We’ve finally reached the third and final video in our “Alex in Japan Part 2” series, and what a journey it’s been! In this episode, we capped off our adventure with an unforgettable day in Yokohama, a city rich in culture and automotive history. From visiting top-tier tuning shops to driving some of the most legendary cars on Japan’s iconic roads, this episode delivers a perfect blend of motorsports and exploration.
Our Yokohama adventure began with a visit to ASM Autobacs Yokohama Bay, an absolute must-see for any Honda enthusiast. Known for their expertise in Honda tuning, ASM has gained legendary status, especially for their all-motor Honda S2000, which currently holds a record at the Tsukuba Circuit. It was a thrilling experience to witness this shop’s craftsmanship up close and to see where some of the world’s fastest Honda builds come to life.
After exploring Yokohama, we couldn’t resist heading over to the iconic Daikoku Parking Area (PA) to catch the evening car meet. Despite the rain pouring down, Daikoku PA didn’t disappoint. The turnout was still impressive, with an array of cars, from modern-day JDM heroes to classic builds, all showing up in style. The atmosphere was electric, even though the weather wasn’t on our side. There’s something magical about seeing these cars gleaming under the rain-soaked lights that really captures the spirit of Japan’s car culture.
Our final full day in Japan took the adventure to a whole new level. We rented three legendary cars: an R32 Nissan Skyline GTR, a Lancer Evolution VI, and a Honda Civic Type R (EK). These iconic machines embody the essence of Japanese performance from the golden era of Japanese automobiles, and we were beyond excited to get behind the wheel.
Our destination was the scenic Lake Haruna, known for its stunning views and famous for being a motorsport haven with winding mountain roads. The weather, however, was relentless, with torrential rain making the drive challenging and exhilarating.
Despite the downpour, the cars handled the slick mountain passes with remarkable precision, and the adrenaline rush of navigating these famous roads made it one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip.
Combining iconic cars and some of Japan’s most famous driving roads created an unforgettable end to our journey. As we wrap up this series, we hope you’ve enjoyed following along as much as we’ve enjoyed filming it. The people we met, the places we visited, and the incredible cars we drove have left us with memories that will last a lifetime.
Stay tuned for what’s next, and thank you for joining me on another adventure in Japan.
Our biggest drop EVER on the Checkpoint store is now live!
We have spent the last month following our Pop-Up Shop collecting, inventorying and uploading the most eclectic and carefully curated inventory list to our store.
Most items are one-of-one, so make sure you get that item you have your eye on before somebody else does.
Everything released in the drop is currently listed online, check it out on the Checkpoint Japan Online Store.
