So I've decided after years of putting it off to go to Japan in March of next year, something I've wanted to do for many years now, but kept it on the back burner. Part of it will be spent with a friend who's stationed at one of the US bases in Okinawa, a southerly tropical island, so I'll fly down there from Tokyo and be taken care off. I do however want to check out both Nagoya (where my Z spent the first half of its life) and Tokyo.

 

Whilst being a pretty seasoned traveler, I've yet to go any further east than India. Getting around Tokyo I'm sure won't be a problem as I understand that most signage is also in English/Western type set, however I want to take the bullet train to Nagoya and rent a car to go and visit the guys at Fairlady Pro-Shop (Z32-zone) who are about 45 mins west of Tokyo centre and if I can get access via application, a visit to Nissan DNA Heritage Museum in Hironodai.

 

Few questions: Little information on Bullet Train schedules and pricing online, can I assume that in Tokyo, it's fairly straight forward in getting tickets? In terms of driving, obviously I'll need to solely rely on GPS once out of Tokyo - how difficult is it once out of the main city centre?

 

Any information/conversation points welcome.

Edited September 15, 20178 yr by Funkysi

How many car parts can you fit in your suitcase for the way back?

Not enough for me!

I have never been to Japan, my one biggest regret after living in China for 10 years! I have had several friends go travelling there, first thing they said was how expensive it is!

 

I had a train nut friend who went on the bullet train and after he had calmed down and stopped saying likes it "It was awesome" he told me that the tickets were bought in the station on a machine much like our trains, however he did say there was no english on the machine. This was getting on for 8 years ago though.

 

Driving out there is easy, I had a friend whos father was station out there and he had a car. He said driving was a doddle, the only problem was people are not great at driving, they dont really practise on the roads, they learn in a legoland style playground, then pass, then go on the road. He did say roadrage was non-exsistant as its illegal and that GPS doesnt always work in the cities because the buildings are so tall! The expressways are expensive, most people have a card, like an oyster card for cars and some exits only accept those. I wouldnt know how to get one of them or if a hire car needs them?

 

Everyone I know who has gone to Japan has absolutly loved it, but all said the same thing. They cant speak English. Dont assume that because its a tourist place or a hire car shop that they will speak english!

 

Im very jealous, you are basically doing what I want to do! Have a great trip and post lots of pictures please!

Awesome! Just had my visit to Nissan's DNA Heritage museum approved by one of the senior bosses at Nissan. This isn't open to the public and you usually have to get special permission to be allowed to visit.

 

I'll get to see some interesting and wonderful machinery like this.

 

R390

 

MID-4

 

....and just an awesome assortment of Nissan race cars. I believe there are a number of 'brand new' Z32s there also.

 

Awesome! Just had my visit to Nissan's DNA Heritage museum approved by one of the senior bosses at Nissan. This isn't open to the public and you usually have to get special permission to be allowed to visit.

 

Have fun! The website (https://nissan-heritage-collection.com/TOUR/) also indicates that you can book a tour online.

when your on the train don't go on the pink/purple carriages there women only my friend did that by mistake and he said felt like a sex pest sitting there waiting for the next station from all the dirty looks the women were giving him :oops:

Have fun! The website (https://nissan-heritage-collection.com/TOUR/) also indicates that you can book a tour online.

 

Yeah that's not always possible however and is all in Japanese. Spaces are very limited.

That's great news Simon and again take plenty of pics. How good would it be to work in there.

Awesome!

Indeed! I wish i had had the foresight to sort this out on my previous visits :(

 

MID-4

 

I believe there are a number of 'brand new' Z32s there also.

 

like the ones on the right in the picture of the MID4? :tt2::whistling:

Indeed! I wish i had had the foresight to sort this out on my previous visits :(

 

 

 

like the ones on the right in the picture of the MID4? :tt2::whistling:

 

Good spot! That MID4 looks very like a ford probe from the front...

like the ones on the right in the picture of the MID4? :tt2::whistling:

 

Yes

There are some lovely photos of the museum's exhibits from a post on TT.net:

 

http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/forums/general/view/2604691/My-visit-to-the-DNA-Garage.html

There are some lovely photos of the museum's exhibits from a post on TT.net:

 

http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/forums/general/view/2604691/My-visit-to-the-DNA-Garage.html

 

Looks awesome, I can't wait! Will take in Fairlady Pro shop on that same day as its only half an hour by car. Going there with one of the Falcon Z Club members

 

Aiming to go to Tokyo Nissan, Nissan HQ and NISMO HQ.

Was the mid4s transmission custom or used in other vehicles as well? :innocent:

 

Interesting they also made a transverse mounted VG version.

Was the mid4s transmission custom or used in other vehicles as well? :innocent:

 

Interesting they also made a transverse mounted VG version.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]110306[/ATTACH]

 

That's the first version. They made 2 models of MID-4, the second generation had mounted longitudinally. Transmissions were mostly custom from what I know. I believe the transmission in the original shared many components with a number of other AWD Nissans.

...the VG was fitted to the Maxima transversely.

i take it while your there your not gonna try be the new DK?! :biggrin:

 

dan.

i take it while your there your not gonna try be the new DK?! :biggrin:

 

dan.

 

:confused:

:confused:

Ref:

I have about as much interest in the F&F franchise as I did the tracing paper toilet roll they had in my halls of residence toilets at university. That's probably why I had no idea what it meant.

 

In answer to the question, no. Drifting is about as appealing as the empty card cylinder from the aforementioned roll of tracing paper toilet roll.

To be fair, the tracing paper toilet rolls were actually quite interesting. Is it still used today do you know? Who in the right mind commissioned that as a suitable cheap alternative to Cushelle? Was it really that much cheaper? I remember it from school band recall you were better of wiping with a crisp packet and you’d probably do less damage to your hoop with that too!

To be fair, the tracing paper toilet rolls were actually quite interesting. Is it still used today do you know? Who in the right mind commissioned that as a suitable cheap alternative to Cushelle? Was it really that much cheaper? I remember it from school band recall you were better of wiping with a crisp packet and you’d probably do less damage to your hoop with that too!

 

:lol:

 

They were commissioned by "The Ministry of Crap Design". The same people who brought you metal teapots with metal handles.

Did it come on rolls? I thought it came in boxes like tissue boxes.

 

Talking of that , does anyone want to buy 100 metal tea pots with metal handles?

Did it come on rolls? I thought it came in boxes like tissue boxes.

 

Talking of that , does anyone want to buy 100 metal tea pots with metal handles?

 

LOL - it did; Izal if I remember correctly..... And I remember my great auntie (RIP) having it in her toilet too....!!

LOL - it did; Izal if I remember correctly..... And I remember my great auntie (RIP) having it in her toilet too....!!

 

Here you go......