Osaka really is different, man….


Osaka really is different, man….

Time to experience some true Japanese car culture with friends…

Ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none, right?…

During Auto Messe weekend, we always try to host a gathering somewhere in Osaka because there are so many people in town for the show. It just makes sense to bring everyone together for some post-show activities. That way it maximizes the experience for those who come to the Kansai region and it allows them to get a taste of true Osaka car culture. It’s not unlike Tokyo, when the masses all link up at various night meets in the city. This is just on a smaller scale but with a completely different vibe. If you enjoy cars, you already know that Osaka will be thriving that weekend. On this particular evening, we decided to bring our newly-finished Mintia “Cold Smash” EK4 Civic race car out. We had friends in town who hadn’t seen the car in-person yet and even though it is a dedicated race car, we thought it’d be fun to see this thing smashing around the city. A few days after that, we all headed over to Kyoto for a fun evening with Kei Miura from TRA Kyoto. You may know him as the man behind the popular aero parts company(s) Rocket Bunny and Pandem. We all grab dinner and then head back to his shop where he shows us some of his latest projects and goes through the unique process in how each build came together….

It was starting to feel like I had been in Japan forever. I’d say I was missing home but Osaka is basically my second home so they only thing I was really missing were my friends. That is, until they finally showed-up! It was good to see their faces and spend time with them again because Yasu might have been getting tired of just seeing me every single day. Osaka Auto Messe was fast approaching and everyone arrived just days before. Nana showed-up first after visiting some friends in Gunma, then Der and Kristian landed early morning in Osaka. We grabbed some food, walked around the city, and then it was off to the biggest car show in the Kansai region, Osaka Auto Messe!…

The age-old debate continues…which is better? Tokyo Auto Salon or Osaka Auto Messe? Both parts of Japan are so different in so many ways that it always brings about this question—but can the two really be compared? Tokyo Auto Salon is a much larger show in terms of scale and relevance, but there’s just so much character and style that Osaka has to offer. Since I went to both shows this year, I am able to provide a first-hand account of the cars that were showcased. Join my friends and I as we explore the wonderfully colorful annual car show mega event that is the one and only, Osaka Auto Messe!! And decide for yourself which one you prefer. Let me know what you think in the comments!!…

I’ve been wanting to do some prints for a while now and finally pulled the trigger and two of my favorites photos and cars from my recent journeys to Japan. The first one is of Tsuyohi from NO GOOD RACING’s two Civics during heavy rain on the Osaka Kanjo and the second, one of the best of all time, the Car Mark Across EK9 parked in front of a Family Mart on a night after Joe took @ryan.der on a touge run in the mountains. Both are 24×36-inches (2×3 ft) in size, printed on high-quality durable 100lb. gloss cover paper in a matte finish. Limited to only 200 each, all will be individually numbered and labeled like my previous prints, and can be signed upon request. Super happy how these came out and even happier that these will be hanging in some of your garages or homes. These are now available over at our official storefront, NORIVALNOEQUAL.COM!!…

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