Japan: Cars and Bikes

Wow, so the wife and I finally did our big trip to Japan. It was simply amazing. Obviously, being a car nut, I took a lot of pics of cars while I was over there. Sadly, I saw no VXes, no Troopers, and only one Isuzu street car, this one:

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/17.jpg

There were plenty of Isuzu Elfs though, like this, and a few other box trucks.

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/59.jpg

One of my favorite vehilces I saw a few of, were these older Land Cruisers. According to Wikipedia, these appear to be models from the 80s, but our domestic LCs looked nothing like this in the 80s. I even saw a 2DR SWB version.

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/04.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/48.jpg

Another model, I think ours looked more like this.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/30.jpg

And while I saw only one Isuzu SUV, there was no shortage of little Suzuki 4x4s.

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/52.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/03.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/12.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/13.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/14.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/22.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/23.jpg

And what's that black SUV behind this little blue Suzuki?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/29.jpg

That's right, a SWB 2DR G-Wagon. I didn't even know Mercedes made them like this!
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/28.jpg

What the heck is this?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/32.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/33.jpg

And check this out. A Nissan Rasheen. I've never seen one of these before until I went to Japan. These SUVs are super short. And I mean top to bottom, not front to back. I would love to have one of these and lift it and put big meats under it. Its hard to tell in the photos, but this little vehicle was super low.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/38.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/39.jpg

And a few Mitsus.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/02.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/10.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/24.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/34.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/16.jpg

And then there are all of these, all of which I have never seen, and know little or nothing about.

?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/57.jpg

Toyota Origin, I looked this one up.
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/08.jpg

?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/35.jpg

?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/41.jpg

And look at this, I don't know if it is new or old?!?!?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/40.jpg

?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/50.jpg

I think I didn't see many Zus because the cities were primarily dominated by mini trucks, mini cars and motorcycles, like these little vans:
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/36.jpg

And then there were the bikes. I'm not a huge bike fan, but there are some that I love.

Someone, PLEASE tell me you know what model Yamaha this is, because I seriously want one:
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/20.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/22.jpg

A few other notable bikes:
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/17.jpg

?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/01.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/21.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/23.jpg

Some of the stuff that is street legal there could never be here, but I'm sure that works both ways:
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/26.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/24.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/08.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/07.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/05.jpg

Altogether an awesome trip. I already want to go back.

Bart

Hope you had fun. There are a lot of sweet 4wd vans too. They reminded me a lot of australia with the brush guards and whatnot.
Did you make it to Ripungi (not sure on spelling). Its outside of Tokyo, like 5 blocks of just bars and clubs. China on the Garden is a really nice tour as well.

I like that mini-retro-vw-bus!:yesy:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

Did you make it to Ripungi (not sure on spelling). Its outside of Tokyo, like 5 blocks of just bars and clubs.

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Roppongi, yep, went there and had a amazing night. Long story short, we ended up at this lonely karoke bar on the 9th floor of this building where a Japanese dude ended up buying us 2 rounds of drinks and 2 bottles of expensive champagne. Really weird, really fun and unforgettable.

:) Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Triathlete

I like that mini-retro-vw-bus!:yesy:

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Yeah, I think its a modern vehicle, made to look like the orignal VW Bus, only a mini version of it. Its really small. Here's another one selling crepes:

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/49.jpg

Bart

Funny all those LCs (except the last) look more like Mitsu's than Toyotas. Btw, I am really diggin' this Suzuki:

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/52.jpg

I can't imagine ever living in Japan, but if I did I would have to put a line item in the budget for mods. Can you even imagine all the stuff that's out there?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

I can't imagine ever living in Japan, but if I did I would have to put a line item in the budget for mods. Can you even imagine all the stuff that's out there?

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Sure, but howmany of em are offroad related? Can you even off road in Japan?

update-I googled Japan offroad, found a few dirt road pics, but thats about it. Weird that 4x4 vehicles would be popular, other than snow, I don't see any purpose for em?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

What the heck is this?
?
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/57.jpg

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that honestly looks like a modified lexus to me....one of these, modified???.. maybe not that exact year, but you get the idea (tell me how to resize it and i will....)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...exus_LS400.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

And then there were the bikes. I'm not a huge bike fan, but there are some that I love.

Someone, PLEASE tell me you know what model Yamaha this is, because I seriously want one:
http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/20.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jbikes/22.jpg

Bart

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s
dude, that thing is freakin sweet!!!! i would definately sport one of those!

Try editing the image link in your post to this pbkid:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...exus_LS400.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...exus_LS400.jpg

For direct comparison:

http://www.nofuture.com/lj/2010/japan/jcars/57.jpg

It's always tough to tell with JDM vehicles, they have a limitless number of body kits over there for pretty much any vehicle ever made. My personal guess would be some sort of Nissan maybe?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

Can you even off road in Japan?

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That's a very good question, and one I wondered about when I was there. Obviously, the cities don't have any offroading spots, but out in the country there has got to be some stuff. There are plenty of mountains and areas that get a lot of snow, so there must be something...It would be interesting to find out.

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marlin

Sure, but howmany of em are offroad related? Can you even off road in Japan?

update-I googled Japan offroad, found a few dirt road pics, but thats about it. Weird that 4x4 vehicles would be popular, other than snow, I don't see any purpose for em?

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That would be in keeping with the tidal wave of 4WD trucks & suv's sold in the good old US uv A every year...:rolleyesg

99.9% have prolly never had the 4-lo clicked in, cept maybe by accident during the throes of barely middle aged passion, when a soccer mom'z foot takes an errant lurch...:naughty:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

That would be in keeping with the tidal wave of 4WD trucks & suv's sold in the good old US uv A every year...:rolleyesg

99.9% have prolly never had the 4-lo clicked in, cept maybe by accident during the throes of barely middle aged passion, when a soccer mom'z foot takes an errant lurch...:naughty:

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Soccer Mom Sex...Ahh...Yes...Paradise by the Dashboard Light:winkb:
ps... extra credit for naming the the band

Meat Loaf...