.10152620443960525.968735.756895524&type=3

After Kyoto on Sunday we drove 8 hours all the way up to Gunma to visit some Initial D locations. First up was Lake Akina aka Haruna delivering some tofu.

Went up to the starting place.

There are actually quite a few speed bumps so can only go at a gentle pace.
11916905_10156037905265525_1267320202_n.mp4
After that we went to the gas station.

Then some tempura for lunch.

After lunch we went of to Mount Akagi and Usui pass where this sat.

Aka Pass video.

I have a time-lapse of Usui Pass but haven't got round to sorting it yet.

After Gunma, the plan was to head to Twin Ring Motegi and go to the Honda Museum but there was a problem. We managed to fill the MINI up with Diesel so it meant a recovery truck, a drift garage and some Yen. We did spot this amongst lots of S13s and 180SX, it's an AE86 incase the pic doesn't work.

After a 5 hour delay we headed to Twin Ring Motegi where we camped for the night.

Then took some pics at the entrance to the Twin Ring. There was a chance to drive the circuit behind the safety car at lunch time but I couldn't since I had to get to Tokyo.

Headed down to Tsukuba where I saw this.

No recaros.

During the first two weeks of August Japan had its summer vacation which meant we got to see a clubman race at Tsukuba.

Couldn't reach the other parts of the circuit.

That's all for now, I'll write some more on Monday when I have time.

 

[Naith]

Amazing stuff, I want to go to Japan more than anywhere. Please share some more when you can.

 

[Darren S]

Brilliant thread - with some cracking pictures! As others - definitely one place I'd love to go!

Money no object - my life would revolve and me and my better half, travelling the world in a series of road-trips.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Great write up and photos! Looks like you had a great road trip

 

[ado]

Arrival in Tokyo! Was and still is my favourite city.

The first place I visited was Toyota Megaweb in Daiba and their history garage.

Of course this was there........

Just in front of the GTR a 2000GT

In the resto garage.

Harajuku JR station.

The rainbow bridge!

Didn't take too many photos of Tokyo this time because I spent most of the time drinking and recovering.

 

[V6Dan]

Looks like a great road trip.

 

[Euan94]

I definitely need to do something like this at some point, would love to have a proper look at Japan's car culture.

 

[terryc101]

Great trip and write up!

 

[Johnc172]

Very jealous of your trip! Japan is deffo on my bucket list!

 

[Waitey]

I hope you went to Tokyo Hooter.

Never been so baffled in my life....

I have no idea who that guy is...

Yes I am wearing a T shirt with a naked me covering my c**k up with a PS2....

 

[Philip.]

LOL!!!

Tokyo is on the list for next year.

 

[Waitey]

@Philip. Its an ok place. I didn't find it great ro go out in, too many Nigerians bothering you every 10 yards.

You cna hire old skylines though, so I'd do that next time.

 

[172_Tom]

Looks awesome, did you rent a car in the end?

I might have to organise a trip out there one day

 

[ado]

@Waitey I did go to hooters for some reason, didn't really rate it.

I find areas like shibuya for going at night are better than rippongi, that place is just creepy.

I didn't rent a car, the recovery truck and dumping of the fuel ate too much into my budget. I also didn't quite budget enough for all the tolls, driving through Kobe cost me around $50 in 10 mins.

 

[Advikaz]

Did you pork any Asian crumpet?

 

[Waitey]

@Waitey I did go to hooters for some reason, didn't really rate it.

I find areas like shibuya for going at night are better than rippongi, that place is just creepy.

I didn't rent a car, the recovery truck and dumping of the fuel ate too much into my budget. I also didn't quite budget enough for all the tolls, driving through Kobe cost me around $50 in 10 mins.

Shibuya was the far nicer place to go.

We ended up in Rippongi twice though and it's the worst experience ever. Esp when the second night cost three of us nearly £3k.

 

[ado]

I went to Rippongi on my first time and I saw some dodgy looking businessmen with girls around their arms and so I never went back. I don't remember much from Shibuya, the pics do show I was passing out at 5am waiting for the train. lol

Anyway, the next part should come when I go through the GoPro.

 

[White16valver]

Awesome road trip, I'm not at all jealous, nooooo....

 

[Scrooge]

Looks an awesome trip!

I'd love to go up to the mountains there and go around the koi farms

 

[v15ben]

Looks like an amazing trip there, Ado! Very jealous. Can't be many people who've taught in Korea and gone over to Japan in their own car for a roadtrip!

We saw a Korean plated car road tripping around Norway last month. Now that really was random.

 

[ChrisR]

I find areas like shibuya for going at night are better than rippongi, that place is just creepy.

Roppongi was awful, Shinjuku bit better, but I'd agree Shibuya was a good place to go. You've also got the amazing nightclub Womb there.

 

[ado]

Looks like an amazing trip there, Ado! Very jealous. Can't be many people who've taught in Korea and gone over to Japan in their own car for a roadtrip!

We saw a Korean plated car road tripping around Norway last month. Now that really was random.

Damn. Now I have to do that too. Haha

 

[ado]

Initial D Mt Akagi video.

 

[ado]

Finally got round to sorting out the time-lapse, first is from Daiba to Asakusa.

If you are looking for accommodation in Tokyo please take a look a Khaosan Kabuki. Voted best hostel and I have met some amazing people every time I went.

www.khaosan-tokyo.com



On my windscreen are my blackbox for Korean insurance and the Korean highway toll machine.

 

[White16valver]

Finally got round to sorting out the time-lapse, first is from Daiba to Asakusa.

If you are looking for accommodation in Tokyo please take a look a Khaosan Kabuki. Voted best hostel and I have met some amazing people every time I went.

www.khaosan-tokyo.com



On my windscreen are my blackbox for Korean insurance and the Korean highway toll machine.

Nice :up:

Looks like a pretty big place!