Circuit Theory Japan tours
09-04-07, 04:53 PM
#2
Tom!
Great to see the post and i'd be happy to respond in being one of the first to be on the tour around japan. I've never been to japan until a couple years ago. My interest was becuase of the timing. i was on my way to Thailand to visit relatives and vacation so i made it a point to stop in Japan as well to hit up the Auto Salon which i've always wanted to go and see in person. I got in touch with Tom and made all arrangements via email/pm/im etc.
once i arrived in Japan I was greeted in the airport by Tom who assisted us from the get go. Being a stranger in a foreign land was scary enough so seeing someone who i was able to communicate with was like a breath of fresh air. We, my gf and i, were escorted to our housing arrangements so we weren't lost at all. The train systems are very concise and punctual but being so foreign i really wouldn't know where to start without any help so Tom helped every step of the way. living arrangements was pretty much a small apt room which consisted of a kitchenette/bathroom/bedroom w/ futon/tv. nothing too lavish but comfortable. also, being close to a convenience store it was great so we could stock up on food and drinks.
Sightseeing wise we got to visit a friend in the countryside and see things outside the city as well. seeing how life outside the city was pretty interesting and a side of japan i wasn't expecting since i was expecting more of the hustle and bustle associated with Tokyo.
we also got to visit the big city and enjoy the nightlife which was awesome!
highlights on our short stay (since i was only stopping by for the show on my way to Thailand) was of course the auto salon, meeting old friends, and taking in the culture. from the street foods, shopping, nightlife, cars, etc. the experience for me was seamless and if asked if i would do it again and go through Tom, i wouldn't even hesitate. Tom did take us to the popular spots at night where the cars are but unfortunately i forgot my camera those nights
(i know stupid)
thanks again Tom, hope to see and visit soon!
oh btw, remember this accident we saw happen right before us on the highway?!
some pics from TAS which btw, the tix were taken care of by Tom prior to the show otherwise we'd be in the long *** line!
Great to see the post and i'd be happy to respond in being one of the first to be on the tour around japan. I've never been to japan until a couple years ago. My interest was becuase of the timing. i was on my way to Thailand to visit relatives and vacation so i made it a point to stop in Japan as well to hit up the Auto Salon which i've always wanted to go and see in person. I got in touch with Tom and made all arrangements via email/pm/im etc.
once i arrived in Japan I was greeted in the airport by Tom who assisted us from the get go. Being a stranger in a foreign land was scary enough so seeing someone who i was able to communicate with was like a breath of fresh air. We, my gf and i, were escorted to our housing arrangements so we weren't lost at all. The train systems are very concise and punctual but being so foreign i really wouldn't know where to start without any help so Tom helped every step of the way. living arrangements was pretty much a small apt room which consisted of a kitchenette/bathroom/bedroom w/ futon/tv. nothing too lavish but comfortable. also, being close to a convenience store it was great so we could stock up on food and drinks.
Sightseeing wise we got to visit a friend in the countryside and see things outside the city as well. seeing how life outside the city was pretty interesting and a side of japan i wasn't expecting since i was expecting more of the hustle and bustle associated with Tokyo.
we also got to visit the big city and enjoy the nightlife which was awesome!
highlights on our short stay (since i was only stopping by for the show on my way to Thailand) was of course the auto salon, meeting old friends, and taking in the culture. from the street foods, shopping, nightlife, cars, etc. the experience for me was seamless and if asked if i would do it again and go through Tom, i wouldn't even hesitate. Tom did take us to the popular spots at night where the cars are but unfortunately i forgot my camera those nights
(i know stupid)thanks again Tom, hope to see and visit soon!
oh btw, remember this accident we saw happen right before us on the highway?!
some pics from TAS which btw, the tix were taken care of by Tom prior to the show otherwise we'd be in the long *** line!
09-04-07, 05:36 PM
#3
This was a great experience. Tom’s a very knowledgeable guy and an excellent host. The only regret I have is that I didn’t plan more time for this as I only had one free evening.
First of all Tom was kind enough to look up the train schedule and email me step by step directions so that I didn’t have any problems getting from Tokyo to where we were meeting. We started off by going to “Wise One Auto”, a rotary performance shop. This place was awesome, from seeing race cars being prepared to salvaging the yard for parts for my FD. I picked up some choice pieces including authentic 99 spec tail lights. From there we went to a Super Autobacs, which is another great place to find unique Japanese aftermarket parts for your car. We ended the night by going for Japanese pancakes! I look forward to my next trip to Japan, where I hope to visit Re-amemiya, a couple other popular tuning shops and to see at least one event whether it be a drift event or Super GT.
In all honesty there’s a million things to see and do in Tokyo let alone all of Japan. I was told that Japan is that much better when you have someone to take you around and show you what the country has to offer. I went for a week on business but I had no idea what to see or do until I met up with Tom. I give props to Tom because he didn’t just take me to a couple of places to get car parts from but he actually took the time and showed me what the Japanese culture was like.
Some pics:
That black FD is my favourite.
If I could have taken these with me I would have bought them on the spot.
Tom, thanks for everything and I look forward to seeing you again next year!
First of all Tom was kind enough to look up the train schedule and email me step by step directions so that I didn’t have any problems getting from Tokyo to where we were meeting. We started off by going to “Wise One Auto”, a rotary performance shop. This place was awesome, from seeing race cars being prepared to salvaging the yard for parts for my FD. I picked up some choice pieces including authentic 99 spec tail lights. From there we went to a Super Autobacs, which is another great place to find unique Japanese aftermarket parts for your car. We ended the night by going for Japanese pancakes! I look forward to my next trip to Japan, where I hope to visit Re-amemiya, a couple other popular tuning shops and to see at least one event whether it be a drift event or Super GT.
In all honesty there’s a million things to see and do in Tokyo let alone all of Japan. I was told that Japan is that much better when you have someone to take you around and show you what the country has to offer. I went for a week on business but I had no idea what to see or do until I met up with Tom. I give props to Tom because he didn’t just take me to a couple of places to get car parts from but he actually took the time and showed me what the Japanese culture was like.
Some pics:
That black FD is my favourite.
If I could have taken these with me I would have bought them on the spot.
Tom, thanks for everything and I look forward to seeing you again next year!
09-04-07, 06:33 PM
#4
Krist: Thanks for the pics and the post. Look forward to taking you and Kim around anytime.
Sanjay: Thank you for posting up about your experience. I am looking forward to showing you and your wife around a bit next year.
Thanks guys
Tom
Sanjay: Thank you for posting up about your experience. I am looking forward to showing you and your wife around a bit next year.
Thanks guys
Tom
09-04-07, 07:44 PM
#5
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Hi tom a friend of mine and myself are actually planning on going to japan next summer. we might need a person to show us around so ill hit you up if we are still in need of a tour guide.
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09-17-07, 11:17 PM
#8
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Whats up 
I had an awesome two weeks in Japan.
I met up with Tom two days, once near the beginning of my trip....then I travelled around Japan a bit - when I returned back in Tokyo, I met up with him again.
He's a great host, I cannot believe the amount of miles...or kilometers haha that he drove, and the amount of time he took aside to take us around
It made for an awesome start and an awesome last day for my vacation.
First day I met up with Tom, he picked me up along with two others and took us to see a track event out at Nikko Circuit. Afterwards, he swung by Panspeed for us to take a looksee around, and a nearby Up Garage where I picked up a good deal on a clutch ^_^
Second time I met up with Tom, he took us to check out the shop he worked at, showed us some of the cars the were working on Then rounded over to Kazama Auto, and also to check out the inventory of a friend of his who imports some sweetly modified cars. Then off we went with Tom to Top Secret and then RE Amemiya. We had some to kill after that, because we finished with lots of time to spare before running up to Tsukuba...so we randomly drove off to check out this huge Buddha statue, ate at El Torito, stopped by a Super Autobacs, and went bowling ahahah. Afterwards, up we went to Tsukuba mountain to check out the touge runs. Saw some grip drivers, some drift drivers, some bosuzokus (sp?)....very fun night! My god, that day ran from 10am to 3am! 0_o Tom effing rocks!
Anywho, you can check photos of my entire trip here: http://picasaweb.google.com/cmak127
But as far as car related, I'll post some of the places up that were car related here from the places Tom took us...plus I'll tag on the pics from Feed/Fujita Engineering from when i headed down to Osaka.
I had an awesome two weeks in Japan.
I met up with Tom two days, once near the beginning of my trip....then I travelled around Japan a bit - when I returned back in Tokyo, I met up with him again.
He's a great host, I cannot believe the amount of miles...or kilometers haha that he drove, and the amount of time he took aside to take us around
It made for an awesome start and an awesome last day for my vacation. First day I met up with Tom, he picked me up along with two others and took us to see a track event out at Nikko Circuit. Afterwards, he swung by Panspeed for us to take a looksee around, and a nearby Up Garage where I picked up a good deal on a clutch ^_^
Second time I met up with Tom, he took us to check out the shop he worked at, showed us some of the cars the were working on
Then rounded over to Kazama Auto, and also to check out the inventory of a friend of his who imports some sweetly modified cars. Then off we went with Tom to Top Secret and then RE Amemiya. We had some to kill after that, because we finished with lots of time to spare before running up to Tsukuba...so we randomly drove off to check out this huge Buddha statue, ate at El Torito, stopped by a Super Autobacs, and went bowling ahahah. Afterwards, up we went to Tsukuba mountain to check out the touge runs. Saw some grip drivers, some drift drivers, some bosuzokus (sp?)....very fun night! My god, that day ran from 10am to 3am! 0_o Tom effing rocks!Anywho, you can check photos of my entire trip here: http://picasaweb.google.com/cmak127
But as far as car related, I'll post some of the places up that were car related here from the places Tom took us...plus I'll tag on the pics from Feed/Fujita Engineering from when i headed down to Osaka.
09-18-07, 09:34 PM
#10
Thanks for putting all that up Carol. I have yet to go to Fujita Engineering but it looks like a nice shop!
I found a new spot for touge grip and drift viewing that is AMAZING!!! I should have some photos and a story or two this coming weekend since I will be going there again.
Tell Paul and Mike I said "Yo".
Tom
I found a new spot for touge grip and drift viewing that is AMAZING!!! I should have some photos and a story or two this coming weekend since I will be going there again.
Tell Paul and Mike I said "Yo".
Tom
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