Watch This And You’ll Get Why Japan’s Tuning Scene Still Hits Harder Than Anywhere Else

Ever wonder why Japan’s car culture earns its reputation for being next-level compared to everywhere else? Dino Dalle Carbonare (Dino DC) takes us on a tour to perfectly capture why many enthusiasts (including us!) believe no one does it quite like the Japanese. 

Rolling through Tokyo in a white, Red Bull-liveried Honda NSX, Dino provides a behind-the-scenes tour of Tokyo’s automotive underground. 

What’s different here is that this isn’t your typical “look at these shiny cars” video (you get them, too, don’t worry!). It’s more about the people, the stories, and the generational passion that makes Japan’s tuning scene hit different.

Grab a drink, as you’ll want to enjoy this one!

Meeting The Lifetime Enthusiasts

The journey starts with Dino talking to some of the passionate drivers who make the scene what it is. 

He chats to Meme, who’s reppin’ a modded Nissan R35 GTR NISMO Edition. Her automotive DNA stems from her father, who drove a Hakosuka, her mom with a Kenmeri (C110), and her brother with not one, but TWO Skyline R34 GT-Rs. (Talk about growing up in the right household!)

The Heart of It All – Daikoku Parking Area

No trip to explore Japan’s culture would be complete without visiting the Japanese automotive Mecca, Daikoku Parking Area (PA).

In case you’re (somehow) not already aware of Daikoku, think of this as the unofficial headquarters of their car culture. It’s likely the most diverse and impressive car meet you’ve ever seen, multiplied by ten.

Sure, you’ve got perfectly stanced Mazda RX-7 FDs. But then you’ll also spot a wild Bosozoku-styled old-school Toyota Mark II alongside Kaido Racers that manage to make the stance culture look subtle.

It’s not just JDM vehicles stealing the show, either. Diamond-encrusted Lambos? Check. Widebody Porsches? Absolutely. SUVs? Those, too!

This is what makes Japan’s scene so special – there are literally no limitations or judgment.

While JDM cars remain the main preference, the culture embraces just about everything with wheels and an engine, with the primary goal being to make it as outrageous as possible.

The Legends Behind The Scene

After soaking up the community vibe at Daikoku, Dino’s next stop is to meet the masterminds who helped shape the culture.

He opts to visit none other than ADVANCE Technical Factory, where owner Masa-san showcases an incredible collection of NSXs. The star of the show is their demo car, which has been with them for 30 years and is currently on its 13th engine!

Then, outta nowhere, Rocket Bunny‘s very own Miura-san drops by to share his origin story, and we’re willing to bet you can’t guess where it all began.

His inspiration came from a combination of old race cars and… Mad Max movies.

If you thought that was surprising, before he was making wide-body kits that have helped shape the modern tuning culture, he was building amusement park equipment. Rollercoasters, specifically!

The journey wraps up at the airport, where Dino picks up Yuki Tsunoda. The F1 driver’s reaction to the NSX is priceless – “best car I’ve ever seen!” Coming from someone who drives million-dollar race cars for a living, that’s quite the statement.

Turns out Yuki’s JDM car roots run deep, too. His dad owns an S2000 (which we’re willing to bet has seen some sideways action), and it was actually the first car Yuki ever drove. He even remembers that his Dad once competed in an NSX in Gymkhana events during the drive.

Why It’s So Much More Than Just The Cars

I still maintain that Japan’s car scene is arguably the best in the world, but it’s more than that. It’s also about the deep-rooted passion that flows through the people behind the Japanese car culture.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend time in Japan and witness this firsthand. It’s like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else in the world.

Take the NSX, for example. In Japan, this car carries weight beyond its aluminum construction – it represents dreams and engineering excellence.

There’s also a direct connection to racing heritage that spans all the way up to Formula 1. When Yuki sees that NSX, he’s likely seeing his own journey reflected back at him.

The culture revolves around OGs who actively pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Innovation happens when people are genuinely passionate and want to redefine what’s possible with unique ideas and creations, rather than simply chasing trends or seeking social media likes.

This is why I believe Japan’s tuning scene has more substance than anywhere else, because it’s built on something deeper than modifying cars. While Americans are busy (intentionally) running each other over at car meets, the Japanese continue to evolve the game for the better.

There’s a deep-rooted, passionate respect for machines, and engineering knowledge is passed down through many generations. This tradition connects everyone involved – from street racers to professional drivers, fathers to daughters, and past innovations to future possibilities, and it’s incredible to witness.