Today Alexi of Nori Yaro took us on a grand tour. We’ve been psyched for this, and he sure as hell didn’t disappoint! The guy is such an amazing tour guide and you get a lot more than just visiting stores and workshops. He’ll talk to you about anything you want to talk about, in our case, Japanese culture. The conversations we had in the van between stops were just as awesome as the places we visited.
First stop, Crystal. These blue Rays Gram Lights were fucking amazing!
So too these custom order Work Kiwamis.
This beast was sitting pretty upstairs.
Love that they have a place for you to put your fuel cap in Japanese fuel stations, so thoughtful!
Next stop, Top Secret. Unfortunately they were shut!
Spotted some rad rides up front and out the back though.
Next stop: Super Autobacs in Tokyo Bay! It was huge, and a lot like our Supercheap Auto but with quality parts mixed in with all the cheap stuff (like a whole isle of drink holders and air fresheners!).
TRD sound changer for the new 86. Very cool!
Alexi was spotted by a couple of the staff who stopped him for a photo!
Next stop: Mooneyes in Yokohama!
Loved this buggy!
This Mercury was pretty special too.
And this sled!
Mooneyes on the inside. These guys must have more branded merch than any other automotive brand I know of. Downstairs they had lifestyle products.
Upstairs they had an amazing range of car parts.
We had lunch in their cafe, which looked and felt a lot like a retro American diner. Even their regular customers dressed in the right attire which was pretty impressive.
Doubt you’d get away with this beer’s description in Australia!
We all feasted on burgers which were totally satisfying.
Evidence of pinstriping in the workshop. Mooneyes is the kind of store where your eyes just can’t settle on any one thing. It’s packed with eye candy. Culture plus!
Spotted out the back. Alexi exploded over this very rare 2 door Crown.
He wanted it, bad!
Pussywagonesque! This is the same model car as Alexi’s mini-van, but done Mooneyes style!
Next stop: The new Nismo HQ.
Unfortunately they were also shut as they were about to host their 30th anniversary party (which explains the flowers), but Alexi sweet talked our way in and we were able to snap a few shots of the cars on display.
Inside was the 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo which holds the record for the fastest-ever time for a factory GT-R on the Nürburgring.
Jaws dropped. Nissan GT-R JGTC Nismo.
Super GT Z.
Stiff Pipe!!!
On the wall they had a big collection of race badges dating way back.
The 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 car stole my heart.
Carbon headlights for extreme lightening. The car costs $500k, which isn’t too much to ask IMHO!
Next stop: Bee-R!
This super tough BNR32 was parked outside.
Tough stickers, for reals.
Also outside was this tough BMW.
Yellow Peril! Then we saw these beasts and got all excited like little school girls.
Alexi was given the go ahead to pop the bonnet on the B80R.
Whoo 2J!
Inside was all business bar the Hello Kitty clips. Boss man Imai stuck an Acquired Taste sticker on the dash which blew the boys away!
So fresh, mind-blowing. What a work of art.
Alexi was playing translator with Bee-R boss Kiyonori Imai who was such an awesome character.
Imai showed us his 180SX (which looks like a R35 GT-R) in a magazine, with Option Boss’ 180SX (which looks like a 370Z).
Bee-R’s current D1 drift car.
Super wide chaser, the sunken rear door handles give it all away.
This new accord looked out of place in the workshop.
Until we saw the custom supercharger setup!
Spotted inside the office. Winners, obviously!
Next door to Bee-R was Racing Paradise, an RC shop with a huge slot car circuit.
View of their circuit from the top floor.
They even had a massive drag strip!
Next stop: CPW Skate Shop. I’ve been following their blog for a while and they were the inspiration for the Zen Garage funny bike.
The owner Motoyan was working on a customer bike outside (his own personal bike is on the left of this picture).
Motoyan is the same age as me, so it all makes sense! Old school skate decks galore… I was right at home.
These guys have probably bought up all the Banana saddles out there.
The shop was tiny and jam packed of amazing stuff.
Motoyan is into cars as well! He pulled out his EF Shuttle just for us.
It sounded offensive, and yup, that’s static.
CPW Skate Shop from the outside. So rad!