Tag: ro in japan

  • Sayonara Sagamihara | RO Explore

    Sayonara Sagamihara | RO Explore

    For our last couple of days in Japan, we decided to stay at Ryo’s place. We’ve been missing him in the states and needed a huge dose of Ryo before we headed back home.

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    When Ryo came home from work, he woke us up to a snow storm.

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    We drove around the city for some late night ramen.

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    Rolling at night in Ryo’s GS430 was awesome and even cooler because it was snowing!

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    YAAASSSS!

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    Ryo ready to Snap Chat that food.

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    Delicious ramen!

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    What an awkward photo..

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    My first time experiencing snow fall, so I was extremely excited.

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    Maybe not so good for cars.

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    First time I wanted a photo of myself haha.

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    Abbitt is use to it.

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    We went a to Mega Don Quiote for some Tenga.

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    Tenga master.

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    We met up with Ryo’s friend for some Japanese BBQ.

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    Parking lot hangs.

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    Getting down with some beef tongue.

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    Couples that are into cars together, stick together.

     

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    The next morning was our last day in Japan and the storm was finally over and we had our last lunch with Ryo.

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    A last quick shoot with Ryo’s GS430.

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    It was our last chance for some Japanese pasta, so Ryo took us to one of his spots.

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    Spaghetti and bacon is such a good idea.

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    Japanese pasta is a must have when you’re in Japan.

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    Gonna miss these two because they’ll be going home and I’ll be heading to Vietnam for Chinese New year.
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    The last sunset in Japan. It’s weird being alone..

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    Thanks Ryo for letting us stay at your place! I hope you go to Vegas for our meet!

    -NGUMINH

  • Yokosuka Living | RO Explore

    Yokosuka Living | RO Explore

    When Royal Origin is in Tokyo, we try to go visit our good friends, ALL THAT LOW in Yokosuka. Kevan had planned for us to go to Big Bang for some go cart drifting, but the place ended up being closed. We changed our plans and just ended up chilling in Yokosuka.

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    Kevan’s Chaser.

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    Kevan putting on our “Fuck the Police”decal.

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    Drift spec.

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    Ballsy of Kevan to rock this in Japan.

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    Cruising around with the “Black Mamba”.

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    When you find out that she likes black guys.

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    Kevan took us to check out this sick Majesta near his house.

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    We ended the night hanging out at Zee’s home. Abbitt getting hungry watching the girls eat.

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    Abbitt finally getting fed.

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    The Zayas family showing off their favorite stickers.

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    Zee’s kids are so adorable!

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    Talking about the car scene and the future.

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    Thanks Zee, Kevan and Mo for the hospitality!

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    To the future.

    -NGUMINH

  • Random Night in Daikoku | Parking Lot Finds

    Random Night in Daikoku | Parking Lot Finds

    We continue our journey in Japan with us departing from Vinh and Rica and us heading to Sagamihara to stay with Ryo. He’s been living here for the past year working with Lexon Japan. He didn’t have time to take us around, so we decided to go out and explore his area.

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    We went to Machida and found this small ramen shop that sold meals for cheap! Spicy ramen that was only 580 yen.

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    Add a combo for only 200 yen!

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    Spotted a small stand that sold this strawberry and chocolate custard dessert. Pretty good!

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    Exploring a bit of Machida.

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    After exploring Machida, we went to Yokohoma station to meet up with Shavi’s friend, Kato.

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    Kato’s slammed Mazda 3. He took us to Yellow Hat, an autmotive chain service shop.

    DSC05225  We came here to meet up with his homie, so we can head out to Daikoku parking area together.

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    Chaser on some 3 piece wheels in the parking garage of Yellow Hat

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    People working on their cars in the parking structure. DSC05251

    This sick chaser came out of no where in the parking structure.DSC05313DSC05257 

    First car that caught my eye was this slammed VIP Cima from 502 Factory.

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     So jealous that GTRs are a common thing here in Japan.

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    GTR meet ups.

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    S14 on classic Work Equips.

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    Always great to see a S15 in Japan.DSC05309DSC05306

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    Me and Abbitt went inside for some soft serve ice cream. Thanks Abbitt!

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    Van culture is huge here.

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    Big green machine.

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    Kanjo racing?

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    Vending machine heaven.

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    Shavi and fans.

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    Itasha style is huge here.

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    4 dour bangers.

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    My favorite car here was this R32. Jesus Christ it was so nice and it had stickers from all of the HKS Premium events it attended. DSC05394

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    I wonder if you know…

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    Crazy 350z from Freakin Works that was just welded together recently. Still has a lot more work to be done..

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    It started to pour and it was freezing, so it was time to head back home.

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    Thanks Kato for taking us around!

    -NGUMINH

  • BBQ and Kyoto | RO Explore

    BBQ and Kyoto | RO Explore

    When I’m traveling anywhere, I try to get the most out of my money and time. Japan makes it easy to travel without owning a car. All you need is a JR rail pass and it’ll get you up and down Japan easily. It gives you access to local train systems, the bus system and the bullet train. We stayed in Tokyo, but wanted to make it down south to check out the famous temples and check out Osaka for a bit.

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    We were trying to take the bus to the Golden Temple, but ended up at this random temple.

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    Pretty cool place nonetheless.

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    Enter the dragon.

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    The best soft serve green tea you will ever have!

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    It can be found in a little shop in front of the Golden Temple.12640400_10153935804800996_6844576928002586668_o

    The majestic Golden Temple.

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    Our next stop in Kyoto, would be the Fushimi Inari shrine. It’s the shrine that has a bunch of toriis on the mountain. A torii is this orange gate thing.

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    Usually, it’s not this crowded, but I guess January is when tourists come out.

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    Writings on the wall.

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    After a long afternoon of visiting temples, we headed further south to Osaka for some Japanese BBQ. We were originally looking for Kobe beef, but none of the restaurants that served kobe beef were open. They didn’t open until 5PM and we didn’t have that kind of time to wait.

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    When you’re third wheeling hard.

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    That’s it for today, thanks for reading and I’m sure we’ll meat again.

    -NGUMINH

  • Odaiba to Roppongi | RO Explore

    Odaiba to Roppongi | RO Explore

    After spending a couple of hours at Tokyo Auto Salon, we had to stick to a tight schedule for everyone to be able to get their money’s worth and experience everything Japan has to offer. Right before we were going to get on the train to Odaiba, I spotted Ikinari Steak! This steak spot is so good and during my last trip in Tokyo I ate it at least 5 times with Vinh.
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    They usually let you pick what grade of meat you can eat, but I guess during lunch it’s a set menu.

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    The food was still excellent.

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    I hope you guys appreciate food porn as much as I do.

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    Our first stop in Odaiba was the Hello Kitty store for some dessert!

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     The guys couldn’t deny the cuteness of the cone. We had to punch each other in the face to feel like a man again.

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      Rica and her Hello Kitty green tea swirl.

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    Delicious and cute all in one cup.

    DSC04982   The thing you must see when in Odaiba is the life size Gundam.

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    Then swing by Decks Odaiba and go to the huge arcade center that houses the Initial D game.

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    The view from the Decks of Odaiba.

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    See that tall orange thing on the right? That was our next destination and it is also my favorite place in Japan, The Tokyo Tower.

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    I’ve been to this tower so many times, but it still puts me in awe every time I’m up close.

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    Magical.

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    Make sure you get some dessert or coffee in the cafe up here.

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    The Japan crew.

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    The view up here is amazing and is definitely worth the money to go all the way up.

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    For dinner we had yakitori at this spot that I’ve been going to every year that I’m in Japan. Everything is only 280 yen and it is delicious!

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    Chicken skin!

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    Jalapeno poppers.

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    Apparently not many yakitori places serve beef. This one does.

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    Get wrecked.

    -NGU MINH

  • Kyoto’s Golden Temple | RO in Japan

    Kyoto’s Golden Temple | RO in Japan

    Some photos of when I went with the United Royals crew to the Kyoto Golden Temple.

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    Fried chicken in Japan. Not bad..

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    Teriyaki burger.

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    Green tea soft serve from the City that invented green tea.

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    So good, Sara got two.

     

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    I was Sara’s personal photographer for this trip.

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    The Golden Temple. Still amazes me after the third time seeing it.

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    Tourists.

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    Public transportation is key in Japan.

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    Toro!

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    Unagi.

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    Amy and Barry devouring some sushi.

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    More public transportation stuff.

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    Sara modeling some Japanese tea.

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    Fantasy football coach.

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    Kyoto was interesting.

     

  • The Show | United Royals

    The Show | United Royals

    The United Royals photo drop by @nguminh.

  • D1GP Osaka | RO in Japan

    D1GP Osaka | RO in Japan

    Today was going to be pretty exciting, this would be my first time attending a D1GP event and I finally get to witness the professional side of Japanese drifting. We got the group together early in the morning and took a train to Nishinomiya to meet up with Ty for a ride to the event.

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    I actually miss using trains as a mode of transportation. Wish we had a system as good as this in California.

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    Morning moods.

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    Toyota Altezza rolling into the parking lot of the event.

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    A drift LFA, I’ve seen everything now.

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    Gangster Rocket Bunny S13 at the Trust booth.

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    Holy shit. This FD is killing it, everything on it looks flawless as hell.

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    Candy red might just be my color.

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    Looks like the owner of this car is running a Charge Speed front bumper

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    That rear end is so aggressive, can’t stop LOOKING.

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    The 326 Power RC350 is an incredible thing to see in person. I can’t believe it’s static.

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    Only in Japan where you’ll see something like this on the road.

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    How do you drive this thing without destroying anything?

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    There’s probably no suspension travel or that rim would be all up on that quarter panel.

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    326 Power always has a killer brake to wheel combo.

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    What are thooose?

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    Wald GTR.

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    The new Liberty Walk G35 kit looks pretty damn good. I thought it would make the car look more bubbly, but the kit execution isn’t that bad.

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    Work Meisters M1 tucked nicely under that front flare.

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    Liberty Walk bringing out the heat today at D1GP.

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    This Liberty Walk Lamborghini probably cost more than the cost to run this event.

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    Neck breaking all day.

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    Finally got to see some drifting action after getting distracted in the vendor area. You don’t normally see a 3rd generation GS being drifted, but this is Japan and anything can happen.

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    The race pits were very welcoming and there were no off limits areas, you can literally stand next to the mechanics while they’re working on a car.

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    The drift cars here have way more style than the ones in Formula Drift.

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    I saw this car last year at Nagoya Exciting Car Show, glad to see it gets used.

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    Awesome to see an Altezza being used for professional drifting!

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    The Rocket Bunny kit is kissing the floor when being worked on.

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    You’ll see all of your favorite drift cars from S15s to Chasers in this pit.

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    Itasha style on D1GP cars.

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    Never thought I would associate GOOD YEAR with drifting.

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    Most of these S13s were armored with Rocket Bunny kits and still look immaculate.

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    Style is everything.

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    Back to the vendor area where there was a car show for the event. This VARIS FRS was looking mean by the

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    Slammed Audi TT.

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    The drift cars were pretty clean, but the show cars were even cleaner!

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    The FD’s from LOOKING. 
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    Crazy Miata, I guess it used to be in D1GP.

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    Slammed Legacy Wagon on Meisters.

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    Yasu’s S2000 from Phaze 2 Japan.

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    HKS GT-Supercharged S2000 engine bay.

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    Time attack killer. 211

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    Liberty Walk Ferrari another killer car at the Liberty Walk booth.

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    The Liberty Walk Drift Lambo, I wanted to see this car run.

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    Back to some drifting, cars get alot more side ways here at D1GP.

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    FRS chasing a GTR.

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    The GTR stays so close to the S15.

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    Put em in a coffin.

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    When bae shows up to your drift events, gotta go all out.

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    The driver came out without a scratch.

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    Crazy how they use fork lifts to get the cars off the track.

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    The damage.

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    Duct tape to keep the bumper from dragging, that’s some HOODRATstuff.

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    Eri and Ty talking about their favorite drivers.

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    This guy is supposedly really cute.

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    Daigo Saito in his Mark II.

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    While I was waiting for everyone, I was suddenly surrounded by a bunch of anime school girls.

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    I was guessing this one was their leader.

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    The race queens got together with them for a group photo.

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    More photos of the Liberty Walk line up.
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    I guess at the end of the event, the host girls perform a little concert for everyone.

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    On the way out I spotted Yasu’s IS on CCW wheels. That’s it for today, I’ll be posting more about my Japan trip with United Royals some time this week.

  • RO in Japan | A Day in Kyoto

    RO in Japan | A Day in Kyoto

     

    Back with another edition of #ROinJapan, the group decided to use the most of our JR pass and head down south to Kyoto. Kyoto is known for their many temples and being the city where green tea originated from. As usual, we woke up early at the break of dawn to catch the first 8AM shinkansen(bullet train) to Kyoto.

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    First stop the Golden Temple of Kyoto!

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    The long ass garden you have to walk through to buy tickets to get inside the temple.

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    These look like those papers, wizards would throw onto the hopping zombies in Chinese movies to control them.

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    The golden temple.

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    I felt like I was in a postcard.

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    It was pretty cool to see the temple in person, definitely something to experience when you’re in Japan.

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    Throwing coins in for good luck. The people at the temple really know how to make that money.

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    The temple offered candles that had prayers on it such as to be better in school, success in your career or finding love.

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    The next stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha where there are more than 10,000 toriis(little gates).

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    Students cleansing their hands and mouths before entering the shrine.

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    The animal of this shrine is the fox who holds the keys to the gates,

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    Pull these bells and hope your prayers come true.

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    Finally at the first Torii.

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    My God, this was a crazy experience walking through all of these toriis.

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    We thought it eventually ended, but it just kept on going.

     

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    These stairs never end..

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    So.. when we got to the top there was just another shrine. We thought there would be a sick view or something, but nope it was just another shrine.. So if you’re not about walking an hour up some stairs to see a shrine that is identical to the other 50 shrines on the way up, then don’t waste your time walking all the way up. Oh yeah, try the green tea ice cream in Kyoto. It’s fucking good.

    -NGU ASS

     

     


     

  • Memories of Japan

    Memories of Japan

     After a long day of drifting at Nikko Circuit, Colin decided to take us to get some souvenir shopping and for car guys that means car parts shopping.  He brought us to a Up Garage where they sell all kinds of used JDM car parts.

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    There were two warehouse one had wheels and the other had miscellaneous car parts. We went on to check out the wheels first and found some pretty good pricing on used wheels.

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    To convert Yen to USD all you have to do is take out two zeros. This set of Work VS Mesh was only $600!

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    I believe these are WEDS wheels, I could be wrong but pretty cheap 1,390 for nice sizing.

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    Some WORK XT-7 wheels just out in the rain. No big deal.

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    The next building had so many cool stuff from body kits to VIP accessories.

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    Mugen front end for the 8th generation Civics.

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    Lots of grilles!

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    Cheap used bucket seats.

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    Used steering wheels from NRG to Trust steering wheels.

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    An aisle full of coil overs.

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     Get that extra clean look to your rear end with some JDM tail lights.

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    After Up Garage, Colin showed us to a spot to get some fried dumplings. On the way there we  spotted two VIP style cars.

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    Wish I could reach into my screen and grab one right now.

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    On the way home we decided to make a quick stop at a resting area. We were fortunate to be there when a VIP gathering was happening.

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    Some dumped VIP cars.

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    A group of shakotan vans were rolling out when we arrived.

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    Rolling lower than most of the cars over in the states.

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    These two friends brought out some crazy VIP builds.

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    This Toyota Crown had some extensive bodywork to look this crazy.

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    TVs in the back for the people who are losing the race.

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    This Aristo is just top notch. A build only the Japanese could think of.

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    Love the fender vents and the custom lights.

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    Tuckin’ some Work Meisters.

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    Man seeing VIP cars in Japan is way more awesome than seeing it online. You have to experience it one day.

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    The quality of builds here is so amazing. Each car we had to take our time to ingest all the awesomeness.

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    This Aristo had the gnarliest camber and rim tuck.

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    Almost a 1/4 of the wheel is being tucked into those fenders.

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    It almost looks even all around.

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    Perfection.

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    I hope the states took some notes on how to be a bad ass. One day I hope to see the VIP styling of America to be on this level of attention to detail.

    -NGU ASS