May 18, 2006
October 11, 2005
Kings of Rice
I think I stumbled onto the riciest of them all - a virtual kingdom of kome.
Go check it out: 20050116 Tokyo Auto Salon 02
January 30, 2005
Rear Spoiler on Gloria
Like a zit on a classy older woman' face. Or something like that.
January 03, 2005
November 25, 2004
Theory of Evo
Apparently only one-third of Americans say evidence supports Evolution. Of course, Japanese see proof of it just about every day:
October 04, 2004
Black Beauty RX7
Someone should just sit down and figure out the exact equation detailing the relationship of [number of times dropped on head as child] to [height of rear spoiler on car]. By the way, people with cars this expensive should not be spotted in the parking lots of recycle shops... A more affordable solution for cash-strapped Fast and Fuuurious wannabes is a haxx0red copy of Gran Turismo, aight?
September 25, 2004
How to Rice
The official guide to rice is posted in front of the rikuun (equivalent of DMV) in Kobe. I was there today to change my Nara plates to Kobe ones. It was a major pain in the ass.
September 22, 2004
Daihatsu Microbus
In Japan, there is a micro-subcompact class of cars known as "keijidosha," or simply, "K." Under current regulations their engine size is restricted to 660cc, and their appeal in this land of super expensive gasoline and narrow roads is fairly obvious. They are also cheaper than standard size cars, so it cracks me up when I see a lot of money put into their modification. This microbus mod has been getting more and more popular recently, and on my island alone, I have seen red, orange, yellow, black, tan, and lime green versions of it.
September 08, 2004
Clear Lenses
Clear or yellow-colored lenses (aka "ambers") are one of my pet peeves, because it all seems so high school. I think Options magazine is at fault for popularizing this trend in the states as well as Japan (although I cannot truly disparage this holiest-of-holy publications). I remember my Acura Racing Club pals ordering these parts from Japan for their Integras. That was ten or fifteen years ago, so when I see how many middle-aged men put them on their cars now, it makes me kinda sick. Grow the fuck up already, ya know?.
September 06, 2004
Lowriders of Thailand
These pics are from last year. We pulled into a highway reststop in the Thai countryside and were delighted to find a young entrepeneur selling coconuts from the back of his slammed pickup:
When I say slammed, I mean, look at that hydraulic kit!
Check out the custom paint job - glittery goodness! And the gold door handles are to die for!
Matching gold grille job... This guy probably accessorizes better than his girlfriend!
September 01, 2004
Purple Haze
I spotted this truck when I was hitchhiking through Nagasaki, but had only one chance to shoot it (cutting off some of the rear) as it rounded the corner and hauled ass to the expressway. I really like this trucks like this. The owner obviously loves it and takes great pride in it, as he should. I love seeing vehicles that are used as giant canvases. Whenever people are stuck in traffic next to this guy, his truck is sure to give them something interesting to contemplate for a while.
This truck reminds me of The Porkchop Express from Big Trouble in Little China for some reason.
August 31, 2004
Minivans In Japan
A train of minivans, hailing from Fukuoka-ken, visits Ikeyama Suigen in Ubuyama-mura.
I originally posted this in an earlier post here. Japan is one of the few places in the world where it is considered "cool" to drive around in your mom's minivan.
A Faster 7 Series
Spotted during a daytrip to Shikoku we saw many interesting things including a BMW 740i, stock in every way, except for the huge wing on the back. I can't think of another unnecessary modification to an otherwise nice car that this guy could have possibly done. I can only imagine what he plans on doing next.