Osaka, Japan [Sept 26th - October 11th]

[Rusker]

My job is sending me to Japan again. This is my third trip, but my first time in Osaka.

What automotive stuff should I definitely see? I don't know which days I'll be bust with work stuff, but I should have a large amount of time to myself to do what I want. I missed out on going to a time attack I was invited to in Fukuoka on my first trip but couldn't make it, and my second trip I was taken to an area where drifters run down the mountain at night, but nothing was going on.

Anything going on during this time? I know for sure my weekends are open. Anyone in Osaka?:fruit:

[LimeLite Racing]

There's a regional section for this type of thread.
http://zilvia.net/f/japan/

[WISH ONE]

Just curious, what do you do?

[LimeLite Racing]

I was kind of curious as well. I want that job lol!

[Rusker]

The company I work for imports construction/agriculture equipment. I do the IT stuff, and handle the company e-mail. The companies we work with in Japan have always wanted someone to come visit them. No one wanted to until I started a few years ago. Of course I jumped at the chance, and everyone there thinks I'm crazy for being so excited every time regardless of how long it takes to get there. So I go there once a year to meet and greet, shake hands, bow, etc. It's just to keep the relationship between both companies strong. So it works out for me that the boss has no desire to fly to Japan.

This trip I'm meeting a new company we're starting to work with. They'll show me around their city, take me out to get something to eat, etc. I've scheduled the trip to allow me a little extra free time.

So on my own time I'm meeting with someone I met a year ago in Japan about getting into importing automotive stuff. The exchange rate is horrible right now, but maybe we can come to an agreement, and I'll start bringing in my own stuff soon. It's about time I look into it with all the connections I've gathered over the years. We'll see what happens...

Anyway, I posted a few photos from one of the trips on zilvia. If anyone wants to meetup in Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto,..?, that'd be awesome.

http://zilvia.net/f/off-topic-chat/339554-returning-japan-october-tokyo-fukuoka-anything-kyoto-photos-09-a.html

[Rusker]

Hopefully I'll figure out a way to bring back a few of these..
http://i.imgur.com/0hPIP.jpg

[LimeLite Racing]

Hopefully I'll figure out a way to bring back a few of these..
http://i.imgur.com/0hPIP.jpg

Please let me know if you do. I have cash. And live close to Washington. Hahahaha

[HyperTek]

sounds like fun! Nice that your boss has no interest in going and rather send you. haha

[Rusker]

Please let me know if you do. I have cash. And live close to Washington. Hahahaha

We'll see what happens.

[Rusker]

nice interesting and very informative post, thanks alot for sharing.
======
non voice projects (http://www.nonvoiceprojects.com/)

Not sure if you're being sarcastic, but here are a few photos I took last year.

http://i.imgur.com/pKccC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VYUXK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/szSQD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Eesb8.jpg

[LoneStarSilvia]

Best use of box cars I've seen in a while!

I really want to go to mainland someday and see some cool cars. Isn't the Nissan or Toyota heritage museum nearby? I get tired of seeing so many round eye's B4's and Altezza's.

[Rusker]

Best use of box cars I've seen in a while!

I really want to go to mainland someday and see some cool cars. Isn't the Nissan or Toyota heritage museum nearby? I get tired of seeing so many round eye's B4's and Altezza's.

TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM (http://www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/index.html)

Interesting.

[slider2828]

Osaka is great! Been there a couple of times... If you guys are serious about importing stuff and can pay upfront, then I have a way to get anything you want... I know a major importer for honda's from Osaka. Anyways, J's Racing is out there, Signal Auto, makers of the Miracle XBar is near Suzuka, which is kinda near there.

See if there are any races in Suzuka..... I think part of the Omori factory is out there, then drop by Kobe and eat some Kobe beef.... Ummm oh and you MUST do this!

The Japanese Restaurant Where You Catch Your Own Meal (http://www.tofugu.com/2011/05/26/japanese-restaurant-catch-fishing-meal/)
Sit, Fish and Eat... It was a hell of a good time...

[Rusker]

Osaka is great! Been there a couple of times... If you guys are serious about importing stuff and can pay upfront, then I have a way to get anything you want... I know a major importer for honda's from Osaka. Anyways, J's Racing is out there, Signal Auto, makers of the Miracle XBar is near Suzuka, which is kinda near there.

See if there are any races in Suzuka..... I think part of the Omori factory is out there, then drop by Kobe and eat some Kobe beef.... Ummm oh and you MUST do this!

The Japanese Restaurant Where You Catch Your Own Meal (http://www.tofugu.com/2011/05/26/japanese-restaurant-catch-fishing-meal/)
Sit, Fish and Eat... It was a hell of a good time...

Do they have a website, or any online information? PM me the info.

Are the races usually on the weekends? I think I may be in the Hakata area over the weekend.

Thanks for the info on the restaurant!

[Forte EXE]

I'd try to check out a lot of the older cultural stuff while your there. You can always see the cars on the internet and what not.

[Rusker]

I'd try to check out a lot of the older cultural stuff while your there. You can always see the cars on the internet and what not.

I definitely will spend the majority of the time visiting the sites, eating food, etc. Also, I'm sure the company I'm going to visit will have a list of things they want to show me around their city. So I'd like to do something car related while I'm there. This is my 3rd trip, and have yet to do anything aside from visiting shops, and used car lots.

[lucky_brett]

that restaurant is awesome!

[fliprayzin240sx]

Man, I want some damn Tonkatsu Ramen...why fucking ramen shops never caught on in the states is beyond me.

[Rusker]

I wonder the same thing now that I'm seeing sushi shops opening up all over.

[superbike81]

If you can make it over to Suzuka Circuit on Sunday October 9th, the annual Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix will be going on. My wife, son, and I will be there all weekend.

[tricky_ab]

Man, I want some damn Tonkatsu Ramen...why fucking ramen shops never caught on in the states is beyond me.


OMG this! I ate sooo much the last time I went to Japan (that was ages ago :( ) Seriously though, I never ate so well (healthy) in another country before hitting up Japan.

[slider2828]

Do they have a website, or any online information? PM me the info.

Are the races usually on the weekends? I think I may be in the Hakata area over the weekend.

Thanks for the info on the restaurant!

No no website. Trust me a container is like 40grand up front. If you don't have that much money, I can maybe set you up with a friend and you can chip into a container, but these things are money.... But let me know.

[Rusker]

No no website. Trust me a container is like 40grand up front. If you don't have that much money, I can maybe set you up with a friend and you can chip into a container, but these things are money.... But let me know.

Just got back, and had an awesome time.

I have the resources there to cut up the cars for me, and I have the connections to get the cars, and the money... The problem is even though cars are fucking dirt cheap at the auctions.. I don't know how much money you can make once you get the clips here. A 40ft container right now is about $2500.

The exchange rate is horrible.

Definitely a fun trip though. BTW can you import JDM "grey market" motorcycles, and scooters? You can buy a rukus (aka zoomer) there for real cheap. Not to mention all the street bikes I saw.

I love Japan. :hs:

[Rusker]

OMG this! I ate sooo much the last time I went to Japan (that was ages ago :( ) Seriously though, I never ate so well (healthy) in another country before hitting up Japan.

This is true. Even when I get to stuff my face, it's usually healthy food. I bet if I lived there full time I would be in the best shape of my life. I was really craving cheese by the time I got back. haha

[240o'clock]

Post up some pictures of the trip!

[Rusker]

Ran across this car when I was in Beppu. In this guys shop he had two other old skylines that were stripped down to the shell. :aw:

http://i.imgur.com/zUqzJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5irju.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RoPZ0.jpg