From Chiba to Shibuya: Japan’s Incredible Night Car Culture is Thriving
Take a tour of two awesome underground custom car meets that took place during the Tokyo Auto Salon event.
Impromptu car meets and night gatherings have long served as a quick, spontaneous reason for enthusiasts to wipe down their cars and get together for a few hours of sharing, conversation, and perhaps most importantly, countless photos. The only problem being, unsanctioned events often end abruptly with an assist from authorities. Underground Tokyo Meet saw a need for a more organized event that would give Tokyo Auto Salon visitors a chance to take in more of Japan's streetcar culture. Instead of picking a random space, leaving it all to chance, and likely an early shut down, the organizers found a location that would allow (for the most part) hundreds of meet attendees.
Actually, two locations as events took place both in Chiba and Shibuya during the night hours, in between TAS show days. With visitors from around the world making their way to Tokyo Auto Salon, these meets offer a look at what Japan's street level tuners are building and driving. It also acts as a magnet for content creators on YouTube and social media platforms, helping to spread the word and bring in more interest for future events.
The lighting at the Chiba event wasn't ideal, in fact, it was almost pitch black in some areas which made images very tough to capture. That was especially true on the upper level where Nissan displayed both concept and Super Silhouette cars.
Like an automotive fashion show, arrival along the selected concrete runway is overseen by all, including a sea of self-made paparazzi.
Your eyes aren't deceiving you, this is a 350Z with its headlights removed and a slantnose Porsche 935-esque front end conversion applied. The work of owner catacy_935z, it was completed a few years ago and always stirs up conversation.
In the midst of wild body conversions, huge over fenders, and exotic vinyl livery treatments, ultra-clean builds like this FD RX-7 will simply never go out of style.
You never know what will show up at a meet like this. Sure, an S15 with a complete aero package is expected, but the slammed Chevy Camaro just behind might surprise you.
There was no shortage of Skyline attendees as this R33, sandwiched by a pair of Bayside Blue 34s, was joined by plenty of others.
A relatively mildly modified version of the Evo wagon you yearn for but aren't privy to in the U.S., at least not without taking part in the process of vehicle importation.
Off To Shibuya
Just a day later, it was a 30 mile trip to Shibuya where Underground Tokyo Meet's next adventure was set to take place and, as expected, it experienced a massive turnout with visitors eager to take part. Car selection was vast and included mostly street level vehicles but also saw some track-focused builds and did not disappoint.
This MR-S was fitted with a seldom seen WedsSport widebody kit.
The JGTC-inspired makeover is an offshoot of the brand's actual race car, though slightly toned down, and it looks incredible on the often-overlooked mid-engine Toyota.
S-chassis of various generations were seemingly everywhere. This coupe sits low with its oversized wheels and stretched tires squeezing in just under its large, molded flares.
You might recognize this yellow RX-7 Type RS VI and its Panspeed widebody kit with RE Amemiya sleek headlight set up that we featured last summer.
When the mass of Nissan, Toyota, Honda, and others rolling into the meet are joined by an Impala lowrider in full flex, you know you're at the right place.
Aired out on its polished BBS wheels, this classic Z-car appeared to be impeccably restored.
With the popularity of the events and all of the attention they attracted, authorities eventually showed up to begin ushering cars out of the structures. The word-of-mouth via social media's spread is so vast that there are simply too many vehicles to acomodate, and it doesn't seem like there's anything large enough in the city to host everyone. It's a common issue with events that progress and a sure sign of a successful gathering.
Check out a full gallery from the evening events above—it truly sells the Tokyo Auto Salon as a bucket-list proposal for us all to venture out to one day. Credit to the community for keeping it alive with great culture and events to attend.