The famous crossing! And whichever automotive things were there.
Past my time at Shimokitazawa and sightseeing there, my group moved to see the famous Shibuya Crossing. Some of us have never been to Japan, so it is an inevitable place of interest.
It is extremely touristy – absolutely no doubt about it. Here exists photo opportunities for tourists on foot but also other… biproducts for tourism.
Across the two times of being here had some sort of “JDM tour” around the more famous cultural parts of Tokyo. These require permits, although not everyone has acquired them or had the best interests of the local car community in mind.
Searching among discussion forums and these tours are more negatively viewed than positively due to the above reasons and because prices for the tours tend to less worthwhile than renting a car, where you would be able to fully OTOT (own time own target) instead of restrictive timing for select places.
I’m not saying these here are rotten apples; I don’t know them – but across my reading and deserved/undeserved mockery from overseas friends from the last trip, this is about what I know.
In any case, this Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Toyota GR86 are well-done, far better than some examples other people have posted..
I’ll confess that I have signed up for one of these tours in a previous trip so I can understand that perspective. But back to Shibuya, where multiple enthusiast cars will always be parked nearby (for tours or photos) and others passing through; for attention or to get somewhere.
At the time of attendance (mid March), the area around the crossing is undergoing construction, so some routes to it has been diverted.
Looking over the crossing didn’t catch my eye; a duo of mad-wide coupes similar to the RWB from a few days prior. Zoom in some 20 times or so and indeed they are wide – a Nissan Z (RZ34) and Toyota Supra MK5. I believe these to be official LIBERTY WALK cars – very nice.
Instead of camping as before, we quickly walked through the crossing to look for a nearby IKEA, so there isn’t any extra car-spotting from here.
Though for the otakus, at this time the adjacent building was hosting a Hololive pop-up store. It was short lived, as less than a week after this visit, it was no longer there.
That’s it, then. Catch you in the next entry.
~Efini
Gallery:
Read more: Tourist in Japan: Car-spots outside Takashimaya (in Japan)
