Think about this: it’s mid-afternoon in summertime Japan. You’re on the summit of a mountain highway with a lineup of JDM hero machines cooling down after a spirited touge run. It would sound like a dream, however a few months in the past this was my actuality.
Positioned close to Hakone and Mount Fuji, Fun2Drive gives a singular expertise for automobile fans visiting Japan – an opportunity to drive JDM icons on iconic Japanese roads.
So long as I dreamed of visiting Japan, a time out with Fun2Drive was close to the highest of my ‘must-do’ checklist. So, when planning a two-week go to to this extraordinary nation, it was one in every of the primary bookings I made.
I selected the ‘Final Hakone Tour,’ a five-hour guided drive from 10 within the morning till 3 within the afternoon, protecting a few of Japan’s most well-known roads, together with Hakone Skyline, Tsubaki Line, Ashinoko Skyline, and the famed Hakone Turnpike. The tour is a highlights reel of well-known routes featured in Dino’s tales, grainy movies from Japan’s golden period of efficiency tuning, and naturally, Preliminary D.
The day started with a briefing, outlining the route and showcasing movies of potential mishaps. The sight of an R32 Skyline GT-R spinning out right into a guard rail was met with a collective wince from the tour group.
Fun2Drive’s dedication to security is essential. The automobiles on the coronary heart of this operation have gotten more and more priceless, and repairing or changing them because of accidents is a big concern for the corporate.
To mitigate the chance, the tour is carried out in English and guides in automobiles are positioned at the back and front of the convoy. They handle the tempo and supply commentary on hazards to maintain everybody protected.
Security briefing over, it was time for the group to fireside up our automobiles for the the day. As a eager rally fanatic, I booked Fun2Drive’s 2000 Subaru Impreza Sort R STI Model 6 Restricted – in Sonic Blue Mica with gold wheels, in fact.
Regardless of rising up at rally occasions surrounded by Subarus, I’d beforehand solely pushed a few Imprezas for very brief durations. But, slipping into this GC8 STI coupe felt like an ideal alternative, and the primary blip of the throttle to convey the boxer burble alive confirmed it. With my girlfriend beside me and our baggage loaded, we set off.
Beginning in the back of the convoy allowed me to familiarise myself with the automobile and driving in Japan. Coming from Eire, the place we additionally drive on the left, made issues a lot simpler, however there’s nonetheless journey in taking to the roads of a brand new nation. Particularly Japan, for somebody who will get giddy on the fixed sight of kei automobiles and Toyota Crown taxis.
After a brief two-kilometre drive, our convoy pulled off to the aspect of the highway whereas the lead information raced forward to make sure the way in which was clear. It was the stuff of JDM fantasies, the tree-lined roadway silent apart from the idle of the assembled automobiles.
On the entrance was a Nissan R35 GT-R. This was meant to be a BNR34 Skyline GT-R, nevertheless, the renter’s lack of handbook gearbox expertise necessitated a late swap. Behind was a Canadian couple in a Datsun Fairlady Z. I struggled to maintain up with flame-spitting S30 later within the day, so it was no shock to discover a retrofitted RB25DET below this traditional’s hood.
Most Preliminary D factors went to the AE86 Toyota Trueno, and behind that, a Porsche 911 Turbo – one in every of solely two non-Japanese automobiles within the Fun2Drive fleet – trying lovely on break up BBS RS wheels. The black 964 was a beautiful distinction to the stainless NA1 Honda NSX that adopted it, with a wide-body FD3S Mazda RX-7 filling our view forward.
Different automobiles obtainable to lease embrace Nissan C10 Hakosuka and C110 Kenmeri GT-R replicas, a brand new NC1 Honda NSX, A80 and A90 Toyota Supras, a Tommi Mäkinen Version Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, and a modified AP1 Honda S2000 amongst others.
The tempo was balanced completely between leisurely cruising and spirited driving when the chance and highway allowed. Agile and responsive, the Impreza was an absolute pleasure to drive on the twisty sections. The Dunlop Direzza tyres gripped properly, and the 280PS turbocharged 2.0L boxer engine delivered some correct kick.
Following a noon break at a small diner on the Hakone Skyline, embellished with automotive memorabilia, the highway order was adjusted. Alternatives to swap positions at each different cease meant everybody may benefit from the automobiles how they wished.
The breaks additionally allowed the automobiles to chill down from the recent June temperatures and supplied an opportunity to speak.
Cruising by Hakone, it was surreal to see the brilliant blue reflection of the Impreza reflecting off store home windows. The ultimate gasoline cease, the place all of the automobile automobiles converged on a small forecourt, capped off the day in one of the best ways attainable. What a sight!
I had combined feelings on our return to Fun2Drive HQ after an unbelievable day of driving. The Subaru and the tour had been distinctive – I’d do it once more in a heartbeat. It was just a bit unhappy to suppose that Japanese automobiles like this are actually out of attain for a lot of fans. Fortunately although, Fun2Drive exists to make driving experiences in these automobiles – within the JDM motherland – accessible.
As new visitors ready for a single-hour taster tour in most of the identical automobiles, our group stated our goodbyes. Whereas most had been returning to Tokyo – that journey taking roughly two hours by prepare and bus – we opted to remain in Gotemba, a 20-minute bus experience away.
Not solely did that place us close to Gotemba Premium Shops – a big outlet mall – this location afforded spectacular views of Mt. Fuji when it wasn’t shrouded in cloud. Oh, and Fuji Speedway is on the outskirts of city.
Fun2Drive has a tour that visits the legendary observe – with the chance to do a couple of laps – however I used the spare few hours earlier than our journey again to Tokyo to go to the museum.
The 2-storey Fuji Motorsports Museum homes a few of Japan’s most iconic race automobiles. It’s been some time since I’ve set free an expletive, however once I rounded a nook to see a Mazda 787B and a Toyota GT-One, I couldn’t assist it. You possibly can try extra on the museum in Jaden Low’s IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER put up.
Trying again on my time in Japan, the day with Fun2Drive stands out as a spotlight. Driving a legendary automobile on Japan’s most iconic roads, surrounded by fellow automobile fans, was a singular expertise. It appears JDM goals can come true.
Cian Donnellan
Instagram: ciandon
