NolimitZ32 goes to Tokyo (Approx. 30.May.2014)

[NolimitZ32]

Hey all, a quick backstory: I have been living and working in Australia for the past 16 months, I've just put in my notice at work and will be returning home in early June. On the way home I will be making numerous stops between leaving Perth and landing in Houston. One of these stops will be in Tokyo for 2 to 4 days just to have a look around and take in some sights. I know we have a few members that call Japan home (not sure if you're in the vicinity of Tokyo), I would love to meet some of you for a few frothy beverages, to shoot the isht, or take a ride down one of Tokyo's fabled (and traffic jammed as I understand) freeways. Please let me know if you guys are available and have any interest in meeting a fellow Niconaut. Or at the least I would love some pointers on where to go and what to see, cultural/historical sights as well as a proper Japanese tuner superstore or automotive event. Thanks all.

[lne937s]

Tokyo is as great city. I was there for the Tokyo show... it is crazy and crowded(this coming from someone living in NY), but cleaner and more civilized than US cities of a similar size and surprisingly reasonably priced (as long as you are not expecting a large hotel room). I stayed near Shimbashi (also spelled Shinbashi), which is easy to get to from both airports and close to Tokyo station.

Honestly, JR is the best way to get around. Driving is slow, lanes are very narrow and parking is very tight. I would recommend getting one of the passes (which are offered at a discount to foreigners). We got a Kanto area pass, which lets you take JR rail trains and some of the slower (~180 mph) Shinkasen in the surrounding area for ~$80 for 3 days.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/kantoareapass/index.html

There is a Nissan showroom in Ginza, near the Ginza Lion (small, but the oldest beer hall in Tokyo). Sony HQ is down the street.

Yokohama is about a 40 minute train ride away. Nissan Global HQ is near the main train station and they have some exhibits and cars there. It is in a nice area to walk around near the water.

The NISMO Omori factory (which I didn't make it to due to time) is a little closer to Tokyo
http://www.nismo.co.jp/shop/shop/omori/ ... ex_en.html
http://www.nismo.co.jp/en/index.html

The Yokohama plant and engine museum are also nearby, but the engine museum is relatively small and the plant tours are only in Japanese.
http://www.nissan-global.com/JP/PLANT/H ... KOHAMA.pdf

Not about cars, but the Tsukiji fish market is also pretty cool to see. Sushi inside the market and right outside (a little cheaper) is about as fresh as you can get.

... And if you get a chance to make it to one of their industrial or science museums, take a look at one of their "kids" exhibits, strip away the cartoon characters, and you will be amazed at how advanced kids are over there.

[NolimitZ32]

Sweet, thanks for all the info. I know that I won't get to see much as I'd like since I'll only be there for a short time but I do want to soak in as much as I can because I get the feeling I won't have the opportunity to come back for a while.

BTW, how much do car parts cost in Japan? Would it do me any good trying to buy something small like say injectors for my Z32 while I am there or is the price on Nismo 740cc from the vendors in the US better? Also, Since I will only have one piece of checked luggage coming into Tokyo I figure I could do a bit of JDM car part shopping, again if its worth it or if anyone stateside wants something specific and not too large. So yeah let me know, find where they sell it (geographically) and I don't mind having a go at getting it for ya.

[NolimitZ32]

Troll go away!

[lne937s]

Would it do me any good trying to buy something small like say injectors for my Z32 while I am there or is the price on Nismo 740cc from the vendors in the US better?

Well, to buy them straight from the source, it looks like they are 14,000 yen each or ~$137, which I believe is less than most places charge here. But beyond the price, I think the real benefit of Japan is the range of parts available and being JDM quality.

http://www.nismo.co.jp/en/products/nism ... rts.html#3
http://www.nismo.co.jp/products/catalogue_2014/#page=84

http://www.impul.co.jp/
http://www.autech.jp/

[NolimitZ32]

Do you speak Japanese or have you just spent countless hours researching this stuff? And $137 per injector isn't really that much of a deal for me to be bringing them over from japan, SZ sells them for $900 a set, it would be a savings of about $70 so who know I might jump on a set when I am there, if I come across them. Either way thanks for all the info, you are a godsend.

[lne937s]

Glad that was helpful. No, I don't speak Japanese (even though I know a few symbols and can order Sake)... but I am a bit obsessive about cars and Nissan in particular. In addition to my recent trip, I had started planning a build that I ended up having to cancel. I tend to do detailed game plans and cost/benefit analysis for everything, which annoys my wife but is helpful sometimes...

And you are right that there doesn't seem to be much of a price benefit for Japanese parts in Japan, but the selection available tends to be a bit better. And if you could pick it up at the NISMO factory store in Yokohama, that would make for a cool story.

[NolimitZ32]

Definitely. I'm the same, spreadsheets out the wazoo when I was doing my build but I stuck to the US retailers. And yeah any parts purchased from the NISMO factory store would be an awesome story, guess I'll be staying in hostels though my travels so I can offset the cost of parts.