thinking about moving to japan?

[dino6192]

I am in the military out here in San Diego and up to orders and the hard choice of either getting out and going to school with the new GI bill that includes my money for rent (BAH) ...or.... go to Japan and live the dream?
there are 8 oreders that I have to choose from right now and that choice will determine what happens over the next two yrs of my life (or more). I was pretty set on just getting out but the job market sucks now and they just offered me orders to Atsugi. looking at the map its less than an hr away from Part shop max in Japan so that would be kind of nice to be around now that I know where to continue my drifting stuff. also its about 40 min away from Tokyo from what I've heard.
so what you guys think? has anyone been there? any input from some military over there currently would be great too!

[drift freaq]

I am in the military out here in San Diego and up to orders and the hard choice of either getting out and going to school with the new GI bill that includes my money for rent (BAH) ...or.... go to Japan and live the dream?
there are 8 oreders that I have to choose from right now and that choice will determine what happens over the next two yrs of my life (or more). I was pretty set on just getting out but the job market sucks now and they just offered me orders to Atsugi. looking at the map its less than an hr away from Part shop max in Japan so that would be kind of nice to be around now that I know where to continue my drifting stuff. also its about 40 min away from Tokyo from what I've heard.
so what you guys think? has anyone been there? any input from some military over there currently would be great too!

Drifting is dead in Japan. Yes sorry to burst peoples bubble but the fact is short of going to the mountains or the track its over. A lot of shops have closed. A lot of companies are either dropping 180sx stuff or going out of business. Now that should not discourage you from going to Japan. Its a different world and something that you should experience. Just don't pipe dream according to how it used to be. There are speed bumps all over the major street drifting spots.
On the other hand forgoing a education on the GI bill with them paying your rent would be a foolish thing to pass up as well. I would say if you can go to Japan for 2 years and then get the school on the GI bill part then I would do it. Though sacrificing school for the sake of 2 years in Japan? Don't do that.

[dino6192]

well as far as the GI bill goes, I am still eligible even after I were to do my tour overseas. the thing I am just thinking about is go to school now or spend another two yrs in? I really want to move there in the future so I think me spending some time there now would be benificial.
as far as the drifting goes, I dont think it is dead at all. it may be slower, idk? but I am always seeing pics of different tracks bieng hit up all the time. I have no interest in bieng a street drifter. I'm not doing that here so why would I do it there? I am looking for strickly track events.

[hitman]

if its 40 minutes from tokyo its over 2 hours from part shop max. you would probably be going to ebisu or something i think
its cool there, but everything is a lot more expensive. track days, tires, gas, in terms of drifting its all more expensive, and a lot.
only things that i noticed are cheaper is pocky and canned coffee drinks
drifting there is cool because people there are rad, cars are rad, and they all drive super sick. i wouldnt want to live there but i wouldnt mind shipping my car over:)

[PRADOgy]

Drifting is dead in Japan. Yes sorry to burst peoples bubble but the fact is short of going to the mountains or the track its over. A lot of shops have closed. A lot of companies are either dropping 180sx stuff or going out of business. Now that should not discourage you from going to Japan. Its a different world and something that you should experience. Just don't pipe dream according to how it used to be. There are speed bumps all over the major street drifting spots.
.
iv also heard there is special material laid out on the road to prevent the sliding.. something like a cemet

[ronmcdon]

Drifting is dead in Japan. Yes sorry to burst peoples bubble but the fact is short of going to the mountains or the track its over. A lot of shops have closed. A lot of companies are either dropping 180sx stuff or going out of business. Now that should not discourage you from going to Japan. Its a different world and something that you should experience. Just don't pipe dream according to how it used to be. There are speed bumps all over the major street drifting spots.
On the other hand forgoing a education on the GI bill with them paying your rent would be a foolish thing to pass up as well. I would say if you can go to Japan for 2 years and then get the school on the GI bill part then I would do it. Though sacrificing school for the sake of 2 years in Japan? Don't do that.

good advice. as nice as a prolonged vacation is, a good education is worth a lot more. 2 yrs from now, the economy may improve a bit.

[homo desu]

if its 40 minutes from tokyo its over 2 hours from part shop max. you would probably be going to ebisu or something i think
its cool there, but everything is a lot more expensive. track days, tires, gas, in terms of drifting its all more expensive, and a lot.
only things that i noticed are cheaper is pocky and canned coffee drinks
drifting there is cool because people there are rad, cars are rad, and they all drive super sick. i wouldnt want to live there but i wouldnt mind shipping my car over:)


And during the summer it's hot and humid it sucks, winter is supposed to be really cold. Plus Eisuke doesn't speak a whole lot of english and without having martin to translate you'd both be over it stat. I wouldn't want to stay there much longer than the two weeks we went to be honest. Maybe go on vacation some time but I wouldn't live there for two years, plus any car you build over there you can't really bring back so you'd have to start over.

[S13SilviaGirl]

I just came back from 4 years there. Have you talked to anyone about the restrictions put on sailors over there? They are pretty strict now. Having Navy personnel murdering locals doesn't help out with the liberty policy. What rank are you again? You will have to be over there ____amount of time before you can get a car, and your command has to approve it.

Now, Atsugi is an awesome base, not too big nor too small. But, which command are you looking at? There are a few really shitty ones there. Like Dave said, a lot of shops are closing down, the yen to dollar rate sucks ass. As far as track events, you have to be invited to a LOT of them, it isnt like DD here in the US. You have to have friends that are hosting the event, and they have to invite you. If you show up and one person doesnt want the gaijin there, you are assed out. The amount of good for the amount of BS you have to put up with is pretty sad. Yes, you are in Japan, and there is a lot of awesome opportunities out there...but...you are still owned by the Navy, and it is only getting more strict out there for Navy personnel.

Let me know if you have any other questions about the base and or commands out there. I would be glad to help you out.

[Baron Fel]

living the dream? finish school and then you can vacation there when ever you want? it's just japan...

[ALEXTHESUS*PECT]

i would reccomond going only because you have the chance to go to school later. you will never be in the service and go to japan again. you will most likely make life long friends, and you will continue to serve your country in the most honarable way possible!

[dino6192]

hmmmm, very interesting points of view here. I have been asking alot of people I work with on base that have been there and some that JUST came from there. sounds like Okinawa just straight sucks and I think most of those comments from you guys seem to be all related to there.
as far as going to school THEN going there? that would be all straight out of my pocket and when I have the free ride now I was thinking I might as well take it.
and as far as my drifting career...that looks pretty shitty as well. not much drifting compared to here as far as tracks invites go. I have been hearing that alot lately which I was not under the impression of at first.

[Mi Beardo es Loco]

yeah, a lot of the stuff coming out of Japan has been all around high performance, VIP, and top end performance. Drag has been around for a while too but is really only for the people with fat wallets.

[s14dr1ft3r]

S13SilviaGirl has a good point. Your rank is going to determine your freedom in Japan. You won't even be allowed to get a license unless you are at least a 3rd class and that's only if your command approves. Also as an E-4 and below, you'll have several liberty restrictions including use of liberty cards. Once you pick up 2nd, it gets a little better. I'm a 2nd class and I believe Lisa (S13SilviaGirl) is/was as well. She actually gave me a lot of advice when I was considering taking orders to Japan. I am stationed in Sasebo. Down here it is pretty relaxed as far as the liberty thing goes ... ... but that's because we haven't screwed up bad enough to take it away ... yet. CNFJ is really cracking down on all the liberty incidences that have been going on here. I was just in Okinawa last month and I really liked it there. The cars there were a lot nicer than here in Sasebo. Sasebo has more kei cars (REALLY small cars) than anything. However, even here, there are plenty of s13's, s14's, r32's and r33's to buy. I just sold my HCR32 (GTS-T) and bought a 95 180SX. And even though some shops are closing, if I'm able to find parts for my 180 even here in Sasebo/Fukuoka area (URAS is located right next to the airport!!!) I'm sure you won't have any problems finding the parts you want close to Atsugi. Your college options are still available when your tour is up here. Not to mention you get 100% Tuition Assistance so it's quite easy to attend college while you are here. I have been here for a year now and I'll be finishing my degree this semester. I don't regret coming here at all. If you have any questions or want advice, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Bubbles]

There's no time like the present.


On the contary


I highly doubt it is going to be what you are imagining.

[S13SilviaGirl]

S13SilviaGirl has a good point. Your rank is going to determine your freedom in Japan. You won't even be allowed to get a license unless you are at least a 3rd class and that's only if your command approves. Also as an E-4 and below, you'll have several liberty restrictions including use of liberty cards. Once you pick up 2nd, it gets a little better. I'm a 2nd class and I believe Lisa (S13SilviaGirl) is/was as well. She actually gave me a lot of advice when I was considering taking orders to Japan. I am stationed in Sasebo. Down here it is pretty relaxed as far as the liberty thing goes ... ... but that's because we haven't screwed up bad enough to take it away ... yet. CNFJ is really cracking down on all the liberty incidences that have been going on here. I was just in Okinawa last month and I really liked it there. The cars there were a lot nicer than here in Sasebo. Sasebo has more kei cars (REALLY small cars) than anything. However, even here, there are plenty of s13's, s14's, r32's and r33's to buy. I just sold my HCR32 (GTS-T) and bought a 95 180SX. And even though some shops are closing, if I'm able to find parts for my 180 even here in Sasebo/Fukuoka area (URAS is located right next to the airport!!!) I'm sure you won't have any problems finding the parts you want close to Atsugi. Your college options are still available when your tour is up here. Not to mention you get 100% Tuition Assistance so it's quite easy to attend college while you are here. I have been here for a year now and I'll be finishing my degree this semester. I don't regret coming here at all. If you have any questions or want advice, please don't hesitate to ask.


Yepp... ADM Kelley has been screwed by the sailors in the Yoko/Atsugi area. Steven, if you go to Atsugi, and it is with the carrier or sqdn then you will be gone a lot of the time. Also, they are taking a lot of ppl from japan now for IA duties. Seriously, I just left Atsugi....just PM or get on AIM and I will be glad to help you out.

[SlideWell]

i pray for you that you make the best decision for yourself.

[dino6192]

thank you s14dr1ft3r!!!
I will also PM you Lisa!

as it looks right now I will be requesting Atsugi for shore duty.
maybe I gave the wrong impression here but I already know that japan life is not what it is all cracked up to be. I have plenty of friends that have visited and have been or currently stationed there. I am just getting Zilvia's point of view because it comes from the automotive perspective so you guys know what I will be looking for when I get there. I think if I dont do it now I will regret it later!
and Bubbles, I know the difference between hollywood and reality if thats what your refering to?

[S13SilviaGirl]

Def go there, do the school thing (UMUC Asia has a great program!) while you are on shore duty, then...go out have fun...comeback and finish school! Never hurts to go live somewhere else. But, I guess I didn't want you to be disappointed, as I know a LOT of navy ppl are when the end up in Japan (mostly yoko/atsugi).

[BigwaveSC]

there are drift day events every weekend over there.

[dino6192]

what are some pro's and cons from your own personal experience? As we all know its the person that really makes or breaks thier experience. for me, I was stationed in Jacksonville FL and I hated my life every day over there. then again I have talked to other peopl ethat said it was the best duty station since they have been in! I'm thinking if I REALLY hate it there then I will just stay super busy in school and time should fly by right.
whats bothering me even more right now is the fact that I might have to seperate from my SR for two yrs. I will never sell my car but I might as well pull the motor since it will be just sitting here not getting used? what did you do with your cars when you left?

[hitman]

or you could go to school, then take a semester abroad or two in japan.
right now doesnt seem like the best time to be in the military

[dino6192]

right now doesnt seem like the best time to be in the militaryactually I was thinking the opposite, the economy sucks balls right now and half of california just got fired by the terminator! I dont think I'm ready to get out and get kicked in the nuts by life because "I wasnt ready for it".
I just got off the phone with my detailer and it looks like there are going to hook me up with some orders there after all. I was not going to take anything else so I am pretty happy about everything. if life sucks over there school will keep me busy!

[hitman]

hmmm. i didnt think about it from that perspective (i was thinking about it in terms of us foreign policy and random things that are going on), but that is a good point since you would soon be reentering the job market once you get out.( i dont know how the military works in regards to if you are in japan, because you have orders there, if they can in the middle of that send you somewhere else. if they can then that sucks)

[S13SilviaGirl]

what are some pro's and cons from your own personal experience? As we all know its the person that really makes or breaks thier experience. for me, I was stationed in Jacksonville FL and I hated my life every day over there. then again I have talked to other peopl ethat said it was the best duty station since they have been in! I'm thinking if I REALLY hate it there then I will just stay super busy in school and time should fly by right.
whats bothering me even more right now is the fact that I might have to seperate from my SR for two yrs. I will never sell my car but I might as well pull the motor since it will be just sitting here not getting used? what did you do with your cars when you left?

When we left, we had our cars in storage at my parents house. My dad would start them, wash them ect. He also took care of registration (non op) for us. Pros, the majority of the ppl there are great! Cons, getting screwed over by some other service member being stupid. The cars are cheap, but, you have to be approved to own a car. Are you going to base medical? Or a tenant command? Atsugi is SO close to everything, yet not huge like Yoko. It is like the sub base compared to 32nd street. Just avoid going to the bars, and getting into that scene....travel a lot....the MWR there has great programs for single sailors.

I know a lot of ppl that are still there that hate it, but, I know a lot of ppl that love it. I would love to still be in Japan, just not as a part of the Navy. I think I would rather be a civilian out there....even though they still fall under the military laws and SOFA status.

actually I was thinking the opposite, the economy sucks balls right now and half of california just got fired by the terminator! I dont think I'm ready to get out and get kicked in the nuts by life because "I wasnt ready for it".
I just got off the phone with my detailer and it looks like there are going to hook me up with some orders there after all. I was not going to take anything else so I am pretty happy about everything. if life sucks over there school will keep me busy!

It does suck ass right now, but, with the GI Bill it helps! Oh, and before you get out, try to do the $600 buy up (avoid that new GI Bill if possible, or at the very least call the VA and see if you like the new one, as they told me I have the option of the new one).

hmmm. i didnt think about it from that perspective (i was thinking about it in terms of us foreign policy and random things that are going on), but that is a good point since you would soon be reentering the job market once you get out.( i dont know how the military works in regards to if you are in japan, because you have orders there, if they can in the middle of that send you somewhere else. if they can then that sucks)
They can pull you out of ANY duty station and send you somewhere else. The needs of the service come first. Especially ppl on shore duty. They get pulled first. It sucks.

[dino6192]

hmmm, sounds good so far! Just like you said. ANY place can pull you and shore goes first. I have been here in SD for three yrs and never got tasked yet. I honestly wouldnt mind doing a short deployment when I get there just to get it out of the way before I try and get comfortable. I am also doing alot of this because I got myself into some serious debt with a car deal that went wrong. if I get out I will still owe over $10,000 on a mercedes I dont even drive. its a long story. I know one thing, If I get out and "try" to make it and have to strugle working dead end jobs my future will be a very shitty one. I am going to try and get out of debt over there and do as much school as I can to stay focused and grow the hell up! I need to get my life together and not just be another person that served in the military and didnt get anything out of it! I have had my wakeup call and will have to do 2 more yrs to get my life together.
the bar scene? LOL. that may be a once a month thing w/ some friends IF THAT. thats all I have been doing and have got knowhere so why continue down that road when I am given another chance over and over again? thanks for the advice by the way! stuff like that is good!
what else you guys got?
pros and cons? any details on why your friends hate it? PM is cool to so you dont have to post thier buisiness if you want.

[s14dr1ft3r]

They can pull you out of ANY duty station and send you somewhere else. The needs of the service come first. Especially ppl on shore duty. They get pulled first. It sucks.

Some tips to avoid IA:
1. GET INVOLVED! Pickup collateral duties and make yourself vital to your command.

2. DON'T VOLUNTEER! As obvious as that sounds, they always ask for voluteers first. Convince your buddies that going IA is a good thing and that they should volunteer so they don't come looking for you.

3. Go UA!

Obviously, option 1 is the best choice and it worked for me. Sometimes I think I work too hard especially with my family here too but I'd rather be a workaholic than roasting my ass off in Iraq.

Did your deatiler tell you when you transfer yet? Make sure you start your overseas screening early and don't procrastinate. Trust me, I almost wasn't able to fly with my family because I procrastinated.

As fas as storing cars, the Navy will pay for the storage of 1 vehicle. Its a full service storage where they monitor all fluid levels, change them as necessary, and have the vehicle on blocks to avoid flat spots in tires. Plus they have a website that you can check to see what maintenance was done to your car at any time. I stored my family car (an 04 Nissan Quest) and sold my s14.

[liv2drift045]

You will USUALLY not get picked up for IA if you're in japan. The reason being you/we are already considered to be in a forward deployed/hardship duty status. That being said it doesn't mean we're exempt. I say go for it. You can go to college anywhere. Its more an issue of you having the dicipline to get started and follow through (with school). You'll have a lot of fun in japan but if your planning on being in the 'motherland' and driving/drifting/owning a car, as its been said above that is going to depend on your paygrade.

Atsugi is a pretty cool base. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself, i'd tell you to get ahold of me on aim/msn but im out to sea right now.

Kevin

[dino6192]

THANK YOU! all the latest info is exactly what I'm looking for!
I will be leaving here on my 6 yr mark so I know alittle bit about how the IA's work. Honestly I think if I see a cool humanitarian mission I will definetly sign up for that right off the bat just so I dont get comfortable there and end up getting pissed if they pull me later. I know there is a "hot time" when you come back from deployment so I will be safe for a couple more months which will keep me away from the IA's to IRAQ! (the orders are only 24 months)
I was just supposed to deploy with the Mercy and had all my IA stuff completed and already living onboard, 4 days before deploying my lung colapsed while I was onboard and I was in balboa hospital while they pulled out. everyone was telling me things happen for a reason! I only wanted to go on that deployment to do a westpac and travel again.
all of a sudden I get asked about orders when I have already signed my page 13 and even got to talk to my detailer on the phone! something is weird about this whole thing and I just think it is kind of meant to be right now. I feel like its a oppourtunity of a lifetime right now.

i heard about the vehicle storage. they will probably think something is broken when they hear the 2-way! LOL
do you know if I can have one of my friends stop by and do the maint on the car and drive it instead of them touching it?

[beeracing s14]

just go with the GI bill and school. You can always go to japan with a great future. Go to school use that 47k gi bill. get a great job. save money from a fat pay check and go back to japan anytime you are ready. japan is always there. but education fades with you as you age....there maybe a nuke war 2 years from now who knows? and yet you have not even enjoyed the 47k gibill youve worked for. die rich brotha! take it from me im an ex-navy enjoing full blown civilian life now plus bling bling . hahaha!

[dino6192]

how much is the GI bill giving you now? lets lay down some numbers. I was just thinking college is still free while I'm in so why get out so soon?

[waterboy]

P.a.p.e.r..c.l.i.p buddy,,,,,, people against people ever reenlisting civilian life is preferred, I did 4 years in the navy at Norfolk then they gave me e-5 and orders to Japan but I got out anyways .now I make 3 times the cash and I live my own life
If I want to go to Japan I will do it on paid vacation lol

[dino6192]

ya I was thinking that at first until I added up up how much that will set me back! I might as well go for free now and if I like it I will probably stay.
to me I think I might as well suck it up and go. its only 24 months and after that I should be getting the high tenyer.

[corwin]

They just bumped up the GI Bill to 1321 for full time. The new Gi Bill does not go into effect until Aug '09, FYI.

[dino6192]

The new Gi Bill does not go into effect until Aug '09, FYI. I have been hearing ALOT about this rumor. is there any website link you have on this info?

[s14dr1ft3r]

P.a.p.e.r..c.l.i.p buddy,,,,,, people against people ever reenlisting civilian life is preferred, I did 4 years in the navy at Norfolk then they gave me e-5 and orders to Japan but I got out anyways .now I make 3 times the cash and I live my own life
If I want to go to Japan I will do it on paid vacation lol

Ha ha ha...I actually had some friends go to mast for wearing paperclips on their uniforms in hidden locations. The chain of command thought it was some sort of ship gang. Except we called it People against people ever reenlisting, civilian life incentive program.

About the car storage, once you place it in storage you can not touch it until you are ready to remove from storage permanently. So no, your friend can't do the maintenance on it.

Scott

[S13SilviaGirl]

I have been hearing ALOT about this rumor. is there any website link you have on this info?

It is on the VA website, as well as military.com (call the VA for more info)

[dino6192]

thanks! its for one of my friends out here that just enrolled in college.

[IsBettyBish]

go to japan... I lived there for 4 years in the army... best time of my life and yes... it is everything you thought it would be and more than you can imagine.

[dino6192]

Just wanted to give a quick update about this thread that was started awhile back.

Its funny reading through it all and remember how nervous I was about what would happen once I'm on that plane and there's no turning back.

Well I'm glad I didnt!!!!
For the past year and a half I have been having a great time.
I was told "you wont be living out in town" and " you wont be able to drive a car unless your E-5 or above" ...

well I got my car about a month in and moved out in town after 3-4 months.

since then have been traveling all over Japan hitting different tracks and drift spots.

every weekend is a new experience either by going to a new resturant (the resturants here are amazing) or just jumping on the train to head out to the beach or a festival.

Japan is the shit!

I just wanted to give everyone a update on this because I know there may be acouple other people out there that may be feeling the same way I did before.

[yokotas13]

hell yeah dude. live it up man
I was there for 4 years and i loved it. keep it up, and never stop goign out and finding stuff

[fliprayzin240sx]

And 4 yrs later...I'm still trying to get to the mainland. Okinawa sucks...well not suck suck but it could be better without all the marines and stupid politics of this shit hole.

[ayuaddict]

Hey whats up? I had the pleasure of meeting some dudes from Team Shake It when i was in Japan this past month. Perhaps you were one of the dudes? I gotta agree Japan is awesome and I'm glad everything worked out for you.

[liv2drift045]

LMAO yea Yuta, Steve was there @ Fuji when we went to the T50 event... his car is in his sig... black c33 laurel w/ sr20... this is funny, i replied 2 years ago to this thread but just barely met steve recently....

[ayuaddict]

OHHHH alright. haha. cool beans.

[A31CEFIRO]

Just wanted to give a quick update about this thread that was started awhile back.

Its funny reading through it all and remember how nervous I was about what would happen once I'm on that plane and there's no turning back.

Well I'm glad I didnt!!!!
For the past year and a half I have been having a great time.
I was told "you wont be living out in town" and " you wont be able to drive a car unless your E-5 or above" ...

well I got my car about a month in and moved out in town after 3-4 months.

since then have been traveling all over Japan hitting different tracks and drift spots.

every weekend is a new experience either by going to a new resturant (the resturants here are amazing) or just jumping on the train to head out to the beach or a festival.

Japan is the shit!

I just wanted to give everyone a update on this because I know there may be acouple other people out there that may be feeling the same way I did before.

lol whats up Steve I read the old post and was cracking up on some of the info people were puting out there! And now to see everything was totaly different. Well can't wait to get back and get behind the wheel again. I'm thinkin 1J Cefiro right now. :squintd:

[heavenboundkevin]

i think i was gonna buy your blue coupe? Even to this day i feel like i shoulda bought it. oh well. What do you do in atsugi? I was at HSL 51 for 2 weeks. Had an okay time.

[godrifttoday]

What pay would someone fresh from college get? That goes into the military, an what level?

[superbike81]

And 4 yrs later...I'm still trying to get to the mainland. Okinawa sucks...well not suck suck but it could be better without all the marines and stupid politics of this shit hole.

My sentiments exactly. I'm either doing an indef DEROS or going to Korea for a year then up to Yokota. Every time I go to Yokohama to visit my wife's family, I get back to Okinawa and just say "FML!" It's not the worst place here, and it's still better than anywhere in the US (only my opinion), but 6 years in Oki is gonna be long enough.

[5pecialist]

I may have to join the military - sounds like an easy free lifestyle!!!

[yokotas13]

um...not really lol
air force is KINDA cake, getting more of a pita now, but none of its easy

[yokotas13]

What pay would someone fresh from college get? That goes into the military, an what level?
talk to a recruiter
if you are a smart guy you an negotiate and get more out of your contract. trust me :)

[DenkiMan!]

dino6192, glad everything worked out for you man. i visited japan in winter of '08 and even though i was only there for 2 1/2 weeks, i loved every bit of it. it was definitely more than i expected to be honest. i stayed in tokyo with some family of mine and i really couldnt get enough. the time sent there rly wasnt enough for me haha. i was fortunate enough to go to the auto salon and it was so amazing. car life was certainly alive and booming, my friend who is from there there actually told me its getting more and more active as japan's D1 grows in popularity. i saw something sick everyday, be it racing or really rare cars. i was staying right near an above ground expressway and several nights i would hear the highway runners blasting through at like 2 or 3 in the morning.

i knew i always wanted to go there and now im almost sure i want to live there. im planning on visiting again maybe this winter. yea the cold was not that great but i lived up north all my life so its not like i wasnt used to it. i could def see myself living there

from my understanding, for civilians, i can get an international license and it would last me a year and drive anywhere in the world?

[superbike81]

Getting a license isn't a problem. Getting a car registered in your name will be.

[DenkiMan!]

and yea i hear the registration can be a little difficult, but who knows maybe my family can help me with that

oh yea and i also met NOMUKEN at the auto salon (2009)!!! i was starstruck...we had a rly short conversation because my japanese is limited but i was probably the pinnacle of my life haha. he acts just like he does in his videos haha hes a really funny/cool guy

[yokotas13]

you are seriously a fanboy..of epic level.

btw, ive met him 4 times, twice at the track

[DenkiMan!]

hahaha im not sure if the name-calling is really necessary/mature, but he is and always has been my favorite D1 driver and ive always wanted to meet him. and i was contempt with meeting him once lol

[yokotas13]

contempt huh...you sure about that?

[superbike81]

So you were really pissed at him when you met him? LOL.