Kyoto – Page 2

Abandoned cars in Kyoto no nishi

Surely it was not the first time walking around the city of Kyoto that I found places like this. To be honest on the outskirts of the ancient Japanese capital we can find some strange places.

But I say strange places ,because looking at the pictures you will realize that it is the typical japanese housing, the kind that has apartments of about 25 square meters and have a parking space for a neighbor.

So for all you to understand properly, these apartments are usually filled by single or unmarried people, working people, sometimes with a family behind, students who pay the rent with the arubaito (アルバイト) (part-time job) and sometimes foreigners. This last option is usually not very common, since many property developers are not willing to rent their reduced apartaments if you have no one to back you up in case you can pay the rent.

When I was in the car park entrance I noticed the Porsche 911 which was near the end. The floor bumper was lying in the ground, windows were down, but the most impressive thing was that the Porsche was rocking RUF alloy wheels… AI took a few pictures of the car quickly, since in many cases the neighbors don’t like too much people walking around their belongings. Is even worst when the typical elder man came to you yelling what are you doing here.

Often people talked about how nice japanese people is, the truth is that there are places where people are not used to seeing foreign people and see them prowling around them is very alarming situation.

Most of the time when you say something, and answering in Japanese, they usually calm down enough and if you are able to explain what are you doing in japanese then suddenly their mood change suddenly and become very friendly.

Just in front of the 911, was this S500 Mercedes also abandoned in the parking, telling the truth I didn’t pay much attention to it, I do remember now that I didn’t spend more than 2 minutes in that parking lot.

Opposite to the S500 was this Honda Odyssey customized and lowered. No one of this cars were in use, as they had no plates on, I really wonder why the owner keep all these cars parked insted than sell them.

Well is time to say goodbye, I wish you enjoyed the post. I will keep your curiosity for Japan in the next posts so please keep in touch with r32taka for more Japanese content, wheather is weird or not.

June 1, 2016 by José M. López

Close look at the 86

This is not a real post, but is a collection of images of the AE86. One of the most iconic cars in the last decade. After visiting Carland Kyoto I also decided to post this photos, just like a closer look of the Toyota most famous car.

Is the first time I found that kind of spoiler or visor. Looked like fitted by factory back in the time.

April 25, 2014May 26, 2016 by José M. López

カーランド AE86 Special Shop

When I was told about a workshop specialized in only AE86 I was a little surprised. But the it just took me about 10 minutes to find some information in internet to know where to go. Carland is not to far from home, maybe just about 10 kilometers so I decided to have a walk.

When I finally arrived there this photo was the first I see with my eyes, so astonished. You don’t just to see so many AE86 all them together. Don’t even imagine that even here in Japan these old Corolla’s and Trueno’s are all around the streets. Old cars are very difficult to spot in the cities.

Most of the AE86 in the shop are dressed as usual, panda style body paint and Watanabe’s. Those cars have special buyers, they aren’t cheap, but they are clean and restored until the last corner. So you can imagine that any boy looking for a project is not looking for that kind of AE86.

Reaching almost the 3 millions of Yen this Red Sprinter Trueno had only 15.000km in its clock. Probably very difficult to find another Sprinter with such a low mileage at any place.

This levin was probably my favorite. Volk TE37’s and coupe version.

They were shooting some cars for some advertising and as cars are ready to be sold. So I had the opportunity to heard them running.

The workshop is so small, but the level of experience and the attention to the detail in this AE86 specialist is so high.

This corner is like the waiting room. Some cars still waiting for a new life, new paint and of course a super update to be able to use it as daily driven everyday if you want.

As said before the panda style body paint and the Watanabe’s are the common. I am sure many Initial D fans around their 30’s are so glad driving them.