Traveling in Japan

[bradbowl]

One of my favorite parts of visiting Japan is seeing all the cool cars we don't get in the US. While my wife took a liking to the Daihatsu Boon (https://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/boon/), I'm still a fan of the ole' Vitz/Yaris.

Here is one I saw this evening in Aomori. I rarely see the 2018 model in Hawaii, but I've seen many of them here in just a few weeks.

I'll be hitting up the Toyota Mega Web (https://www.tokyo-odaiba.net/genre/mega-web%E3%83%A1%E3%82%AC%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%83%96/) in Tokyo in a few days and will take some photos. :thumbup:

Update: I have resized the photos for consistency in viewing.

[Leegamer]

So jelly!

[ern-diz]

Super cool.

[bradbowl]

I saw this brown colored 2012-2014 model today. What do you guys think? It looked brighter and more metallic in person.

It's funny, a Honda Fit actually looks like a large car after seeing so many kei cars driving around. :smile:

[Leegamer]

I like the brown. Would look a lot better without stock wheels, I think.

[KALISPEL II]

I lived in Okinawa/Japan for almost 5 years. I didn't want to leave.

[bradbowl]

I went out for a morning jog along Aomori bay and came across this ole beauty. Notice the pearl white paint color and little “4WD” decal. I learned two new things today!

[bradbowl]

I like the brown. Would look a lot better without stock wheels, I think.

Yeah, I agree. Swapping out the wheel covers/steelies would have made it look even more unique.

It’s nice to see colors that are unusual!

[bradbowl]

I lived in Okinawa/Japan for almost 5 years. I didn't want to leave.

Cool! Did you buy a car there? Was it strange adapting to driving on the other side of the road?

If I’m out here in the countryside again, I will probably rent a car.

[bentjazz]

Nice. Love the pics and thanks for posting them.

[bradbowl]

Nice. Love the pics and thanks for posting them.

Stay tuned my friend, there's more to come! :w00t:

[bentjazz]

Looking forward to it! :)

[bradbowl]

We took the shinkansen down to Tokyo today to visit the Toyota Megaweb. I will be posting photos of the coolest cars on display in the coming days.

First up is a beautiful blue (if you've read my posts, you know I love blue haha) Vitz Hybrid. This color is darker, more vibrant, and less pastel than the light blue on the older generation Prius. Keeping in mind the newest Yaris I have been in is a 2008, 2-door, here are a few of my impressions:

1. In person, the large "mouth" on the front end does not stand out as much as I have thought in photos.

2. The integrated turn signal on the side mirrors is nice. I do not believe our 2018 Yaris SE models had that.

3. As a tribute to ern-diz's license plate, I took a picture of the door panel showing the engine type. ;)

4. The leather steering wheel felt good and it was cool to see push-button start; it is heart-warming to see Toyota has been updating the Japanese version. The gated shifter felt very familiar and the seating material was felt-like with a surprising amount of bolstering for a hybrid.

5. Considering this Vitz Hybrid is around $17,500 USD I would seriously consider this car if it was sold in the US.

[Leegamer]

Love that color!

[ern-diz]

3. As a tribute to ern-diz's license plate, I took a picture of the door panel showing the engine type. ;)

:biggrin::thumbsup:

[NYC-SE]

2. The integrated turn signal on the side mirrors is nice. I do not believe our 2018 Yaris SE models had that.


No we don't. But I do!

[bradbowl]

No we don't. But I do!

:eek: Hell yeah!

That has got to add at least 10 hp beyond the kickass looks.

[bradbowl]

The Vitz GR Sport

They had a large Gazoo Racing area with many models getting the GR treatment including a Prius C and a minivan but of course the Vitz is the clear winner. :thumbsup:

A few quirks and features (channeling my inner Doug Demuro):

1. I really liked the seats and thought they had a premium feel. Bolsters were nice and not too aggressive.

2. No steering wheel controls? Perhaps this was a base model.

3. It has a Toyota front emblem and not a Netz one.

4. The body kit definitely gives it a menacing look. I liked how the decal running down the side skirts continues into the front bumper.

What do you guys think? Would you rather put one of these in your driveway or the upcoming 2020 Mazyota/Toyazda Yaris hatch? :wink:

[bentjazz]

Nice Yaris hybrid. So nice, which means everyone in the world will be able to buy it except those of us in the US.....

[h-dogg]

Vitz GR all the way

[bradbowl]

And here is the top trim level of the Vitz, the GRMN, in both 3 and 5 door models.

The white brake calipers with red GR logo contrasted nicely with the dark metallic wheels. Probably hard to keep them clean from all the brake dust generated from whipping around the twisties though. ;)

[Leegamer]

That is so cool.

[bradbowl]

They had a couple of these tiny, boxy, very practical vehicles with two doors on the driver's side, and one sliding door on the passenger side. The benefits of a minivan for entry/egress for the passengers.

This one is the Spade.

[bradbowl]

I know we have the 86 here, but I really loved this striking blue color. :w00t:

[bradbowl]

For all the truck aficionados out there here's some love!

[bradbowl]

And for all the full-size sedan aficionados out there!

[ern-diz]

Wow, trip out on the Hilux.

[h-dogg]

that Spade is cool

[bradbowl]

Yeah, I remember hearing about the Hilux being sold in other countries, it was nice to finally see one in person.

I wonder if the Spade comes in colors other than black? Haha!

[bradbowl]

1. I thought this cutaway Prius example was cool.

2. This concept car reminded me of tron. :cool:

[zoidberg444]

WOW. Didn't know they still made the Toyota Crown. I've only ever seen classic ones from the 80's/90's. I thought they stopped making them.

[mondbennet]

Impressive photos. That concept car is insane, love the color scheme though.

[Leegamer]

What's the story of that concept car? Pretty sick

[bradbowl]

What's the story of that concept car? Pretty sick

It was up in their clean energy technology of the future area. Here is the link to their website (https://www.megaweb.gr.jp/area/csc/technology.html), Google translate should convert it over from Japanese.

All I could think of was the Tron light bikes when I saw that thing. :laugh:

[bradbowl]

Here some photos of other models on the showroom floor.

We both really liked the Porte due to its great cargo flexibility and sliding passenger door. It's also small and quirky like the Yaris.

That's it for this Japan trip. I wonder what I'll see next year. I just applied for my international driving permit and I'm stoked to go cruising in the countryside in a right-hand drive kei car. :headbang:

Hope you enjoyed the pics!

[Leegamer]

I really like the fielder and the passo.